The Wanted (band) Biography: Members, Age, Net Worth, Songs, Albums, Breakup, Reunion

The Wanted, comprising Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, the late Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes, is a British-Irish boy band formed in 2009, celebrated for their infectious pop anthems and dynamic performances.

Managed by Scooter Braun and signed to Universal Music’s Island and Mercury Records, the group gained fame with their debut single “All Time Low,” which topped the UK Singles Chart.

Known for hits like “Glad You Came” and “Chasing the Sun,” they achieved global success, particularly in the UK and US, where “Glad You Came” peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

Their reality series The Wanted Life on E! in 2013 showcased their rise, and despite a 2014 hiatus, they reunited in 2021 for a greatest hits album and charity concert, cementing their legacy in pop music.

Profile

• Members’ Real Names: Maximillian Alberto George, Siva Michael Kaneswaran, James Michael McGuiness, Thomas Anthony Parker, Nathan James Sykes
• Stage Name: The Wanted
• Active From: 2009–2014, 2021–Present
• Origin: London, United Kingdom
• Nationality: British-Irish
• Occupation: Singers, Songwriters
• Genres: Pop, Dance-Pop, Electropop
• Labels: Universal Music, Island Records, Mercury Records
• Net Worth: Estimated $10 million

Formation

The Wanted was formed in 2009 through mass auditions organized by Jayne Collins, who also created The Saturdays and Parade.

Over 1,000 hopefuls auditioned over nine months, with Max George, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes selected first, followed by Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuiness.

The final lineup was confirmed after additional re-auditions, and the group signed with Maximum Artist Management and Geffen Records, debuting with their self-titled album in 2010.

Early Life and Education

Maximillian Alberto George was born on September 6, 1988, in Manchester, England.

His parents’ names are not publicly disclosed, and he has a sister, Louise George.

Max developed a love for music and dancing alongside his passion for sports, playing for Preston North End’s youth football team.

He attended a local school in Manchester, though specific details about his education are limited.

He is of British ethnicity, and his religion is unknown.

Siva Michael Kaneswaran was born on November 16, 1988, in Blanchardstown, Dublin, Ireland.

His father, a Sri Lankan Tamil, passed away when Siva was five, and his Irish mother’s name is not public.

He has seven siblings, including his identical twin, Kumar.

Siva attended local schools in Dublin and began modeling at 16, later signing with Storm Model Management.

He is of Irish and Sri Lankan Tamil ethnicity and speaks French; his religion is unknown.

James Michael McGuiness was born on July 24, 1990, in Nottingham, England.

His parents’ names are not publicly known, and he has a younger brother, Thomas McGuiness.

Jay attended a performing arts college, fostering his interest in song and dance, though specific educational details are sparse.

He is of British ethnicity, and his religion is unknown.

Thomas Anthony Parker was born on August 4, 1988, in Bolton, England, and passed away on March 30, 2022.

His parents’ names are not publicly disclosed, and he had a brother, Lewis Parker.

Tom attended local schools in Bolton and developed an early interest in music, teaching himself guitar.

He is of British ethnicity, and his religion was unknown.

Nathan James Sykes was born on April 18, 1993, in Abbeydale, Gloucester, England.

His parents are Harry and Karen Sykes, and he has a younger sister, Jessica Sykes.

Nathan attended Sylvia Young Theatre School at age 11 and began performing at six, competing in the 2004 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where he placed third.

He is of British ethnicity, and his religion is unknown.

Career

The Wanted, formed by Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, Tom Parker, and Nathan Sykes, began their career in 2009 after rigorous auditions led by Jayne Collins.

Signed to Universal Music, they debuted with their self-titled album in October 2010, featuring the UK number-one single “All Time Low,” co-written by the group, and top 20 hits “Heart Vacancy” and “Lose My Mind.”

Their early tours, including the 2011 Behind Bars Tour, sold out across the UK, establishing their reputation for high-energy live performances despite their self-admitted lack of dance skills.

The Wanted was formed through a nine-month audition process, initially selecting George, Parker, and Sykes, with Kaneswaran and McGuiness joining later.

After additional re-auditions, the final five were signed to Maximum Artist Management and Geffen Records.

Their debut album, The Wanted, peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart, with the group co-writing five tracks, setting them apart from typical boy bands.

Their raw, party-driven image and fan engagement through platforms like Wanted World helped build a loyal fanbase.

In 2011, their second album, Battleground, reached number five in the UK, spawning hits like “Gold Forever” for Comic Relief and “Lightning,” both top-five UK singles.

Their 2011 single “Glad You Came” became a global smash, topping charts in the UK and Ireland and hitting number three on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 3 million copies in the US.

The Wanted broke into the American market with a 2012 promotional tour, leading to their EP The Wanted: The EP, which debuted at number seven in the US.

Their 2013 reality series The Wanted Life on E! documented their US ventures, further boosting their international profile.

Their third album, Word of Mouth (2013), featured collaborations with artists like Pitbull and Rita Ora, with singles like “Chasing the Sun” and “I Found You” topping the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart.

However, the grueling schedule led to their announced hiatus in January 2014 to pursue solo projects.

During this period, Max George released solo singles and appeared on Strictly Come Dancing (2020), Siva Kaneswaran modeled and competed on Dancing on Ice (2023), Jay McGuiness won Strictly Come Dancing (2015) and starred in Big The Musical, Nathan Sykes launched a successful solo music career, and Tom Parker performed in Grease and became a family man.

In September 2021, The Wanted reunited for a greatest hits album, Most Wanted – The Greatest Hits, and a charity concert at Royal Albert Hall to support Tom Parker, who was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma in 2020.

The concert raised funds for Stand Up to Cancer, and their 2022 UK arena tour was a triumphant return, though overshadowed by Parker’s passing in March 2022.

As of 2025, the remaining members continue to perform, with a recent show in Mumbai, India, and maintain a strong fanbase with nearly 6 million monthly Spotify listeners.

Their legacy endures through their chart-topping hits and heartfelt connection with fans, with ongoing tours and potential new music on the horizon.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @thewanted
• Facebook Handle: The Wanted
• Twitter Handle: @thewanted

Personal Life

Maximillian Alberto George has been in a relationship with Stacey Giggs since 2018, with intermittent breaks, and was previously engaged to actress Michelle Keagan until 2012.

He has no children and is known for his love of dad jokes and a unique talent for identifying people by touching their ears.

Max resides in Manchester and maintains a low-key lifestyle focused on music and occasional TV appearances.

Siva Michael Kaneswaran married his long-term partner, Nareesha McCaffrey, in 2015.

They have no children.

Siva, who lost his father at a young age, remains close to his twin brother Kumar and enjoys a private life, occasionally sharing his modeling and music projects on social media.

James Michael McGuiness has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships or children.

Known for his quirky humor, Jay is passionate about animal rights and has lived a relatively private life since winning Strictly Come Dancing.

He resides in the UK and continues to explore theater and television.

Thomas Anthony Parker married Kelsey Hardwick in 2018, and they had two children, Aurelia born in 2019, and Bodhi born in 2020.

Tom was a devoted family man until his passing in 2022 from a brain tumor.

His openness about his illness and charity work left a lasting impact on fans and bandmates.

Nathan James Sykes has been in a relationship with Charlotte Burke since 2018, and they got engaged in 2022.

They have no children.

Nathan, the youngest member, enjoys a private life, focusing on his solo music career and maintaining close ties with his family in Gloucester.

Discography

• The Wanted (2010)
• Battleground (2011)
• Word of Mouth (2013)
• Most Wanted – The Greatest Hits (2021)

Net Worth

The Wanted’s collective net worth is estimated at $10 million, primarily from their music career, including album sales, global tours, and endorsements.

Their success with hits like “Glad You Came,” which sold over 3 million copies in the US, and their sold-out tours, such as the 2011 Behind Bars Tour and 2022 reunion tour, have been key contributors.

Individual ventures, including solo music, acting, and reality TV appearances by members like Max George, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness, and Nathan Sykes, have also bolstered their financial success.