Heather Headley

Heather Headley is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress known for her work across Broadway, R&B, gospel, and television. Her stage career began with the original Toronto production of "Ragtime," and her breakthrough came when she originated the role of Nala in the Broadway musical "The Lion King." Headley later originated the title role in the Broadway adaptation of "Aida," earning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. She has been recognized by People Magazine and Essence Magazine for her contributions to the arts.

Headley transitioned from Broadway to recording artist with a focus on maintaining her personal convictions in her music. Her debut album, "This Is Who I Am," released by RCA Records and produced by James Harris and Terry Lewis, earned her two Grammy Award nominations: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best New Artist. She became the first Tony Award winner to be nominated for the Grammy's Best New Artist award. Her second album, "In My Mind," featured a title track that reached number one on the Dance and R&B charts and achieved gold sales certification.

Headley's gospel work has been a significant part of her career. She won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for "Audience of One" on the EMI Gospel label. Her collaborations in contemporary Christian music include performances on Vertical Worship albums such as "Live Worship from Vertical Church." Her fourth studio album, "Only One in the World," showcased her songwriting abilities.

Headley has continued to perform on stage, playing Rachel Marron in the musical adaptation of "The Bodyguard" at London's Adelphi Theatre, earning nominations for both an Olivier Award and a What's On Stage Award. She later played Shug Avery in the Broadway revival of "The Color Purple" and the Witch in the Encores! production of "Into the Woods." On screen, Headley portrayed gospel legend Clara Ward in the Aretha Franklin biopic "Respect."

Headley stars on the Netflix series "Sweet Magnolias." She has also served as a spokesperson for the March of Dimes, leading the "I Want My 9 Months" campaign, and serves on the Board of Directors for Catalyst Charter Schools in Chicago. Northwestern University awarded her an honorary Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of her multifaceted career. Headley's work in Broadway, gospel, R&B, and television continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.