Won Broadway's 2000 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for playing the title role in Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida."
Became engaged to former New York Jets star Brian Musso [January 2003]
Nominated for 2 Grammys, including one for Best New Artist (2004)
Heather Headley Detailed Biography
Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Grammy nominated R&B singer from Trinidad and Tobago. She began playing the music of her native country at a young age, including calypso, reggae and soca. She moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in the United States at age 15 when her father was offered a job there as pastor of a church.
After graduating from Northrop High School, she attended Northwestern University to study communications and musical theatre. In 1997, she played Nala in The Lion King on Broadway. Headley's performance was well-received and she then originated the title role in the Broadway adaptation of Aida, earning herself a Tony Award in 1999. She recorded her first solo studio album, This Is Who I Am, in 2001 for RCA Records. Although its first single, "He Is", wasn't a major hit, the follow-up, "I Wish I Wasn't", achieved more success and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, along with a Best New Artist nomination.
On September 6, 2003 Heather Headley married Brian Musso, formerly of the New York Jets. Her second album, In My Mind, was delayed due to the various executive shake-ups associated with RCA parent BMG's merger with Sony, and Headley joked that it should have been called Caught Up instead. Under BMG North America chairman/CEO Clive Davis for the first time, Headley released the album in January 2006, with the title track, produced by India.Arie collaborator Shannon Sanders, becoming the lead single, with a video by Diane Martel.
Albums
Heather Headley's 2006 album, In My Mind.
Year
Album
US
US R&B
2002
This Is Who I Am
38
14
2006
In My Mind (currently charting)
5
1
Singles
Year
Song
US Hot 100
US R&B
US Dance
Album
2003
"He Is"
90
38
4
This Is Who I Am
2003
"I Wish I Wasn't"
55
15
5
This Is Who I Am
2005
"In My Mind" (currently charting)
94
22
1
In My Mind
1999
1999 Won Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, ("Aida").
2000
Sarah Siddons Award for her work in Chicago theatre.
2002
2002 Nominated for Soul Train Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist ("He Is").
2003
2003 Nominated for 2 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, and Best R&B Vocal Performance - Female ("I Wish I Wasn't")".
2003 Won Soul Train Lady Of Soul Award for R&B/Soul Album of the Year, Solo, ("This Is Who I Am").
2003 Won Soul Train Lady of Soul Award, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist, Solo ("He Is").
2003 Nominated for Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Single - Solo ("He Is").
2003 Nominated for 2 NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding New Recording Artist and Outstanding Female Recording Artist.
2003 Nominated for Billboard Music Award for R&B/Hip-Hop New Artist of the Year
