| kelli | | tony | | jessica | | kevin | | michelle |

Australia is so stranger to the Popstars TV phenomenon, the successful TV series that focused on the nationwide search for a pop group followed young aspiring performers as they try their luck in one of the hardest industries in the world. First shown in 2000, the Network Seven production has produced chart-topping bands Bardot and Scandal'us and launched the careers of many more stars- Scott Cain, Selwyn, Sophie Monk and Katie Underwood.

However the hype of Popstars was not confined to Australia, television audiences from around the globe soon experienced the Popstars phenomenon. The British version of Popstars whittled thousands of hopefuls down to 10 potential band members, five members resulted in the mixed gender group Hear'Say, while the five remaining talented hopefuls, Jessica, Kelli, Michelle, Kevin and Tony, who so narrowly missed out, decided to be positive about the Popstars experience.

After the show they meet up and discussed the events that had unfolded. What they had all wanted was the chance to be in a band, the chance to create something of their own with a group of like-minded people. The more they talked the more it became apparent that there really was only one solution. They knew how well they worked together and they trusted implicitly in each others talent, ability and friendship. Liberty X was born.

A busy time followed, gathering a team of like-minded souls to work around them and writing their own material so as to prove to all that their confidence was bolstered by true creativity. They got together a demo of their first six tracks, all self-penned, and set about finding themselves a record deal.

"From our first meeting I was completely wowed by their determination, optimism and refusal to give up. But it was when I heard their music that I knew they were going to be a huge success," recalls millionaire businessman and V2 record company owner Richard Branson.

V2 had met with Liberty X and immediately been impressed by their charisma and commitment. As a result they had followed their progress with interest and were keen to hear music. Liberty X duly provided V2 with those first demos. It was when V2 heard the X's edgy pop R&B sound backed up by their tremendous vocals and harmonies they knew that they had found their pop band. So confidant was V2 in Liberty X's ability and potential that they signed them for a whopping six-album deal.

Liberty X burst onto the pop scene with their first single 'THINKING IT OVER', which was co-written by Kelli and Tony with Pete Devereux of the Artful Dodger. 'THINKING IT OVER' entered the British charts with a bullet at number 5 in one of the most competitive weeks of the year and stayed in the top 20 for four weeks, quickly passing the magical 100,000 sales mark.

Second single 'DOIN' IT' quickly followed chalking up a top 20 hit for the band in Britain, but with the album primed for release, the unforeseeable happened. A funk band also called Liberty took the X's to court and everything was put on hold as a judge decided whom the name belonged to. Our Liberty lost but an addition of a simple X did nothing to cease the momentum and the newly re-christened Liberty X headed back into the charts and they did it in style.

Their storming third single 'JUST A LITTLE' swept across the UK. An absolutely massive hit which saw Liberty X sitting firmly at No.1 both in the singles and airplay charts in Britain.

Shortly thereafter they released their debut album 'Thinking It Over'. The band had been heavily involved in the writing process co-writing 10 of the 14 tracks and created an R&B flavoured pop sound that belied their youth. Cutting edge pop with powerful melodies and stunning vocals, its release saw Liberty X gain further critical and chart success in the UK.

Fresh from a summer of UK and European festivals and international success (chart hits in UK, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand and more to follow with first releases in France, Germany, Italy and the U.S soon approaching), Liberty X return with a killer cover of the old skool club classic, Mantronix' 'GOT TO HAVE YOUR LOVE'. The eagerly anticipated follow up to 'JUST A LITTLE' was released in Australia on 22 Nov 2002.

Liberty X released their fifth and final single in the UK in December 2002. 'HOLDING ON FOR YOU' from their debut album reached the No. 5 spot in the national charts. Liberty X are currently recording new tracks for their new album set for release in early 2003 and an exciting new collaboration is is also in the works.

Liberty X have fought through a swathe of negative opinion, a lost court case and a name change to become one of the hottest music stories of the year.