Kenneth Brown may refer to:

• Kenneth Brown (playwright), playwright, actor, director and producer
• Kenneth Brown (academic) (1933–2010), American peace studies academic
• Kenneth Brown (author) (Kenneth P. Brown, Jr.), president of the Alexis de Tocqueville Institution
• Kenneth Brown (pastoralist) (1837–1876), Western Australian pastoralist, explorer and executed murderer
• Kenneth Brown (journalist) (1868–?), journalist
• Kenneth Brown (interior designer) (born 1971), interior designer
• Kenneth Charles Brown, Canadian diplomat
• Kenneth L. Brown, American diplomat
• Kenneth M. Brown (1887–1955), pulp and paper worker and political figure in Newfoundland

See also[link]

• Ken Brown (disambiguation)
• Kenneth Browne, American painter

This disambiguation page lists articles about people with the same name. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.

Keyshia Cole (born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her second album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007.^[2] Her third studio album, A Different Me was released on December 16, 2008 and is certified Gold for selling 900,000+ units in the United States. She also achieved moderate success for her reality/documentary series Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is which aired on BET from 2006-2008 which gave a close look at Cole's career and personal life with her biological mother and sister. In December 2010, she released her fourth studio album, Calling All Hearts.

Biography[link]

1981-03: Early life and career beginnings[link]

Keyshia Cole was born on October 15, 1981 in Oakland, California, where she was raised. Cole was born to Francine "Frankie" Lons and Sal, her now deceased father. She was later adopted by family friend Yvonne Cole and raised by Yvonne's husband's family and friends from the age of two. Yvonne learned that Cole could sing when she was five. At a school function, she snuck away from her mother and the next thing she knew, Cole had won a talent show.^[3] Along with her brother Sean, Cole was first introduced to the music industry at the age of 12, when she met and recorded with MC Hammer.^[4][5][6][7] She later formed a friendship with Tupac Shakur,^[8] who promised to help start her singing career before he died unexpectedly. Cole remembers Shakur as "really outspoken and really bright. He was definitely a guy who gave off a superstar vibe."^[9] Cole moved to Los Angeles when she was 18 to pursue a music career. During this time, Cole collaborated with artists from her native Bay Area, among them D'Wayne Wiggins of Tony Toni Tone and Messy Marv. In 2002, she was introduced to A&M Records executive Ron Fair, who signed her and began mentoring her after hearing her singing a verse of her hit song "Love".

In anticipation of her debut album, Cole and DJ Green Lantern released a mixtape, Team Invasion Presents Keyshia Cole, in June 2005.^[10] It featured appearances by Shyne, Remy Ma, Fat Joe and Ghostface Killah. The mixtape was composed mostly of songs recorded over popular hip-hop instrumentals, including 2Pac's "I Get Around", Nas' "Ether", Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones (Part II)" and Scarface's "Guess Who's Back", among others. The singles "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", a remix of "I Changed My Mind", "I Should Have Cheated", and "Love" were also included.

[edit] 2004–05: The Way It Is and marriage proposal

Cole's debut single, "Never", featuring Eve, was released on March 23, 2004 to promote the soundtrack to the film, Barbershop 2: Back in Business. The single failed to chart, and Cole proceeded to record her debut album for the rest of 2004 and into early 2005. "Never" eventually became the final song on The Way It Is. On November 9, 2004, Cole released her first official single, "I Changed My Mind", featuring Kanye West.^[11] The single reached #71 in the US, and was not a huge hit for Cole. The second single from the album, "(I Just Want It) To Be Over", was released on April 5, 2005,^[12] and reached #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 (#101). Cole completed her debut album in early 2005. The Way It Is was released on June 21, 2005.^[13] It debuted at number six on the Billboard 200, selling 89,000 copies in the first week of release. It has since sold 1.6 million copies in the US, receiving a Platinum certification from the RIAA. The third single from the album, "I Should Have Cheated" was released on August 3, 2005, and reached #30 on the Hot 100. The fourth and final single, "Love" was released on January 6, 2006 and reached #19 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It has been regarded as Cole's "breakthrough single" by many^{[by whom?]}.

From early 2005 to late 2007, Cole dated rapper Young Jeezy, but the relationship ended after she declined a marriage proposal from him.

[edit] 2006–07: Just Like You and Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is

Cole in 2007

Cole began work on her second album in early 2006, shortly after the release of her debut album. She was featured on the single "Last Night" by Diddy, which was the third single from his fourth studio album, Press Play. The recording of her second album was documented on her reality TV show, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is in late 2006 and early 2007. Cole's second album, Just Like You, was due for a release on July 8, 2007, but wasn't released until September 25, 2007. It spawned three #1 singles, "Let It Go featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim, "I Remember", and "Heaven Sent" which stayed at #1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for 9 weeks. Other guest artists included Too $hort, Anthony Hamilton, Young Dro, T.I., and Cole's artist, Amina, on the top ten single "Shoulda Let You Go". Just Like You debuted at #2 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 281,000 copies in its first week, and has proceeded to sell 1.6 million copies in the US, earning a Platinum certification from the RIAA, like her debut. The album was nominated for four Grammys, Best Contemporary R&B Album and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration at the 2008 Grammy Awards and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2009 Grammy Awards.

The lead single from the album, "Let It Go", featuring Missy Elliott and Lil' Kim, was released on June 19, 2007. The single is Cole's most successful single to date, as it reached #7 in the US and #1 on US Hip/Hop R&B charts. The second single, "Shoulda Let You Go", featuring and introducing Cole's best friend Amina, was released on October 19, 2007, and was mildly successful, by reaching #41 in the US. The third single from the album, "I Remember" was released on December 5, 2007. The single was highly successful, by reaching #24 in the US. The fourth and final single was the critically acclaimed "Heaven Sent", was released on March 7, 2008. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for nine weeks, and #28 in the US. Cole was featured on Jaheim's third single, "I've Changed", off his fourth album, The Makings of a Man and Keith Sweat's "Love U Better" which was featured on the Why Did I Get Married? soundtrack and his ninth studio album Just Me.

In 2006, BET broadcast a reality show/documentary entitled Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is to show Cole's life in making music, touring, and being with her family. Although being a rating success, the show failed to promote her debut, The Way It Is as the album stayed at selling 1.5 million units. In conjunction with her second album release, Just Like You, BET began airing the second season on October 30, 2007. The show premiered to record breaking ratings for BET. It is the top returning series premiere in BET history, as well as the number one original series premiere of the year. A reported 2.9 million viewers and 2.0 million households watched the season 2 finale. It is now the #1 series telecast in BET history.^[14] Season 3 of the series was filmed in Summer 2008 and premiered on November 11, 2008 and featured the process of recording and touring for Cole's third album, A Different Me. The show was rumored to be having a fourth season, however; Cole has concluded that there will not be a fourth season. On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Cole's mother and sister debuted their own reality show titled Frankie & Neffe on BET. Their show's season finale aired on Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

[edit] 2008–09: A Different Me and collaborations

In 2008, Cole made guest appearances on songs such as "I Got a Thang for You" with rapper Trina on her album Still Da Baddest and "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" with hip-hop band C-Side on their album Class In Session. She also made a guest appearance in the music video for "She Got Her Own", by singers Ne-Yo Jamie Foxx and in the song "Game's Pain" by Compton-based rapper The Game. Cole is also featured on the charity song "Just Stand Up", which was released in August 2008 and raises money for cancer research along with various pop, hip-hop, and R&B artists that year. As a result of SU2C fund raising endeavors, the SU2C scientific advisory committee, overseen by the American Association for Cancer Research was able to award 73.6 million dollars towards novel, groundbreaking cancer research.^[15] Cole embarked on the I Am Music Tour with Keri Hilson, Lil' Wayne, and T-Pain from December 2008 to February 2009.

She released her third studio album, A Different Me, on December 16, 2008. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200, selling 322,000 copies in its first week.^[16] The album has gone on to sell over 1,020,000 copies in the US, and receiving a platinum certification from the RIAA. The album was preceded by lead single "Playa Cardz Right", featuring the late rapper 2Pac, which was released on October 28, 2008, and reached #63 on the Hot 100. The second single from the album, "You Complete Me", was released on January 20, 2009, and reached #62 on the Hot 100, making the first and second singles mild hits. Cole released the third and final single from the album, "Trust", a duet with Monica, on May 5, 2009, and reached #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and #70 on the US Hot 100. The fourth single from A Different Me was confirmed as "This is Us", and was due for a release in September 2009, but it was never released. For promotion towards A Different Me, Cole went on her first headlining tour, A Different Me Tour in summer of 2009 with opening acts, Keri Hilson, The-Dream, and Bobby Valentino. Cole was on the cover of the March 2009 issue of Vibe, and was on the cover of the Summer 2009 final double-cover issue of King. Keyshia and Yvonne Cole appeared on the June issue of Sister 2 Sister magazine. In 2009, she also made a guest appearance on Keri Hilson's "Get Your Money Up" from her debut album In a Perfect World…. Cole began work on her fourth studio album in early 2009 also with Jasmyne. In September 2009, Cole was featured on the remix of R. Kelly's single "Number One" along with T-Pain. She is also currently listed as one of the inspirations for Pepsi: We Inspire.^[17] Cole also worked with Gucci Mane on the song "Bad, Bad, Bad" from The State vs Radric Davis.

[edit] 2010–11: Calling All Hearts, marriage and motherhood

On June 27, 2010 she returned to the spotlight for her first televised appearance since the birth of her son, filling in for Hayley Williams to sing the chorus to B.o.B.'s "Airplanes (Part II)", featuring Eminem during the 2010 BET Awards. Cole featured on Faith Evans album Something About Faith. In August 2009, Cole announced that she was beginning work on her fourth studio album Calling All Hearts^[18] which was released on December 21, 2010. This album contains featured tracks from artists such as Timbaland, Nicki Minaj, Tank and Faith Evans. As a special feature, Cole's mother, Dr. Yvonne Cole, is featured on the album as well.^[19] In September 2010, Cole stated that her fourth studio album would be released on December 21, 2010. Calling All Heart's first single, entitled "I Ain't Thru", features Minaj and was released by Cole herself via Twitter on October 15, 2010. She released the video to "I Ain't Thru" on 106 and Park along with "Long Way Down" which Interscope Records did not release as a commercial single. In February 2011, Cole released her second single from Calling All Hearts, "Take Me Away", to urban radio after being chosen in a poll by her fans on Twitter. Cole performed the single on January 19, 2011 on Conan after releasing Imani Entertainment as her management.^[20] The single's video, directed by Taj Stansberry, premiered on VEVO on April 18, 2011 and was also released on 106 and Park on the same day. The song has since then peaked on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs at #27. To promote Calling All Hearts, Cole was a part of the Love Letter tour with R. Kelly and Marsha Ambrosius.

In March 2009, Cole began dating Daniel Gibson of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.^[21] and became engaged to him on January 1, 2010. On February 4, 2010, the pregnant Cole was hospitalized for precautionary reasons.^[22] On March 1, 2010 Cole was admitted into the hospital with labor pains. One of Cole's closest friends, R&B singer Monica, confirmed the labor situation via her official Twitter page.^[23] On March 2, 2010, Cole gave birth to her first child, a boy, named Daniel Hiram Gibson Jr.^[24] On May 21, 2011, Cole and Gibson went to Cleveland for a private wedding ceremony. On September 24, 2011, Cole and Gibson held a big wedding ceremony in Hawaii, which will be aired on their show Family First.^[25] Cole currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio and Johns Creek, Georgia.

[edit] 2011–present: Woman to Woman and Family First

Cole started development on this project shortly after her 2010 release, Calling All Hearts. She has disclosed that she was working with writer Ester Dean. She has also collaborated with producers Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, Bangladesh, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Toxic and Earl Powell. This is Cole's first album to be released without A&R Executive Ron Fair. Cole says this album is not like any other album she has released becoming her most evolved album thus far. Cole has stated that she would like to have R&B singers Brandy and Monica on this album. She also tweeted that long awaited collaborator Trey Songz would likely be on the album. Cole tweeted on October 14, 2011 that the first single from her forthcoming new album Woman To Woman will be released during the first week of January. The album is believed to have 15 tracks to be chosen. It is slated to be released commercially in the spring of 2012.

She is featured on a song called "Legendary" by DJ Khaled, also featuring Chris Brown and Ne-Yo. It is the fourth single from Khaled's fifth album We the Best Forever. Cole was nominated for an MP3 Music Award in October 2011 and won in December 2011 for her R&B hit "Take Me Away".

In mid-July, Cole tweeted that she, her husband Daniel, and James DeBose will be launching a new reality TV show, entitled Family First, which began shooting shortly after the announcement. During the six episode series, Cole will be crafting her follow up album to Calling All Hearts. "I just kind of lay out all my emotions then we start from there. I usually work with big name producers and stuff like once all from my heart and soul is out that I need to get out," Cole said. Aside from a look into the making of her yet to be titled album, Cole and husband, Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, re-wed during the taping of Family First.^[26] The show is currently in production and will premiere in the third quarter of 2012.

Artistry[link]

Musical style and voice[link]

Cole is known differently for the way she uses her vocals. She is a soprano with a 2.5/3 octave. Her voice is favored because it is said, mostly by critics, that it is powered by angst. Cole found herself positioned alongside fellow young urban female singers like Brandy, Monica, and Beyoncé. Yet Cole had an edge over her peers—a street edge. Having grown up in Oakland and lived there most of her young life, she knew life wasn't all glitter and gold like it was in Hollywood. She knew the streets, and that inner-city viewpoint informs many of her songs, which are generally a bit rougher and less naïve than those of your typical young female urban vocalist.^[27]

Influences[link]

Cole grew up listening to mentors such as Tupac Shakur and Faith Evans. She cites Mary J. Blige and Brandy as the biggest of her musical inspirations and influences. In an interview Cole spoke about artists from the 1980s that influenced her, "Anita Baker, Her voice is incredible and her lyrics are deep, really listen to them. Big Daddy Kane, The original...you can’t think Brooklyn or door knockers and not think Big Daddy Kane, smooth operator: One of hip hop’s pioneers. LL Cool J, One of the first Mc’s to really dissect lyrics and turn them inside out; and he made it sexy! MC Lyte, The female MC that rhymes in such a way that you don’t care if she was male or female...her voice tone is crazy, and her lyrical game bananas. Queen Latifah, She represented the strong female MC, she showed us and taught us about flow and lyrical dexterity. Kid N' Play, They showed you how to take your rap game to the next level...movies!".^[28]

Discography[link]

• The Way It Is (2005)
• Just Like You (2007)
• A Different Me (2008)
• Calling All Hearts (2010)
• Woman to Woman (2012)

Tours[link]

• Sweatsuit Tour (opening for Nelly) (2005)
• Dreamin' Tour (performing with Young Jeezy) (2007)
• Double Up Tour (opening for R. Kelly) (2007)
• I Am Music Tour (opening for Lil Wayne) (2008)
• A Different Me Tour (headliner) (2009)
• Love Letter Tour (opening for R. Kelly) (2011)

Filmography[link]

Television

Films

• How She Move (2008) - Herself

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Keyshia Cole at the Internet Movie Database

	Book: Keyshia Cole
Wikipedia books are collections of articles that can be downloaded or ordered in print.

Jessica Simpson
Simpson performing "God Bless America" at the "Joining Forces with the Rockies: Celebrating Military Families" event in Denver, on April 13, 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Jessica Ann Simpson
Born	(1980-07-10) July 10, 1980 (age 31) Abilene, Texas, United States
Genres	Pop, dance, country, R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter,[1][2] actress, fashion designer
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Columbia, Epic, Columbia Nashville, Primary Wave, EMI
Associated acts	Nick Lachey, Christina Aguilera, Mandy Moore, Ashlee Simpson, 98 Degrees, Willie Nelson, Kirk Franklin, God's Property, CeCe Winans
Website	jessicasimpson.com

Jessica Ann Simpson (born July 10, 1980) is an American recording artist,^[2] actress, television personality and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies and commercials, launched a line of hair and beauty products and designed fragrances, shoes and handbags for women. She has devoted time to philanthropic efforts including Operation Smile and a USO-hosted tour for troops stationed overseas. She started the Jessica Simpson Collection in 2005.

She has achieved seven Billboard Top 40 hits, three gold and two multi-platinum Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified studio albums, four of which have reached the top 10 on the US Billboard 200.^[3][4] She has sold 30 million albums worldwide. Simpson starred with her then-husband Nick Lachey in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. She ventured into the country music market in 2008 and released Do You Know.

During the first part of 2010, Simpson released her second reality show on VH1 "The Price of Beauty." In October 2010 she released her first compilation album and last album under the label of Epic Records , with the name Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson. A month later she released her second Christmas album Happy Christmas under the label Primary Wave Records, owned by EMI.

Biography[link]

1980–1996: Early life and beginnings[link]

Jessica Ann Simpson was born in Abilene, Texas. She is the daughter of Tina Ann (née Drew), a homemaker, and Joseph Truett "Joe" Simpson, a minister and psychologist.^[5] She has a younger sister, Ashlee, who is also a singer.

Simpson began singing at a local Baptist church, where her father also worked as the congregation's youth minister. At age twelve, she unsuccessfully auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club.^[6] The following year, Simpson attended a church camp, where she sang Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" and an arrangement of "Amazing Grace".^[7] At camp, she was introduced to the founder of Proclaim Records, a minor Gospel music record label. She recorded an album, Jessica, but she was dismissed from the label when it went bankrupt. Jessica was never officially released except for a small pressing funded by her grandmother.^[8][9]

When Simpson was sixteen years old, Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola heard Jessica. Mottola was impressed with Simpson’s musical talent and skill. Simpson was immediately signed to the label. She dropped out of J. J. Pearce High School but later earned her GED.^[10][11]

[edit] 1999–2001: Sweet Kisses and Irresistible

Simpson at the 54th Presidential Inaugural Opening Celebration

Simpson released her first single, "I Wanna Love You Forever", which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1999, and reached the top ten in ten countries.^[12] Soon afterwards, her major label debut album Sweet Kisses was released. To support the album's release, Simpson toured with Ricky Martin, Destiny's Child, and with boy band 98 Degrees.^{[citation needed]} During the album's recording, she became involved with Nick Lachey.^[13]

Meanwhile, Simpson's album Sweet Kisses had gone double platinum, helped by the follow-up singles "Where You Are" and "I Think I'm In Love With You", which were both released in 2000. The latter became Simpson's biggest radio hit at that point, and was her first release of an uptempo single. Her debut album sold 2 million copies in US. Columbia Records officials reportedly decided Simpson needed a change for her second album. The following year, when Simpson came to record her second album, executives pressured her to have a much more sexy image.^{[citation needed]}

In 2000, Simpson started recording the follow-up to Sweet Kisses, with what Columbia considered more radio-friendly, up-tempo tracks. The sophomore album, titled Irresistible, was released in mid-2001 on the heels of the title-track single. The song "Irresistible" became one of the biggest hits of her career; it peaked at number fifteen on the Hot 100 and stayed in the chart for twenty weeks.^[14] It managed to reach the top forty in some other countries it charted.^{[citation needed]} In addition, it led to the attention of record producer Jermaine Dupri of So So Def Recordings to remix the song within a Hip-Hop—tinged genre style which featured rap artist Lil Bow Wow.^[15]

Irresistible debuted at number 6 in June 2001 on the Billboard 200 chart,^[16] with 127,000^[17] copies sold in its first week. It was later certified Gold^[18] by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling or shipments of 500,000 copies or more. Irresistible has sold 850,000 copies in the US, to date.^{[citation needed]} In order to support the album, Simpson went on her first headlining tour, called the DreamChaser Tour, in mid-August, but due to the September 11, 2001 attacks could not complete the planned dates.^[19]

[edit] 2002–2005: Newlyweds, In this Skin and film career

Simpson and then-husband Nick Lachey at a publicity shoot for the MTV Video Music Awards in 2004.

Simpson married Nick Lachey on October 26, 2002.^[20] She famously announced she had remained a virgin until her marriage.^[21] During the summer of 2003, the reality show, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, starring Simpson and Lachey began airing on MTV. Simpson's third album, In This Skin, was released in August 2003 to coincide with the series premiere of Newlyweds.

Newlyweds quickly became a pop culture phenomenon and is credited with making her a household name, even among those who did not follow pop music or MTV. "I never knew that just doing the show would give me that pedestal to step on," Simpson told Blender magazine.^[22]

In This Skin, debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, with sales of 64,000 in its first week. But, it rebounded after a special collectors' edition was released in April 2004, and subsequently reached a peak of number 2.^[16] It contained the song "Sweetest Sin", which barely even made an impact on the Bubbling Under Hot 100. However, the album did contain the hit singles "With You" (No. 14, 2004) and a cover of the Berlin song "Take My Breath Away" (No. 20, 2004), and a lesser hit, a cover of the Robbie Williams song "Angels", which charted just outside the Billboard Hot 100.^[12] In December 2004, the album was certified three times multi-Platinum by the RIAA.^[23] According to Simpson's biography, the album has sold 4 million copies in US, to date.^[24]

Simpson in 2005 at the premiere for The Dukes of Hazzard

Simpson and Lachey starred in the television special The Nick and Jessica Variety Hour which aired in 2004 and was compared to The Sonny & Cher Show.^[25] In 2005, Newlyweds won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Reality Show before wrapping shortly after.^[26] In late 2004, Simpson released her first Christmas album, Rejoyce: The Christmas Album . It peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard 200 chart and was later certified gold by the RIAA.^[27]

In the summer of 2005, Simpson made her first appearance in a motion picture as Daisy Duke in the movie version of the television series The Dukes of Hazzard.^[28] The film was No. 1 at the box office its opening weekend, and grossed $30.7 million on 3,785 screens. It also had an adjusted-dollar rank of No. 14 all-time for August releases. The film eventually collected $110.5 million worldwide, although it was much less financially successful outside the U.S.^[29] Simpson appeared on The Dukes of Hazzard soundtrack, releasing "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", a cover of the 1966 Nancy Sinatra. The song peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Song from a Movie, in 2006.^[12][30] The song's video featured Simpson as Daisy Duke. It contains scenes of her flirting and singing in a bar and then later washing the General Lee car, wearing a skin-tight, revealing pink bikini. In some countries the video was banned for its overtly sexual content. Simpson received criticism from a Christian group calling itself "The Resistance", for the sexualized image she used in the music video for "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'".^[31] In response, Simpson stated, "It didn't really surprise me because I grew up with a lot of that backlash. That's why I didn't end up going into the Christian music industry. I think that if they're really good Christians the judgment wouldn't be there."^[32]

In November 2005, Simpson and Lachey announced they were separating. Simpson filed for divorce on December 16, 2005, citing "irreconcilable differences."^[33][34] Their divorce was finalized on June 30, 2006.^[35]

[edit] 2006–2007: A Public Affair and Employee of the Month

In 2006, Simpson parted from Columbia. On 29 August 2006, she released her fifth studio album A Public Affair under Epic Records. A Public Affair debuted as fifth on the Billboard 200. 101,000 copies sold in its first week and 500,000 copies in the US overall, a low figure compared to Simpson's previous albums. The first single from the album, bearing the same name "A Public Affair", debuted at number thirty-nine, her highest debut after "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'", and reached a peak of number fourteen on the Hot 100. It also hit number 1 on the Hot Dance Club Play, becoming Simpson's first number one single on the chart. Internationally, it reached the top ten in Canada and Ireland. The video featured appearances by actresses Eva Longoria and Christina Applegate, singer Christina Milian, Maria Menounos, Andy Dick, and Ryan Seacrest.

Simpson in August 2006

Simpson's second film, Employee of the Month, was released October 6, 2006. With poor reviews, the film took in $11.8 million in its opening weekend, debuting at number 4 just behind Open Season.^[36] In December 2006, while performing a tribute to Dolly Parton at the Kennedy Center Awards, she botched the lyrics, getting flustered in front of a crowd that included prominent persons such as Steven Spielberg, Shania Twain, and President Bush. Though Simpson was given the chance to redo the song for cameras, her portion was edited out of the CBS broadcast.^[37][38]

In November 2007, Simpson began dating Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. The relationship was controversial among some Dallas Cowboys fans and she was blamed by them when Romo had poor football performances. Some of the Cowboys' fans gave her the nickname "Yoko Romo" in comparison to Yoko Ono, who many Beatles fans blame for "ruining" John Lennon.^[39] Even then-President George W Bush jokingly endorsed the "Jessica jinx" after the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl in 2008. During the traditional White House reception for the winning team, President Bush quipped, "We're going to send Jessica Simpson to the Democrat National Convention".^[40] On July 13, 2009, People reported that Romo and Simpson had ended their relationship.^[41]

In December 2007, Simpson co-starred with Luke Wilson in her third film, Blonde Ambition. The film opened in eight theaters in Texas (the home state of both Simpson and Wilson), and earned US $6,422. It was released on DVD in January 2008.^[42] Blonde Ambition fared better overseas, where it grossed $253,008 in Ukraine its opening weekend.^[43]

[edit] 2008–2009: Move to country and Do You Know

Simpson on her promo tour, in 2008.

In September 2007, Simpson's father Joe Simpson stated to People magazine that Simpson was considering doing a country album. Joe Simpson told People that she is "talking about doing a country record and going back to her roots, being from Texas."^[44]

"Come On Over", first leaked onto the internet on May 27, 2008. Shortly after country radio stations around the country began giving the single radio play. In the United States, "Come on Over" became the most-added song to country radio for the week of June 6, 2008, debuting at number forty-one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It broke a record held by Miranda Lambert ("Me and Charlie Talking") and Brad Cotter ("I Meant To") for highest-debuting first chart entry by a solo artist; both artists debuted at number forty-two on that same chart.^[45] The video for the first single, "Come On Over", premiered on Simpson's official website in July 2008.^[46] The single peaked at number eighteen on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. Prior to the album release, Simpson performed at select state fairs and visited various country music radio stations in order to promote the album. On July 19, 2008, Simpson performed at the Country Thunder Festival in Wisconsin. She was booed by the crowd and received a poor reception from country music critics.^[47] She responded by saying, "I don't know what your perception is of Jessica Simpson or what tabloid you buy, but I just want you to know that I'm just a girl from Texas; I’m just like you. I'm doing what I love and dating a boy."^[48] The country album, entitled Do You Know, was released on September 9, 2008.^[49] It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in both the US and Canada, giving Simpson her first number 1 album of her career. She opened for Rascal Flatts on their "Bob That Head Tour" from January 17 through March 14, 2009.

Simpson's next movie, Major Movie Star (later renamed Private Valentine: Blonde and Dangerous) was released to DVD on February 3, 2009.^[50]

2010–present: Return to Reality TV, motherhood and eighth studio album[link]

Simpson's VH1 documentary series, The Price of Beauty, began airing in March 2010. The series followed Simpson around the world, introducing viewers to the different perceptions of beauty in different cultures.^[51][52][53] The premiere episode attracted one million viewers,^[54][55] but Simpson revealed that the series would return in 2011 with a format change.^[56] Initially, Simpson planned to release a new studio album that would end her contract with her label, Epic Records.^[57] However, a greatest hits compilation, Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson, was released in late October instead.^[58] Simpson's second holiday album, Happy Christmas, released under Primary Wave in November, 2011.^[59]

In June 2011, it was announced that Simpson participated as a mentor in NBC's new reality show Fashion Star with Elle McPherson.^[60] In July 2011, she appeared on Fashion Star alongside Nicole Richie.^[61]

On November 14, 2010, Simpson announced her engagement to Eric Johnson.^[62] On May 1, 2012, Simpson gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Maxwell Drew Johnson.^[63][64]

Other projects[link]

Cosmetics and clothing[link]

"Jessica Simpson Dessert by Jessica Simpson" was launched in April, 2004 after co-founders Randi Shinder and Simpson designed a line of edible perfume, lip gloss and other beauty products under the Dessert Beauty brand. A parallel line named Dessert Treats was launched the following year in February, 2005. The new line was marketed at a much younger audience.^[65]

Simpson and stylist Ken Pavés launched a line of hair and beauty products on the Home Shopping Network.^[66] Simpson also created the Jessica Simpson Collection (JSC) in which she designs and markets a line of handbags and (primarily high-heeled) shoes and boots.^[67] JSC is projected to become the first celebrity brand to break $1 billion in annual sales,^[68] and will launch an e-commerce beauty site with celebrity aesthetician Nerida Joy, BeautyMint, on October 31, 2011.^[69] The Jessica Simpson's Intimates began selling in major department stores and online shopping sites in spring 2009.^[70]

Simpson has launched a fragrance line. Her fragrance was made by Parlux Fragrances. Her debut perfume, Fancy, was launched in 2008. The success of Fancy spawned three more fragrances, Fancy Love, Fancy Nights and I Fancy You.^[71]

Commercials[link]

Simpson has made commercials for Pizza Hut, Proactiv Solution and a commercial for Ice Breakers with her sister Ashlee. In 2005, she started advertising Proactiv Solution, an over-the-counter acne medicine. In 2006, she premiered in another Pizza Hut commercial for the Super Bowl XL broadcast. She sang "These Bites Are Made For Poppin'," in reference to the song "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'," to advertise the new Cheesy Bites Pizza.^[72] In 2007, the Super Bowl featured her third Pizza Hut commercial, which again promoted the Cheesy Bites Pizza.^[73] She has also advertised DirecTV in character as Daisy Duke.^[74]

Philanthropy[link]

Simpson is Operation Smile's International Youth Ambassador.^[75][76]

Jessica Simpson performing in USO/DoD Celebrity Tour at Eagle Base 14 November 2001

In March 2007, Simpson donated a new Chrysler minivan to the Elim orphanage in Nuevo Laredo. Simpson won a Chrysler Crossfire sports car at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards, but exchanged the $50,000 luxury car for a minivan so she could help the orphanage.^[77]

Political endorsements[link]

Jessica Simpson is a Republican.^[78] Simpson endorsed George W. Bush for president in 2004,^[79] but was later said to have "snubbed" him by canceling an appearance at a 2006 Republican fundraiser in Washington, D.C.. The singer's father, Joe Simpson, explained that he and Jessica are "big supporters" of the president, who invited them. They felt it was inappropriate to attend a political fundraiser.^[80]

Filmography[link]

Discography[link]

• Sweet Kisses (1999)
• Irresistible (2001)
• In This Skin (2003)
• Rejoyce: The Christmas Album (2004)
• A Public Affair (2006)
• Do You Know (2008)
• Happy Christmas (2010)

Tours[link]

Headlining

• DreamChaser Tour (2001)
• Reality Tour (2004)

Co-headlining

• MTV TRL Tour (2001)

Opening act

• Heat It Up Tour (98 Degrees) (2000)
• Bob That Head Tour (Rascal Flatts) (2009)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Mitchell, Susan K (2008), Jessica Simpson, Gareth Stevens Pub, ISBN 978-0-8368-8201-8, http://books.google.ca/books?id=hHdl5O2TSPsC&lpg=PP1&dq=Jessica%20Simpson%22&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=true 
• Simpson, Jessica; Katina Z. Jones (2004), I do: achieving your dream wedding, W Press, ISBN 0-9748603-0-1, http://books.google.ca/books?id=e-BoIF2bQcEC&lpg=PP1&dq=Jessica%20Simpson%22&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=true 

External links[link]

Jessica Simpson portal

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Jessica Simpson

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jessica Simpson

• Jessica Simpson's Official Website
• Jessica Simpson at the Internet Movie Database
• Jessica Simpson at People.com
• Jessica Simpson Collection

v t e Jessica Simpson Studio albums Sweet Kisses Irresistible In This Skin ReJoyce: The Christmas Album A Public Affair Do You Know Happy Christmas Compilation albums This Is the Remix Playlist: The Very Best of Jessica Simpson Video albums DreamChaser Reality Tour Live Concert tours MTV TRL Tour DreamChaser Tour Reality Tour Television Fashion Star The Price of Beauty Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica Films The Dukes of Hazzard Employee of the Month Blonde Ambition Private Valentine: Blonde & Dangerous Related articles Operation Smile Jessica Simpson Collection Ashlee Simpson Book:Jessica Simpson Portal:Jessica Simpson

Thomas Tallis

Thomas Tallis (c. 1505 – 23 November 1585) was an English composer. Tallis flourished as a church musician in 16th century Tudor England. He occupies a primary place in anthologies of English church music, and is considered among the best of England's early composers. He is honoured for his original voice in English musicianship.^[1] No contemporary portrait of Tallis survives: the earliest, painted by Gerard van der Gucht, dates from 150 years after Tallis died, and there is no certainty that it is a likeness.^[2]

Life[link]

Early years[link]

Little is known about Tallis's early life, but there seems to be agreement that he was born in the early 16th century, toward the close of the reign of Henry VII. Little is known about Tallis's childhood and his significance with music at that age. However, there are suggestions that he was a child of the chapel royal St. James's palace, the same singing establishment which he later went to as a man.^[3] His first known appointment to a musical position was as organist of Dover Priory in 1530–31, a Benedictine priory at Dover (now Dover College) in 1532.^[4] His career took him to London, then (probably in the autumn of 1538) to the Augustinian abbey of Holy Cross at Waltham until the abbey was dissolved in 1540. Tallis acquired a volume at the dissolution of the monastery of Waltham Holy Cross and preserved it; one of the treatises in it was by Leonel Power, and the treatise itself prohibits consecutive unisons, fifths, and octaves.^[5]

Tallis's next post was at Canterbury Cathedral. He was next sent to Court as Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1543 (which later became a Protestant establishment^[6]), where he composed and performed for Henry VIII,^[7] Edward VI (1547–1553), Queen Mary (1553–1558), and Queen Elizabeth I (1558 until Tallis died in 1585).^[8] Throughout his service to successive monarchs as organist and composer, Tallis avoided the religious controversies that raged around him, though, like William Byrd, he stayed an "unreformed Roman Catholic."^[9] Tallis was capable of switching the style of his compositions to suit the different monarchs' vastly different demands.^[10] Among other important composers of the time, including Christopher Tye and Robert White, Tallis stood out. Walker observes, "He had more versatility of style than either, and his general handling of his material was more consistently easy and certain."^[11] Tallis was also a teacher, not only of William Byrd, but also of Elway Bevin, an organist of Bristol Cathedral and gentleman of the Chapel Royal.^[12]

Tallis married around 1552; his wife, Joan, outlived him by four years. They apparently had no children. Late in his life he lived in Greenwich, possibly close to the royal palace: a local tradition holds that he lived on Stockwell Street.^[13]

Work with William Byrd[link]

Queen Mary granted Tallis a lease on a manor in Kent that provided a comfortable annual income.^[14] In 1575, Queen Elizabeth granted to him and William Byrd a 21-year monopoly for polyphonic music^[15] and a patent to print and publish music, which was one of the first arrangements of that type in the country.^[16] Tallis's monopoly covered 'set songe or songes in parts', and he composed in English, Latin, French, Italian, or other tongues as long as they served for music in the Church or chamber.^[17] Tallis had exclusive rights to print any music, in any language. He and William Byrd were the only ones allowed to use the paper that was used in printing music. Tallis and Byrd used their monopoly to produce Cantiones quae ab argumento sacrae vocantur but the piece did not sell well and they appealed to Queen Elizabeth for her support.^[18] People were naturally wary of their new publications, and it certainly did not help their case that they were both avowed Roman Catholics.^[19] Not only that, they were strictly forbidden to sell any imported music. "We straightly by the same forbid...to be brought out of any forren Realmes...any songe or songes made and printed in any foreen countrie." Also, Byrd and Tallis were not given "the rights to music type fonts, printing patents were not under their command, and they didn't actually own a printing press."^[20]

Tallis retained respect during a succession of opposing religious movements and deflected the violence that claimed Catholics and Protestants alike.^[21]

Death[link]

Thomas Tallis died peacefully in his house in Greenwich in November 1585. Most historians agree that he died on the twenty-third.^[22] He was buried in the chancel of the parish of St Alfege's Church in Greenwich.^[23] The chancel was torn down in 1720, and none of the memorials remain. Strype claims to have found a brass plate with an engraving on it, which reads:

<poem>“Entered here doth ly a worthy wyght, Who for long tyme in musick bore the bell: His name to shew, was THOMAS TALLYS hyght, In honest virtuous lyff he dyd excell.

“He serv’d long tyme in chappel with grete prayse Fower sovereygnes reygnes (a thing not often seen); I meane Kyng Henry and Prynce Edward’s dayes, Quene Mary, and Elizabeth oure Quene.

“He mary’d was, though children he had none, And lyv’d in love full thre and thirty yeres Wyth loyal spowse, whose name yclypt was JONE, Who here entomb’d him company now beares.

“As he dyd lyve, so also did he dy, In myld and quyet sort (O happy man!) To God ful oft for mercy did he cry, Wherefore he lyves, let deth do what he can.”^[24]</poem>

Byrd wrote the musical elegy Ye Sacred Muses on Tallis's death.

Veneration[link]

Tallis is honoured together with William Byrd and John Merbecke with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on 21 November.

Works[link]

	Lamentatione Jeremiae Prophetae Recorded live in Madonna dei Monti, Rome by The Tudor Consort in November 2005 (5Mb) If ye love me (2Mb)
Problems listening to these files? See media help.

See List of compositions by Thomas Tallis

Early works[link]

The earliest surviving works by Tallis, Salve intemerata virgo, Ave rosa sine spinis and Ave Dei patris filia are devotional antiphons to the Virgin Mary, which were used outside the liturgy and were cultivated in England until the fall of Cardinal Wolsey. Henry VIII's break with Roman Catholicism in 1534 and the rise of Thomas Cranmer noticeably influenced the style of music written. Texts became largely confined to the liturgy.^[25] The writing of Tallis and his contemporaries became less florid. Tallis's Mass for four voices is marked with tendencies toward a syllabic (which is a setting of text where each syllable is sung to one pitch) and chordal (consisting of or emphasising chords) style and a diminished use of melisma. Tallis provides a rhythmic variety and differentiation of moods depending on the meaning of his texts.^[26] Tallis helped found a relationship that was specific to the combining of words and music.^[27] He also wrote several excellent Lutheran chorales.^[28]

The reformed Anglican liturgy was inaugurated during the short reign of Edward VI (1547–53),^[29] and Tallis was one of the first church musicians to write anthems set to English words, although Latin continued to be used.^[30] The Catholic Mary Tudor set about undoing the religious reforms of the preceding decades. Following her accession in 1553, the Roman Rite was restored and compositional style reverted to the elaborate writing prevalent early in the century.^[31] Two of Tallis's major works, Gaude gloriosa Dei Mater and the Christmas Mass Puer natus est nobis are believed to be from this period. Only Puer natus est nobis can be accurately dated to 1554. As was the prevailing practice, these pieces were intended to exalt the image of the Queen as well as to praise the Mother of God.^[32]

Some of Tallis's works were compiled and printed in the Mulliner Book by Thomas Mulliner before Queen Elizabeth's reign, and may have been used by the Queen herself when she was younger. Elizabeth succeeded her half-sister in 1558, and the Act of Settlement in the following year abolished the Roman Liturgy^[33] and firmly established the Book of Common Prayer.^[34] Composers at court resumed writing English anthems, although the practice of setting Latin texts continued, growing more peripheral over time.

The mood of the country in the beginning of Elizabeth's reign leant toward the puritan, which discouraged the liturgical polyphony. Tallis wrote nine psalm chant tunes for four voices for Archbishop Parker's Psalter, published in 1567.^[35] One of the nine tunes, the "Third Mode Melody", inspired the composition of Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1910.^[36] Tallis's better-known works from the Elizabethan years include his settings of the Lamentations (of Jeremiah the Prophet)^[37] for the Holy Week services and the unique motet Spem in alium written for eight five-voice choirs. Tallis is mostly remembered for his role in composing office hymns and this motet, Spem in alium. Too often we forget to look at his compositions for other monarchs; several of Tallis's anthems written in Edward's reign such as his If ye love me, ought to be considered on the same level as his Elizabethan works.^[38] This is partially because we do not have all of his works from previous periods; eleven of eighteen Latin-texted pieces by Tallis from Elizabeth's reign were published, "which ensured their survival in a way not available to the earlier material."^[39]

Later works[link]

Toward the end of his life, Tallis resisted the musical development seen in his younger contemporaries such as William Byrd, who embraced compositional complexity and adopted texts built by combining disparate biblical extracts.^[40] Tallis's experiments during this time period were considered rather unusual.^[41] Tallis was content to draw his texts from the Liturgy^[42] and wrote for the worship services in the Chapel Royal.^[43] Tallis composed during a difficult period during the conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism, and his music often displays characteristics of the turmoil.^[44]

Fictional portrayals[link]

A fictionalised Thomas Tallis was portrayed by Joe Van Moyland in 2007 on the Showtime television series The Tudors, loosely based upon the early reign of Henry VIII.

See also[link]

Saints portal

References[link]

• Cole, Suzanne. Thomas Tallis and his Music in Victorian England. Woodbridge, UK: Boydell, 2008.
• Doe, Paul and Allinson, David : Thomas Tallis, Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 5 May 2007), (subscription access)
• Farrell, Joseph. Latin Language and Latin Culture: From Ancient to Modern Times. New York Cambridge University Press, 2001.
• Gatens. Tallis: Works, all. American Record Guide 68.3 (May–June 2005): 181.
• Holman, Peter. Dowland: Lachrimae (1604); Cambridge Music Handbooks. Cambridge University Press, 1999.
• Lord, Suzanne.; Brinkman, David. Music From the Age of Shakespeare: A Cultural History. Westport, Conn Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003.
• Manderson, Desmond. Songs Without Music: Aesthetic Dimensions of Law and Justice. University of California Press, 2000.
• Phillips, Peter. Sign of Contradiction: Tallis at 500. Musical Times 146 (Summer 2005): 7–15.
• Shrock, Dennis. Choral Repertoire. Oxford University Press, 2009.
• Steinberg, Michael. Choral Masterworks: A Listener’s Guide. New York Oxford Press, 2005.
• St. James Palace; Rimbault, Edward F. The Old Cheque-Book. Chapel Royal. Westminster: J.B, Nichols and Sons.
• Thomas, Jane Resh. Behind the Mask: The Life of Queen Elizabeth I. New York Houghton-Muffin Trade and Reference, 1998.
• Walker, Ernest. A History of Music in England. 3rd ed., rev. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1952

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Thomas Tallis

• BBC Radio 3 Discovering Music program on Spem in Alium and related works
• Free scores by Thomas Tallis in the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA)
• Listen to free recordings of Latin church music and English church music from Umeå Akademiska Kör
• The Mutopia Project has compositions by Thomas Tallis
• Free access to high-resolution images of manuscripts containing works by Tallis from Digital Image Archive of Medieval Music
• Free scores by Thomas Tallis in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Free scores by Thomas Tallis at the International Music Score Library Project
• In Pace In idipsum, edited by quilisma-publications.info

Recordings[link]

• Ceremony & Devotion Harry Christophers, The Sixteen (CORO)
• Tallis, Byrd and Guerrero, The Flowering of Genius The Sixteen (CORO16001)
• William Byrd and Thomas Tallis, In Chains of Gold. Dunedin Consort, DCD34008
• Herald AV Publications – HAVPCD305: Thomas Tallis

Gloria Jean (born April 14, 1926) is an American actress and singer. Beginning a prolific career as a child actress in feature films at the age of thirteen, Jean is a Young Artist Award–Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award honoree who starred or co-starred in 26 feature films between 1939 and 1959, as well as making numerous radio, television, stage, and nightclub appearances.

Career[link]

Gloria Jean was born Gloria Jean Schoonover in Buffalo, New York. Her family moved to Scranton, Pennsylvania, where she sang on radio with Paul Whiteman's band. She was being trained as a coloratura soprano, when her voice teacher, Leah Russel, took her to an audition held by Universal Pictures movie producer Joe Pasternak in 1938. Pasternak had guided Deanna Durbin to stardom, and with Durbin now advancing to ingenue roles, Pasternak wanted a younger singer to make the same kind of musicals. Up against hundreds of other girls, Jean won the audition.^[1]

Under contract to Universal, she was given the leading role in the 1939 feature The Under-Pup, and became instantly popular with moviegoers. Universal's publicity department initially claimed the singer was 11 years old instead of 13; her actual age was not well known until recently. For her next two vehicles, she co-starred with Bing Crosby in If I Had My Way and starred in the well-received A Little Bit of Heaven (which reunited her with many from the Under-Pup cast). Her best-known picture is her fourth, Never Give a Sucker an Even Break, in which she co-starred with W. C. Fields.

With Deanna Durbin forging ahead in dramatic roles, Universal recognized the need for musical entertainment during wartime, and Gloria Jean appeared in a series of musicals during those years. She became one of Universal's most prolific performers; during the war years she made 14 feature films. Most were "hepcat" musicals, which were geared to the teenage crowd of that day, and Universal often used them to introduce new talent, including Donald O'Connor, Peggy Ryan, Mel Tormé, and Marshall Thompson.

Jean's dramatic tour de force, as a blind girl being menaced by an escaped killer, was filmed as one of four vignettes for Julien Duvivier's Flesh and Fantasy. Jean's performance was the best-received of the four. However, Universal removed the half-hour sequence and shelved it until 1944, when it was expanded into a feature-length melodrama, Destiny. She co-starred with Olsen and Johnson in the big-budget Ghost Catchers, and in her last two Universal features, released in 1945, she was teamed with singer-actor Kirby Grant. ^[1]

When Jean's Universal contract lapsed, she was convinced by her agent to not renew it, but instead to make personal appearances across America. The successful tour prompted a new tour of Europe. In England, her rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" (and the lyric "forgive us our debts") was taken by some critics as a pointed comment about America's lend-lease policy. Thus the European tour ended abruptly and Jean returned to Hollywood.

She resumed her movie career as a freelance performer in United Artists, Columbia Pictures, and Allied Artists productions, the best-known being Copacabana with Groucho Marx. Some theatre and television work followed in the 1950s and 1960s; the forgettable 1955 movie Air Strike and the lightweight comedy The Madcaps (filmed in 1959, re-released 1964) survive. Her final movie was with Jerry Lewis in The Ladies Man, but her scenes were cut from the final print, and she is barely noticeable among the extras.

Jean retired from show business in 1963 and began a 30-year career with Redken Laboratories, a national cosmetics firm, where she worked until her retirement in 1993. In December 1991, Jean was honored by the Young Artist Foundation with its Former Child Star "Lifetime Achievement" Award recognizing her achievements within the film industry as a child actress.^[2]

Personal life[link]

After retiring, Jean lived in California with her sister, Bonnie. When Bonnie died in 2007, she moved to Hawaii to live with her son and his family.

Gloria Jean's films are beginning to receive new exposure: If I Had My Way has been restored to its original length and issued on DVD, followed by the DVD release of Never Give a Sucker an Even Break. (Latter-day documentaries about Fields include recent clips of Gloria Jean, reminiscing about working with him.) Universal Pictures has also struck new 35mm prints of Mister Big and Get Hep to Love for theatrical use. Her 1947 film Copacabana is widely available on home video.

Her authorized biography, Gloria Jean: A Little Bit of Heaven, was published in 2005. A tribute website, GloriaJeanSings.com, followed, again with authorization.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Gloria Jean at the Internet Movie Database
• Gloria Jean Sings: tribute website with clips
• Gloria Jean: The Hollywood Years, a montage of her 20 years in movies
• Gloria Jean reminisces about The Under-Pup
• Gloria Jean introduces trailer for Destiny
• Gloria Jean introduces Mister Big
• A clip from If I Had My Way
• Another clip from If I Had My Way
• A clip from A Little Bit of Heaven
• Gloria Jean sings "Voices of Spring" in Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
• A clip from What's Cookin'?
• A clip from It Comes Up Love
• A clip from Copacabana