Sang gospel music in her Norcross, Georgia church most of her life.
Was a former contestant (and musical performer) in the Miss Atlanta Teen USA pageant. Was ousted (at the surprise of the producers) from the American Idol competition, only to win a management contract with 19 Entertainment one week later.
Attended Georgia State University and majored in Business Law and Entertainment Management
Was Miss Atlanta 1998
Worked as an actress, a dancer for a hip hop company and also worked with kids as a preschool teacher and was a cheerleader in highschool
Is lactose intolerant and is a vegan.
She was dropped by her record label J Records before an album was ever released.
Tamyra Gray Detailed Biography
Tamyra Monica Gray (born July 26, 1979 in Takoma Park, Maryland) is an American actress and singer; she rose to fame as one of the finalists on the first season of the reality television program American Idol in 2002 and has since expanded into acting, most notably with a recurring role on the third season of the drama Boston Public in 2003.
Gray began singing at an early age. She competed in several pageants and was named Miss Atlanta in 1998. Gray attended Georgia State University, majoring in business law and entertainment management. Prior to American Idol, she worked a variety of jobs including day care worker, party motivator, telemarketer, waitress, and running her own cleaning service while pursuing an opening into the entertainment industry.
That opening came in 2002 when Gray became one of the ten finalists on the first season of American Idol, eventually finishing fourth. Her performance of the Burt Bacharach classic "A House is Not a Home" was described by Judge Simon Cowell as "one of the best performances on television" that he had ever seen.
After American Idol's debut season, Gray continued to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She landed the recurring role of Aisha Clemens on Boston Public, appearing in seven episodes in 2003, during which she also showcased her singing abilities. She had guest roles on episodes of Half and Half , Tru Calling, What I Like About You and All Of Us. She also duetted on a track on the winner of Season 1 of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson's debut album Thankful, entitled "You Thought Wrong", however it was never released as a single. In Nov. 2004 Tamyra was cast for a limited engagement of twelve weeks in the role of Priya in Broadway's struggling Bombay Dreams. However, the show closed early due to continued poor grosses.
During the third season of American Idol, she returned to the show on several occasions to sing "Raindrops Will Fall" and "Star", songs she co-wrote for her debut album, and to sing the National Anthem to open the final results show of the season. Gray also co-wrote the American Idol season three single "I Believe", which was performed by Idol finalists Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo. Barrino released "I Believe" as her American Idol single.
After being dropped by J Records in 2003, Gray's first solo album, The Dreamer, was eventually released on May 25, 2004 by newly formed 19 Records, a division of Simon Fuller's 19 Management. After disappointing sales, Gray was also dropped by 19 Records and 19 Management.
In 2005 Gray made her big screen supporting role debut in the independent film The Gospel. Tamyra has one song, "Now Behold The Lamb", featured on the movie's soundtrack . Also in 2005, Tamyra appeared in a short film for H&M's new line of denim jeans, and performed the Dreamgirls show stopper And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going).
The Dreamer (2004)
Star
The Only Thing
Legend
Raindrops Will Fall
Ha Ha
17
Don't Stop (Keep It Coming)
U've Only Got 1
Faces
Like a Child
Yesterday/Today
Good Ol' Days
God Bless the Dreamer
