Full name: Aimee Anne Duffy
Birthdate: June 23, 1984
Birthplace: Nefyn, Gwynedd, Wales

Born to John and Joyce Duffy, Aimee Duffy was raised with her twin sister, Katy, and her older sister, Kelly, in a small town on the Llyn Peninsula. Her parents divorced when Duffy was ten, and she moved with her mother and sisters to Pembrokeshire, where her mother reunited with her childhood sweetheart, Philip Smith. The family, including Smith's four children, lived in relative poverty. They were also tormented by Smith's ex-wife, who hired a hit-man to assassinate Philip. Fortunately, the plot was foiled and she was imprisoned.

Although her sound has been compared to many '60s icons, Duffy has also been touted as one of the "new Amys", in reference to Amy Winehouse. However, she disclaims following in Winehouse's footsteps. After all, her record had been in the making for the past 4 years. Also, she is unlikely to repeat Winehouse's disastrous fall. Duffy had seen the effects of alcohol on a family, in the case of her stepfather's ex-wife, and stated that this was the reason she turned her back on drugs and alcohol.

Duffy's first single, "Mercy", was number one on the British charts for 5 weeks. Rockferry was also number one the European album chart.

Mercy

Duffy's first single, Mercy, hit #1 in the UK and is still climbing the US chart. Although the singing and dancing has caused her to be compared to Amy Winehouse, many still hear the retro sounds inspired by the original '60s soul artists. Her intention is not to duplicate anyone, but she does want to keep alive the sound of soul. As for the comparisons to Winehouse, it must be remembered that Duffy's first album, Rockferry, was three years in the making and was completed over a year ago. She is a contemporary of Winehouse and it just so happened that Winehouse appeared first on the scene, hence, the criticism that Duffy is mimicking her. However, their music is not all that similar. I will admit that I thought it was Winehouse when I first heard "Mercy", but it sounded more upbeat than what I usually hear from Winehouse. Upbeat in tone and tempo.

Duffy has stated that "Mercy" is about falling in love with the wrong guy. She admits she "wished she was more sexually liberated" at the time, but "her morals got the better of her." Very refreshing to hear from a young person nowadays.

As for the video, the official UK version showed a very classy, subdued Duffy singing on stage with a few guys dancing on the floor. The smoky atmosphere evokes a very sensual mood. The US version appears more seedy, with Duffy performing in a crowded bar. The atmosphere is more glaring and garish. However, Duffy appears freer, more liberated, in contrast to the feelings behind the lyrics.

While Duffy's first US single, "Mercy" is still floating around on the Billboard's Top 40, her second UK single, "Warwick Avenue" is in the UK Top 10. "Warwick Avenue" is a heartfelt, soulful break-up song that is neither angry nor bitter. She shows a very mature attitude in leaving a bad relationship and moving on. Her video is very simple and she reportedly stated that the emotions in the song hit her very hard, making it difficult to finish lipping the rest of the song.

The Duffydil

After winning the Grammy for pop vocal album of the year, singer Duffy has a flower named after her - the Duffydil - a special variety of the daffodil, grown by the Really Welsh Trading Company. Duffy chose the flower to bear her name and it will be presented at the Royal Horticultural Society's annual show in Cardiff in April. Fans can order bulbs at this show for planting.

Coca-Cola Contract

Recently, Coca-Cola Great Britain announced that Duffy will star in a new Diet Coke ad. She will be presented as a "strong and sassy" young woman who embodies the attitude of today's modern women. The ad will be one of a series of 30- to 60-second spots to be aired in early 2009. Coca-Cola sees Duffy as a talented and accessible young artist, rather than a pin-up, which appeals to women between 20-35 years of age. Duffy is enthusiastic about the campaign, stating that she "drinks so much of the stuff, they were either going to give me shares in the company or put me in their advert".

Duffy at the 2009 BRIT Awards

Duffy swept the Brit Awards by walking away with 3 trophies, out of the four nominations she received. This further indicates her high level of popularity. She lost out in the best song category to Girls Aloud, which was determined by viewers' voting. Since that type of voting would depend on who's watching at the time and their willingness to pay for a vote, it does not always indicate true popularity. In fact, a pre-award show poll had revealed that fans had picked Duffy as the winner. Perhaps, if the voting had been on-line and was free, we might have gotten a clearer picture of who was the most popular. Nevertheless, Duffy was extremely happy to have won the Best British Female, Best Breakthrough, and Best British Album awards. Congratulations, Duffy.

After the show, Duffy announced she was taking time off to "take stock". Hope it gives her time to write new songs and record them. Can't wait to hear a new single.