Fergie (singer)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Fergie


Img_capt = Fergie at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Stacy Ann Ferguson
Born = birth date and age|mf=yes|1975|3|27
Hacienda Heights, California, United States
Origin = Whittier, California, United States
Genre = Pop, R&B, hip hop, dance-pop
Occupation = Singer-songwriter, rapper, actress, fashion designer, model, philantropist
Label = A&M, Interscope, will.i.am music group
Associated_acts = "Kids Incorporated" (as a road act), Wild Orchid, Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am, Polow da Don, Ludacris, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Nelly, Josh Duhamel, Timbaland, Rita Marley, I-Threes, John Legend
Instruments = Singing, rapping
URL = [http://www.fergie.com/ www.fergie.com]
Years_active = 1984 — present

Stacy Ann Ferguson (born March 27, 1975), [cite web|url=http://www.stagestars.net/fergie/biography/|title=Fergie Biography|publisher=Stagestars.net|accessdate=2008-08-05] better known by her stage name Fergie, is an American pop/R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, fashion designer, model, philantropist, and actress. She is a former member of the kids' television series "Kids Incorporated", and the girl group Wild Orchid. Ferguson was also a co-host of the television show "Great Pretenders". She is a vocalist for the hip hop/pop group the Black Eyed Peas, as well as a solo artist, having released her debut album, "The Dutchess", in September 2006. [cite web|url=http://www.stagestars.net/fergie/discography/|title=Fergie Discography|publisher=Stagestars.net|accessdate=2008-08-05] The album has so far spawned three U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 number one singles and five Top 5 hits, making "The Dutchess" the seventh album from a female artist to spawn five Top 5 hits. [ [http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003633227 http://billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003633227] "Billboard.com" ]

Biography

Early life

Ferguson was born in Hacienda Heights, California, the daughter of Terri Jackson (née Gore) and Patrick Ferguson. [cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/B/Black_Eyed_Peas/2005/06/05/pf-1072398.html| title=Interview with Stacy Ferguson|publisher=Canoe.ca] She has a little sister, Dana, who is an actress. Her parents are of Irish, Scottish, Mexican and Native American descent. [cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20070421/ai_n19037880|title=Fergie Singer, age 32 Independent, The (London)|publisher=BNET.com] cite web|last=Tannenbaum|first=Rob|title=Fergie: Woman of the Year|date=2007-12-17|url=http://www.blender.com/articles/default.aspx?key=10686&pg=2|accessdate=2008-09-28 "Blender"] The daughter of devout Catholic school teachers, she was raised in a suburban area with strict Roman Catholic values while attending Mesa Robles Middle school and Glen A. Wilson High School.cite web|url=http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1852|title=Give Peas A Chance Article|publisher=Blender] She is quoted as saying that as a child she was so hyperactive, doctors wanted to put her on Ritalin until her mom vetoed the idea. Through dance school, her mom found her an agent and voiceover work, providing the voices for Lucy and Sally in "Peanuts" cartoons. From 1984 to 1989, she spent summers performing chart hits on the TV show "Kids Incorporated". All that time she was a straight-A student and a spelling bee champion, as well as a Girl Scout.cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/2007/11/55411/index.html|title=Lindsey Lohan Digs Fergie's Handbags|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Entertainment Tonight|accessdate=2008-06-29]

Acting career

As a child actress, Ferguson appeared as Stacy on the television program "Kids Incorporated" for several years with her TV sister Renee Sands, who became a fellow member of Wild Orchid. On the show, she sang Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time". Ferguson was the voice of Sally Brown in two Charlie Brown specials: "It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown" (1984) and "Snoopy's Getting Married, Charlie Brown" (1985).

In July 2003, Ferguson had a guest role on the "Rocket Power" special, "Reggie's Big Beach Break", on Nickelodeon; she voiced a pop music star named Shaffika. In March 2005, casting for Revolution Studios's big-budget remake of John Carpenter's "The Fog" was underway. Ferguson was set to return to acting in the role of lighthouse radio deejay Stevie Wayne (a part originated by scream queen Adrienne Barbeau). A last minute conflict arose, preventing her contract from closing and Ferguson left the project. [cite web|url=http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117928568.html?categoryid=31&cs=1&p=0|title=The Fog Review|publisher=Variety] The role eventually went to Selma Blair. Ferguson finally returned to acting in 2006, appearing as a lounge singer in Wolfgang Peterson's remake of "The Poseidon Adventure". She later appeared in 2007's "Grindhouse". Ferguson will be starring in the musical "Nine".Fact|date=September 2008

Fashion designer and model

Ferguson is also a fashion designer; she has launched for Kipling two successful lines of handbags, one for autumn 2007 the other for spring 2008.

Ferguson, in collaboration with Brown Shoe, is launching two footwear lines that will hit stores in Spring 2009. One is called "Fergie", and the other "Fergalicious by Fergie".

As a model she has worked for numerous campaigns, including Candie's, Kipling, and Peach John (in Japan) among others. Recently she has become the new face of Calvin Klein.

Personal life

Ferguson is engaged to actor Josh Duhamel, [cite web|url=http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=290135&gt1=7702|title=Actor Josh Duhamel, Fergie Engaged|publisher=MSN|date=2007-12-26] who starred in the television show "Las Vegas". They met, and began dating, in September 2004 [cite web|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20043023,00.html|title=Josh Duhamel Reveals His Pick-Up Line on Fergie|publisher=People|date=2007-06-19] when she and her band appeared on Duhamel's show (in an episode titled "Montecito Lancers", which aired on November 1, 2004). Ferguson and Duhamel reside in Brentwood, Californiacite web|url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/peopleinthenews/story/6ADC5F2451B51CFF862574AB00062B48?OpenDocument|title=Fergie tries to find balance in her chaotic life|last=Henerson|first=Evan|date=2008-08-21|accessdate=2008-09-20 "STLToday"] in a house that they purchased together in 2007. [cite web|title=Duhamel is hot, but he calls Fergie bigger star|date=2007-06-19|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19309856|accessdate=2008-09-20 "MSNBC.com"]

In April 2007, she gave an interview in which she admitted that she went on a sex and drugs spree when she turned 18, saying: "I have had lesbian experiences in the past. I won't say how many men I've had sex with — but I am a very sexual person." [cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/showbiz/tm_headline=fergie--i-was-a-lesbian&method=full&objectid=18844637&siteid=89520-name_page.html| title=Fergie: I was a lesbian|publisher=Mirror.co.uk] In December 2007 when asked "Bisexuality and homosexuality are often either frowned or mocked upon in certain circles. Does that bother you?", she replied "No, it doesn’t bother me. I’m just me". [cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/stories/alternatives/archive/2008/01/01/18156606.aspx | title=Fergie: Glamour Girl |publisher=Allhiphop.com|accessdate=2008-01-01]

Ferguson was featured on "Maxim"'s Hot 100 Women of 2006, and voted in at position #36. [cite web|url=http://www.maximonline.com/slideshows/index.aspx?slideId=1941&imgCollectId=94&src=GM7070:MD|title=Top 100 of 2006|publisher=Maxim Magazine] In 2007, she was voted in at #10. [cite web|url=http://www.maximonline.com/Girls/Fergie/slideshow/1134/47.aspx?src=GM7070:MD|title=Top 100 of 2007|publisher=Maxim Magazine]

Ferguson has stated in several interviews that she is an avid user of hypnotherapy, which she used to overcome her crystal meth addiction and to relax. [cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/fergie%20goes%20hypnotic|title=Black Eyed Peas - Fergie Goes Hypnotic|publisher=Contact Music] [cite web|url=http://www.dotspotter.com/news/710810_Fergie_Uses_Hypnotherapy_to_Fight_Meth_Urge|title=Fergie Uses Hypnotherapy to Fight Meth Urge at The Insider|publisher=Dotspotter]

Music career

Early works with the Wild Orchid: 1991-2001

Ferguson was a member of the female trio Wild Orchid, which she fronted with Stefanie Ridel and fellow "Kids Incorporated" star Renee Sandstrom. Wild Orchid released two albums, but after completing a third album, their record label declined to release it, and she left the group shortly thereafter. Her disappointment with Wild Orchid led to an addiction to crystal methamphetamine. In September 2006, Ferguson talked with "Time" about quitting her crystal meth addiction. "It was the hardest boyfriend I ever had to break up with," she says. "It's the drug that's addicting. But it's why you start doing it in the first place that's interesting. A lot of it was being a child actor; I learned to suppress feelings." [ [http://toronto.24hrs.ca/Entertainment/2006/09/11/1824940-sun.html Fergie discusses her past problems] Dead link|date=June 2008 "Toronto.24hrs.ca" ]

Music career with The Black Eyed Peas: 2003-2005

In 2003, the Black Eyed Peas were recording their third album, 2003's "Elephunk", when will.i.am invited Ferguson to try out for a song called "Shut Up". She got the gig and instantly bonded with the trio to record five additional songs on the album.

In the following spring, shortly before "Elephunk" came out, Interscope chairman Jimmy Iovine had offered Ferguson a permanent spot to take over vocal duties and fill the spot left void by background singer Kim Hill, who had left the group in 2000. When will.i.am was asked to sum up his bandmates, he called Ferguson the "body" of the group.

In 2005, Ferguson inadvertently urinated on stage during a performance at San Diego's Street Scene festival. Ferguson later commented on the incident: "I had a few drinks before the show, but I didn't think to go to the bathroom before we went onstage. We were jumping around...and my bladder just started." [Touré (October 3, 2006). [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/fergie_dances_with_herself/page/4 Fergie Dances With Herself] . "Rollingstone.com". Accessed October 7, 2007.] [ [http://www.askmen.com/gossip/fergie/fergie-wee-confession.html Fergie discusses the urination incident] "Askmen.com"]

olo career: 2006-present

is the album's executive producer.

"The Dutchess" spawned six hits for Ferguson, beginning with "London Bridge", "Fergalicious", "Glamorous", "Big Girls Don't Cry" ,"Clumsy", and "Finally". Her second single, "Fergalicious", peaked at #2 on the Billboard Charts. "London Bridge" reached #2 on the United World Chart, while "Fergalicious" and "Glamorous" both made it to #4; the latters all reached #1 in the U.S. "Big Girls Don't Cry" became Ferguson's first worldwide #1 single, and is her most successful single to date. "Clumsy" was announced as the fifth single from "The Dutchess" after the major international success of "Big Girls Don't Cry". Ferguson scored her fifth consecutive Top 5 hit from "The Dutchess" after "Clumsy" reached a peak position #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, on December 22, 2007.

In addition to promoting her albums and singles, Ferguson appeared at Wembley Stadium on July 1, 2007, performing "Glamorous" and "Big Girls Don't Cry" in a concert for the late Princess Diana put on by her two sons Prince William and Prince Harry; the DVD of the concert was released November 5, 2007.

On November 18, 2007, Ferguson won the Pop or Rock "Favorite Female Artist" at the American Music Awards. [cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/primetime/ama/index?pn=winners|title=2007 AMA Winners|publisher=ABC] In addition, her song "Big Girls Don't Cry" also earned Ferguson a Grammy nomination for "Best Female Pop Vocal Performance," of which she lost to Amy Winehouse. In December 2007, "Blender" picked Ferguson as their woman of the year.cite news | title = E! report about Fergie and Blender magazine | url = http://test.redlasso.com/service/svc/clip/playClip?fid=bdb589a4-b21f-431a-8ef0-4781745ce966 | publisher = E! | accessdate = 2007-12-19]

During the 2008 broadcast of "Idol Gives Back", Ferguson also performed with Ann Wilson of Heart. The two (with Nancy Wilson on guitar) performed "Barracuda". [cite news|url=http://thesuperficial.com/2008/05/fergie_is_a_terrible_live_perf.php|title=Fergie Live on the Today Show|publisher=The Superficial|accessdate=2008-05-20]

The song "Labels or Love" was recorded for the "" movie soundtrack. In an "Entertainment Weekly" interview, director and writer Michael Patrick King stated that "it’s an entirely new song with lyrics, but it has the "Sex and the City" theme as the DNA — on steroids.”

Ferguson has also appeared on Nickelodeon's show "Dance on Sunset". Ferguson has recently released an EP for download on iTunes featuring unreleased singles. The CD version was released on May 27, 2008.

Ferguson collborated with Japanese singer Kumi Koda on the song "That Ain't Cool". "That Ain't Cool" was featured on Kumi's single "Moon", released on June 11, 2008. The single debuted at #2 on the Oricon Weekly Single Charts. [cite web|url=http://rhythmzone.net/koda/info/release080611.html|title=Information: Koda Kumi Official Website] She also performed a "duet" with Michael Jackson (her vocals mixed with Jackson's 1982 recordings), "Beat It 2008" on "Thriller 25," the 25th anniversary release of Jackson's iconic album "Thriller." [http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jackson-25th-Anniversary-Thriller/dp/B000WS4QJG/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1218650360&sr=8-1]

elected filmography

Discography

Awards and nominations

References

External links

* [http://www.fergie.com/ Official website]
* [http://www.blackeyedpeas.com/ Official website of the Black Eyed Peas]
* [http://www.stagestars.net/fergie/ StageStars: Fergie]
*imdb name|0004914|Stacy Ferguson
* [http://myspace.com/fergie Fergie] on MySpace

Persondata
NAME=Fergie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Ferguson, Stacy Ann
SHORT DESCRIPTION= American singer
DATE OF BIRTH= 1975-03-27
PLACE OF BIRTH=Hacienda Heights, California, United States
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=