30 Facts About Sinitta

Sinitta Malone known mononymously as Sinitta, is a British-American singer.

Sinitta initially found commercial success in the mid-1980s with the single "So Macho" and had several other hits during the decade.

Sinitta's mother is Miquel Brown, who was a popular Canadian disco-soul singer in the 1970s and 1980s and a member of the cast of Hair.

Sinitta has a sister, Gretta, who was adopted by a relative.

Sinitta was born and raised in Seattle and later Detroit, but frequently travelled with her mother on tour including to Sydney.

Sinitta auditioned for musical roles in London, performing in The Wiz at age 12 while still in school.

In 1981, Sinitta appeared in the film Shock Treatment as Frankie, credited as Sinitta Renet.

Sinitta continued her career by appearing in several West End productions, notably the first production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats.

In 1986, Sinitta released the single "So Macho", which debuted at 59 on the UK charts; the single remained rather low in the charts but, later that year, reached number 16, climbing to number 5 the following week.

In 1987, Sinitta released the lead single from her upcoming debut album, after seeking the help of producers Stock Aitken Waterman.

Sinitta then released the second single from the album, "GTO"; the single reached number 15 on the UK chart.

Sinitta then released "I Don't Believe In Miracles", which reached number 22 in the UK.

In 1989, Sinitta moved away from working directly with producers Stock Aitken Waterman amid creatives differences and the producers' changing priorities following the rise of their in-house superstar Kylie Minogue.

In 1990, Sinitta released the single "Hitchin' a Ride", which performed moderately, charting at number 20 in the UK, whilst "Love and Affection" peaked at number 62.

In 1995, Sinitta released a covers album called Naughty Naughty, which was the only album of hers to be released in Asia.

Sinitta appeared on the cast recording album for What a Feeling, a live recording taken from the Apollo Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh, in May 1997, and replaced Irene Cara to tour with Sonia and Luke Goss in the rock and pop musicals concert, What a Feeling the same year.

Sinitta only discovered this when the show was aired, leaving her feeling used and betrayed.

In 2004, Sinitta made her premiere appearance on The X Factor in the first series, when she assisted Simon Cowell at the Judges' Houses stage, helping to select his final three acts for the live show, choosing Verity Keays, Rowetta Satchell and the eventual series winner Steve Brookstein.

In 2005, Sinitta helped Cowell once more during the second series, this time choosing the final four groups Addictiv Ladies, 4Tune, The Conway Sisters and Journey South.

In 2009, Sinitta returned to the show again during the sixth series for the Judges' Houses stage, and then helped Cowell select Jamie Archer, Danyl Johnson and Olly Murs.

In 2007, Sinitta became a judge on the ITV show Grease Is the Word.

In 2011 Sinitta assisted Louis Walsh for the first time, rather than Cowell, when she returned in series 8, selecting Jonjo Kerr, Sami Brookes, Johnny Robinson and Kitty Brucknell.

In 2013, Sinitta helped Walsh on series 10 of The X Factor to select Sam Callahan, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald, who eventually finished second.

Sinitta returned to her music career in 2014, with her comeback single being a cover of her mother Miquel Brown's song "So Many Men, So Little Time".

Sinitta returned to The X Factor on series 11 to assist Simon Cowell again that year, when she helped to choose Jay James, second place finalist Fleur East and eventual winner Ben Haenow.

In 2009, Sinitta became one of the main presenters on The Xtra Factor, on which she interviewed the contestants' friends and family.

Alongside this, Sinitta became a series regular on the chat show Up Late with Rylan, and made appearances on Celebrity Masterchef as a contestant, although she was eliminated in Week 1.

Sinitta took part in the 11th series of Celebs Go Dating but opted to leave the show in episode 14 after failing to find love.

The final episode in the series took place in Cyprus, where Sinitta appeared for a surprise performance.

Sinitta was married from 2002 to 2010 to Andy Willner, and has two adopted children.