Avery Wilson

{{short description|American singer, songwriter and dancer (born 1995)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Avery Wilson

| image = Avery Wilson (born 1995) in a 2018 interview for Popdust.png

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption = In a 2018 interview

| birth_name = Branden Avery Wilson

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|07|18}}

| birth_place = Hamden, Connecticut, US

| origin =

| death_date =

| death_place =

| genre = {{flatlist|

R&B
pop
dance

}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Singer
songwriter
dancer
actor

}}

| instrument = {{flatlist|

Vocals
Guitar
Piano

}}

| years_active = 2012–present

| label = RCA Records

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Sean Garrett

}}

| website = {{URL|https://averywilson.com/}}

}}

Avery Wilson (born July 18, 1995) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Wilson first gained notice as a contestant on season 3 of The Voice.{{Cite web |last=Ivory |date=June 24, 2019 |title=Avery Wilson Is All Grown Up On His New EP '8:34' |url=https://soulbounce.com/2019/06/avery-wilson-is-all-grown-up-on-his-new-ep-834/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=SoulBounce |language=en-US}} In 2015, he released "If I Have To", the first single from his debut album, which reached the top twenty on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.{{cite news|last1=Ball|first1=Caila|title='The Voice': Avery Wilson Debuts "If I Have To"|url=http://www.idolator.com/7591661/the-voice-avery-wilson-if-i-have-to|accessdate=May 8, 2015|work=Idolator|date=May 6, 2015}} He later starred in the 2024 revival of The Wiz on Broadway as the Scarecrow, which earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for its accompanying soundtrack.{{Cite web |title=2025 GRAMMYs: See The OFFICIAL Full Nominations List {{!}} National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.com |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2025-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list |access-date=December 31, 2024 |publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences}}

Early life and education

Wilson never saw himself as a singer until his father overheard him singing and recognized the talent.{{cite news|last1=Ball|first1=Caila|title='The Voice': Avery Wilson, 16, Blows The Coaches Away|url=http://www.idolator.com/6912552/the-voice-avery-wilson-without-you|accessdate=May 8, 2015|publisher=Idolator|date=September 18, 2012}} His father began holding open mic nights at one of the 14 area McDonald's that he oversaw as the director of operations.{{cite news|last1=Bellmore|first1=Michael|title='The Voice' contestant Avery Wilson performs at Hamden McDonald's|url=http://www.nhregister.com/general-news/20121017/the-voice-contestant-avery-wilson-performs-at-hamden-mcdonalds-video|accessdate=May 8, 2015|publisher=New Haven Register|date=October 17, 2012}} The open mic nights were to help the local community have a safe place to have fun and also showcase his son's talent. Wilson was 9 years old at the time and still returns to the location to help with the event.

Wilson was raised in Hamden, Connecticut, where he attended Hamden Middle School. He attended Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School located in New Haven, Connecticut.{{cite news|last1=Ramunni|first1=Kathleen|title=Avery Wilson Brings 'The Voice' To Hamden|url=http://patch.com/connecticut/hamden/avery-wilson-bring-the-voice-to-hamden|accessdate=May 8, 2015|publisher=Hamden Patch|date=October 18, 2012}}

Career

One of Wilson's first singles, "Ringtone", was a demo that was sent to radio station WYBC-FM in New Haven, CT. The demo was sent in by his father and it received airplay, becoming a hit in the regional market of Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Wilson was first discovered by Sean Garrett who began working with him.{{cite news|last1=Davis|first1=Rea Melissa|title=VOCALS! Meet Avery Wilson|url=http://allhiphop.com/2014/11/13/vocals-meet-avery-wilson/|accessdate=May 8, 2015|publisher=All Hip Hop|date=November 13, 2014}} He entered the Next Teen Superstar competition in New York in 2011 and was the co-winner of the competition.{{cite web|title=Local Artists Yung Blayze & Avery Wilson Wins "Next Teen Superstar" Competition|url=http://anonymouslygifted.com/local-artists-yung-blayze-avery-wilson-wins-next-teen-superstar-competition-ct|website=Anonymously Gifted|accessdate=May 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050543/http://anonymouslygifted.com/local-artists-yung-blayze-avery-wilson-wins-next-teen-superstar-competition-ct|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} In 2012 he self-released On Top of the World.{{Cite web |title=Avery Wilson Biography {{!}} Broadway Buzz {{!}} Broadway.com |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/avery-wilson/profile/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=www.broadway.com}}

Wilson appeared on season 3 of The Voice when he was 16 years old. He performed on team Cee Lo Green and made it to the knockouts.{{cite news|title=Avery Wilson — 'The Voice' Loser Is Winning With "If I Have To"|url=http://2paragraphs.com/2015/05/avery-wilson-the-voice-loser-is-winning-with-if-i-have-to/|accessdate=May 8, 2015|publisher=2paragraphs|date=May 5, 2015}} Wilson was a favorite to win the competition but was eliminated on October 29, 2012, after his performance of "Yeah 3x".{{cite magazine|last1=Hopper|first1=Jessica|title=Team Cee Lo's Star Gets Knocked Out on 'The Voice'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/videos/team-cee-los-star-gets-knocked-out-on-the-voice-20121030|accessdate=May 8, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=October 30, 2012}} His elimination was called a major upset by numerous publications, and he later signed with Clive Davis and RCA Records.{{cite news|last1=Molinari|first1=Jessica|title=Avery Wilson Impressed With His New Single On 'The Voice' Top 6 Results & Totally Would've Beat the Other Past Contestants|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/81332-avery-wilson-impressed-with-his-new-single-on-the-voice-top-6-results-totally-wouldve|accessdate=May 8, 2015|publisher=Bustle|date=May 5, 2015}} He returned to The Voice Season 8 in 2015 to sing If I Have To, the first single from his debut album. Wilson later announced that he would perform at the BET Awards in 2015 on June 28, 2015.{{cite tweet |author= Avery Wilson |user= imaverywilson|number= 609988513790963712 |date= June 14, 2015 |title= I'm Performing at The #BETAwards This Year ! 🙌🏽 #GreatfulToGod |access-date= June 24, 2015 }}

On October 29, 2018, Avery released his new 5-song project called FYI onto mainstream.{{Cite web |last=Folk |first=Antwane |date=October 29, 2018 |title=Listen to Avery Wilson's New EP 'FYI' |url=https://ratedrnb.com/2018/10/listen-to-avery-wilsons-new-ep-fyi/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=Rated R&B |language=en-US}} The song "Dollar Bill" was released as his first single.{{Cite web |last=Randall |first=Devin |date=July 19, 2020 |title=Singer Avery Wilson: "I'm A Bi Man In Love With LOVE" • Instinct Magazine |url=https://instinctmagazine.com/singer-avery-wilson-im-a-bi-man-in-love-with-love/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=Instinct Magazine |language=en-US}} The song expressed the meaning of "not putting up with bullshit." He released his second single, "Wass the Move", which had a hip-hop feel to it. Avery's other three tracks included "Do For You", "Use 2", and "Touch Down".

In 2019, Avery released a 4-song project called 8:34.{{Cite web |last=Samuels |first=Keithan |date=June 26, 2019 |title=Avery Wilson Releases '8:34' EP |url=https://ratedrnb.com/2019/06/avery-wilson-releases-834-ep/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=Rated R&B |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Devin |title=Stream Avery Wilson's '8:34' EP |url=https://www.rap-up.com/article/2019/06/19/avery-wilson-834-ep-stream |access-date=September 2, 2024 |website=Rap-Up}}

In 2024, Avery became a cast member of the Broadway show The Wiz as the Scarecrow.{{Cite web |title=Cast & Creative |url=https://wizmusical.com/cast-creative/ |access-date=June 30, 2024 |website=The Wiz |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=September 29, 2023 |title=Avery Wilson's vocal wizardry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater/2023/09/29/avery-wilson-wiz-broadway-baltimore/ |access-date=September 2, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}

Personal life

Wilson came out as bisexual in a tweet on his 25th birthday on July 18, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/AveryWilson/status/1284610496222633984|title=I'm bisexual . Ok bye|via=@AveryWilson on Twitter|date=July 18, 2020|accessdate=2025-04-03}}

Discography

=Studio albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" \|+ List of studio albums, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:9em;"\| Title ! scope="col" \| Album details
scope="row" \| On Top of the World{{cite web\|title=On Top of the World\|date=August 14, 2012 \|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-top-of-the-world/553429807\|publisher=iTunes Store\|access-date=May 8, 2015}} \| Released: August 14, 2012 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+ List of studio albums, with selected details

! scope="col" style="width:9em;"| Title

! scope="col" | Album details

scope="row" | On Top of the World{{cite web|title=On Top of the World|date=August 14, 2012 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/on-top-of-the-world/553429807|publisher=iTunes Store|access-date=May 8, 2015}}

Released: August 14, 2012
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download, streaming

=Extended plays=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" \|+ List of extended plays, with selected details ! scope="col" style="width:9em;"\| Title ! scope="col" \| Extended play details
scope="row"\| FYI{{cite web\|title=FYI – EP\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/2AtW3sycvnoaPssTS2ozvy\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} \| Released: October 26, 2018 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming
scope="row"\| 8:34{{cite web\|title=8:34 – EP\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/1LQMjeYnhq8bhLbi0Kx0Vw\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} \| Released: June 20, 2019 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download, streaming

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+ List of extended plays, with selected details

! scope="col" style="width:9em;"| Title

! scope="col" | Extended play details

scope="row"| FYI{{cite web|title=FYI – EP|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/2AtW3sycvnoaPssTS2ozvy|access-date=August 2, 2023}}

Released: October 26, 2018
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download, streaming

scope="row"| 8:34{{cite web|title=8:34 – EP|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/1LQMjeYnhq8bhLbi0Kx0Vw|access-date=August 2, 2023}}

Released: June 20, 2019
Label: Self-released
Format: Digital download, streaming

=Singles=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" border="1" \|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" \| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:3em;"\| Year ! scope="col" colspan="3"\| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" \| Album
style="width:5em; font-size:90%;"\|US R&B {{cite magazine\|title=Avery Wilson – Chart History \| Billboard\|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6561567/avery-wilson/chart?f=1230\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=August 25, 2015}} ! style="width:5em; font-size:90%;"\|US AC {{cite magazine\|title=Avery Wilson – Chart History (Adult Contemporary)\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/avery-wilson/chart-history/asi/\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=August 2, 2023}} ! style="width:5em; font-size:90%;"\|US AR&B {{cite magazine\|title=Avery Wilson – Chart History (Adult Contemporary)\|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/avery-wilson/chart-history/rba/\|magazine=Billboard\|accessdate=June 30, 2024}}
scope="row"\| "If I Have To" \| rowspan="2"\|2015 \| 18 \| 21 \| 24 \| rowspan="3" {{n/a\|Non-album singles}}
scope="row"\| "Change My Mind"{{cite web\|title=Change My Mind (feat. Migos) – Single\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/4vrQR1kOD44hMlFYl8E4gK\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} (featuring Migos) \| — \| — \| —
scope="row"\| "Song for You"{{cite web\|title=Song for You – Single\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/04Qos9tg4OsBifMkV1SQY1\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} \| 2017 \| — \| — \| —
scope="row"\| "Callin'"{{cite web\|title=Callin' – Single\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/3VOyyDqL4NEWu7UL8KlHzz1\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} \|2019 \| — \| — \| — \| 8:34
scope="row"\| "Smoke"{{cite web\|title=Smoke – Single\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/16uAYoxIOmMjjf5MqIeIA1\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} \| rowspan="2"\| 2020 \| — \| — \| — \| rowspan="3" {{n/a\|Non-album singles}}
scope="row"\| "What I Like"{{cite web\|title=What I Like – Single\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/1DYT2oDAe6SbzuRQOWv4zX\|access-date=August 2, 2023}} (with Kenyon Dixon) \| — \| — \| —
rowspan="2" {{n/a\|Non-album singles}}
scope="row"\| "Kiss the Sky"{{cite web\|title=Kiss The Sky – Single\|website=Spotify\|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/6tI68QCIHVAH8XBXp8Ysnv\|access-date=June 30, 2024}} \| rowspan="1"\| 2024 \| — \| — \| 16

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;" border="1"

|+ List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:3em;"| Year

! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;" | Album

style="width:5em; font-size:90%;"|US
R&B
{{cite magazine|title=Avery Wilson – Chart History | Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/6561567/avery-wilson/chart?f=1230|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 25, 2015}}

! style="width:5em; font-size:90%;"|US
AC
{{cite magazine|title=Avery Wilson – Chart History (Adult Contemporary)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/avery-wilson/chart-history/asi/|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=August 2, 2023}}

! style="width:5em; font-size:90%;"|US
AR&B
{{cite magazine|title=Avery Wilson – Chart History (Adult Contemporary)|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/avery-wilson/chart-history/rba/|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 30, 2024}}

scope="row"| "If I Have To"

| rowspan="2"|2015

| 18

| 21

| 24

| rowspan="3" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "Change My Mind"{{cite web|title=Change My Mind (feat. Migos) – Single|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/4vrQR1kOD44hMlFYl8E4gK|access-date=August 2, 2023}}
(featuring Migos)

| —

scope="row"| "Song for You"{{cite web|title=Song for You – Single|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/04Qos9tg4OsBifMkV1SQY1|access-date=August 2, 2023}}

| 2017

| —

scope="row"| "Callin'"{{cite web|title=Callin' – Single|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/3VOyyDqL4NEWu7UL8KlHzz1|access-date=August 2, 2023}}

|2019

| —

| 8:34

scope="row"| "Smoke"{{cite web|title=Smoke – Single|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/16uAYoxIOmMjjf5MqIeIA1|access-date=August 2, 2023}}

| rowspan="2"| 2020

| —

| rowspan="3" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "What I Like"{{cite web|title=What I Like – Single|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/1DYT2oDAe6SbzuRQOWv4zX|access-date=August 2, 2023}}
(with Kenyon Dixon)

| —

rowspan="2" {{n/a|Non-album singles}}

scope="row"| "Kiss the Sky"{{cite web|title=Kiss The Sky – Single|website=Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/album/6tI68QCIHVAH8XBXp8Ysnv|access-date=June 30, 2024}}

| rowspan="1"| 2024

| —

| 16