Billy Crawford

Billy Crawford
Billy Crawford, in 2018
Born
Billy Joe Ledesma Crawford

(1982-05-16) May 16, 1982 (age 42)
Manila, Philippines
Occupations
  • Actor
  • musician
  • singer
  • comedian
  • dancer
  • television host
Years active1986–present
Spouse
(m. 2018)
Children1
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • drums
Labels

Billy Joe Ledesma Crawford (born May 16, 1982) is a Filipino actor and singer. Crawford is a recipient of a NRJ Music Awards, a FAMAS Award and a special Aning Dangal award from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Crawford made his television debut as a child performer on the variety show That's Entertainment. As a child actor, he received repeated acclaim for his performances in films such as Lost Command and Sandakot Na Bala (both 1988) and television programs such as Lovingly Yours, Helen. In 1994, at age 12, Crawford left the Philippines for the U.S., enrolling at the Professional Performing Arts School, New York City; less than one year later, he was chosen to be one of Michael Jackson's back-up dancers for a performance at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.

Following his eventual graduation from performing arts high school, and subsequent return to the Philippines, Billy Crawford: It's Time was staged at the Araneta Coliseum as his homecoming special. In 2022, he was announced as the grand winner of the French dance competition program, Danse avec les Stars (English: ‘dance with the stars’).[1]

Having sold an estimated 2 million records worldwide, Crawford is among the best-selling Filipino artists of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.[2][3] He released three studio albums under V2 Records, the first being his self-titled debut album. In 2002, he released his sophomore album Ride. It was a commercial success, being certified Gold in Switzerland by the IFPI and Platinum in France by the SNEP. It produced his most successful single, "Trackin", which was a massive chart success across Europe. It reached No. 1 in the Netherlands, peaked at No. 11 on the European Hot 100 Singles and sold 500,000 units in France.[2]

  1. ^ Lago, Amanda (November 12, 2022). "Billy Crawford wins French 'Dancing with the Stars'". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Billy's Groove album turns gold". www.philstar.com. April 30, 2010. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  3. ^ Abanilla, Clarizel (August 25, 2017). "Billy Crawford barely misses int'l singing career, loves it here". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 9, 2023.