Jump to content

Christina Milian

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Wikirocks (talk | contribs) at 07:45, 21 February 2008 (→‎Personal life). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Christina Milian

Christina Milian (born Christine Marie Flores on September 26 1981) is an American R&B and pop singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, model, and former MTV VJ. She has released three studio albums and one compilation album. She has also had four solo top five singles (and also a top ten featuring credit single) in the UK as well as hits in the rest of Europe and North America. As an actress, Milian appeared in the 2003 film Love Don't Cost a Thing opposite Nick Cannon. Milian wrote songs for Jennifer Lopez, Paula DeAnda, and PYT's. She also starred as singer Linda Moon in Be Cool, the sequel to Get Shorty, and appeared in the 2006 horror film Pulse.

Early life

Milian was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of Afro-Cuban parents Don and Carmen, and has two younger sisters, Dannielle and Elizabeth.[1] Her family moved to Waldorf, Maryland soon after her birth and she set her heart on an entertainment career at the age of four. Milian did commercials (Wendy's, Honeycomb) and played the lead role in the musical Annie before moving to Los Angeles at thirteen to pursue an acting career. Soon after the family's move, her father divorced her mother.

Recording career

2000–2002: Music beginnings

File:Cm1.JPG
Christina Milian (2001)

In 2000, Milian made her first official musical appearance on Ja Rule's second studio album Rule 3:36, performing guest vocals on his song "Between Me and You". Released as the album's lead single in 2001, the track managed to peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in the top 30 of the UK singles chart, building Milian's reputation as a singer. Milian also appeared in Mýa's video for "Best of Me" playing a friend. In the meantime Milian co-wrote and provided extensive backing vocals for the track "Play" for Jennifer Lopez's 2001 album J. Lo which became another success. Milian would later pass down the song to Lopez because of already having a club song with "AM to PM" as promotion. She also went on to co-write "Same Ol' Same Ol", the first single from girl group PYT's debut album Down With Me.

In 2001, Milian eventually released her first solo single, "AM To PM", off her self-titled debut album. The song became a worldwide hit reaching the top 5 in the UK and Denmark, top 10 in the Netherlands, and top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and in Australia. The success of "AM To PM" sparked the international release of the Christina Milian album which she co-wrote and produced, although not in the United States. The second single "When You Look At Me" was another international hit reaching the top 5 in the UK, Netherlands, and Ireland and making the top 40 in Denmark, Germany, Australia, and France. Although a music video for the album's third single "Get Away" (another collaboration with Ja Rule) was filmed in Paris, the single wasn't released officially.

Afterwards Milian also was featured on the track "It's All Gravy", a duet with British Rapper Romeo of the UK garage group So Solid Crew. While the song was another UK top ten hit single in 2002, Milian provided the theme song for the hit Disney series Kim Possible, "Call Me Beep Me" later that year. In 2002, she also collaborated with Hilary Duff on her Christmas album Santa Claus Lane, on the song "I heard Santa On the Radio."

2003–2004: New image and popularity

File:Cm2.jpg
It's About Time (2004). Listen to "Dip It Low" Audio file "DipItLowSample.ogg" not found.

In 2003, Milian started recording songs with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Bloodshy & Avant and Cory Rooney for her first U.S. release, It's About Time (whose title is a direct reference to how long it had taken for one of her albums to be released domestically). The album was released to positive reviews on July 13, 2004, but failed to receive immense commercial success when it debuted at #21 in the UK and #14 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling over 36,000 copies in the first week only. While It's about Time ended up with lackluster sales of 385,000 copies in the United States, it gained prominence when it received a Grammy nomination for "Best Contemporary R&B Album" in 2005.

The album's first single, "Dip It Low" (written by singer Teedra Moses and Black Eyed Peas producer Poli Paul) however, became Milian's biggest hit to date, when it peaked at #1 on a world composite dance chart (compiled on data from the U.S., UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, and Australia), simultaneously reaching #2 in the UK, #5 in the U.S., #7 in New Zealand and the top 20 in Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Norway and the Netherlands. The single was also certified Gold by the RIAA for digital sales. The album's second and final single, "Whatever U Want" (featuring Joe Budden) failed to reprise the success of the lead single, but again reached the top 10 in the UK as well as charting on the Billboard Hot 100.

2006–2007: Career changes

File:Soamazin cm.jpg
So Amazin' (2006)

Milian's third studio album So Amazin' was released on May 16, 2006. Milian worked with Cool & Dre on the majority of the production of the album, and the project was finished with additional help from Rich Harrison and executive producers Jay-Z and LA Reid. Christina mentions working with Cool & Dre for the entire album "made a more consistent, very real and personal album".[2] compared to her other works. The record's first single "Say I" featured rapper Young Jeezy and was released in March 2006 as a single and video. The song made it to number 1 on iTunes UK Music Store and was number 1 on AOL music, but altogether saw moderate success only with peak positions on #21 in the United States, #4 in the UK and #45 in Australia.

While So Amazin failed to reach the top 10 when it debuted at #11 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, the album saw minor international success only, peaking at #67 in the UK inter alia. With "Gonna Tell Everybody" a second single from the album was chosen, but Island Def Jam neither agreed to film a music video nor booked promotional appearances for Milian to promote the song. In June 2006, instead, Milian's representative confirmed that she had left the Island Def Jam record label due to "creative differences" - though disappointing album sales were believed to be the main factor, since the album sold less than 500,000 worldwide (over 100,000 in United States).[3]

Due to the low sales of So Amazin, Milian released her first compilation album, titled The Best of Christina Milian on November 22, 2006.[4] The album was released under the Universal International label. The album includes her hit singles and songs that she hand picked herself from her first three studio albums, Christina Milian, It's About Time, and So Amazin', though, only one track, Say I, was chosen from So Amazin', possibly due to the fact that it is her lowest selling album. The album was only released in Japan and some other Asian countries; but was not released in the U.S. or Europe. The album peaked at a disappointing #29 on the Japanese ORICON Albums Chart, and has sold only 38,078 copies to date.

2008: Rain On Me

Currently, Milian is working hard to release her 4th studio (3rd in North America) album in 2008, as stated in her MySpace blog. Milian has confirmed J. R. Rotem, Nate (Danja) Hills, The Matrix, The Runners, Lil Jon, Lisa Maffia, Cool & Dre, and Ryan Tedder will be featured producers, and Rick Ross and Frankie J will be featured guest stars. So far there is no confirmed title or release date for the album, but she has stated on her MySpace blog that the album will have similar sound to her last album, So Amazin'. One of the tracks, the Benjamin Franklin produced ballad "That One" has been leaked on YouTube. In her December 17, 2007 blog, Milian talked about a new track called "Gotta Get To You". She said that she feels it could be a "big international hit."[5] After leaving Island Def Jam in 2006, it has been reported that Milian has signed with Myspace Records. She reportedly will release her fourth album under the brand new label.[6]

"Rain On Me" is Milian's upcoming 4th studio album. She announced on her MySpace profile the album title and confirmed 7 tracks including the first single, "That Get It Girl", which features Timbaland & Justin Timberlake. She named the album "Rain On Me" because of her ups and downs in life. Ryan Tedder, Swizz Beatz, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Rick Ross, Jazzy Pha, Ne-Yo, T-Pain, Sean Garrett & Cool & Dre are producers for the album.

Acting career

Milian's first significant role was as a reporter on the Disney Channel's Movie Surfers show in 1998 billed as Tina Flores. While in this role, she also appeared in minor roles in the movies A Bug's Life and American Pie and in guest appearances on the television series Sister, Sister, Smart Guy, Clueless, Get Real, Charmed, The Amanda Show, and The Steve Harvey Show.[7] In 2002, Milian was appointed to host of the television show Wannabes on MTV. She met director Joseph Kahn on an episode of Wannabes who suggested she audition for a lead role in the film Torque opposite Ice Cube. Her audition was successful, but even though she was only given a minor role, she later got a lead role in Love Don't Cost a Thing in 2003. Milian was nominated for her acting in Love Don't Cost a Thing at the Teen Choice Awards for Choice Breakout Movie Star - Female.[8]

In 2005, she had roles in the films Man of the House opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Be Cool with John Travolta and Uma Thurman. In 2006, she played a main role in the horror film Pulse, released in August of 2006, starring alongside Veronica Mars actress Kristen Bell. She made an appearance in the music video for Jessica Simpson's single "A Public Affair," alongside Christina Applegate, Eva Longoria, Maria Menounos, Ryan Seacrest and Andy Dick; and was also named #10 in Maxim's Hot 100.[9]

On October 25, 2007, Milian guest starred on the CW's hit TV series Smallville.[10] On December 15 she starred in the Christmas movie for ABC Family entitled Snowglobe,[11] playing the main character, alongside Lorraine Bracco. The Nielsens ratings for Dec. 10 — 16 showed that "Snowglobe" was rated the sixth most watched show for the week on cable, with 4.4 million viewers.[12] She will be the leading character in The CW's new show "Eight Days A Week" as Olivia, alongside Mario Lopez.[13][14]

In an interview with MTV on Oct 15 2007, Milian said she would be interested in playing Wonder Woman in the upcoming Justice League of America movie adaptation. She urges him (George Miller) to look beyond her ethnicity and consider her for the part of the Amazonian princess. "That would be awesome," Milian said. "I think confidence and strength lie in your mind, and I would love to exude that strength." Though Milian has some very tough competition, including Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Teresa Palmer, she says she isn't daunted, because she feels like the comic books are closer to her heart.[15] It was later reported that relatively unknown actress Teresa Palmer had signed up to play Wonder Woman. According to Moviehole, Palmer blew away director George Miller during the casting sessions.[16]

On her January 22, 2008 MySpace blog, she mentioned a role "...in a new comedy due out 2009."[17] The movie was revealed to be The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past which is set to star Matthew McConaughey and Jennifer Garner, with a February 19, 2009 release date.[18]

Writing career

On December 8, 2006, E! News reported that Milian has started to write books.[19] She is currently writing two books, both targeted for teenage girls. She has stated that she wants to show her female fans the healthy way on how to be happy. There has been no release date set for either book as of yet.

Personal life

Milian is currently dating Dre from producing group Cool and Dre. In an interview, Dre said "Yeah, that's definitely wifey right there," he said. "A real man isn't ashamed to claim what's his. I could never disrespect by not claiming my girl. No matter how 'G' you wanna keep it on the industry tip, you don't want to do that to somebody especially if it's genuine. We've been together for a little bit now."[20]

After being together for nearly two and a half years, in the summer of 2005, Milian broke up with actor Nick Cannon. In an interview with Angie Martinez, she spoke about how she found out about Cannon cheating on her. According to Milian, while she was away filming Pulse in Romania, she attempted to log in to his T-Mobile account by entering in random passwords. After succeeding with one of the passwords, she was able to read all of the messages he sent out and received to and from other women whom he had relationships (romantically) with. When she returned to the states, she decided to play dumb, pretending she was completely oblivious to his cheating, before bashing him with the news that she knew he was cheating.[21] Nick Cannon later revealed he refused to stay faithful to Christina Milian because their relationship was becoming too much like a Christian romance.[22]

File:Christinaandericwest.jpg
Christina Milian and Eric West

Various media outlets also reported that Milian was dating Eric West. Both deny they were dating, and Milian posted on her myspace that she "[has] no idea who Eric West is"[23] although she had co-hosted an event for Elton John's AIDS foundation in August 2005, and been photographed with West at the last New York Fashion Week. Months after her interview with the New York Daily News, AOL News reported West and Milian were spotted together once again at a New York Hotel, saying "Singer-actress Christina Milian spotted looking nervous as she left the Hotel Gansevoort in New York's Soho district as she ran into actor Eric West. The two made headlines when Milian posted a MySpace blog saying she "[has] no idea who Eric West is" despite having co-hosted an event for Elton John's AIDS foundation in August 2005, and being photographed with West at the last New York Fashion Week. My mole said she kept apologizing to West during the chance encounter..."[24]

Along with her difficult dating life, Milian has also been in many bizarre situations. During March 2007, singer Joss Stone went on-the-record to insult Milian. In an interview, Joss Stone talked about the fact that she hates Milian, who is the ex of her ex, Beau Dozier. She described Milian as a "...highly paid [stripper]" and even insulted her mother. Milan’s publicist responded that "Christina has never met Joss," and that "she can’t imagine what this is all about."[25] During the filming of Pulse, Milian experienced blatant racism by Romanians she encountered. People would point and laugh at her, barking "Black! Black! Black!" in her face.[26] "I couldn't believe it!" says Milian, "I had never experienced that in my life, and you can't even say anything. It's like, what am I going to say?".[27]

Milian ignited controversy when she has sold personal items on eBay, fuelling rumours that she was broke after being being dropped from Def Jam. Milian denied the rumours, saying that the proceeds would go to charity.[28] Milian retaliated by saying that "I am NOT BROKE!! I AM negotiating a new record deal with another label. I am NOT BANKRUPT EITHER! I have made plenty and enough money in all the different areas of my career and the fact that I am not with defjam anymore doesn’t mean i am not making money. I’m prob making more money now! believe me."[29] She also said: "My mother and I find this a much easier way to have a clear out because in the past we have not been able to donate certain pieces because they are not age appropriate for most charities we donate to or they are stage costumes."[30]

On December 12, 2007, Milian was interviewed by Rachael Ray on The Rachael Ray Show. They talked about Milian's new film, "Snowglobe," and her plans for the holidays. Milian said she'll be giving back to those in need by working with the charity Children Uniting Nations to help other girls. "It's being a big sister to foster children," she explains. "I just went through a whole training program and mentoring program and I'm going to get put together with my child really soon. I can't wait."[31]

Discography

Main article: Christina Milian discography

Albums

Singles

Filmography

Films

TV series

Host work

  • 2003: MTV's Wannabes

Awards and nominations

Year Award Result
2004 Teen Choice Award for Choice Breakout Movie Star - Female Nomination
2004 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Chemistry (shared with Nick Cannon) Nomination
2004 Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Liplock (shared with Nick Cannon) Nomination
2005 Teen Choice Award for Choice Crossover Artist Nomination
2005 BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Theatrical Film (for Be Cool) Nomination
2005 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album (for It's About Time) Nomination
2005 Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Dip It Low" (shared with Fabolous) Nomination
2005 The Reign Award Elton John Award for Outstanding Achievement (shared with Mariah Carey and Eric West) Won [32]
2005 Groovevolt Music and Fashion Award for Best Song Performance - Female for "Dip It Low" Nomination
2005 International Dance Music Award for Best R&B/Urban Dance Track for "Dip It Low" Nomination
2006 Ozone Award for Best R&B Female Won

References

  1. ^ "Christina Milian Biography". ChristinaMilian.org - The Official Site of Christina Milian. Milian Corporation. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
  2. ^ http://www.mp3.com/features/stories/4636.html
  3. ^ Island Def Jam Drops Christina Milian : VIBE.com
  4. ^ Christina Milian Best(ƒOƒŒƒCƒeƒXƒgƒqƒbƒc) yCD z-Christina Milian/‰¹Šy/HMV
  5. ^ ChristinasWorld.Net - Eight Days A Week 2008 - Hot Mami Christina Milian
  6. ^ » Music News: Christina Milian Signs With Myspace Label / More Mariah Updates / Vote For Danity Kane’S New Single // 'Concreteloop.Com' You Better Act Like You Know!
  7. ^ Christina Milian Biography (1981-)
  8. ^ Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003) - Awards
  9. ^ Christina Milian of 2006 Hot 100 on Maxim.com
  10. ^ Caroline Dries (writer) & Mairzee Almas (director) (2007-10-25). "Action". Smallville. Season 7. Episode 5. 42 minutes in. The CW.
  11. ^ Christina Milian to Inhabit 'Snowglobe' - Telefilm will be part of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas - Zap2it
  12. ^ Nielsens ratings for Jan. 21 27 - USATODAY.com
  13. ^ Leslie Bibb Flies to Atlanta on CBS
  14. ^ "Eight Days a Week" (2007)
  15. ^ Christina Milian Fights For Wonder Woman Role - Movie News Story | MTV Movie News
  16. ^ Movies - News - Teresa Palmer to play Wonder Woman? - Digital Spy
  17. ^ ChristinasWorld.Net - Eight Days A Week 2008 - Hot Mami Christina Milian
  18. ^ http://imdb.com/title/tt0821640/
  19. ^ E! - Planet Gossip Blog - Money Honeys: SJP, Milan and Mendes - Eva Mendes | Sarah Jessica Parker
  20. ^ Janeé Bolden (June 12, 2006). Cool & Dre's Dre Talks Debut, Love Affair With Christina Milian SOHH. Accessed January 1, 2008.
  21. ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/400407p-339234c.html[verification needed]
  22. ^ The Celebrity Blog » Blog Archive » Christina Milian Loves Dre
  23. ^ http://img9.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc199&image=66957_Christina_Milian_MySpaces_about_Eric_West.jpg
  24. ^ "aol.com". AOL Black Voices Columnist. Retrieved 30 September. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Joss Stone Calls Singers “Highly Paid Strippers,” Disses Christina Milian
  26. ^ EURweb.com - Black Entertainment | Black News | Urban News | Hip Hop News
  27. ^ Kristen Bell & Christina Milian Take Pulse - Interview
  28. ^ http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/06092006/broke_christina_milian_raises_cash_on_ebay
  29. ^ » Candids: Christina Milian In Ny // 'Concreteloop.Com' You Better Act Like You Know!
  30. ^ The Celebrity Blog » Christina Milian
  31. ^ Rachael Ray Show Christina Milian
  32. ^ Mariah Carey - Awards
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Christina_Milian&oldid=192992344"