Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Trinidadian-American singer, songwriter, record producer and actress. She won the 2000 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the title role of Aida. She also won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for her album Audience of One. In 2018, she recurred as Gwen Garrett on the NBC medical drama television series Chicago Med.Heather Headley on playing an unpopular boss on 'Chicago Med': 'I love it!' The Grio. September 27, 2018. She starred on the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias, which debuted in 2020 and is in its fifth season as of June 2026.
Early life Headley was born in Trinidad, the daughter of Hannah and Eric Headley (Barbadian)."Heather Headley Biography" FilmReference.com, accessed August 28, 2011 In 1989, she moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the United StatesJones, Kenneth. "June 10 is Heather Headley Day in Fort Wayne, IN" playbill, June 10, 2000 at the age of fifteen with her mother and brother Eric Junior when her father was offered a job as pastor of McKee Street Church of God with headquarters in Anderson, Indiana. Headley attended Northrop High School, and was a member of their resident show choir, Charisma, and starred as Fanny Brice in the school's production of Funny Girl. After graduating from high school, where she was valedictorian when she graduated in 1993, Headley attended Northwestern University from 1993 to 1996,Yang, Rachel. "Northwestern alumna Heather Headley replaces Jennifer Hudson in Broadway’s 'The Color Purple'" dailynorthwestern.com, May 12, 2016 to study musical theatre until the last day of her junior year, when she made the decision to become a part of the musical Ragtime and leave school.
Career Headley's stage career began in 1996 when she was cast as a member of the ensemble in the original Toronto production of the musical Ragtime where she was an understudy for Audra McDonald in the role of Sarah. Her breakthrough came the following year when she originated the role of Nala in the Broadway musical The Lion King."Headley Broadway" playbill (vault), accessed February 14, 2019 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. In 1999, she appeared in the Encores! staged concert production of Do Re Mi, with Nathan Lane, Randy Graff, and Brian Stokes Mitchell.Jones, Kenneth. "Stokes Mitchell & Heather Headley to Sing 'Do Re Mi' w/ Nathan Lane May 6-9" playbill, April 23, 1999 She starred in an Actors' Fund of America benefit concert version of the musical Dreamgirls alongside McDonald and Lillias White in 2001.Portantiere, Michael. "Review. 'Dreamgirls'" theatermania.com, September 25, 2001
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.Gans, Andrew, "'Obama Inauguration Celebration', with Beyonce, Headley, Usher, Latifah, Broadcast Jan. 18" , Playbill.com, January 18, 2009. On March 12, 2009, Headley sang "I Wish" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
From November 2012 until August 2013, Headley played the role of Rachel Marron, in the musical adaptation of Whitney Houston's 1992 movie, The Bodyguard at London's Adelphi Theatre. She was nominated for an Olivier Award" The Bodyguard Musical leads the way with 4 Olivier Award nominations" showsinlondon.co.uk, April 26, 2013 and a What's On Stage Award for this performance.
Heather joined the Andrea Bocelli UK Tour playing Glasgow Hydro on November 23 and at the Leeds First Direct Arena on November 24, 2013.
On May 10, 2016, Headley assumed the role of Shug Avery from Jennifer Hudson in the recent Broadway revival of The Color Purple, which closed on January 8, 2017, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.
In May 2022, Headley played the Witch in the Encores! version of Into the Woods. She starred alongside Sara Bareilles, Neil Patrick Harris, Gavin Creel, and Denée Benton.
Music Headley released her debut album, This Is Who I Am, in October 2002 with RCA Records.This Is Who I Am allmusic.com, accessed February 15, 2019 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 making her the first Tony Award winner to be nominated for this award.
Her second album, In My Mind (2006) 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.In My Mind allmusic.com, accessed February 15, 2019 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. The second single "Me Time" was sent to Urban AC radio only. An album track, "Am I Worth It", served to promote Headley's New March of Dimes Educational Campaign "I Want My 9 Months".
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.
In January 2010 she won her first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album for Audience of One on the EMI Gospel label."Heather Headley Grammy" grammy.com, accessed February 14, 2019
In December 2010, Headley performed a duet version of "Blue Christmas" and "My Prayer" with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli on his "My Christmas" tour in 5 US cities.Gans, Andrew. "Tony Winner Heather Headley Will Join Andrea Bocelli for December Concert Tour" playbill, September 14, 2010Rodman, Sarah. "Singing in the season" The Boston Globe, December 3, 2010Powers, Keith."Andrea Bocelli delivers highs, lows" Boston Herald, December 7, 2010 At the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on December 4, 2010, the audience insisted on a second encore with Bocelli. Bocelli had to summon the detail to go and bring her back on stage.
Headley released her album Only One in the World on September 25, 2012, with the lead single "A Little While".One in the World allmusic.com, accessed February 14, 2019
In September 2013, Headley appeared on America's Got Talent with Il Divo and sang "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from The Lion King.Champion, Lindsay. "B'way Meets Opera! Watch Il Divo & Heather Headley Sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" on America’s Got Talent" broadway.com, September 19, 2013 She also appeared with Il Divo on Broadway for a limited concert run in 2013.Hetrick, Adam. "Il Divo – A Musical Affair, With Heather Headley, Concludes Broadway Engagement Nov. 13" playbill, November 13, 2013
Television and film Starting in 2017, Headley appeared in a recurring role on the TV series She's Gotta Have It as Dr. Jamison. In 2018, she appeared in a recurring role as Gwen Garrett on the TV series Chicago Med.
In 2019, Headley was cast as one of the three leads in the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias. She also voiced the part of Fikiri as Makini's Mother in The Lion Guard.
In 2021, Headley starred as gospel legend Clara Ward in Respect, the Aretha Franklin biopic.
Personal life In 2003, Headley married Brian Musso, an investment advisor who briefly played for the New York Jets. Both attended Northwestern University."In Step With Heather Headley"Parade, accessed August 28, 2011 On December 1, 2009, they welcomed their first child John David. Headley had her second son Jordan Chase on August 18, 2014. In April 2019, the couple welcomed a third child, a daughter.
Discography Studio albums Title Details Peak chart positions Certifications(sales threshold) US US R&B This Is Who I Am Release date: October 8, 2002 Label: RCA Records Formats: CD, music download 38 14 RIAA: Gold In My Mind Release date: January 31, 2006 Label: RCA Records Formats: CD, music download 5 1 RIAA: Gold Audience of One Release date: January 13, 2009 Label: EMI Christian Music Group Formats: CD, music download 27 6 Only One in the World Release date: September 25, 2012 Label: in:ciite Media Formats: CD, music download 187 25 Broadway My Way Release date: November 14, 2018 Label: in:ciite Media Formats: music download "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released to that country
Compilation albums Title Details Playlist: The Very Best of Heather Headley Release date: May 29, 2012 Label: Legacy Recordings Formats: CD, music download
Singles Year Song Peak chart positions Album US Hot 100 US R&B US Dance US AC US Gospel Hot Adult R&B 1999 "A Step Too Far" (with Elton John and Sherie Rene Scott) — — — 15 — —Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida 2002 "He Is" 90 38 4 — — 1 This Is Who I Am 2003 "I Wish I Wasn't" 55 15 5 — — 1 2005 "In My Mind" 75 16 1 — — 2 In My Mind 2006 "Me Time" — 35 — — — 5 2008 "Jesus Is Love" — 59 — — 10 29 Audience of One "Do You Hear What I Hear?" — — — — — — Non-album single2012 "A Little While" — — — — — — Only One in the World "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Other Song Year Album "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" 1997 The Lion King on Broadway Cast Recording "Shadowland" "The Madness of King Scar" "Love Will Find a Way" (with Kenny Lattimore) 1998 Return to Pride Rock "Just One Dream" 2001 Golden Dreams (film at Disney California Adventure Park) "People Get Ready" (with Al Green) 2009 Oh Happy Day“A Dream is a Wish your heart makes”2017Disney Illuminations (nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Paris)
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1992 Fantasmic! Princess Medley Short 2001 Elmo's Magic Cookbook Pocket Queen Video 2004 Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights Rosa Negra Singer Breakin' All the Rules Herself 2021 Respect Clara Ward
Television Year Title Role Notes 2017–19 She's Gotta Have It Dr. Clara Jamison Recurring cast 2018–21 Chicago Med Gwen Garrett Recurring: season 4; guest: seasons 3, 5–6 2019 The Lion Guard Fikiri (voice) Episode: "Journey of Memories" 2020–26 Sweet Magnolias Helen Decatur Main cast
Awards and nominations Music YearAwardCategoryRecordingResult2002Soul Train AwardBest R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist"He Is"2003Billboard Music AwardR&B/Hip-Hop New Artist of the YearNAACP Image AwardOutstanding Female ArtistOutstanding New ArtistSoul Train Lady of Soul AwardR&B/Soul Album of the Year - Solo"This Is Who I Am"Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist - Solo"He Is"Best R&B/Soul Single - Solo2004Grammy AwardBest New ArtistBest Female R&B Vocal Performance"I Wish I Wasn't"2006BET J Cool Like That Award2010Grammy AwardBest Contemporary R&B Gospel Album"Audience Of One"Best Gospel Performance"Jesus Is Love"
Theatre YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2000Tony AwardBest Actress in a MusicalAida Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Actress in a MusicalOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actress in a MusicalSarah Siddons Award"Awardees" sarahsiddonssociety.org, accessed February 14, 20192013Laurence Olivier AwardBest Actress in a MusicalThe BodyguardWhatsOnStage AwardBest Actress in a Musical"Full list: Winners announced of the 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards" whatsonstage.com, February 17, 2013
References
External links Official website