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Brandy Norwood Biography

Birth Name:Brandy Rayana Norwood

Birth Place:McComb, Mississippi, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Actress, Producer, Music department

Fast Facts

Received the 2017 Xscape Puerto Rico Vanguard Award
Older sister to actor and singer Ray J
Moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of four to start her career
Performed her first gospel solo in church at the age of two
Worked as a background vocalist for the boy group Immature before starting her solo career
Quote: "[On her success] "I've always wanted to stay down-to-earth․ I didn't want people to look at me and say, 'She thinks she's all that․' So I tried to be the girl who was smiling all the time․""
Known for her deep, raspy singing tone
Became the first African-American actress to portray a Disney princess
Supported the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes
Went to high-school prom with basketball icon Kobe Bryant in 1996
Offered a role in the film "Set It Off․"
Supported the Save the Music Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring music programs in public schools across the country
Wrote the song "Love/Hate" for fellow musician Kelly Rowland

Awards

1994Young Artist Award-Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series: nominated
1996MTV Movie Award-Best Movie Song: winner
1997Grammy-Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals: nominated
1997Image Award-Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress: winner
1997Young Artist Award-Best Performance in a TV Comedy - Leading Young Actress: nominated
1997YoungStar Award-Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1998Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actress: nominated
1998Young Artist Award-Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actress: nominated
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Horror: nominated
1999Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999MTV Movie Award-Best Breakthrough Female Performance: nominated
1999Teen Choice Award-TV - Choice Actress: nominated
1999Young Artist Award-Best Performance in a TV Drama or Comedy Series - Leading Young Actress: nominated
2000Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2000Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actress: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2001Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actress: nominated
2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: winner
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): nominated