Same Difference

Same Difference
Contestant Profile
Birth Date	24 September 1985 (Sean) 4 November 1988 (Sarah)
Age	40 (Sean) 37 (Sarah)
Hometown	Widley, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
Occupation	Singers
4
Category	Groups
Mentor	Simon Cowell
Placement	3/12
Gallery

Same Difference were a British mixed pop vocal duo consisting of Smith siblings, Sean (born 24 September 1985) and Sarah (born 4 November 1988). They auditioned for Series 4 of The X Factor UK and made it all the way to the final as part of the Groups category mentored by Simon Cowell.

Due to the eliminations of Futureproof and Hope, Same Difference were the only act left in their category. They finished in 3rd place behind runner-up Rhydian Roberts and winner Leon Jackson.

The X Factor

Same Difference entered the fourth season of the British talent show The X Factor in 2007. They auditioned in London, where judge Simon Cowell described them as "potentially two of the most annoying people I've ever met." However, he went on to champion the duo as mentor, later calling them "genuinely nice people." During the live shows, the siblings came in for criticism from judge Louis Walsh, who described them as "cheesy" and suggested that they would be better suited to children's parties and pantomime. In response to Walsh's comments, Cowell and fellow judges Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue disagreed, praising Same Difference for their upbeat performances.

The duo reached the final of the show, largely thanks to their performance of S Club 7's song "Never Had a Dream Come True" which received an enthusiastic reception from the studio audience. They eventually became the last contestant eliminated; Rhydian Roberts was the runner-up and Leon Jackson was the winner.

Performances

Episode	Theme	Song	Result
Audition	Free choice	"I'll Be There for You"	Advanced
Bootcamp 1		"Flying Without Wings"	Advanced
Bootcamp 2		"Could It Be Magic"	Advanced
Judges' houses	Free choice	"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"	Advanced
Week 1	Number Ones	"Tragedy"	Safe
Week 2	Film Themes	"Breaking Free"	Safe
Week 3	Big Band	"Reach"	Safe
Week 4	21st Century Classics	"I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"	Safe
Week 5	Disco	"Blame It on the Boogie"	Safe
Week 6	Love Songs	"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"	Safe
Week 7	British Classics	"Any Dream Will Do"	Safe
		"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
Week 8: Semi final	Mentor's choice	"Chain Reaction"	Safe
	Contestants' choice	"Never Had a Dream Come True"
Week 9: Final	Christmas Songs	"All I Want for Christmas Is You"	Eliminated (3rd)
	Celebrity Duets	"Any Dream Will Do" (with Jason Donovan)
	Song of the Series	"Breaking Free"

Post-The X Factor

2008: Debut Album

After leaving the show, Same Difference initially signed a one-single contract with Simon Cowell's label Syco. During the X Factor Live tour the pair confirmed that their intended debut single was a cover of "Breaking Free" from High School Musical, which they had performed in the live shows of The X Factor. An original B-side to the single was also planned, entitled "The Miracle". The tracks were recorded in Poland in early March 2008.^{[citation needed]}

In April 2008 it was reported their original one-single deal had been replaced by a full album deal, still with Syco, rumoured to be worth around £1 million.

On 19 July 2008 the duo performed at the "My First Festival" show at Legoland Windsor, appearing alongside Chico, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina, Bob the Builder, and The Groovie Movie Band. They gigged at various places throughout 2008, including Christmas light switch-ons and Butlins.

Sarah and Sean made several television appearances after leaving the show, including spots on Blue Peter, Basil's Swap Shop, GMTV and Noel's Christmas Presents. They also made several appearances on Nickelodeon. On 22 November 2008 they returned to The X Factor as special guests and performed their debut single "We R One". On Sunday 14 December 2008 Same Difference appeared as guests on CITV kids' show Toonattik.

Following a deal with Syco, Same Difference-themed dolls featured on the website Stardoll

In a newsletter sent to their fans, the duo confirmed that their debut single, "We R One", would be released on the Syco Music/Sony BMG label on 24 November 2008. It was written by J Elofsson and P Westerlund, produced, recorded and mixed by Quiz & Larossi for XL Talent, and published by Universal Music Publishing AB: Elofsongs. It was also confirmed on their official website that their album, released on 1 December 2008, would be called Pop.

One of the tracks recorded for the album was a cover of the Stock Aitken Waterman-penned Kylie Minogue hit "Turn It Into Love".

An additional track recorded for their debut album, "I Need A House", was previously recorded by Swedish popstar Marie Serneholt and released as a single in 2006.

2009–11: The Rest Is History and new record label

Same Difference announced a 21-date UK tour for March and April 2009, but this was subsequently cancelled. Instead, the duo decided to co-headline a 21-date joint tour with fellow X Factor graduate Leon Jackson. Same Difference co-headlined the joint tour at Ipswich and Birmingham. They also played a solo one-off concert in Portsmouth.

Same Difference were dropped by record label Syco following disappointing sales of their debut album.

Under new management, the duo signed a new album deal with PopLife Records, and performed in a 66-date UK tour of Pontins Holiday Parks.

In December 2009, Same Difference announced on their Facebook Group the launch of a new website, sporting a quirky new look. The first single from their album, "Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)", was released on 29 August 2010, with music video directed by Lauren Pushkin and produced by PMA Digital. "Shine On Forever (Photo Frame)" entered the UK Singles Chart at Number 100 on 5 September 2010. The duo released their second album, The Rest Is History, on 7 February 2011.

On 10 September 2011, Same Difference announced on their "Same Difference Pop Academy", a course on singing and dancing for children. The course began in October 2011 in Portsmouth.

In late September 2011, Same Difference submitted an entry, "Music", to the Swiss national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The bid failed, along with a separate one from Series 2 UK X Factor contestant Maria Lawson.

2012–2014: Superheroes and split

In spring 2012, Same Difference confirmed they had begun recording their third album, stating that they had matured and a new sound would feature on their new album. On 6 January 2013 London Records and Same Difference confirmed they had agreed a new record deal.

On 24 December 2014, Same Difference broke the news that they had disbanded but were still considering whether to release their third and final album, Superheroes.

In 2020 Same Difference reunited for a one-off charity single with proceeds going towards the COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. The single "One Life, One Love" was released through SP Music on 3 August and featured the students of SD Studios.