Heather Headley

BILLBOARD: "Heather Headley is among the top singers with a vocal that absolutely astounds with its intensity. This woman is one of the great entertainers of the day, on record and on stage."
Tony and Grammy Award Winner Heather Headley considers her multi-faceted career a blessing. She was born and spent most of her childhood on the beautiful Caribbean island of Trinidad. The daughter of a pastor, she started singing and playing the piano in the church at a very young age. The family moved to the United States in the early 90's where Heather's love for the arts continued.
In 1997, Ms. Headley, a Northwestern University alum, won the role of Nala in the original Broadway cast of the Elton John and Tim Rice's hit Tony winning musical The Lion King. While still in The Lion King, Heather was asked to audition for the title role in the writing duo's next Broadway venture together, Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida. Her portrayal of the Nubian princess, Aida, won her the praise of critics and the prestigious Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. In addition to other awards, she also received the coveted Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. That year she was listed as one of People Magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People and Essence Magazine's 30 Women To Watch.
Heather continued her Broadway success on the pop charts with her 2002 debut album on RCA Records, This Is Who I Am which featured productions by several top-flight producers including Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Shep Crawford. Two songs, the single "He Is" and the album track "I Wish I Wasn't," both emerged as Top 5 R&B and Dance chart hits.
Heather earned numerous accolades for This Is Who I Am, including Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. At the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards she won dual honors: R&B/Soul Album of the Year and Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist. She also received nominations at the NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding New Artist and Outstanding Female Artist, Billboard Music Awards for R&B New Artist of the Year, and BET Awards in the "Cool Like That" category.
Heather returned in January 2006 with In My Mind, her long-awaited second solo album, once again working with an A-list of producers, among them Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Ne-Yo, Warryn Campbell, and Lil' Jon. The opening title tune single became Heather's first #1 hit, topping the Dance charts.
Over the past few years Ms. Headley has also displayed her versatility as one of classical star Andrea Bocelli's favorite singing partners, and has been featured in many of his American and international tours, his "Live In Tuscany" PBS special, and his "Under The Desert Sky" live concert DVD.
In 2009 Heather returned to her roots in the church and recorded Audience of One for which she won the Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album.
She was the spokesperson for the March of Dimes and led their "I Want My 9 Months" campaign, and also serves on the board of Directors for the Catalyst Charter Schools in Chicago. In 2009, Ms. Headley sang at the inauguration of President Barack Obama at the We Are One concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
In the past few years Heather has added to her resume two of her most important roles: wife to Brian, and mommy to John David.