Rihanna Biography and Profile

Rihanna Profile
Name: Rihanna
Birth Name: Robyn Rihanna Fenty
Height: 5' 8"
Sex: F
Nationality: Barbadian
Birth Date: February 20, 1988
Birth Place: St. Michael, Barbados, West Indies
Profession: Musician, Actress
Education: Charles F. Broome Memorial School - Combermere (a sixth form school similar to technical school in America)
Relationship: Chris Brown (singer; born on May 5, 1989)
Father: Ronald Fenty (a Bajan)
Mother: Monica Fenty (a Guyanese)
Brother: Rorrey Fenty (younger), Rajad Fenty (younger)
Claim to fame: Her debut album Music of the Sun with the single Pon de Replay

Rihanna Biography

Rihanna came into this world on the 20th Feb 1988 to proud parents Ronald and Monica Fenty. She was named Robyn Rihanna Fenty and called idyllic Saint Michael, Barbados home for her childhood. She was followed by little bro’s Rorrey and Rajad.

Rihanna got her first taste of stardom as a high schooler at Combermere School when she joined a band with 2 of her girlfriends. From there she won the Miss Combermere Beauty Pageant and she knew she wanted to be a star!

At 15 Rihanna danced with destiny as a pal introduced her to music producer Evan Rogers who was holidaying with his wife in tropical Barbados. Her impromptu performance knocked him off his feet and she was soon on her way to the Big Apple to record her first ever demo!

And her charm didn’t just work with Rogers, Jay-Z (the newly appointed president of Def Jam records) did something that very few music execs do and signed Rihanna on the spot. After witnessing her remarkable talent they knew they’d found someone extraordinary and that was only the beginning!

Music Of The Sun

In 2005 Rihanna released her very first album ‘Music Of The Sun.’

This album gathered attention in the US and the UK with her hip single ‘Pon De Replay’ reaching the top of the charts in both continents.

With a distinct Caribean style, Music Of The Sun sold over 2 million copies around the world!

A Girl Like Me

Just one year later Rihanna released her second album ‘A Girl Like Me’ which went platinum!

With hits including the ultra catchy ‘SOS’, ‘Unfaithful’, ‘Break It Off’ and ‘We Ride.’

Once again she rode her way to the top on the charts and Rihanna was officially an A list celeb!

Good Girl Gone Bad

To celebrate her third year of stardom why not released the HOTTEST album yet? Well that’s exactly what she did!

In 2007 Rihanna released her most acclaimed album yet ‘Good Girl Gone Bad.’

Rihanna’s first single ‘Umbrella’ dominated the summer charts across the globe for weeks and dropped jaws with her smoking video clip. Umbrella won Monster Single of the Year AND Video of the Year at the 2007 MTV Awards!

And that wasn’t it for Good Girl Gone Bad - other singles ‘Hate That I Love You’, ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ and ‘Shut Up And Drive’ have also peaked the charts around the world.

In the US ‘Shut Up And Drive’ won best R&B song at the 2008 Peoples Choice Awards. But even globally Rihanna’s album was winning over fans - ‘Don’t Stop The Music’ won Best International Song at the NRJ Music Awards in France.

Rihanna’s has earned the respect of many big names in the industry with Ne-Yo, Timbaland, Tricky Stewart and even Justin Timberlake working with her on different tracks.

Rihanna’s Other Pursuits

Rihanna has also had the opportunity to endorse some multi-billion dollar companies including Venus, Gillette, Nike, Secret and Covergirl Cosmetics.

Rihanna has also started her own charity ‘The Believe Foundation.’ Her foundation aims to helping youth all over the world through education, medical facilities and financial support. This stunning star is grateful for her success and eager to give back to those in need.

Keep an eye on this blossoming star, Rihanna is going places and FAST!

Rihanna Discography
* 2005: Music of the Sun
* 2006: A Girl like Me
* 2007: Good Girl Gone Bad

Rihanna Gossip, News & Trivia
* Six of her alleged nude pictures have been leaked to the Internet. (May 8, 2009)
* Was due to perform in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month, but has decided she is not ready to take to the stage. (May 2009)
* Her lawyer filed a court request this week seeking the return of $1.4 million worth of borrowed jewelry and accessories that have been in LAPD evidence since the evening on which she was allegedly attacked by Chris Brown. (April 27, 2009)
* Will perform in Dubai on May 28. (April 2009)
* Has had a Sanskrit passage inked above her right hip - reading forgiveness, honesty, suppression and control - but Sanskrit expert Mark Fielden claims it is incorrectly written. (April 2009)
* The alleged photo of Rihanna after her assault by Chris Brown has been turned into art. An L.A.-based pop artist named Sham, has made a new portrait of Rihanna, based on the now infamous police photo showing the her bruised and bloodied. (March 2009)
* Had a gun tattooed on her ribcage. (March 2009)
* A survey conducted by the Boston Public Health Commission on the dating violence incident involving pop music idols Chris Brown and Rihanna revealed that nearly half of 200 Boston youths surveyed said she was 'responsible' for what happened while 52 percent said they were both to blame. (March 2009)
* Her family are devastated over claims she has reconciled with Chris Brown. (March 2009)
* Her father, Ronald Fenty, says he supports his daughter's decision to take Chris Brown back despite their alleged altercation. (March 2009)
* A graphic photograph showing Rihanna with injuries from an alleged assault by Chris Brown has been leaked. (February 2009)
* Her album sales have soared in the wake of her alleged altercation with boyfriend Chris Brown earlier this month. (February 2009)
* Reportedly claimed Chris Brown choked her until she was unconscious during an alleged assault on February 8, 2009.
* Canceled a concert in Jakarta in the wake of personal tragedy surrounding the singer. (February 2009)
* Canceled a concert in Malaysia after being involved in an altercation with boyfriend Chris Brown. (February 2009)
* A 75-year-old Cameroonian saxophonist filed suit against Rihanna and Michael Jackson, claiming the pair did not ask his permission or pay royalties for using part of his song “Soul Makossa” on her hit “Don’t Stop the Music.” (February 2009)
* Agrees to cover up when she performs a gig in Malaysia next month. (January 2009)
* Rihanna and Chris Brown have been sued for $1 million by a photographer claiming he was beaten up and robbed by the couple's bodyguards in Florida last May. (December 2, 2008)
* Is on People Magazine’s 2008 list of Best Dressed Women.
* Said that being famous has made her feel lonely because she has no time to enjoy her life.
* Reportedly fired her business manager after discovering she only has $20,000 left in her bank account. (August 2008)
* Teamed up with 14 of the world's top female singers other top female singers for Just Stand Up for the Stand Up To Cancer Charity. (2008)
* Came 1st in the poll of the sexiest celebrity stomachs in the world, carried out by stomach-flattening supplement AntiBloat.
* Says that she will never pose naked for Playboy because she fears her mother will kill her if she did so.
* Says she likes to wear her sexy stage outfits in the bedroom.
* Prefers to be friends with a guy before she dates them - because it is easier to flirt.
* Said she was just as shocked by Jay-Z and Beyoncé Knowles’ secret wedding as the rest of the world. (April 11, 2008)
* Bans fans from bringing umbrellas to her U.K. concerts because she is afraid people will get injured as fans try to copy her dance moves during her performance of the track “Umbrella.”
* Ranked #15 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.
* Ranked #8 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
* Launched an appeal for a bone marrow donor, after learning of a leukaemia-ridden New York mum-of-two's ongoing cancer battle. (February 25, 2008)
* Was honored with a national holiday in her home country of Barbados. (February 21, 2008)
* Named the sexiest female musician by lingerie company Victoria’s Secret. (January 2008)
* Claimed that her dark looks have started to fade because she has been spending so much time travelling in cold countries. (December 2007)
* Denies rumors that she hooked up with actor Josh Hartnett.
* Was forced to cancel three United Kingdom performances due to illness. (December 12, 2007)
* In 2006, Rihanna landed several endorsement deals, including ones for Nike and J.C. Penney.
* Was signed to Def Jam Records
* Her musical inspirations include Alicia Keys, Beyonce Knowles, and Mariah Carey.
* Attentend Combermere which is a sixth form school similar to technical school in America
* Performed Hero at her school's talent show.
* Won a Beauty Pageant contest at her school.
* Was discovered by music producer Evan Rogers while he was vacationing in Barbados with his wife Jackie, who is also a Bajan.
* Sampled Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson from his Thriller album in her song Please Don't Stop the Music.
* She has two younger brothers Rorrey and Rajad.
* Stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone that she admired and looked up to. Having a fellow black artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.
* Born to a black Barbadian father Ronald Fenty and a black Guyanese mother Monica Fenty.
* Nickname: RiRi / Caribbean Queen / The Barbados Babe / The New Princess of Pop / Thunder Thighs / Queen Of The R&B

Abigail Breslin Biography and Profile

Abigail Breslin Profile
Name: Abigail Breslin
Birth Name: Abigail Kathleen Breslin
Height: 4' 4"
Sex: F
Nationality: American
Birth Date: April 14, 1996
Birth Place: New York, New York, USA
Profession: Actress, Actor
Father: Michael Breslin
Mother: Kim Breslin
Brother: Spencer Breslin (actor; born on May 18, 1992), Ryan Breslin (born in 1985)
Claim to fame: Her role in the sleeper comedy hit “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006)

Abigail Breslin Biography

Of the many pleasures found in the sleeper comedy hit “Little Miss Sunshine” (2006), none were more endearing than the performance by child actress Abigail Breslin. As seven-year-old Olive, her unflagging enthusiasm blinded her to both the fact that her doughy, bespectacled appearance was entirely at odds with a child beauty pageant that she wished to participate in, and that her family – who are constantly on the verge of mental and emotional collapse – might provide her biggest stumbling block in achieving the title of “Little Miss Sunshine.” Drawing comparisons to a young Dakota Fanning and even Drew Barrymore in her younger, “E.T.” (1982) days, Breslin’s astonishing performance was alternately hilarious, heartbreaking and hopeful, and helped secure the promise of the talent beyond her years she had shown in her earlier films. Born April 14, 1996, Breslin was the younger sister of child actor Spencer Breslin, who starred in “Disney’s The Kid” (2000) and “The Cat in the Hat” (2003); the siblings appeared together in the 2004 weeper “Raising Helen” and “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.” Her acting career began with appearances in several national television commercials, starting with a spot for Toys ‘R’ Us at the age of three. Her big break came in 2002 when M. Night Shyamalan cast her as Mel Gibson’s youngest daughter in his science fiction hit, “Signs.” Her character in the film – a curiously grave adolescent girl dealing with the traumatic death of her mother – clearly showed that Breslin had the chops to handle complex parts even at the tender age of six. Turns on episodic series such as “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 1999- ) and “Navy N.C.I.S.” (CBS, 2003- ) preceded a trio of films in 2004 – all very different in tone and audience. In “Raising Helen,” she was one of three recently orphaned children being raised by their career-minded aunt, while in the frothy teen comedy/romance “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004), she had what amounted to a cameo as a parade girl. Her final 2004 film was the dark, psychological drama “Keane” by “Clean, Shaven” (1995) director Lodge Kerrigan, in which she played the young daughter of a down-and-out mother who entrusts her child to a man who appears to be teetering on the edge of madness. More TV and a direct-to-video feature – the kids’ movie “Chestnut: Hero of Central Park,” (2006) – followed, but “Little Miss Sunshine” was primed and sitting in the wings. Breslin found herself once again the subject of critical praise and movie audiences’ adoration. Her entrancing, star-making performance – which stood out in a cast peopled by such top talent as Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette, Steve Carrell, and the esteemed Alan Arkin, with whom she shared some of the film’s funniest scenes – was recognized by the Gotham Awards, who nominated her for Breakthrough Performance and as part of the Best Ensemble Cast. She also got a nod from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, earning a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role – Theatrical Motion Pictures. The ultimate recognition came in early 2007 when Breslin garnered an Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actress, making her the fourth-youngest actress ever nominated. Since her summer triumph in “Little Miss Sunshine,” Breslin kept busy on both film and television; among her 2006 credits was a turn on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 2005- ) as a child who can not experience physical pain, and several features, including the Vince Vaughn comedy “Fred Claus” (2007) and “Definitely, Maybe” (2008), a romantic comedy in which she played the daughter of divorcee Ryan Reynolds.

Abigail Breslin Milestones
* 2002 Discovered by M. Night Shyamalan who cast her as Mel Gibson’s daughter in “Signs”
* 2002 Made guest appearances on “What I Like About You” (WB) and “Hack” (CBS)
* 2004 Starred opposite Kate Hudson and older brother, Spencer Breslin in “Raising Helen”
* 2006 Breakout role as a beauty pageant contestant in the independent film “Little Miss Sunshine”; received SAG and Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress
* 2007 Co-starred with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart in “No Reservations”
* 2008 Co-starred with Jodie Foster in the adventure-fantasy film Nim s Island
* 2008 Played Ryan Reynolds daughter in “Definitely Maybe”
* 2008 Played the title role in the family film, Kit Kittredge: An American Girl
* Appeared in her first commercial for Toys R Us when she was three years old

Abigail Breslin Filmography
* Rango (2011)
* Quantum Quest (2010)
* My Sister's Keeper (2009) Andromeda 'Anna' Fitzgerald
* Definitely, Maybe (2008) Maya Hayes
* Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008) Kit Kittredge
* Nim's Island (2008) Nim Rusoe
* No Reservations (2007) Zoe
* The Ultimate Gift (2007) Emily Rose
* Chestnut: Hero of Central Park (2006) Ray
* Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Olive/ Olive
* The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006) Trish
* Keane (2005) Kyra Bedik
* Raising Helen (2004) Sarah Davis
* The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004) Parade Girl Carolina
* Signs (2002) Bo Hess
* The Wild Bunch

Abigail Breslin Gossip, News & Trivia
# Ranked #4 on Forbes' List Of Valuable Young Stars. (March 2009)
# Will replace Dakota Fanning in New Line drama MY SISTER'S KEEPER, directed by Nick Cassavetes. (February 2008)
# The youngest Academy Award-nominated American actress since Tatum O'Neal.
# Abby and Kate Hudson bonded while on the set of RAISING HELEN (2004)
# Was spoofed in the 2003 comedy, SCARY MOVIE 3 (2003).
# Is doublejointed.
# Is very good friends with fellow young actress Skye McCole Bartusiak.
# Said that if she were a superhero, she would want to fly and be able to speak every other language.
# When speaking for Kids with a Cause, said she thought everybody needed a friend.
# Her on-screen brother in RAISING HELEN (2004) was played by her real- life brother, Spencer Breslin.
# Her favorite Disney film is FINDING NEMO (2003).
# Donated many items to Rocky Stone to be given to less fortunate kids as part of the Toy Mountain Campaign.
# Became friends with Dakota Fanning when Dakota filmed THE CAT IN THE HAT (2003) with her older brother Spencer Breslin.
# Sometimes Credited As: cast of Miss Sunshine
# Nickname: Abby
# Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role at Academy Awards for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2007)
# Nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at BAFTA Awards for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2007)
# Nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at Screen Actors Guild Awards for LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2007)

Abbie Cornish Biography and Profile

Abbie Cornish Profile
Name: Abbie Cornish
Height: 5' 8"
Sex: F
Nationality: Australian Birth Date: August 7, 1982
Birth Place: New South Wales, Australia
Profession: Actress
Claim to fame: Her award-winning lead performance in 2004's Somersault

Abbie Cornish Biography

At first, it looked as if Abbie Cornish’s fearless performance as a free-spirited teenager in the independent feature “Somersault” (2004) would be the rocket that propelled the Australian actresses to international household name status; unfortunately, it was her alleged involvement in the 2006 divorce of actors Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon that proved to be her ticket to overnight fame. Despite the publicity onslaught surrounding the break-up, Cornish’s innate talent – already recognized by her native homeland – helped propel her career to bigger and better things. Born Aug. 7, 1982 in Lochnivar, New South Wales, Cornish grew up on a large farm with her parents and four siblings. “Boredom” was the answer she gave for pursuing a career in front of the camera, and after winning a contest through the Aussie teen magazine Dolly, she landed an agent and began auditioning for roles on Australian television. Her first critical notices came at the age of 15 when she played a quadriplegic in the television series “Children’s Hospital” (Two Network, 1997). Two years later, Cornish – who had since moved away from her parents at the age of 16 – was honored by the Australian Film Institute for her performance in a 1999 episode of the police drama “Wildside” (Australian Broadcast Corporation, 1997-99). Despite the acclaim, Cornish devoted an equal amount of her time to her studies and planned to become a veterinarian. A string of impressive roles in Australian features quickly followed her AFI win – she was a sexually charged poetess who goes missing in the lesbian-themed mystery “The Monkey’s Mask” (2000); a venomous schoolgirl in the black comedy “Horseplay” (2003), and a young drug casualty in the rave-culture drama “One Perfect Day” (2004) – but it was “Somersault” (2004) that made critics around the world stand up and take notice. An often disturbing drama about a teenage girl’s headlong dive into sex and the people around her who seem all too willing to take advantage of her naiveté, Cornish’s performance earned her raves at the Cannes Film Festival, as well as awards at numerous film festivals in her native country and around the world. Two years later, Cornish’s success in “Somersault” paid off in spades with high-profile roles in a string of attention-garnering features. She co-starred with fellow Aussie superstars Heath Ledger and Geoffrey Rush in “Candy” (2006), a stylized romance between a heroin-addicted poet (Ledger) and a painter (Cornish). She also showed off a flawless American accent as a California teenager searching for her father in “A Good Year” (2006), Ridley Scott’s adaptation of the Peter Mayle novel about a businessman (Russell Crowe) who inherits a vineyard and its offbeat neighbors. After “A Good Year,” Cornish became involved in two projects – one of which garnered considerable press (mostly of the prurient-investigative kind). “Stop Loss” (2007) was the film, directed by “Boys Don’t Cry” helmer Kimberly Peirce, that she was working on in the United States when reports surfaced that she and co-star Ryan Phillippe were engaged in an affair. The alleged incriminating evidence came to light shortly after Phillippe and his wife, Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon, had announced their separation in the press – which naturally led the media to speculate that Cornish was the crux of their marital discord. Her representatives openly and sternly denied any wrongdoing on the part of the actress. Back on screen, Cornish costarred in “The Golden Age” (2007), director Shekhar Kapur’s follow-up to “Elizabeth” (1998). She portrayed Elizabeth Throckmorton, secret wife to Sir Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) and lady-in-waiting to Queen Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett). The queen learns of Raleigh’s marriage during their own affair, prompting her to imprison her former lover and banish Throckmorton from her court and triggering a long period of royal disfavor for the famed explorer.

Abbie Cornish Significant Others
* Companion: Ryan Phillippe. Met on the set of Stop-Loss (2008); rumored to have been the cause of his break-up from Witherspoon, but Phillippe denied this; spotted together several times in 2007

Abbie Cornish Milestones
* 1997 Acting debut on the Australian series, “Children’s Hospital” playing a quadriplegic
* 1999 Became a regular on the crime drama series Wildside (ABC)
* 2000 Film debut, The Monkey’s Mask starring Kelly McGillis
* 2001 Landed a regular role on the Australian series, “Outriders”
* 2001 Was the first actress to play Penne in the Australian series, “Life Support”
* 2003 Appeared in the film, “Horseplay” a comedy about a horse trainer
* 2004 Co-starred with Hugo Weaving in the 18-minute short, “Everything Goes” directed by Andrew Kotatko
* 2004 Earned rave review portraying a runaway teenager in “Somersault”
* 2006 Cast as Russell Crowe’s long-lost American cousin in “A Good Year”
* 2006 Received widespread critical acclaim as Heath Ledger’s heroin-addicted lover in “Candy”
* 2007 Joined Cate Blanchett and Clive Owen in “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” a sequel to the award winning feature Elizabeth
* 2008 Co-starred with Ryan Phillippe in the war drama “Stop Loss”
* Began taking jobs as a model after reaching the finals of a Dolly magazine competition

Abbie Cornish Filmography
Actor Credits
* Bright Star (2009) Fanny Brawne * Stop-Loss (2008) Michele * Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007) Bess Throckmorton * Candy (2006) Candy * Somersault (2006) Heidi * A Good Year (2006) Christie Roberts * One Perfect Day (2004) * The Monkey s Mask (2001) Mickey * Last Battle Dreamer * More Than Scarlet

Abbie Cornish Gossip, News & Trivia

* Served as a judge at the The Reel Deal Short Film Festival on August 11, 2007 at the Revesby Workers' Club in Sydney, Australia. * Was considered for the role of Briony - 18 years old for Atonement (2007), but bailed out due to scheduling conflicts with Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007). * Ranked #80 on Maxim's Hot list 2007. * Served as judge of the Myer Fashions on the Field event at the 2007 Melbourne Cup. * Learnt to drive at the age of 12. * Has been a vegetarian since the age of 13. * Plays piano and guitar. * Her parents split up when she was 16 years old. * Favorite actresses are Cate Blanchett and Samantha Morton. * Good friends with Rose Byrne. * After reaching the final of a competition by Dolly magazine, she worked as a model for a while. * Is good friends with former Wildside (1997) co-star John O'Hare. * At age 13, Abbie was a finalist a Dolly magazine modeling competition, after which she began taking jobs as a model. * She likes trekking. She has trekked across Morocco, Brazil, Italy and France

Aaliyah Biography and Profile

Aaliyah Profile
Name: Aaliyah
Birth Name: Aaliyah Dana Haughton
Height: 5' 7"
Sex: F
Nationality: American
Birth Date: January 16, 1979
Birth Place: Huntington, New York, USA
Profession: musician, actress
Education: Detroit High School of the Performing Arts (graduated with a 4.0 GPA)
Place of Death: August 25, 2001
Death Date: Marsh Harbour, Abaco Island, Bahamas
Death Cause: Plane crash
Husband/Wife: R. Kelly (musician; married in 1994; that marriage was annulled due to Aaliyah's status as a minor, 15 years old and Kelly was mid 20s)
Relationship: Damon Dash (record executive; born on May 3, 1971)
Father: Michael Haughton
Mother: Diane Haughton
Brother: Rashad Haughton (filmmaker; born August 6, 1977)
Uncle: Barry Hankerson (manager, record executive; divorced)
Aunt: Gladys Knight
Claim to fame: Album: Age Ain't Nothing But A Number (1994)

Aaliyah Biography
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born January 16,1979 in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York to Michael and Diane Haughton.
At the age of five, she, her older brother Rashad, and parents moved to Detroit to be closer to family. Diane gave up school teaching to raise Rashad and Aaliyah full-time.
Aaliyah's mother would always play Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and other legends while she would clean around the house. Aaliyah soon learned all the words to all her parents records and started to sing along with her mother.
Aaliyah's mother realized Aaliyah could carry a tune at the tender age of 6. Aaliyah was soon enrolled to a private Catholic school, Gesu Elementary, and participated in all the school's musical productions. She had one little speaking part as an orphan in her first grade produdction of Annie that convinced her she wanted to be an entertainer. At the tender ages of only 8 and 9, Aaliyah would belt-out the very tunes that she would listen to at home in weddings around Michigan.
At 11 years old, she landed a spot on the nationally syndicated talent show, Star Search. She sang My Funny Valentine, lost, and was ripped up like any other child would have been; but her mother's encouraging words propped her up to get back to doing what she loved.
At that time Aaliyah's uncle, Barry Hankerson, was married to soul Legend Gladys Knight when he took his then 11-year-old niece to perform with her for five nights at Bally's Las Vegas Casino. The two would duet on Believe In Yourself and Aaliyah would belt out solo Home. Being that Aaliyah was nervous and didn't move much the first night, Knight taught Aaliyah how to work a crowd and loosen them up.
A couple of years later, Barry Hankerson had R. Kelly, whom he was managing at the time, fly up to Detroit to hear Aaliyah sing. Kelly was impressed with what he heard so Barry signed her, at only 13-years-old, to his label, Blackground Enterprises. R. Kelly ended up writing and producing all the tracks on Aaliyah's first album, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number.
Hip-Hop historians and critics accredit Aaliyah's debut album, Age Ain't Nothing But A Number, for paving the way for Brandy, Monica, and the plethora of other teen stars who go by one name. Aaliyah acquired the world's attention at the young age of 15 when her first single Back and Forth landed #1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart; dethroning her then svengali, R.Kelly and his track Your Body's Callin. Shortly afterwards, her album was released under Jive records in 1994 and another top five gold single was spawned. Not only was this single a remake of an Isley Brothers classic, but it also flexed Aaliyah's octave range and vocal versatility. Her rendition of At Your Best (You Are Love) ripped the airwaves and its listeners with its tumultuous and sensuous harmonies.
A few other hit singles followed including the light hip-pop jam Down With The Clique and the adulterated title track. The album went sell onto platinum+ status but slowed down due to vicious rumors arising. The provocative nature of the album's title and lyrics, as well as the mystery of her true age sparked a media frenzy about an alleged marriage between Aaliyah and her then mentor. This frenzy blossomed into a barrage of media rumors threatening to thwart a prosperous career.
Till this day no one is certain if there was ever a union between the two parties, but those two parties involved. However, Aaliyah denies ever being married to R. Kelly and R. Kelly refuses to comment. In addition, Aaliyah states that the reason she kept her age on the low was because she wanted the world to accept her for her music and not based solely on her age. Despite the rumors, critics gushed and Entertainment Weekly had this to say (6/17/94) ...Imagine En Vogue packed into one teenage body and backed by hip-hop svengali R. Kelly, and you have Aaliyah... a promising start...
After the storm had settled, Aaliyah went back into the studio to knock out a second record. She left behind R. Kelly to show her growth as an artist and to prove that she can make it without him. The setting was 1996 and Aaliyah was gearing up for the release of her sophmore album appropriatly titled, One In A Million. She made a sonic breakthrough with One In A Million which proved that Aaliyah would forever make her mark on the ever-changing music industry by emphasizing the strength and maturity in her voice. Along with this maturity, Aaliyah carried the once underground producers Missy and Timbaland to new heights. The music they created on One In A Million took the music industry by storm, haveing every artist and producer try to imitate their unique sound. Hit after heart-pounding hit would follow, ultimately making her 1st sophomore single, the sexy, seductive, and taunt, If Your Girl Only Knew the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart and the other singles radio heavy as well.
Before the close of '97, One In A Million (a #1 radio play single also) would rake up numerous nominations from various award shows, and hit double platinum+ status with the success of 4 Page Letter, Hot Like Fire, and "The One I Gave My Heart To (a top 10 hit on the Hot 100 singles chart); shaking away any worries of a sophomore slump.
In early 1998, Aaliyah made her first major impression on America during the Academy Awards when she performed the Best Song nominee, Journey to the Past, from the Anastasia soundtrack. In the summer of that year, she had continued to make a mark on the entertainment industry with the infectious, Gramy nominated, #1 hit song, Are You That Somebody, from the Dr. Dolittle soundtrack. With that track, she really got a taste of the mainstream.
Aaliyah soon took a hiatus from the music world and hooked-up with acting coach, Joanne Baron. Baron had worked with the likes of Tom Cruise and Matt Damon, with his lessons being very intricate and demanding in the scripts he chose. Baron recalls this memory of Aaliyah, "...before Queen of the Damned was shot, Aaliyah was going through an audition process. She came to the house, and she immediately blew my mind, because she had prepared a piece that Michael Rymer had asked her to do from a play called Salome'. She came in on her knees like a cat, growling, 'I'm the woman that you left.' And she did this with such physicality and vocality... We worked rigorously to get her this part. She put her heart, her time, her love, and her life into it. She just ripped it out."
In the summer of 1999, Aaliyah flew to Vancouver, Canada for 4 months to shoot Romeo Must Die, her debut starring role in a film. She co-starred alongside Jet-Li in this adrenalin-stoked/hip-hop action flick, in which she was executive producer of the film's soundtrack. She had the pleasure of releasing the first single, Try Again, from the movie's soundtrack; which went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and wa the first single ever to reach #1 on airplay alone. The movie was released on March 24, 2000 and debuted at #1 on the box office. The film grossed over 58 million dollars and the soundtrack sold over a million copies.
Aaliyah garnered rave reviews for her acting skills and was soon sought through-out Hollywood. Movie producer Joel Silver was so impressed with her performance in Romeo Must Die, he decided to signed her up for the Matrix II and III. She soon signed a deal to remake Whitney Houston's production of Sparkle, film an Anne Rice novel-based movie Queen of the Damned, and star in a tv/movie, Some Kind of Blue.
Later in 2000, Aaliyah won two MTV Movie awards and a Grammy nomination for Try Again, and went to start filming Queen of the Damned deep in Melbourne, Australia. The film was Aaliyah's second starring role in only her second motion picture, showing that she was more than a cross-over singer/actress.
She simultaniously filmed the movie and recorded her highly anticipated 3rd album, AALIYAH, doubling her workload. After she filmed the movie, she took a small break to, as she would say, "rejuvenate and get my creative juices flowing."
Five years had passed since she released One In A Million so she was aware of her prescence, or lack there-of, in the music world. She released the dark, sassy, first single, We Need A Resolution, which had a luke-warm response from music-goers. A couple of months later on July 17, she finally released the eagerly anticapted, AALIYAH. The album debuted at #2 on the charts and sold over 200,000 copies it's first week. Rock the Boat and More Than A Woman were getting heavy rotational airplay, so Blackground planned to release them as back-to-back singles. Aaliyah took time out of her promotional tour to film a funky, club-like, dance video for More Than A Woman, and Rock the Boat a couple of weeks later. Little did anyone know, Rock the Boat would be her very last video shoot.
It was August 25, the set was laid-back, and everyone was laughing and having a care free time. Aaliyah had just completed filming her video for the island themed "Rock The Boat", directed by Hype Williams, and felt it was time to go home a day early to be with her boyfriend, Rock-A-Fella CEO owner Damon Dash, and her family before heading back to promoting the album.
The entourage of 8 aboarded the small Cessna 402 which was departing from the Marsh Harbour airport bound for Opa-locka, Florida, when it crashed shortly after takeoff at approximately 6:50pm, police say. The plane is said to have crashed approximately 200 feet from the end of the runway killing six people instantly. Three others died later due to their injuries.
The people who were killed along with Aaliyah were: Gina Smith, 29, of New Jersey, Aaliyah's product manager at Blackground Records; Blackground Records own Keith Wallace, 49, of Los Angeles; Douglas Kratz, 28, Virgin Records' director of video production; her bodyguard Scott Gallin, 41; Aaliyah's personal hair stylist Eric Forman, 29, of Los Angeles; hair stylist Anthony Dodd, 34, of Los Angeles; and makeup artist Christopher Maldonado, 32, of New York; as well as the plane's pilot, identified only as L. Maradel.
Her funeral and a public memorial service was held in honor of Aaliyah on Friday, August 31st, 2001 in New York City. A continuous loop of Aaliyah's videos, performances and music ran throughout the day. Fans were encouraged and invited to attend, pay tribute to Aaliyah's life and career and mourn this great loss. Her white casket was transported from Campbell Funeral Home to St. Ignatius Church - where her funeral was held - in a white carriage pulled by two white horses. Dozens of white and pink roses lay on the top of the carriage. Her boyfriend, Damon Dash, and one of her "Romeo Must Die" co-stars, Delroy Lindo, were among the loved ones who walked the streets behind the carriage en route to the private service. Aaliyah's mom released 22 white doves in the air, each symbolizing a year in Aaliyah's great-lived life.
Fans converged at the funeral home as early as 6:30 a.m. to pay their respects to this remarkable human being. They wrote messages in the home's condolence books and followed the procession. Police estimated 1,000 fans were there.
Six months later, Queen of the Damned hit movie stands on Febrary 22, 2002, debuting at #1 in the box office; it racked in over $14 million it's opening weekend. With the 2 films and timeless music, she left her legacy for us to still enjoy.
I'm sure many of Aaliyah�s fans would like Aaliyah to be remembered most as a good person. She was the symbol of a hard-working, Black female who never compromised herself to get what she wanted. She proved that there were still humble, down-to-earth, gracious entertainers left in an industry filled with gossip and grime. She taught us through her life that there will be setbacks, but not to let it bring you down; instead just "dust yourself off and try again." She's showed everyone how to be strong through her adversity with the whole R. Kelly marriage scandal. She made music that stood out from everyone elses, had a style all her own, the most angelic voice, fluid dance moves, and an air of mystery that has always surounded her. These are just some of the reasons why we love her.
With so much potential and tenacity shown by the craft she loved to make and perform; the singer, dancer, actress, and ENTERTAINER, that we've grown to love lived up to the true meaning of her name;

Aaliyah Gossip, News and Trivia
* ROMEO MUST DIE (2000): When Trish dumps her bodyguard at the record store and hides in the cab, the bodyguard comes out and yells, Trish! I'm gonna find your Aaliyah-lookin' ass! The character Trish is played by Aaliyah. At the time of her death, she and her boyfriend, Roc-A-Fella co-CEO Damon Dash, had plans to wed.
* Her third and final album has been called her best work. Rolling Stone gave it four stars.
* Was a great singer and deemed a role model.
* Majored in dance.
* Starred as Queen Akasha in 2002's THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED.
* Modeled for Tommy Hilfiger clothing.
* Sang with Gladys Knight on stage at age 11.
* Was Homecoming and Prom Queen in her senior year.
* Wanted to perform a musical duet with Janet Jackson.
* Her first soundtrack song was from the movie ANASTASIA.
* Her middle name is Dana, not Dani.
* Was only 15 when she released Age Ain't Nothing But A Number.
* Her biggest single was Try Again.
* Was good at acting.
* Her self titled album hit #1 in the USA after her death.
* Her third album, Aaliyah, is dedicated to the memory of her grandmother, Mintis L. Hicks Hankerson.
* The tattoo on her lower back is a dove representing her deceased grandmother.
* Her career started at age 15.
* R&B singer R.Kelly discovered her at age 12.
* Completed filming of Anne Rice's QUEEN OF THE DAMNED.
* Her real name is Aeliyatt.
* Her favorite stuffed animal was named Lina because it was the one her grandmother gave to her. She took it everywhere.
* At age 9 sang My Funny Valentine on Star Search, in dedication to her mom Diane.
* Her first kiss was a disaster because she threw up in the guy's mouth!
* Her favorite color was pink.
* Drove a red viper.
* Wore size 6 shoes.
* Was very close to her grandmother.
* Played in a school production of ANNIE.
* Would sing in the bathroom with a brush.
* Favorite breakfast: French toast, waffles and pancakes.
* Favorite films: SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY and SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE.
* Has a pet boa, her cousin bought it and her mom kept it.
* Her grandmother died of breast cancer.
* Had the double platinum selling One In A Million album as well as a production credit on the five times platinum ROMEO MUST DIE soundtrack, and has the #1 album in the U.S in 2001.
* Her best friend was Kidada Jones.
* Was the youngest child.
* Has weave in her hair.
* Favorite Athlete team: Giants.
* Favorite color: Black, Red, and White.
* Nicknamed Li Li, Baby Girl, Liyah.
* Started noticing she could sing at age 6.
* Favorite basketball team: Chicago Bulls
* Favorite jewelry: silver
* Favorite singer: Sade
* Was 25% Indian; her grandmother was full blood Indian.
* Although she was an adult she still relied on the approval and opinion of her mother Diane and brother Rashad.
* Her mom was also her friend.
* Her favorite song on the Aaliyah CD was I Care For You.
* Favorite junk food: Doritos
* Favorite author: Stephen King
* Favorite drinks: Surge and Pepsi
* Favorite animals: horses
* A few days before her death she told her mother she was having frequent dreams about flying in a dark place all alone, and crashing down to her death.
* Nominated for Best Villain at MTV Movie Award for QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (2002)
* Nominated for Best Female Performance at MTV Movie Award for ROMEO MUST DIE (2000)
* Nominated for Breakthrough Female Performance at MTV Movie Award for ROMEO MUST DIE (2000)
* Loved vanilla ice cream.
* Her dress size was 4.
* Was addicted to kozmo.com
* Only wore clothes that she knew her mom would like; she never wore shorts cause her mom didn’t like her to expose her body.
* Had a major thing for sweets.
* Had two Vipers, a black and a red one.
* Liked to collect sunglasses and stuffed animals, and also has a black out light in her apartment.
* Had 2 pets, one snake named Boots and a pet pug named Tour.
* Her grandmother gave her a toy orangutan.
* Wore contacts instead of glasses.
* Her birthday is a day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s
* Loved horror films.
* Her favorite track on her last album was the unreleased track.
* At an autograph signing in Texas, a fan fainted when Aaliyah kissed him on the cheek.
* Favorite place to eat: Roscos Chicken and Waffles.
* Had a pillow named Wilson.
* Had a personal trainer to keep in shape and gave up cheese and pork.
* Thinks martial arts and men who can fight are sexy.
* Said she loved her career and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
* What made her happy was knowing her fans went out and bought her albums.
* Favorite girl group: En Vogue
* Was a David Hasselhoff fan; one of her favorite shows as a child was KNIGHT RIDER which starred Hasselhoff.
* Loved beautiful but simple things.
* Wants her legacy to live on.

A.J. Michalka Biography and Profile

A.J. Michalka Profile
Name: A.J. Michalka
Birth Name: Amanda Joy Michalka
Height: 5' 6"
Sex: F
Nationality: American
Birth Date: April 10, 1991
Birth Place: Torrance, California, USA
Profession: Actress, Musician
Father: Mark Michalka
Mother: Carrie Begley
Sister: Alyson Renae Michalka (aka. Aly Michalka, actress, musician; born on March 25, 1989)
Claim to fame: Best known as one-half of the duo Aly & AJ with her sister, Alyson 'Aly' Michalka

A.J. Michalka Biography
Amanda Michalka was born in Torrance, California in 1991. Her older sister, Alyson "Aly" Michalka and their parents moved to Seattle, Washington. There her parents made sure they were exposed to all varieties of music. They then moved back to Southern California, where they still live.
Career
Michalka was in a number of WORD Music Productions at her church in Southern California as a young child. Michalka plays a variety of instruments such as acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, and bongos. She used to be a model for catalogs. In March 2006, she made her Disney Channel debut in the Disney Channel Original Movie Cow Belles, as "Courtney Callum", along with sister Aly, as "Taylor Callum". She has also made appearances on shows such as Oliver Beene, Six Feet Under, The Guardian, and General Hospital. she has also appeared with her sister in the MTV movie, Super Sweet 16: The Movie.

A.J. Michalka Albums
* Insomniatic (2007)
* Acoustic Hearts of Winter (2006)
* Into The Rush (2005)

A.J. Michalka Filmography
Feature movies
The Lovely Bones (2009) - Clarissa, Susie’s best friend.
Television movies
* Super Sweet 16: The Movie (2007) - Sara Conners
* Cow Belles (2006) - Courtney Callum
Television series
* Aly & AJ: Sister Act (2007) - Herself
* Kitty's Dish (2005) - Kitty
* Six Feet Under (2004) - Ashley
* General Hospital (2004) - Ashley B.
* Oliver Beene (2003-2004) - Bonnie
* The Guardian (2002-2004) - Shannon Gressler
* Birds of Prey (2002-2003) - Young Dinah
Guest appearances
* Fox & Friends (2007) - Herself
* Live with Regis and Kelly (2007) - Herself
* Punk'd (2007) - Herself
* Total Request Live (2006) - Herself
* Live with Regis and Kelly (2006) - Herself
* Good Morning America (2006) - Herself
* America's Got Talent (2006) - Herself
* MTV Cribs (2006) - Herself
* The Megan Mullally Show (2006) - Herself