by Michael Bublé is a multi-platinum, Grammy-winning artist who has become an international superstar. Known for his smooth vocals and charismatic style, Bublé has topped the charts with hits like “Home,” “Haven’t Met You Yet,” and “It’s a Beautiful Day.” However, the road to fame and success was not an easy one for the Canadian crooner. Bublé’s tough upbringing and early struggles in Hollywood only made him more determined to follow his dreams.
Bublé grew up in the working class suburb of Burnaby in Vancouver, Canada. His grandparents were fishermen and his father, Lewis, was a salmon fisherman as well. The family valued hard work and perseverance. As a child, Bublé often helped out with household chores or worked with his dad and uncles on their fishing boats. This instilled a strong work ethic in the young Bublé. “We’d be up at four in the morning to get to the dock,” Bublé told People Magazine. “It was tough but taught me that extraordinary people are capable of extraordinary things when they work hard.”
At a young age, Bublé discovered his love and talent for singing. However, his traditional Italian-Canadian family did not see it as a viable career path at first. “I always loved to sing, but being a working-class family, the idea of pursuing something like that seemed farfetched,” Bublé said in an interview on 60 Minutes. But he was determined, often performing at charity events, talent competitions, and weddings as a teenager to gain experience.
When he was 18, Bublé entered and won a local talent competition. Part of the prize was a chance to perform at a business party where the Prime Minister would be in attendance. However, shortly before he was set to perform, Bublé was dismissed by the event organizer for being too young and inexperienced. Dejected, he called his grandfather in tears, saying he wanted to give up. But his grandfather gave him a pep talk, telling him: “We Bublés never quit.” This motivation from his family gave Bublé the push he needed to keep pursing his passion.
After high school, Bublé moved to Toronto as a teenager to try to break into the music scene. He performed at casinos, bars, and small gigs, while struggling to get attention from record labels. “I sang anywhere and everywhere I could,” Bublé said. “I really learned how to work an audience during that time.” He slept on friends’ couches and took on side jobs like journalism to make ends meet.
In 1996, Bublé landed an audition with music manager Bruce Allen, who would later become his producer. Allen was unimpressed at first, but Bublé did not get discouraged. “I was persistent. I knew I had a special talent, and I wasn’t going to stop until the world knew it too,” said Bublé. His determination impressed Allen, who signed the young singer to a management deal that year.
With Allen’s support, Bublé continued honing his craft and networking in the music industry. But he still faced rejection from record companies unsure of his jazz and pop fusion style. “Every label said no. They didn’t know where to put me,” Bublé told Billboard. He lost record deals and struggled to break through in the American market. “I always had faith that this was what I was meant to do, but there were definitely difficult times where I worried I wasn’t going to make it,” he said.
Bublé got his big break in 2000, when he was asked to perform at the wedding of Caroline Mulroney, daughter of the former Prime Minister. Through that high-profile gig, he caught the attention of Warner Music Canada and landed a record deal. His self-titled debut album was released in 2003 and was a hit, reaching number one on the Canadian charts. The upbeat jazz pop album showcased Bublé’s velvety voice and versatile musicality.
His follow up album, 2005’s It’s Time, marked his entrance into the competitive American market. The album included covers of classics like “Feeling Good” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” along with original tracks. While It’s Time received positive reviews, it was not an immediate commercial success in the U.S. Critics were unsure if Bublé’s throwback style would catch on with audiences.
Bublé continued touring and promoting his music vigorously. He stressed the importance of nurturing a personal connection with fans, often chatting and taking questions at shows. His charisma and charm on stage was undeniable. Bit by bit, through hard work and perseverance, he built up a loyal fan base.
The turning point came when Bublé performed on American TV shows like Good Morning America and The View. His profile rose, and soon his music was climbing the charts. The album reached the top ten on Billboard and ultimately went triple platinum. After years of striving, he finally achieved his American breakthrough.
Over the next decade, Bublé continued releasing critically and commercially successful albums that showcased his vocal talents and commanding stage presence. His 2009 album Crazy Love debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, led by the infectious hit single “Haven’t Met You Yet.” He won several prestigious awards, including four Grammys, cementing his status as an A-list music star.
Bublé credits his working class background and early struggles launching his career with giving him the grit necessary to succeed. “Growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money so nothing was handed to me. My family taught me nothing was impossible with hard work. The same attitude applied when I was struggling to get that big break,” he told the Hollywood Reporter.
He never forgot his humble roots, even as his fame grew. “No matter what arena I’m playing, I still feel like that kid from Canada just happy to be making music,” Bublé said. His connection to his origins made him even more relatable and beloved by fans around the world.
Beyond his professional success, Bublé’s strong family values shined through in his personal life. He married actress and model Luisana Lopilato in 2011, saying she was his “soulmate.” The couple has three children: Noah, Elias, and Vida. “Being a husband and father are my most important jobs now,” Bublé gushed. He often brought his family on tour with him.
In 2016, Bublé’s world was shaken when Noah was diagnosed with liver cancer at just three years old. The singer immediately put his career on hold to focus fully on his son’s health. Bublé spoke emotionally about the painful experience and lauded his family. “They were the reason I got through it…We leaned on each other,” he told People. After months of treatments, Noah finally recovered, and a grateful Bublé returned to making music.
Though he is now a multi-millionaire pop icon, Bublé stays grounded by remembering where he came from. His connection to family and his early struggles make him appreciative of his success. Though he faced challenges breaking through early in his career, Bublé continued persevering, driven by his passion and belief in himself. His against-the-odds rise to fame is an inspiration. Michael Bublé’s journey shows just what can be achieved with hard work, tenacity, and love.
