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Ciara

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This article is about the musician. For information on the saint, see Saint Ciara and for information on the name itself, see Ciara (given name). For the Irish naval vessel, see LÉ Ciara (P42).
Ciara

Ciara Princess Harris (born October 25, 1985),[1] commonly known as Ciara (pronounced "Sierra", /siˈɛr.ə/),[2] is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer, fashion model, music video director, actress and soon to be fashion designer. Born in Austin, Texas, Ciara made her debut in the summer of 2004 with the Billboard number-one single "Goodies". The album Goodies was released in the United States on September 28, 2004, and in the UK on January 24, 2005. It produced three top two singles on the Billboard Hot 100, selling two million in the U.S.,[3] and over five million worldwide,[4] and earned various awards and nominations.

Ciara's second album, Ciara: The Evolution, was released in December 2006. It has spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit "Get Up", and the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts top ten hits "Promise", "Like a Boy", and "Can't Leave 'em Alone". To date, the album, which went platinum only five weeks after its release, has sold more than two million copies in the U.S. and over three million worldwide, and earned various awards and nominations.

Ciara's third studio album, Fantasy Ride, is expected to be released in the United States in March 2009. The first single "Go Girl" was released on September 30, 2008. The second single is expected to be released in January 2009.

Biography

Early life

Ciara was born in Austin, Texas.[1] She is the only child of Carlton and Jackie Harris. She grew up on Army bases in Germany, New York, Utah, California, Arizona, and Nevada, since her father was in the United States Army.[5] During her teens, Ciara and her family settled in Atlanta.[5] Ciara said that watching Destiny's Child perform on a television program while staying home from school inspired her to pursue a career in music. Then, Ciara joined a girl group called Hearsay and worked on her songwriting.[5] The group recorded demos, but began to have differences. Eventually, she left the group, got a publishing deal, and found a "musical soulmate" when she met producer Jazze Pha.[5] Ciara graduated from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia in 2003 and was signed by LaFace Records executive L.A. Reid with the help of Jazze Pha. She began production on her debut album. Ciara co-wrote a demo with songwriter Sean Garrett, who was co-writer of Usher’s international hit "Yeah!".[5].

Goodies (2004-2005)

See also: Goodies (album)

Goodies became a commercial success in the U.S., selling 2.63 million copies. The following year, Goodies received an international release, but success was limited, although the singles were worldwide hits. Ciara’s debut single, "Goodies" reached number one in United States and United Kingdom. The second and third single "1, 2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott and "Oh" featuring Ludacris were top five singles, both peaking at the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, in both countries. "And I", the fourth single, did poorly compared to the first three releases. The song peaked at ninety-six on the Billboard Hot 100.

In the summer 2005, Ciara released her DVD of music videos, documentaries, and commentaries entitled Goodies: The Videos & More and contributed to hip-hop artists' singles during Goodies success. She appeared on Missy Elliott's "Lose Control" from her album The Cookbook and Bow Wow’s "Like You" from his album Wanted, which both peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

In December 2005, Ciara went on tour with Gwen Stefani on her Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005 and Bow Wow and Chris Brown for the "Holladay Jam" tour, which stopped at big cities such as New York, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. She also received Grammy nominations for "Best New Artist", "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" for "1, 2 Step", "Best Rap Song" and "Best Short Form Music Video" for “Lose Control”.

Ciara: The Evolution (2006-2007)

See also: Ciara: The Evolution

Ciara started a new year by winning her first Grammy Award for Missy Elliott's "Lose Control". It won "Best Short Form Music Video", on February 8, 2006.[6] In April 2006, Ciara was featured on Field Mob’s Billboard top ten single "So What". The following month, she made acting debut in the MTV Films production All You've Got, also starring Adrienne Bailon and Efren Ramirez. The summer of 2006, Ciara completed her second album, after the release of the Step Up soundtrack single "Get Up" featuring Chamillionaire. It became the second European single in the summer 2007, apart from the UK, where the song was released twice as a download-only single, once in 2006 and again in 2007.

Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution was released on December 5, 2006. Production included hit makers such as, Jazze Pha, Rodney Jerkins, Pharrell, Bryan Michael Cox, Will.i.am and many others. The album is about Ciara's personal growth after two years in the public eye. She co-wrote and co-produced most of the songs. The official first single "Promise", produced by Atlanta producer Polow da Don, which reached eleven on the Billboard Hot 100. In October 2006, Ciara went on a seventeen city club tour until December, which she previewed new music from the album. Ciara: The Evolution debuted at number one selling over 338,000 copies, which is 213,000 more than Ciara’s debut album Goodies. The album received generally positive reviews and was certified platinum by the RIAA within only five weeks of its release. The second single from Ciara: The Evolution, the first single in Europe, "Like a Boy", was released on February 13, 2007 in the U.S. The single was the second to be released in the UK with an April 9, 2007 release date. The single was a moderate success peaking at nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100, six on the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B Singles chart, and sixteen in the UK.

In early May, Ciara teamed with Glamour Magazine to direct her first music video for emerging female artists Tiffany Evans, Paula Campbell, or Samantha Jade in the Nissan Reel Music Contest.[7] She signed on to her second film role Mama, I Want to Sing! which filmed the summer 2007 and is due in theaters October 2008 and she became the face of Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line and spokesperson for the women campaign entitled "I Will Not Lose", which debuted in the summer.[8] The official third single "Can't Leave 'Em Alone",which features 50 Cent was released on June 12, 2007 and peaked at forty on the Billboard Hot 100. Ciara headlined with Lloyd, T-Pain, T.I. and Yung Joc on the Screamfest '07. The tour was scheduled to begin July 24, 2007.[9] but it was changed to August 3, 2007.[10] During this period, Ciara was featured on teen singer Tiffany Evans's debut single, "Promise Ring." Ciara supported fellow pop singer Rihanna on the UK leg of the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour. Ciara performed Can't Leave 'Em Alone at the World Music Awards with 50 Cent. She also won the award for "World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist" at the 2007 World Music Awards.

Fantasy Ride (2008-Present)

See also: Fantasy Ride

In early January, Ciara released a promo single titled "Ahh", which featured J-Hood, though no radio stations picked up on it cause it wasn't an official single. At this time Ciara was originally getting ready for the release of her theatrical debut in the film Mama, I Want To Sing!. But shortly after it was announced the film would go straight to DVD in early 2009.

In February, Ciara announced via her official MySpace page that she was currently recording her third studio album and searching for unsigned dancers via national dance auditions. Ciara also stated that the album would be released before the end of the year. [11] But the release date changed many times due to Ciara & her label pushing back the release date many times after that. So far, for her new effort, she has been working with Tricky Stewart, Danja, The-Dream, Polow da Don, Justin Timberlake among many others.[12] The album is currently titled "Fantasy Ride".[13]

Ciara has stated many times that guest appearances on the album so far include, Missy Elliot, T-Pain, Ludacris, among many others. Fans will also find out more about Ciara's new alter ego called "Super Ci" on the new album.

The first single from the album was originally supposed to be a song called "High Price", which featured Ludacris. But since the song leaked in early 2008 before the singles release date. Ciara decided to release a song called "Go Girl", which features T-Pain. The single is also produced by the featured act. The single was released on September 30, 2008. It was later announced that the singles performance wasn't enough to ignite the albums release so the album was eventually pushed back once again to Spring 2009. [14] The album is currently set for a release in the United States in March 2009. A new single will be released shortly in preparation with the album's release. The single is called "Never, Never", and it is produced by Polow da Don.[15] The albums artwork and cover will reportedly have a superhero feel to it, similar to her new alter ego. She is working with DC Comics artist Bernard Chang to make the cover of the album.[16][17]

In 2008, Ciara was featured on many albums including rapper Nelly's album Brass Knuckles, Enrique Iglesias's greatest hits album and many more upcoming abums. [18][19]

In October 2008, Billboard announced that Ciara would be honored as a "Woman Of The Year" for her success in the music industry.[20]

Ciara did interviews in many magazines including "Right On", "Maxim Magazine" and "Vibe Magazine", which she was promoting the new album "Fantasy Ride".[21] [22]This followed to the Vibe Magazine controversy. On the October issue, Ciara was appearing to be naked but she has stated that Vibe airbrushed her clothes off to make it appear she was completely nude. She later confirmed to "MTV News" that she was in fact clothed. Ciara was quoted as saying:[23]

"I think, at this point, I'd rather just be quiet about things such as that but I definitely want to make it clear that I was going in to do something artistic, and I was upset that when I saw the photos, everything was gone.

Other ventures

Modeling For Wilhelmina & Victoria Secret

She recently signed a deal with the modeling agency Wilhelmina Models. The deal will allow Wilhelmina to focus on casting Ciara in various photo shoots and commercials. In addition to that, she also has her eyes set on beginning a new clothing line. She's currently in talks with the department store Steve & Barry's, who are already home to a clothing line for Sarah Jessica Parker's "Bitten" line as well as New York Knicks' star Stephon Marbury's "Starbury" collection, to create a reasonably priced clothing line that would combine her style with affordable prices.[24]

On November 9, 2008, the first picture Ciara took with Wilhelmina Models from a photo shoot was released onto the internet. The picture shows Ciara wrapped up in a mic cord. Ciara also confirmed on a radio station that her fashion line is currently still in early talks.[25] But it was eventually confirmed that Ciara will start modeling for Victoria Secret in early 2009. Ciara was recently spotted at the "Grand Opening of the Victoria’s Secret Lexington Avenue Flagship" store.[26] [27]

Acting career

In May 2005, Ciara made her acting debut in the MTV Films coming-of-age film All You've Got, as Becca Watley, the queen bee of a high school volleyball team; the Little Madonnas.[28] The film was released on DVD May 23, 2006.

Ciara is starring with Patti LaBelle in the upcoming film Mama, I Want to Sing!, which is based on the worldwide hit off-Broadway musical. Ciara is playing a preacher's daughter in the church choir who becomes a pop star. Mama, I Want to Sing is completed but has just suffered from too many push backs. Currently the film is set for a release in April 2009 but nothing has been confirmed just yet.

Charity

In September, Ciara, along with other female R&B artists Mariah Carey, Beyoncé Knowles, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Fergie, Sheryl Crow, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Ashanti, Natasha Bedingfield, Keyshia Cole, Leona Lewis, LeAnn Rimes, and Carrie Underwood, will team up for the song "Just Stand Up!". The charity tune for cancer was conceived by Antonio "L.A." Reid, who produced it with longtime creative colleague Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds. All 15 singers shared the stage to perform the song live on September 5, during the "Stand Up to Cancer" television special, which aired simultaneously on ABC, NBC and CBS. The proceeds from the single were given to the fundraiser.[29] The television special helped raise $100 million dollars for cancer research.[30] The single is now available via digital download.

In November, Ciara teamed up with a foundation called "Make A Wish". In the foundation Ciara taught a mentally ill girl how to dance the 1, 2 Step, which granted her wish. The little girl is a huge fan of Ciara and was so happy that she finally got to meet her idol.[31]

Discography

Main article: Ciara discography

Albums

Videos/DVDs

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2006 All You've Got Becca Watley Television film
2009 Mama, I Want To Sing! Amara Awaiting Release

Tours

Headlining

Supporting Act

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of Ciara awards and nominations

References

  1. ^ a b MSN (2008). "Ciara: Biography". MSN. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  2. ^ Ogunnaike, Lola (2006-12-06). "One Name, Many Goals for a Driven R&B Star". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
  3. ^ " Ciara Previewing 'Evolution' On Tour". Retrieved November 28, 2006.
  4. ^ "Ciara Certified Platinum". Retrieved January 18, 2006.
  5. ^ a b c d e " Billboard.com Biography - Ciara". Retrieved December 14, 2006.
  6. ^ Rock On The Net: 48th Annual Grammy Awards
  7. ^ Ciara Directs A Clip, Plus Kelly Clarkson, Usher, Paris Hilton, Beyonce, Chris Brown & More In For The Record MTV News Retrieved June 2, 2007
  8. ^ Ciara Tapped As the New Face of Rocawear Us Magazine Retrieved June 2, 2007
  9. ^ T.I., Ciara To Headline Latest Scream Tour Retrieved June 7, 2007
  10. ^ Usher To Become A Dad; Plus Screamfest, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Fall Out Boy, Fergie, Andre 3000 & More, In For The Record
  11. ^ YouTube - S&R w/ Ciara
  12. ^ Billboard Bits: Ciara, CMT Awards, Big Boi
  13. ^ MTV Newsroom - Ciara New Album Info
  14. ^ Fantasy Ride: Pushed Back To 2009 Entertainment Weekly. Accessed November 17, 2008.
  15. ^ Ciara new single confirmed by Elle Magazine
  16. ^ Ciara Animated For Fantasy Ride Cover Rap-Up.com. Accessed December 11, 2008.
  17. ^ Fantasy Ride: Artwork & Push Backs YBF.com. Accessed December 9, 2008.
  18. ^ Rap-Up.com:// rap-up book in stores now! » Blog Archive » Nelly’s ‘Brass Knuckles’ Due June 24
  19. ^ "Enrique Inglesias Official Website" Enrique Ingesias. Accessed October 16, 2008.
  20. ^ "Ciara's Offical Website" CiaraWorld.com. Accessed October 4, 2008.
  21. ^ Ciara On Right On Magazine Urban-Hoopla.com. Accessed November 1, 2008.
  22. ^ Ciara In Maxim Magazine In Lingerie The Insider. Accessed September 10, 2008.
  23. ^ Ciara Insists: I Wasn't Nude In Vibe Magazine MTV News. Accessed September 23, 2008.
  24. ^ Billboard Biz: Ciara Inks With Modeling Agency, Eyes Clothing Line
  25. ^ Ciara Radio Interview Sincerelyciara.com. Accessed November 9, 2008.
  26. ^ Ciara Modeling For Victoria Secret Rap-Up.com. Accessed December 3, 2008.
  27. ^ Ciara Spotted At Grand Opening Singersroom. Accessed December 3, 2008.
  28. ^ " Ciara The Queen of Madonnas". Retrieved August 28, 2006.
  29. ^ Kaufman, Gil (2008-08-19). "Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Rihanna, Fergie, Miley Cyrus, More Collaborate On Cancer Benefit Single". MTV News. Retrieved 2008-08-20.
  30. ^ 15 Singers Stand Up To Cancer Billboard. Accessed October 8, 2008.
  31. ^ Ciara: Make A Wish Foundation Sincerelyciara. Accessed November 30, 2008.
  32. ^ Ciara to tour with Rihanna in the UK. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
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