By high school, he picked up guitar and grew as a writer. Moving to London, his first music audition led to a spot in The Wanted in 2009.

A fascinating life prepared him to make such a statement. Born in Ireland the youngest of eight kids to a Sri Lankan father and Irish mother, SIVA got hooked on soul and R&B as a child. In order to overcome a speech impediment, he sang when he couldn’t speak—mimicking favorites such as Lionel Richie and Sade.