Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She has won a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a Drama Desk Award, and she has been nominated for a host of other acting and music accolades.
In 1997, she originated the role of Nala in The Lion King, the Broadway musical. Headley’s performance was well received, and she then originated the title role in the Broadway adaptation of Aida, earning the Tony Award for Best Actress in 2000. She also starred in a concert version of the musical Dreamgirls alongside Audra McDonald and Lillias White.
In the autumn of 2006, Heather performed Hal David and Burt Bacharach‘s song “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again“, from the 1968 musical Promises, Promises, for “The Kennedy Center Presents: The 2006 Mark Twain Prize“, honoring playwright Neil Simon. The ceremony was later broadcast on PBS.
On July 5, 2007, Headley made a guest appearance for Andrea Bocelli‘s Vivere Live in Tuscany concert in Lajatico, Italy. They performed Vivo Per Lei and The Prayer. Headley sang “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” (also known as “America”) with Josh Groban on January 18, 2009, during the We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial.
Headley released her debut album, This Is Who I Am, in October 2002 with RCA Records. Although its first single, “He Is”, was not very successful, the second single, “I Wish I Wasn’t”, achieved moderate success. The work on this album earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and for Best New Artist.
Her second album, In My Mind, was delayed due to the various executive shake-ups associated with RCA parent BMG’s merger with Sony.
Under BMG North America chairman/CEO Clive Davis for the first time, Headley released her second album In My Mind in January 2006. The title track “In My Mind” (written and produced by India.Arie collaborator Shannon Sanders) was released as the first single; and its music video was directed by Diane Martel. The song reached number-one on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.
In 2009, Headley, along with Al Green, released a version of the song “People Get Ready” on the compilation album Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration.
On the January 31, 2010, Heather won her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Audience of One on the EMI Gospel label.
On May 10, 2016, Headley assumed the role of Shug Avery from Jennifer Hudson in the current Broadway revival of The Color Purple.