Name: Usher
Profession: Singer, Actor, Producer
Birth Date: October 14, 1978
Height: 5' 8½"
Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, the son of Jonetta Patton and Usher Terry Raymond III. As a child, he joined his local church choir, where he quickly discovered his ability to sing. As early as junior high school, Usher started to enter local talent shows. After spending the majority of his young life in Chattanooga, Tenn., his family moved to Atlanta, Ga. with the belief that the city would provide greater opportunities for showcasing his talent. While in Atlanta, Usher attended the North Springs Charter School of Arts and Sciences.
At the age of 13, Usher competed on "Star Search," where he was spotted by an A&R representative from LaFace Records, who arranged an audition for him with Antonio "L.A." Reid. A contract with the company soon followed. Usher was introduced on "Call Me A Mack," a song he recorded for the soundtrack album to the John Singleton film, "Poetic Justice."
In 1994, at the age of 15, Usher released his self-titled debut album. Sean "Diddy" Combs produced several of the tracks and co-executive produced the album.
Usher's 1997 hit single, "You Make Me Wanna..." gained him international fame, and his album, "My Way," earned him the 1998 Billboard Best Performer of the Year award. His popularity would gain with each new album released — "Live" (1999), "8701" (2001), "Confessions" (2004) and "Here I Stand" (2008), earning several Grammy Awards along the way.
As his music career blossomed, Usher started to dabble in acting, first with a recurring role on the teen sitcom "Moesha." He the followed with roles in such films as "The Faculty" (1998, with Jon Stewart), "She's All That" (1999, with Freddie Prinze, Jr.) and "Texas Rangers" (2001, with Ashton Kutcher).
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