Amaury Vassili

Inspired by the likes of Josh Groban, Il Divo, and Florent Pagny, Amaury Vassili is a French classical pop singer who has been described as "the world's youngest tenor." Born in Rouen, Upper Normandy in 1989, he developed a love of opera from a young age and, after winning a singing contest with a rendition of Jacques Brel's "Amsterdam" at 14, decided to pursue a career in music. Discovered by French TV producer Daniel Moyne, he signed to Warner Music, released his debut album, Vincero, in 2009, and went on to support Katherine Jenkins on her U.K. tour and appear on the deluxe edition of her seventh album, Believe, with a cover version of "Endless Love." A year later, he recorded his second effort, Cantero, but it was in 2011 when he shot to fame after being chosen to represent his country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf with the song "Sognu." The first Corsican-sung entry from France since Patrick Fiori's "Mama Corsica" in 1993, it was quickly installed as the bookies' favorite, but had to settle for 15th place with 82 points. ~ Jon O'Brien, Rovi