Brandy Norwood Biography
Born on February 11, 1979, American singer, songwriter, actor, and model Brandy Rayana Norwood is also known by her stage name, Brandy. Her sound has earned her the moniker “the Vocal Bible” because to its complex chords and extensive voice layering. She had sold over 40 million records globally as of August 2020, with about 8.62 million albums sold in the US. She has received multiple honors and recognitions for her work, including an American Music Award and a Grammy Award.
Brandy was reared in Carson, California, after being born in McComb, Mississippi. She started out as a backup vocalist for adolescent bands. At the age of fifteen, she released her self-titled debut album the following year after signing with Atlantic Records in 1993. It went on to sell six million copies worldwide. In addition to winning an NAACP Image Award for her work on the UPN comedy Moesha (1996–2001), Norwood went on to play a number of other parts, including that of Karla Wilson in the horror movie I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) and the title character in the television movie Cinderella (1997).
Her breakout song was “The Boy Is Mine” (1998), a duet with Monica, a contemporary R&B singer. It went on to become one of the all-time best-selling female duets and earned her a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal by a Duo or Group. Early in June of that year, Norwood released Never Say Never, her second studio album, to positive reviews. Over 16 million copies have been sold globally to date, making it Norwood’s best-selling album. In 2002, Norwood had the lead role in the reality show Brandy: Special Delivery, which followed her daughter’s birth. Her critically acclaimed third and fourth albums, Afrodisiac (2004) and Full Moon (2002), were released.
In 2006, Norwood presided over the first season of America’s Got Talent as a judge before getting into a well reported vehicle accident. Despite being a commercial failure, Norwood’s fifth album, Human (2008), received favorable reviews upon its release. She made her television comeback in 2010 when she competed in the eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars and made her television debut in the reality series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business.
She received critical acclaim for both her 2012 release of her sixth album, Two Eleven, and her tenure as a series regular on the BET series The Game, which ran from 2012 to 2015. In the musical Chicago, Norwood debuted on Broadway as Roxie Hart in April 2015. In January 2016, she made her television debut as the lead actress and executive producer of the sitcom Zoe Ever After on BET. To great praise from critics, Norwood’s seventh studio album, B7—her first endeavor as an independent artist—was released in July 2020. Alongside Naturi Naughton, Eve, and Nadine Velazquez, Norwood starred in the critically acclaimed music drama series Queens on American Broadcasting Company in 2021.
Following her contract with Motown Records, Norwood announced her big label comeback in June 2022. November 10, 2023 is when Norwood’s eighth studio album, Christmas with Brandy, is scheduled to be released.
Brandy Norwood Early life
On February 11, 1979, in McComb, Mississippi, Willie Norwood, a gospel singer and choir director, and Sonja Norwood (née Bates), an H&R Block district manager, gave birth to Brandy Rayana Norwood. In addition to being the cousin of wrestler Mercedes Moné and rapper Snoop Dogg, Brandy is the older sister of entertainer Ray J. Growing up in a Christian household, Norwood began participating in the local church choir at the age of two, when she sang her first gospel solo thanks to her father’s employment.
After her parents moved to Carson, California in 1983, Norwood attended the Hollywood High Performing Arts Center for her education. After becoming a fan of singer Whitney Houston when she was seven years old, Norwood’s passion in music and singing grew. However, at school, she struggled to convince professors to send her on auditions since she felt unsupported by the faculty. By the time Norwood was eleven, she was competing in talent shows and singing in a young ensemble that gave performances at various public events.
She signed with Chris Stokes and Earl Harris’s Teaspoon Productions in 1990, where they hired her to provide background vocals for their R&B boy band Immature and coordinated the recording of a demo tape. After trying out for director of A&R Darryl Williams of the Atlantic Recording Corporation, Norwood’s parents arranged a recording contract with the label in 1993, in the midst of ongoing negotiations with East West Records. Norwood’s mother quit her job to care for her daughter, and she left Hollywood High School to receive private tutoring starting in the tenth grade.
Brandy Norwood Awards & Nominations
- American Music Awards: 9 nominations, one win
- Billboard Music Awards: 13 nominations, one win
- BET Awards: 11 nominations, 0 wins
- Grammy Awards: 12 nominations, one win
- NAACP Image Awards: 10 nominations, two wins
- Soul Train Music Awards: 14 nominations, six wins
Brandy Norwood Social Media
- Twitter: @4everBrandy
- Instagram: @brandy
- Facebook: @BrandyNorwoodOfficial
- TikTok: @brandy
- YouTube: Brandy
Brandy Norwood Net Worth
The multi-talented entertainer Brandy Norwood is said to be worth $12 million. Her exceptional accomplishments in R&B singing, songwriting, acting, and record production are the reason for this hefty sum.
Brandy has continuously demonstrated her extraordinary brilliance and adaptability throughout her career, which has resulted in many profitable endeavors and finally helped her achieve financial success.
Brandy Norwood Trivia
was, along with Clive Davis, one of the last persons to witness Whitney Houston in her prime. Whitney cut short their interview for E! and sent Brandy a note, the contents of which are still unknown because Brandy won’t discuss them for “personal reasons”.
was the first female African American actress to play Cinderella in a major motion picture on television.
In 1996, Kobe Bryant took Brandy to his high school prom before he became a household name in the NBA.
Part of her third album, “Full Moon,” is devoted to the late singer-actress Aaliyah, who passed away at the age of 22 on August 25, 2001, in a plane crash.
Throughout her acting career, she has acknowledged that Kim Fields, Niecy Nash, Jenifer Lewis, Lucille Ball, and Gabrielle Union were crucial to her growth as an actress and the realization of her comedic strengths.
admitted to have been anorexic at one point in her life in a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. In one of her videos, it was evident.
is good friends with Venus and Serena Williams, two tennis players, and she went to see them play each other at the US Open.
is a five-semittone lyric contralto whose range is three octaves. Not only did Norwood characterize her voice as husky, raspy, and gentle, but music critics have so too.
Snoop Dogg claimed to be first cousins with Brandy, although it’s uncertain if this is true—both of their parents are from McComb, Mississippi—or if they are just figurative “cousins”
rejects the idea of eliminating bugs.
had a daughter, Sy’rai Iman Smith, born on June 16, 2002, with Big Bert, her former lover.
Was set to act alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. in I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer (2006), but the script was altered and they were omitted.
Had turned 31 and learnt to swim.
acknowledged Whitney Houston as her primary musical and showbiz inspiration. She listed her musical inspirations as well, including Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Kim Burrell, Enya, Sade, Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, The Clark Sisters, Janet Jackson, Timbaland, and her brother Ray J.
Raps under the moniker “Bran ‘Nu” and sings under the name Brandy.
Before Brandy auditioned and was cast in the part, Karla Wilson in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998) was supposed to be a Caucasian girl.
attended Pepperdine University for a brief time in 1999 before leaving due to her hectic schedule.
dubbed her third album “Full Moon” because she believed her spiritual journey had reached its zenith.
When she was in junior high, she used to hide in the teachers’ parking lot to protect herself from girls.
At four years old, she dreamed of becoming a professional singer, and at eleven, she recorded her debut single.
Sonja Norwood, her mother, left her position at H&R Block to take care of Brandy and Ray J.
Conversations With God is my favorite book.
asserts that she secretly wed Robert “Big Bert” Smith in the summer of 2001. Smith asserts that the couple never had a valid marriage.
She was listed as one of the 55 Most Beautiful People in Ebony Magazine in 2000.
selected as one of the World’s 50 Most Beautiful People by People magazine.
The 50 Sexiest Women of the Year by Black Men Magazine [2004] (Ranked: 25).
Tyrese Gibson and Angela Simmons are friends.
has portrayed a character that won a rigged radio competition twice. Twice, in Double Platinum (1999) and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998).
was betrothed [2004–2005] to basketball star Quentin Richardson of the Los Angeles Clippers.
attended Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, California, where they received their diploma in 1996.
Dubai is her favorite place to travel.
has Kelly Rowland’s birthday in common.
A dog by the name of Shadow.
co-hosting The View, an ABC morning talk show, as a guest star in 1997.
Daughter of Sonja and Willie Norwood.
practicing for her performance in the 2015 musical “Chicago” as Roxie Hart.
The 50 Greatest Teen Idols on VH-1, ranked 33rd.
The Rock Goddess 50 by Blender Magazine (Ranked: 27).
Listed among the 58 Most Interesting Black People by Ebony Magazine [2003].
She was listed as one of the 50 Most Interesting People by Ebony Magazine. (2004).
Until February 2014, she was engaged to Ryan Press in December 2012.
Redbook’s 100 Greatest Moms (Ranked: 89).
The 100 Best Teen Stars on VH-1 [February 2006] (Placed 37th).
possesses five Barbie dolls created in her image that were introduced during the height of her fame in the 1990s.
Uncle Ray J’s sister.
selected as one of the 17 African-Americans to Watch in 1997 by Ebony Magazine [1997].
one of the “21 Hottest Stars Under 21” in Teen People magazine.
included in the 1996 list of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine.
Pop Candy’s 100 People of the Year [2002, USA Today] (Placed 37th).
included on the 2000 list of the 55 Most Beautiful Black People by Ebony Magazine.
52 Most Irresistible Women by Spike [2004] (Placed 21st).
Listed as one of the 58 Most Interesting People by Ebony Magazine. In 2003.
adores Bobbi Brown and MAC cosmetics.
featured in the 2004 edition of Ebony Magazine’s 50 Most Interesting Blacks.
The Top 10 Sexy Star Moms on Netscape [May 2003] (Score: 4).
included in the 2004 Must List of Entertainment Weekly.
The Top 10 Double Threats on Netscape [November 2002] (Placed 2nd).
listed as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine. In 1996.
Brandy Norwood Discography
Studio Albums
- 1994 Brandy
- 1998 Never Say Never
- 2002 Full Moon
- 2004 Afrodisiac
- 2008 Human
- 2012 Two Eleven
- 2020 B7
Compilation Album
- 2005 The Best of Brandy
EP
- 1998 Brandy & Monica
Who Is Brandy Norwood?
Throughout her multi-decade career, Brandy has been one of the rare musicians to gain popular recognition as a teenager and make seamless stylistic shifts. The singer-actor rose to fame in the post-new jack swing era, akin to TLC or Mary J. Blige’s child sister. She specialized in pop-oriented R&B, which was best represented by her first two singles, “I Wanna Be Down” and “Baby,” both Top Ten crossover hits that preceded her multiplatinum first album, Brandy (1994). Through the end of the 1990s, Brandy’s widespread appeal was reinforced by her title role in the hit sitcom Moesha, her Grammy-winning and chart-topping duet with Monica (“The Boy Is Mine,” the longest-running number one female duet in Billboard chart history), and her multi-platinum follow-up Never Say Never (1998).
Her acting career took precedence over her ability to produce safe contemporary R&B, but she made the most of her subsequent studio time, as evidenced by the progressive stylistic hybrids Full Moon (2002) and Afrodisiac (2004), which earned her consecutive Grammy nominations for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Since the mid-2000s, Brandy has made fewer albums; yet, her run of Top Ten R&B/hip-hop albums has continued, as seen by her albums Human (2008) and Two Eleven (2012). During the second part of the 2010s, Brandy’s musical output was limited to a few singles and featured appearances due to her steady work onscreen and on stage; nevertheless, she released her seventh album, B7 (2020), early in the following decade.
Brandy Norwood started singing in churches at the age of two. She was born in McComb, Mississippi. After a few years, she made the decision to pursue a professional singing career, influenced by Whitney Houston, after her father was appointed music director at a church in Carson, California, when she was four years old. She started looking for a record deal with her family’s assistance, and in 1992 she started providing backing vocals for the up-and-coming R&B group Immature. After enrolling in the Hollywood High Performing Arts Center, Brandy began her acting career, making appearances in movies such as Demolition Man and Arachnophobia.
After giving a performance at an Atlantic Records talent showcase, she was 14 years old and signed a record deal. She was cast in a supporting part in the brief ABC sitcom Thea around the same time. When Brandy’s self-titled first album was released in September 1994, it instantly yielded two Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten hits, “I Wanna Be Down” and “Baby,” which both peaked at number one on the R&B/hip-hop chart. “Brokenhearted” and “Best Friend” saw less success. Within two years, Brandy received a triple platinum certification.
“Sittin’ Up in My Room,” which was recorded for the Waiting to Exhale album, became Brandy’s biggest hit to date in 1996, peaking at number one in R&B/hip-hop and number two in pop. She also made her UPN debut early that year, taking a long break from music to play the lead role of Moesha. She only really worked on the Set It Off soundtrack song “Missing You,” alongside Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and Tamia, aside from “Sittin’ Up in My Room,” for the next couple of years. She made her TV debut in 1997 when she played the lead in Disney’s made-for-TV Cinderella, costarring with her idol Whitney Houston. The movie’s strong star cast and high box office performance contributed to its popularity.
At last, Brandy started work on her second album. When Never Say Never was released in June 1998, the Monica duet “The Boy Is Mine,” which was the album’s first single, became an enormous hit and topped the Hot 100 for an incredible 13 weeks. Following it, “Top of the World” (which included guest rapper Mase) and “Have You Ever?” became significant hits as well; the latter became Brandy’s first-ever solo Hot 100 number one hit. On its route to selling over five million copies, Never Say Never spawned three more songs, including the Top 20 pop success “Almost Doesn’t Count.” Following that, “The Boy Is Mine” took home the Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Brandy’s acting career was still thriving in the interim. She scored her first significant theatrical picture role in 1998 with I Still Know What You Did Last Summer. She also starred with Diana Ross in Double Trouble, another TV movie, the following year. Right up until the show’s cancellation in the spring of 2001, she focused primarily on Moesha. She provided the voice of a character in the animated movie Osmosis Jones that same year.
Brandy’s third album, Full Moon, was released in February 2002. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, immediately became her seventh Top Ten pop hit, “What About Us?”, and earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Brandy gave birth to her first kid that summer. Brandy: Special Delivery, an MTV documentary series, focused on her pregnancy.
Afrodisiac, the singer’s fourth album, was made available in June 2004. Kanye West produced the album’s debut single, “Talk About Our Love,” which peaked at number 36 on the Hot 100. While Afrodisiac was also nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Album category, it was Brandy’s final album released under Atlantic. She signed with Epic, and in December 2008, she made a comeback with Human, an adult contemporary album that peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200.
A few years later, she co-starred in the reality television series Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business with her brother and parents. In 2011, a soundtrack was released. After working with Monica once more on the song “It All Belongs to Me” from Monica’s 2012 album New Life, she released the collaboration-heavy album Two Eleven a few months later, which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 and topped the R&B/hip-hop chart. The joint song “Put It Down” with Chris Brown became Brandy’s eighth Top Ten R&B/hip-hop single in her lead role.
Throughout the remainder of the decade, Brandy focused mostly on her acting career, showcasing her abilities in the television shows The Game, Zoe After Ever, and Star, in addition to playing the title part in the Broadway production of Chicago. The bluesy belters “Beggin & Pleadin” (2016) and “Freedom Rings” (2019), a featured performance on August Greene’s rendition of Sounds of Blackness’ “Optimistic,” and a duet with Daniel Caesar, “Love Again,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance, were among her few releases during these years. She heightened expectations with her duet with Chance the Rapper on “Baby Mama,” and in 2020, her first album in eight years, B7, was released. That same year, the Disney Princess anthem “Starting Now” made its debut.
Where is Brandy Norwood originally from?
Brandy was reared in Carson, California, after being born in McComb, Mississippi. She started out as a backup vocalist for adolescent bands. Her self-titled debut album, which she released the next year after signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, sold six million copies worldwide.
Is Brandy African-American?
African-American singer-songwriter and actress Brandy Norwood hails from McComb, Mississippi. Her roles in Osmosis Jones, Cinderella, and Moesha are well-known. Since the 1990s, she has put out a number of R&B albums and singles.
How did Brandy get famous?
African-American singer-songwriter and actress Brandy Norwood hails from McComb, Mississippi. Her roles in Osmosis Jones, Cinderella, and Moesha are well-known. Since the 1990s, she has put out a number of R&B albums and singles.
