Ciara

Ciara
Ciara attending Maxim magazine's 10th Annual Hot 100 Celebration in Santa Monica, California, on May 13, 2009
Background information
Birth name	Ciara Princess Harris
Born	October 25, 1985 (1985-10-25) (age 25) Austin, Texas, United States
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Genres	R&B, pop, hip hop, dance
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress, model
Years active	2002–present
Labels	LaFace, JLG
Website	www.ciaraworld.com

Ciara Princess Harris (born October 25, 1985), who performs under the mononym Ciara is an American recording artist, dancer, actress, and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha. With his help, she was signed to LaFace Records, and went on to become a successful female artist, selling more than eight million albums worldwide and having numerous top ten hits.

Ciara made her debut with the hit "Goodies", which reached number one in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. Her debut album, Goodies, followed and became a success, selling over five million copies worldwide. The album also produced two other hits: her second number one in Canada, "1, 2 Step", and "Oh". She released her second album, Ciara: The Evolution, two years later in 2006; and it spawned the hit "Like a Boy" and US hits "Get Up" and "Promise". The album was another success, selling over two million copies worldwide. Ciara released her third album, Fantasy Ride, which featured the hit "Love Sex Magic", in 2009. Ciara's fourth studio album titled, Basic Instinct is scheduled for release on October 5, 2010 and sees the singer return to her urban roots, and is preceded by the lead single, "Ride", which was released on April 26, 2010.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Ciara was born in Austin, Texas on October 25, 1985. She is the only child born to Carlton and Jackie Harris. Since her father was in the United States Army, throughout her childhood Ciara grew up on army bases in Germany, New York, Utah, California, Arizona, and Nevada.^[1] In speaking of this, Ciara states that while she hated to lose good friends, this helps her in her career when she has to travel all over the world. During her teens, Ciara and her family settled in Atlanta.^[1] 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^[1], and cites Michael Jackson as her biggest inspiration.^[2][3]

2002–2003: Hearsay and record deal

In her mid-teens Ciara formed an all girl group by the name Hearsay, with two of her friends. The group recorded demos, but as time went on, they began to have differences and eventually parted ways.^[1] Despite this setback, Ciara was still determined to reach her goal and signed a publishing deal in which she bcame a song-writer. She achieved her first success at this when she wrote the song, "Got Me Waiting", for R&B singer Fantasia Barrino's debut album, Free Yourself^[1] It was when she was writing songs that she met music producer, Jazze Pha, whom she called her "music soulmate". In 2002, the two recorded four demos, "1, 2 Step", "Thug Style", "Pick Up the Phone", and "Lookin' at You", which all appeared on her debut album which was released two years later. The former was the second single released from it and became a hit.^[1] In 2003, Ciara graduated from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia. Following that, she was signed by LaFace Records executive, L.A. Reid, with the help of Jazze Pha. She began production on her debut album later that year. In early 2004, Ciara wrote a demo with record producer, Sean Garrett. The demo was later brought to the attention of Lil Jon and became her debut single "Goodies". Lil Jon stated later that he knew it would be big seeing how it sounded similar to Usher's international hit, "Yeah!"^[1]

Recording and film career

2004–2005: Goodies

Ciara released her debut album, Goodies, in the United States on September 28, 2004. The album debuted at number three, selling 125,000 copies in its first week. However, propelled by its three hit singles, the album was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA, selling over three million copies in the United States. With its success in the US, the album was released internationally on January 24, 2005, where it also performed well being certified platinum in Canada, and gold in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. To date, the album sold over five million copies worldwide.

The album produced three worldwide hit singles. Ciara's debut single, "Goodies" reached number one in United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, and the top ten in Ireland , New Zealand, and Germany, and top twenty in Australia. The second and third single, "1, 2 Step", featuring Missy Elliott, and "Oh", featuring Ludacris, both peaked at number two in the United States and reached the top ten in many countries internationally. "1, 2 Step" became the best performing single from the album internationally, reaching number two in Australia and New Zealand, top five in Ireland and the Uk, and went on to become her second number one hit in Canada. "And I", was only released to the United States. It underperformed compared to the previous releases peaking at only number ninety-six there.

With the success of the album Ciara released an EP/DVD, entitled Goodies: The Videos & More in the United States on July 12, 2005, which featured remixes to "1, 2 Step" and "Oh" and two new songs. It was released as an addendum to Goodies in the United Kingdom and Europe as the Goodies & More edition. The release was certified platinum in the United States by the RIAA. Ciara also served as an opening act for Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005 and went on tour with Chris Brown and Bow Wow on the Holiday Jam Tour in December 2005, in which she performed songs from the album. She also appeared on Missy Elliott's single "Lose Control" from her album, The Cookbook, and Bow Wow's single "Like You" from his album Wanted, which both peaked at number three in the United States and obtained worldwide success.

At the 48th Grammy Awards, Ciara received four nominations, including the award for "Best New Artist", "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" for "1, 2 Step", and "Best Rap Song" for "Lose Control". She won "Best Short Form Music Video" with Missy Elliott for "Lose Control"."^[4].

2006–2007: Ciara: The Evolution

Ciara in October 2007

Ciara released her second studio album,Ciara: The Evolution, on December 5, 2006. The album was about Ciara's personal growth after being in the public eye for two years, as shown in the album's artwork, which featured more stylized images thamn her previous one. She co-wrote and co-produced most of the songs on the album, and worked with a new line of producers, including Jazze Pha, Rodney Jerkins, Pharrell, Bryan-Michael Cox, Will.i.am and many others. The album became her first number one album, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling over 338,000 copies in its first week, also becoming her highest first week sales to date.The album received generally positive reviews and was certified platinum in the United States, within only five weeks of its release. To date, the album has sold over two million copies worldwide.

The album was preceded by the single "Get Up", which featured Chamillionaire and served as a lead single for the soundtrack to the film Step Up. The song reached the top ten in the United States, peaking at number seven. The song was also released as the second single internationally, where it reached the top five in New Zealand and top forty in Germany. The first single in the United States, "Promise" also preceded the album and reached number eleven there. "Like a Boy" was released as the second single in the United States and as the first to the United Kingdom and Europe. It reached number nineteen in the United States, and was also successful internationally, reaching the top ten in France and Sweden, and top twenty in Germany, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. "Can't Leave 'Em Alone", which features 50 Cent, was the final single from the album, and reached the top five in New Zealand and top forty in the United States. "That's Right" was released as a promotional single in late 2007.

In October 2006, Ciara went on the The Evolution Tour, in which she previewd songs from the then-upcoming album. In August 2007, Ciara headlined the Screamfest '07 tour, with fellow recording artist, T.I.. She was also a supporting act in the United Kingdom for Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad Tour. Ciara also appeared on Field Mob's single, "So What", from their album, Light Poles and Pine Trees, and Tiffany Evans' single "Promise Ring" from her self-titled debut album. The former of which reached the top ten in the United States. In addition to her music, Ciara made her acting debut in the MTV Films production All You've Got, in May 2006. In the movie, she played, Becca Whiley, a teenager who is competing in a Volleyball Tournament. She also 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 of 2007.^[5]

Ciara won the award for "World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist" at the 2007 World Music Awards.

2008–2009: Fantasy Ride

Ciara in February 2009

Although originally intended for a September 2008 release, Ciara's third studio album, Fantasy Ride was released, after a number of delays in May 2009. In the United States, it opened with first week sales of 81,000, which caused it to debut at number 3. The album has sold over 200,000 copies in the United States and over 300,000 copies worldwide.^[6]

In September 2008, Ciara released "Go Girl", which featured T-Pain and served as a promotional release for the album. The first single in the United States, "Never Ever", which featured Young Jeezy, reached number sixty-six there.^[7] "Love Sex Magic", which features Justin Timberlake, was released as the album's second single in the United States and as the first internationally. It became a worldwide hit, reaching number ten in the United States, and number one in India, Turkey, and Taiwan. "Like a Surgeon" was sent to United States' radio stations as a promotional single, and peaked at number fifty-nine on the US R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The second international single, "Work", which featured Missy Elliott, charted in the UK, Australia, and Ireland.

In July 2009, Ciara headlined the Jay-Z & Ciara Live tour, with Jay-Z. She was also a supporting act for Britney Spears's The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour, where she performed eight nights at London's prestigious O2 Arena during June 2009.^[8] Ciara appeared on Nelly's single "Stepped On My J'z" from his album Brass Knuckles, and Enrique Iglesias'international hit single, "Takin' Back My Love", from his Greatest Hits album. In October 2008, in promotion for the album, Ciara interviewed with Vibe Magazine, which led 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.^[9]

Ciara was honored as Billboard's 2008 "Woman of the Year", because of her success in the music industry.^[10] She also received a nomination at the 52nd Grammy Awards for "Love Sex Magic", in which she was nominated in the "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals" category.

2010–present: Basic Instinct

In September 2009, it was revealed the Ciara was well into production of her fourth studio album titled Basic Instinct, which was originally set for a release on August 17, and then pushed back to October 5, 2010.^[11] Tricky Stewart and The-Dream is executive producing the whole album along with Ciara. The lead hit single "Ride" which features Ludacris,^[12] was released in the United States in late April 2010. The single went on to become Ciara's twelfth top ten hit on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, peaking at number five, it currently peaks at number forty-two on the Billboard Hot 100.^[13]. Prior to the release of the lead single, Ciara released a viral video for the albums title song "Basic Instinct (U Got Me)". Other songs that may be on the album include "Speechless" which features The-Dream and "Gifted". In promotion for the album, Ciara launched a new official website for the album.

It was since been revealed that the album will be called Basic Instinct by Ciara during an interview with Maxim TV. Meanwhile, speaking to Blues & Soul in June 2010 she explained the thinking behind the title: "'Basic Instinct' is really about me trusting my instinct and going back to the R&B/urban basics in my music – like where I first started, in the days of 'Goodies' and '1, 2 Step'. Plus it also represents how lately I've been trusting my first instinct on EVERYTHING – whether it be my music, love, whatever."^[14][15]

Rap Up reported that Harris would feature on Ludacris' seventh album Battle of the Sexes (March 2010) although upon release the album failed to materialize the song.^[16] She is however feature on the official remix to the album's lead single "How Low" with Miami rapper Pitbull. Additionally in March 2010, Harris makes an appearance in the video for the second single, "Lil' Freak" which is an exclusive US-only single and is taken from Usher's sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond.

Personal life

In 2005, Ciara began dating rapper Bow Wow. They ended their relationship in April 2006.^[17]

Other ventures

Fashion interests

In early 2009, Ciara signed a multi-million dollar deal with the modeling agency Wilhelmina Models, after signing the deal she has been in many magazine spreads. In addition to that, she also has her eyes set on beginning a new clothing line. In June 2008 she was in talks with the department store Steve & Barry's to create an affordable clothing line.^[18] In November 9, 2009, it was announced that Ciara would be modeling in the German edition of "Vogue". In January 2010 the magazine's pictures were released online.^[19] In May 2010, Ciara did a photo shoot for the French edition of "Vogue", the photos were released online the same month.^[20]

Endorsement Deals

In November 2009, it was announced that Ciara would be the new face of a major multimedia ad campaign for Verizon's smartphone the LG Chocolate Touch. Ciara has filmed a commercial for the campaign, which features her dancing to her single "Work".^[21] In March 2010, it was officially confirmed and announced that Ciara will be the new spokesperson in the new campaign for Adidas Originals. Pictures from the last year shoot in London were released onto the internet in March.^[22] A commercial for the campaign was released also this month, featuring numerous other celebrities.^[23]

Charity

In September 2008, Ciara, along with 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, teamed 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. Fifteen singers shared the stage to perform the song live on September 5, 2008 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.^[24] The television special helped raise $100 million dollars for cancer research.^[25] The single is now available via digital download.

Discography

• Goodies (2004)
• Ciara: The Evolution (2006)
• Fantasy Ride (2009)
• Basic Instinct (2010)

Filmography

Tours

See also

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of awards and nominations received by Ciara

References

External links

• Official website
• Ciara at the Internet Movie Database
• Ciara on Twitter