Heinz Winckler

 

Heinz Winckler was the first winner of the South African Idols competition that took place in 2002. Since then he has released a double platinum selling single, 3 chart topping studio albums (One Step Closer, Come Alive and Moment of Truth) and a live DVD, performed “Chasing Shadows” on the sound track of Disney's Treasure Planet, came fourth in World Idols (taped in London Dec 2003/Jan 2004) beat...ing the UK's Will Young, and has been nominated for 2 South African Music Awards. He won People Magazine’s Crystal Awards for “Best Male Personality”, “Hottest Hunk”, and “Hottest Artist”. His track “Only For You” was the 20th most played song on SA radio in 2005.

Today Heinz is a house hold name in South Africa where he has done countless shows all over the country, including touring with Westlife (April 2005), and opening for Christina Aguilera and Diana Ross at a prestigious Johannesburg charity event (Oct 2005). He’s also guest starred on several local soapies like Egoli, 7de Laan and Villa Rosa and has been a regular guest on almost every local talk show including 3Talk, Kwela and Top Billing.

In April 2007 Winckler landed the coveted role of "Roger Davis" for the 2007-2008 North American and Japanese tour of the Broadway hit musical, RENT. The tour had Heinz and his new found family of cast, crew and band perform 215 shows to an estimated 300 000 people! Heinz and his fellow cast members received rave reviews from theatre goers and critics alike.

Shortly after Heinz’s return to SA, he got offered a 12 week role on the popular Mnet soap, Binnelanders, as the charming Dr Andreas Geldenhuys, for which he received praise from fans and the acting fraternity alike.

In March 2009 Heinz signed a new record deal with the Afrikaans music power house, Select Music, and released his first and highly anticipated mainly Afrikaans album in October 2009. The title track and first radio single, “Ek Kan Weer In Liefde Glo”, became an instant hit. The second single, “Dis Daai 20 Minute”, is currently a huge radio hit and was followed by the just as popular “Jakarandakoningin” and “Jy Gee My Buterflies”. He also released an English single, “Real Song”, that reached Nr 3 on the Highveld 94.7 Take 40 SA chart.

This first Afrikaans offering from Heinz Winckler reached platinum sales status in November 2010!

2010 also saw Winckler playing the role of JP on KykNet’s popular drama series, Gertoud Met Rugby, and he was a coach on SABC’s Supersterre.

Heinz is currently working on new music and has launched the Heinz Winckler Workshop for aspiring singers where he aims to help up and coming performers to better their chances of carving a successful music career.

Heinz is married the the beautiful image consultant, Alette-Johanni Winckler, and they recently became the proud parents of Lian Theo Winckler, who was born on 23 May 2010. They are currently living in Johannesburg.