|
Brandy Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: February 11, 1979
-
Birth Place: McComb, Mississippi, USA
-
Birth Name: Brandy Rayana Norwood
-
Height: 5'7"
|
|
|
Biography |
Brandy Rayana Norwood was born on February 11, 1979, in
McComb, Mississippi, to proud parents Sonja Bates and Willie
Norwood Sr. She has a younger brother Ray J., and after his
birth, Brandy's father landed a job as a music director in a
church in California, prompting the family to relocate to
Carson, the 'burbs of LA.
As is no surprise, while growing up, Brandy was always
singing in the church choir. But it wasn't until she caught
a glimpse of diva Whitney Houston singing "How Will I Know?"
that Brandy realized that she wanted to sing professionally.
She was, however, only seven years old at the time.
Nevertheless, Brandy began her hunt for a record contract
throughout a wide array of record companies, but it wasn't
until much later that she landed a record deal with famed
Atlantic Recording Corporation.
Unfortunately, when Brandy was invited to sing at an
Atlantic party, no one paid her any mind. But luckily,
because she is an outspoken individual, she expressed to the
audience that they were being rude. In turn, the audience
listened attentively as Brandy showed off her vocal talents
and she ultimately ended up catching the attention of a
record executive. Hence, the record deal with Atlantic
Records when she hit 14 years of age.
Whilst her record deal was in the works, Brandy began
playing the role of a girl named Danesha on the sitcom Thea.
Regrettably, the show was cancelled only eight months after
its initial airing. But Brandy wasn't too disappointed as
her new album was well on its way.
In 1994, Brandy released her first album simply entitled
Brandy, and singles such as "Baby", "I Wanna Be Down" and
"Brokenhearted" remained on the music charts for weeks. The
single "Baby" was even nominated for Best R&B Single at the
1996 Grammy Awards.
In 1995, Brandy made her way back to television in the
starring role of Moesha, in the sitcom of the same name. The
show made its way to becoming the most watched program on
the UPN network. Life was great for Brandy; her album
already went platinum and she was starring in a successful
sitcom.
Two years later, Whitney Houston, the teenager's idol,
contacted Brandy and requested that she take part in a
remake of Cinderella, in which Brandy would star as the
mistreated princess-to-be. Brandy eagerly accepted and the
made-for-TV Disney film caught over a million viewers, and
maintained its popularity by becoming the most watched
Disney TV movie ever.
It wasn't until 1997 that Brandy decided to get back into
the studio and begin recording songs for her next album.
After helping write and produce six singles on the album and
hiring a new production team, Brandy finally released her
second album entitled Never Say Never, in June 1998.
The first single released off the album was a duet with
fellow young artist Monica entitled "The Boy Is Mine". The
single was an instant hit and remained number one on the
Billboard charts for a consecutive seven weeks, and snagged
the duo a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a
Duo or Group in 1999. As well, other hit singles off the
album such as "Have You Ever", "Top Of The World" (which
featured famed rapper Mase), "U Don't Know Me", and "Almost
Doesn't Count" also topped the music charts. It's not hard
to understand why Brandy's sophomore attempt was certified
platinum five times.
1998 also marked the year that Brandy got her big screen
debut in the film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer,
with Jennifer Love Hewitt. The film grossed over $40 million
at the box office and officially garnered Brandy a movie
star.
Returning to television movies, however, wasn't a difficult
decision as renowned Supreme Diana Ross asked Brandy to play
in a TV movie entitled Double Platinum, in which she would
take the part of an 18-year-old girl whose mom abandoned her
at birth in search of stardom.
In 1999, Brandy had quite a busy year: she performed on
VH1's Divas Live with the likes of Whitney Houston, Faith
Hill and Mary J. Blige; was named International spokesperson
by UNICEF; earned a Teen Choice Award for Best Female Music
Artist; began a worldwide tour; started modeling and
shooting commercials for Cover Girl and DKNY Jeans; and
began shooting new episodes for her still popular sitcom
Moesha.
Sorry guys, to date, Brandy is currently dating Wanya Morris
of the popular R&B group, Boyz II Men. In 2001, Brandy will
be releasing yet another album, and considering her last two
attempts, it will surely be a smashing success.
Additionally, she will also be voicing an animated character
in a Warner Brothers film entitled Osmosis Jones, which is
set for release in June. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Sings under the name of Brandy.
Sister of Ray J.
Went to high school-to-NBA basketball sensation Kobe
Bryant's high school prom with Kobe.
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful
People in the world. [1996]
Dated Wanya Morris of R&B group Boyz II Men.
One of Teen People Magazine's "21 Hottest Stars Under 21".
[1999]
Is close friends with Serena and Venus Williams, the tennis
players, and attended their game against each other in the
US-open.
Attended Pepperdine University (1999) but dropped out
because of her busy schedule.
Married husband, Robert Smith, secretly in the summer of
2001. Did not publicly announce her marriage until February
of 2002.
She is no longer a vegan.
Named her third album "Full Moon" because she felt she came
full circle spiritually.
Born at 8:56 PM EST.
Her mother, Sonja B. Norwood, quit her job at H&R Block to
manage her.
Daughter with Robert Smith named Sy'rai born Sunday June
16th 2002.
The character of "Karla Wilson" in "I Still Know What You
Did Last Summer" was originally intended to be a Caucasian
girl, until Brandy auditioned and won the role.
Her third album, 'Full Moon', is partly dedicated to the
late singer-actress Aaliyah who died in a plane crash in
2001 aged 22
Was the second African American woman to portray Cinderella
in a major TV movie.
Admitted in a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters, that she
was anorexic at one point in her life. It showed in one of
her videos.
Was engaged to NBA player Quentin Richardson. [2004-2005]
Has twice played a character that won a fixed radio contest.
Once in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer and once in
Double Platinum |
|
|
|
