Eric West

Infobox musical artist
Name = Eric West


Img_capt = Eric West attends Miss Sixty Fashion Show
Img_size =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Eric Rosa
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1982|05|18
Origin = New York, New York, U.S.
Instruments = Singing
Genre = Pop, pop rock, R&B
Occupation = Actor, singer, songwriter, record producer, model
Years_active = 1996 - present

URL = [http://www.eric-west.com/ www.eric-west.com]

Eric West (born May 18, 1982) is an American R&B/pop singer, actor, socialite, and former male fashion model. In 1996, he made his television debut; in 2004, West hit the international model scene, while two more movies followed. West made early TV appearances on "CNN People In The News", MuchMusic, MTV, and "The Oprah Winfrey Show". In the early 2000s West attempted a modelling career in Europe.cite web | title=aolmusic.com | work= Eric West Biography | url=http://music.aol.com/artist/eric-west/biography/2239052 | accessdaymonth=21 December | accessyear=2006] West spent 2005-2007 as a model for Italian clothing line Energie,cite web | title=newyorkcool.com | work= Miss Sixty/Energie Grand Opening Celebration | url=http://www.newyorkcool.com/archives/2007/December/about_Miss_Sixty.htm | accessdaymonth=27 December | accessyear=2007] cite web | title=afpbb.com | work= ミス・シックスティ／エナジー」ニューヨークにオープン | url=http://www.afpbb.com/article/entertainment/fashion/2320400/2412352 | accessdaymonth=27 December | accessyear=2007] cite web | title=msn.com | work= MSN - Celebs: Photo Gallery | url=http://tv.msn.com/photos/gallery.aspx?gallery=16489&photo=869161 | accessdaymonth=1 January | accessyear=2008] cite web | title=getty.com | work= NY: Paper Magazine Celebrates The Opening Of "Energie Miss Sixty" Store | url=http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=78132312 | accessdaymonth=1 January | accessyear=2008] and will be wearing their clothes in public appearances; he also signed an endorsement deal with the popular American clothing line American Eagle Outfitters that same year.cite web | title=ebay.com | work= Popular Items - American Eagle Outfitters | url=http://popular.ebay.com/ns/Clothing-Shoes-Accessories-/American+Eagle+Outfitters.htmlp | accessdaymonth=14 July | accessyear=2007] cite web | title=stand-out.com | work= Popular Items - American Eagle Clothes | url=http://www.stand-out.net/American-Eagle-mid-65.html | accessdaymonth=14 July | accessyear=2007]

In 2007, a rumored relationship with Christina Milian appeared in tabloids around the world, however both parties denied the romance.cite web | title=nydailynews.com | work=Milian MySpaces out about an actor | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/410826p-347525c.html | accessdaymonth=22 April | accessyear=2006] cite web | title=cbs13.com | work=MILIAN DENIES ROMANCE | url=http://cbs13.com/entertainmentbriefs/20060422/resources_entertainment_html | accessdaymonth=23 April | accessyear=2006] cite web | title=tmf.nl | work=Vergeetachtige Milian | url=http://www7.tmf.nl/v3/index.php?channel=music&page=nieuws&id=85078 | accessdaymonth=12 May | accessyear=2006] cite web | title=socialitelife.com | work=Christina Milian must have a poor memory | url=http://socialitelife.com/2006/04/21/quick_hits_is_nicollette_sheridan_looking_to_get_pregnant.php | accessdaymonth=12 May | accessyear=2006] cite web | title=msnmusicexperience.com | work=Christina Milian ontkent de geruchten omtrent haar vermeende relatie met Eric West | url=http://www.msnmusicexperience.com/news/uid_ADDFE940-8A4E-4D48-AEBE-A1E6602AEB24.html | accessdaymonth=12 July | accessyear=2006] As 2007 ended West continued to work on music with Mariocite web | title=mario2u.com | work=J Records Mario Web Site | url=http://www.mario2u.com/music/go | accessdaymonth=21 December | accessyear=2007] cite web | title=mtv.com | work=NYT Album Fra Mario | url=http://www.mtv.dk/overdrive.php?StoryId=1247 | accessdaymonth=21 December | accessyear=2007] cite web | title=singeruniverse.com | work=R&B/Pop Star Mario Talks About His Upcoming New Album, Go, On J Records | url=http://www.singeruniverse.com/mario123.htm | accessdaymonth=21 December | accessyear=2007] and X-Factor finalist Daniel DeBourg. That same year the Internet Movie Database named West one of Hollywood's Next Breakout stars.cite web | title=eric-west.com | work= IMDB.com picks Eric as one of TV's Fresh New Faces | url=http://www.eric-west.com/OldNews.html | accessdaymonth=4 September | accessyear=2006]

Biography and career

Born Eric Rosa in New York City, New York, West started recording music at the age of 12 much like his uncle, Grammy winner Smokey Robinson of Motown fame.cite web | title=Smokey | work= Smokey | url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,1190766,00.html#bio | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] Fergie discovered the young singer, and invited the then 15-year old to appear on stage with the Grammy winner at a concert in New York City for "Jane" magazine.cite web | title=perezhilton.com | work=Vintage Fergie | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20060828061505/http://www.perezhilton.com/topics/fergie/vintage fergie 20060523.php | accessdaymonth=23 May | accessyear=2006] In 1996 West released his debut single "End Of The World". under the name Eryk in Asia, it achieved top ten status on the Tokio Hot 100 chart of local radio station J-Wave.cite web | title=artistdirect.com | work= Top 10 hit that brought West massive fame, recognition and idolization in Japan | url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,1190766,00.html#bio | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] In the summer of 1998 West took his voice to radio, at age 16 he was the youngest DJ in history on FM radio in New York City,cite web | title=artistdirect.com | work= Youngest DJ ever on FM radio in New York City | url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,1190766,00.html#bio | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] when he became a co-host of the Top 9 at 9 on WBLS with radio personality JC Jordan.

On September 21, 2000, West joined Rich Cronin of the band LFO, in Brooklyn, New York to help lead the Light The Night Walk with 12 year-old leukemia survivor Kimberly Thach, the Society's National Youth Ambassador. West, Cronin and Thach lead approximately 1,000 leukemia survivors, friends, and family members carrying illuminated balloons over the Brooklyn Bridge to commemorate lives touched by cancer.

With no record deal and an album that never got released, West decided to become homeless.cite web | title=tv.com | work= Eric West triva | url=http://www.tv.com/eric-west/person/330871/summary.html | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] "For years I kept it a secret, my best friend didn't find out until last year. It was one of two of hardest points in my life so far. I was still on TV, and not one person knew. I was homeless for about 8 months, I refused to live with my dad or anyone for that matter. So I stayed somewhere that had no hot water, ever, no heat, I told myself I have to be strong and get through it on my own, I had lied to everyone so that no one knew that was going on. I had lost everything, I had nothing, after having everything, I didn't know how I was going land on my feet, but I knew that I would. I didn't know why my life was so bad, and why this was happening to me, and then one day I realized that God had a plan for me, and till this day I am thankful for that experience."

Nearly a three year break, West returned briefly in late 2002 with "Can You Help Me?" his first single in over five years, originally recorded for a motion picture, the single was serviced to the airwaves for consideration. Produced by Stay-C Hogan and written by West, it became an international radio hit reaching number one the B-Radio Latin American radio charts for two weeks,cite web | title=radio.com | work=The Untapped Resources International Top 200 of the Year 2002 | url=http://web.archive.org/web/20030225110845/http://www.beyondradio.com/2002YearEnd/uri02.htm | accessdaymonth=2 January | accessyear=2003] rivaling songs by Justin Timberlake and Madonna for the number one spot, while hitting Top 5 on numerous stations in Chile, Bolivia and Mexico (No.19 most successful Untapped Resources International Top 200 singles of 2002), rumors of an album being released floated around on the Internet, but were untrue at the time. In 2002 West got together with Grammy winning producers David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager to write a song for legendary media icon Cher for her forthcoming album, a demo version of the song "Love Don't Live Here" was leaked to the internet.cite web | title=ascap.com | work=ASCAP Work | url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=421557775&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=30&start=1 | accessdaymonth=5 March | accessyear=2006]

West once again disappeared until early 2004 but returned more visible than before. He appeared in ads for Artist Against Racism in America. Artist Against Racism is an organization that also includes superstars like Céline Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Sarah McLachlan, Mike Myers, Bush and Aerosmith. He made his TV debut acting a TV pilot called "In My Lifetime" directed by Devin Hampton and Little X who has directed music videos for Sean Paul, Usher, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly and Nelly. Eric then received a top honor from the OCTN; he was awarded the "Humanitarian Award: Youth Of The Millennium".cite web | title=ubl.com | work= Artist Against Racism | url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,1190766,00.html#bio | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] He received the award for the charity work he's done in his community over the years.

In 2004, West also appeared in his own fashion spread in "Marie Claire Japan". He was featured as one of fashion's top new models and singers.cite web | title=eric-west.com | work= West Wonder: Eric shoots MARIE CLAIRE spread | url=http://www.eric-west.com/OldNews.html | accessdaymonth=4 September | accessyear=2006]

On August 28, West wore a "I Support Janet Jackson" T-shirt to the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, a statement in regard to Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime controversy. West told Teen People USA, "It was my way of showing Janet support after being blacklisted by so many media outlets".cite web | title=splinder.com | work= Eric West per Janet | url=http://www.janetjackson.splinder.com/archive/2004-08 | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006]

West also began working on a new song with producer and DJ, Galbis. The track is slated to debut in clubs sometime in early 2006 close to Eric's CD release.cite web | title=useless-knowledge.com | work= Eric West Meets Michael Jackson | url=http://www.useless-knowledge.com/1234/feb/article329.html | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006]

On January 20, 2005, AOL Musiccite web | title=aolmusic.com | work=Eric West joins "Breakers" | url=http://music.aol.com/artist/main.adp?artistid=703393 | accessdaymonth=20 January | accessyear=2005] announced it will premiere Eric's debut single from "Half | Life" as part of their "Breaker" artist program, he therefore became on the same promotional path that boosted such previous Breakers as Avril Lavigne, Josh Groban, 50 Cent and Jet. On West's official site, it states the LP's first single will be between "Half | Life" and a track titled "If I Only Knew", according to numerous websites the album will include songs called "Black Rose," "Wires," and "Underdog". West has said in interviews that the album is a mixture of Electropop, R&B, Rock and Hip-Hop.

West signed on to be a model for "Day Birger et Mikkelsen"cite web | title=day.dk | work=Day Birger et Mikkelsen | url=http://www.day.dk | accessdaymonth=1 April | accessyear=2005] line in Denmark and the UK in April 2005 and later with Guess?, LA Denim Atelier and Energie.

On August 6, 2005, Eric co-hosted The Reign at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre in New York City with actress/singer Christina Milian. The event was designed by a group of inner-city children in 2003 to raise funding and awareness for HIV/AIDS prevention education for men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS through the Elton John Aids Foundation, as well as working with the Fresh Air Fund to continue to help other inner-city children and families. Both Milian and West were awarded Outstanding Achievement Awards for their humanitarian efforts.cite web | title=the-nyc.com | work=Christina Milian and Eric West CO-host "The Reign" Fundraiser, an Event to Raise Funds to Fight HIV/AIDS Around the World | url=http://www.fvnewswire.com/print.aspx?rid=2343 | accessdaymonth=5 August | accessyear=2005] Eric also appeared on NBC's Weekend Edition to talk about hosting the event. He also appeared at Body Positive benefit, that year, the organization, dedicated to empowering people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, had Eric on hand to honor Marj Dusay of Guiding Light, local Congressman Timothy H. Bishop.cite web | title=hxmagazine.com| work=HX Magazine | url=http://www.hx.com/features/index.cfm?page=dish&id=1911&sub_page=dish | accessdaymonth=1 April | accessyear=2006]

A song called "Hurt" was leaked onto the Internet. In April 2006, Atlanta Gossip reported Eric is one of the collaborators on Mario's next album.cite web | title=thescoopydoop.com | work= Atlanta Gossip | url=http://www.thescoopydoop.com/2006/04/day_19_what_have_these_celebri.html | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] cite web | title=reporter7.com| work= Eric West opens up about life | url=http://www.reporter7.com/4722/eric-west-opens-up-about-life.htm | accessdaymonth=9 August | accessyear=2006] On August 10, 2006 it was reported that West will appear in an upcoming issue of GQ, and that his album title has been changed to "Mr. Eric West", and was delayed so that we can work on film projects, he was quoted saying "The movies were important, you don't let these sort of opportunities pass you by."

Media spotlight

Gossip websites and radio stations falsely claimed West became a father in 2005,cite web | title=popdirt.com | work=Eric West becomes a Father| url=http://www.popdirt.com/print44113.html | accessdaymonth=10 January | accessyear=2006] and more recently claimed he is dating Christina Milian.cite web | title=top40-charts.com | work=Christina Milian Writes Diss Record And Moves On To Eric West. | url=http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=20658 | accessdaymonth=27 January | accessyear=2006] The two were photographed arriving together at New York's 2006 Olympus Fashion Week and at a New York airport. Eric denied the rumor saying they are "just friends". Some radio stations and newspapers claim they are secretly dating, although Milian recently claimed in the New York Daily News, "I probably shouldn't give this that much attention but I have no idea who Eric West is. There is a rumour I am dating this guy and I have no idea who he is! No offence to the guy, but I just had to get that off my chest." Then later said on 102.7 KIIS-FM with Ryan Seacrest it was a "big misunderstanding".

On September 27, more recent pictures of West appeared online, he was a guest at Janet Jackson's release party for her album 20 Y.O. [ [http://www.superiorpics.com/event/Janet_Jackson_Album_Release_Party/West_JS032097101.html HQ Eric West Pictures: Eric West Janet Jackson Album Release Party celebrating the release of her new Album 20 Y.O, at Room Service, New York City. September 26, 2006. John Spellman / Retna Ltd ] ] [ [http://www.abacausa.com/ximagi/search.php?u=&assignment_id=33704 Abaca Press Americas Search Results ] ] [ [http://photo.wenn.com/index.php?ref=janet%20jackson%20270906&version=int WENN Photo Library ] ] .

Later in the month AOL News reported West and Milian were spotted together once again at a New York Hotel, saying "Singer-actress Christina Milian spotted looking nervous as she left the Hotel Gansevoort in New York's Soho district as she ran into actor Eric West. The two made headlines when Milian posted a MySpace blog saying she " [have] no idea who Eric West is" despite having co-hosted an event for Elton John's AIDS foundation in August 2005, and being photographed with West at the last New York Fashion Week. My mole said she kept apologizing to West during the chance encounter..."cite web | title=aol.com | work=AOL Black Voices Columnist | url=http://blackvoices.aol.com/black_entertainment/bvbuzzcanvas/_a/September-18-2006/20060918150809990001 | accessdaymonth=30 September | accessyear=2006]

In July West presented the Best Hip Hop Artist award at 2007 Urban Music Awards with the Sugababes and Jeannie Ortega.

West continued to stay busy in 2007 making appearances at events at Calvin Klein's 25th Anniversary of Calvin Klein Underwear Party where he was spotted with Hilary Swank, Fergie and LL Cool J according to E!, New York Fashion Week and The Hunting Party. [ [http://www.patrickmcmullan.com/WebSite/pmc_screens/Event_selects.aspx?page=5&Event_ID=9390 Patrick McMullan Company ] ] [ [http://www.superiorpics.com/updates/20070908_4.html Photo Update: September 8 ] ] [ [http://photo.wenn.com/index.php?ref=calvin%20klein%20060907&version=int WENN Photo Library ] ] [ [http://www.abacausa.com/ximagi/search.php?u=&assignment_id=38934 Abaca Press Americas Search Results ] ] [ [http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS=285032&str=&styp=&sfld=&nbc1=1&sortval=3a&PageNum=2 Wire
] ] [ [http://globephotos.com/dynevent-action-nl.do?orderby=asc&page=6&eventid=304292&noipp=12&hmessage=NY+PREMIERE+OF+%27%27+THE+HUNTING+PARTY+%27%27+AT+PARIS+THEATER+%2C+NEW+YORK+CITY+08-22-2007 Globe Photos, Inc. (Copyright 2001 Globe Photos, Inc. All rights reserved.) ] ] [ [http://www.intertopics.de/de/offer_show.php?seite_aktiv=2&show_lang=DE&catid=11&offerno=00145727&rid=39 interTOPICS internationale Presseagentur GmbH ] ]

Filmography

Films

*2005 - "Lords of Dogtown"

Television

* "MTV Wannabe" - Guest, 2001
* "VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards" - Model, 2001
* "The Oprah Winfrey Show" - Guest, 24 November 1997

Discography

Singles

"Notes"

*US chart position is based on Mediabase's Mainstream Pop Radio chart.
*Australian chart position is based on Australian Digital Download Pop chart.

Awards & nominations

References

Footnotes

Databases

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:41w67ui040jw All Music Guide: Eric West]
* [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/bio/index.jsp?&cr=artist&or=ASCENDING&sf=length&pid=657737&kw=Eric+West Billboard.com: Eric West]
* [http://www.variety.com/profiles/people/main/2237836/Eric%20West.html?dataSet=1#Biography Variety.com: Eric West]

Photo databases

* [http://wireimage.com/SearchResults.aspx?navtyp=SRH&sfld=C&logsrch=1&s=Eric%20West Wire
]
* [http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=1&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=%22ERIC%20WEST%22&src=quick Getty
]

ee also

*List of famous Puerto Ricans
*LA Denim Atelier

External links

*imdb name|id=0922064|name=Eric West
*
* [http://www.myspace.com/ericxwest MySpace.com] Eric West @ MySpace.com
* [http://www.manpaper.com/ViewCelebInfo_14007.html ManPaper.com] Eric West @ ManPaper.com
* [http://www.prnewsnow.com/PR%20News%20Releases/Events%20And%20Trade%20Shows/Christina%20Milian%20and%20Eric%20West%20COhost%20The%20Reign%20Fundraiser%20an%20Event%20to%20Raise%20Funds%20to%20Fight%20HIV%20AIDS%20Around%20the%20World Eric West PrNewsNow.com]
* [http://people.famouswhy.com/eric_west FamousWhy.com] Eric West on FamousWhy.com
* [http://www.zimbio.com/Eric+West Zimbio.com] Eric West on Zimbio.com