Anastacia
Encyclopedia
Anastacia is an American singer-songwriter. Anastacia has been highly successful in Europe, Asia, South Africa and South America, but has had only minor success in her native United States. Her debut album, Not That Kind
, released in 2000, achieved multi-platinum sales in Australia, New Zealand and much of Europe, was critically acclaimed by Elton John
and Michael Jackson
, and had the 4th biggest European single and biggest Australian single of 2000. She was awarded 'Best-selling International Artist' in 2000. Her next two albums also earned multi-platinum sales throughout Europe and Oceania making her one of the fastest and biggest-selling artists of the new millennium.
In 2005, she was recognized for worldwide sales of over 20 million albums/records.
Nicknamed "the little lady with the big voice", Anastacia is known for her powerful soul
voice, and her small stature – 5 in 2 in (157.48 cm). She was also known for her trademark glasses (often darkly tinted), but she had surgery to correct her vision permanently in August 2005.
) left the Newkirk family, they moved to New York City when she was a teenager. Then she enrolled at the Professional Children's School
in Manhattan
.
Anastacia soon was diagnosed with Crohn's disease
when she was thirteen. The incurable bowel disease led to an operation where surgeons cut directly through her stomach muscles removing a foot of the singer's intestines, causing Anastacia to be wheelchair bound and needing to learn how to walk again. Despite her illness she soon became interested in dance. However she was frequently critiqued for being 'too large to make it in the music business'. Anastacia subsequently dieted, triggering a Crohn's relapse that caused her intestines to collapse which resulted in hospitalisation tube feeding and steroid treatments which caused hair loss, weight gain and swelling of the face.
Despite her ongoing health problems Anastacia pursued her ambitions and first gained prominence on BET
's Comic View, singing Oleta Adams
' "Get Here" in 1992. During the early 1990s, she appeared regularly on Club MTV
and in videos for the hip hop
group Salt-n-Pepa
. In 1999, she attracted the interest of record labels after making the finals of the MTV talent show The Cut
. Anastacia signed a contract with Daylight Records, a custom label of Sony BMG's Epic Records
in March 1999.
, was released in 2000. The album reached the top ten in eight countries in Europe and Asia. It went four times platinum in Europe and triple platinum in Australia; her debut single, "I'm Outta Love" topped the charts in Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, peaked at number two in France, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland as well as also reaching number six both in Germany and the UK. In the U.S., it was only a minor radio hit. The second single "Not That Kind
" reached number 11 in the UK and became a Top 10 hit in Italy. It also entered the Top 20 in Switzerland and France. "Cowboys & Kisses
" was released as the third single off the album, charting in the top forty in some European countries. As the last promotional only single, "Made for Lovin' You" charted in the UK at number twenty-seven and in France at number seventy-two. While "I'm Outta Love" was a top ten hit on the Hot Dance Club Play
, "Not That Kind" did not chart high on the Billboard Hot 100
, however in spite of this by the end of the year Anastacia would go on to be the World's Best Selling New Female Pop Artist.
Her second album, Freak of Nature
achieved successful sales in the U.K. where it went triple platinum as well as being a hit throughout continental Europe, however unlike her debut it did not match the same level of international success. The first single released was "Paid My Dues
". The song became an overall hit, peaking in Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, and reaching the top ten in several other mainland European countries. The second single, "One Day in Your Life
", reached number eleven in the UK and the top ten in many European countries. The next single "Why'd You Lie to Me
" reached the top thirty in the UK. "You'll Never Be Alone
", the fourth single, reached number twenty-eight on the Adult Contemporary
chart in the U.S. When the album was finally released in the United States in May 2002, she dedicated the album to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
, who had died in a car wreck the month before. Lopes was partly responsible for Anastacia's success, since Lisa hosted MTV's The Cut where Anastacia got her first break. Soon after she released a double disc edition featuring two bonus hits, remixes for three of the tracks on the album and two live tracks taken from a Japan gig that was performed on the September 13, 2002.
Anastacia joined Celine Dion
, Shakira
, Cher
, Dixie Chicks
, and Stevie Nicks
for VH1's Divas Live
in 2002 and she also contributed the song "Love Is a Crime" to the Chicago
soundtrack. The song peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart and enjoyed moderate airplay on Rhythmic/Dance format. Anastacia was also asked to sing the Official song for the 2002 Fifa World Cup and subsequently performed this at the opening ceremony.
As stated on the Australian talk show Rove in 2004, Anastacia wanted to have more edge to her vocals as she felt there was something missing from her previous works. She brought in many rock instruments which brought a new atmosphere to her music. She also felt that she still needed the funkiness and the pop as the singer felt that too much edge would sound wrong with her voice. Out of this a new sound was formed. She describes her sound as Sprock—a combination of soul
, pop, and rock. She named the album after herself.
Anastacia entered record studios in September 2003 to begin recording her next album, working with Glen Ballard
, Dallas Austin
, and David A. Stewart
for release in 2004. On the album, Anastacia also collaborated with P.O.D.
lead singer Sonny Sandoval
on the socially conscious track "I Do". The first single, released in March, was "Left Outside Alone
", which saw a change in direction for Anastacia. It was one of the biggest songs in Europe of 2004, reaching number one Austria, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland; number two in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway; and number three in the United Kingdom and Hungary. The song also peaked in the Australian charts where it went on to become the countries' second biggest selling single of 2004. To date, Lefto Outside Alone is Anastacia's biggest hit.
Anastacia
quickly became her most successful album to date, giving her a third consecutive triple platnium album in the U.K. and reaching the top of national charts of Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia, Greece, Germany and other countries. Unlike her first two albums, which were released in her homeland of America, Anastacia was not, despite being scheduled for release on three occasions. "Left Outside Alone
" was released twice, but failed to pick up heavy airplay. It only gained sporadic Adult Contemporary and Hot AC format airplay. Again, it sparked Rhythmic/Dance format airplay and the dance mix of "Left Outside Alone" peaked at number five on the Hot Dance Club Play. After the original version of "Left Outside Alone" failed to catch on because of lukewarm promotional pushes, especially on radio, the album was postponed and eventually cancelled after the release date of August 30, 2004 passed. Anastacia released three further internationally successful singles; "Sick and Tired" (which gave her another number one in Spain and another UK top five single), "Welcome to My Truth
" (her best-selling hit in Spain), and the ballad "Heavy on My Heart
" proceeds from the sale of which went towards her Anastacia Fund (a charitable organization providing research funding
for breast cancer).
A small batch of her self titled album
was released with a bonus DVD, Anastacia poster and slip case. The DVD includes "Making of Anastacia", "2002 Europe Promo Tour", and a photo gallery. From September 2004 to August 2005, Anastacia went on the Live at Last Tour
. By 2005 the tour was renamed to the Encore Tour. In late 2005, she released her first greatest hits collection, called Pieces of a Dream
, named after a track of the same name. The album spawned the hit singles "Pieces of a Dream" which peaked at number one in Spain and the duet with Eros Ramazzotti
, "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione)", which was a number 1 hit in Germany, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland and a huge hit throughout continental Europe. Even though Sony BMG did force her to release this collection, Anastacia has said that she is happy now that it was created as it was like a "story book", or summary of the first five years of her career.
Not long after the release of "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione)", Anastacia released her first live DVD Live at Last
on March 27, 2006 in Europe. The DVD contains footage from concerts in Berlin and Munich
. It includes music videos to her four singles ("Left Outside Alone
", "Everything Burns
", "Pieces of a Dream", and "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione)", five alternative videos ("I Do", "Rearview", "Seasons Change", "Underground Army", and "Time
") to songs from her self named album, and a documentary about the tour. Soon after the DVD release Anastacia took a break from the music industry and began concentrating on her growing fashion line with s.Oliver.
on July 1, 2007, which would have been on Diana's forty-sixth birthday. This was one of the first major events to take place in the new Wembley Stadium
, and one of her first major appearances since she took a break from the industry. She opened the medley section of the show and she sang a rendition of "Superstar
", from Andrew Lloyd Webber
's Jesus Christ Superstar
, with a gospel
chorus behind her.
In August 2007, a video was put on the "Anastacia by S. Oliver" web site. During the video, when Anastacia was asked about her future plans, she confirmed that she was working on a new album as well as the clothing line. A specific month of release or title was not mentioned. In November 2007, her biography on the official Anastacia website was updated to say there will be a new album in 2008, with a tour to follow. During this time Anastacia began having palpitations which she believed were simple panic attacks, she was soon diagnosed with the heart condition supraventricular tachycardia
.
On July 24, Anastacia announced that her fourth studio album Heavy Rotation
would be released October 27, 2008 in Europe and Asia (and elsewhere in 2009). The new album featured collaborations with producers Ne-Yo
, The Heavyweights, Lester Mendez
, J. R. Rotem
, and Rodney Jerkins
. The album's first single, called "I Can Feel You
", began playing in some radio markets on August 25, 2008. The second single from Heavy Rotation was "Absolutely Positively
", later served as a promotional single only. The third official single from the album had been confirmed as "Defeated" and was released as a promotional single only in Europe without a music video. Her fourth studio album proved to be less successful than her previous ones; her singles failed to reach the top 40 in her most commercially successful country (UK). Anastacia however remained positive, stating that other artists have faced the same problems while changing a record label, also blaming the world economical crisis and the label's decision to alter her sound to a more 'urban feel'.
In June 2009, Anastacia began her second tour throughout Europe to promote her fourth studio album. The tour was not funded by her label, but instead the singer herself and was well received by critics and fans alike. In November and December 2009 Anastacia, Chaka Khan
and Lulu
were headlining the Here Come the Girls a special Christmas concert that visited the United Kingdom only. On December 7, 2009 Anastacia opened the annual Royal Variety Performance
with Lulu
and Chaka Khan
performing a rendition of "Relight My Fire
".
, entitled "Stalemate
", which was included on the band's album Battling Giants. In March 2010, Anastacia began recording her fifth studio album. Around this time, she also headlined several shows at Art on Ice, in Zürich
, the Hallenstadion
and Lausanne
. Her official website stated about the show: "In a unique, groundbreaking combination of Olympic-level figure skating and smash hit pop, the music of Anastacia will soundtrack and seamlessly inspire a performance from some of the world's best figure skaters, perfectly choreographed to complement her hits." During this time Anastacia also became one of the main judges on British talent series Don't Stop Believing
, a contest inspired by the musical comedy-drama Glee
. Following Stalemate, Anastacia released "Safety", a multi-language duet with Russian singer Dima Bilan
, was recorded in Los Angeles
in May 2010. The song was performed live for the first time at the Muz-TV
Music Awards Moscow in June 2010. The song was released as a single in the Russian Federation in August 2010. On August 13, Anastacia announced that she would be join Belgian singer Natalia Druyts for a joint tour, Natalia Meets Anastacia, for six arena shows which were performed at the Sportpaleis, Belgium. On August 17, Natalia and Anastacia recorded a collaborative single, "Burning Star
", that was released on September 17, 2010, as promotion for the concert series. On November 13, Anastacia became the first international singer ever to perform a concert in Northern Cyprus. In February
2011, Anastacia was a guest at the Gigi D'Alessio
concert at Radio City Music Hall
in New York
, performing as an opening act. In June 2011, Anastacia announced that "Stalemate", "Safety" and "Burning Star" would all appear on her next studio project, and that further singles would follow, before the album was released in 2012.
A limited edition CD named "Welcome to My Style" was also available for free to customers who spent sixty euros or more on the clothes in November. Anastacia by s. Oliver has released a limited edition clothing line called "Limited Luxury", that was designed together with the famous brand Swarovski
. This clothing line hit the stores on November 2, 2007 and was only sold in some countries.
2006 (Europe's largest annual AIDS
charity event), Make a Difference and Challenge for the Children. Anastacia was one of the fifteen artists to record their take on a Disney song on the CD DisneyMania
. Anastacia recorded "Someday My Prince Will Come" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
. It is also included on the Collector's Edition of her second album.
In 2003, Anastacia took part in the charity event, 46664, organized by Nelson Mandela
to raise awareness of AIDS. She sang with U2
and Queen
, and also contributed to the song "Amandla", recording the song and providing some of the lyrics.
Annie Lennox
joined forces with Anastacia and 22 other female artists to raise awareness of the transmission of HIV
to unborn children in Africa. The single "Sing" was released on World Aids Day
, December 1, 2007, in conjunction with Annie Lennox's appearance at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert in South Africa.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Anastacia created "The Anastacia Fund" in partnership with Estée Lauder
. The organization helps raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of mammograms to women 35 and under. Anastacia began selling her stage clothing on eBay
, donating a portion to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
. The auctions were hosted by an eBay Trading Assistant and Certified Business Consultant. New listings began every Friday for 6 months.
In 2008, she performed at the "Pink Ribbon Gala" in Stockholm
, she appeared on "Divas II", a benefit concert along with many other female artists as well as performing at the ChildLine Concert
in Dublin.
Wayne Newton in Huatulco
, Mexico on April 21, 2007. In April 2010 it was confirmed that the two have filed a petition for divorce.
Anastacia has several tattoo
s on her back, and one below her neck saying "Forever" in an unusual font. She also has an Ankh
on her lower back, which appeared on her first album. Since it represents "eternal life", to her fans it has come to symbolize her.
Anastacia suffers from Crohn's disease
. Of her illness she says: "Bottling things up fuels the symptoms of Crohn's. I have had to learn not to be frightened of feelings. You might think it strange that I still wanted to fulfil my ambition of becoming a singer, trying to make it in a business that is so difficult and so pressurized". Anastacia also was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia
in 2008. To date she has put off surgery and instead takes medication.
because of back strain. From a routine mammogram for the surgery she discovered she had breast cancer. She immediately started and successfully completed surgery and radiotherapy. Anastacia subsequently established the Anastacia Fund to promote awareness of breast cancer among younger women.
She has attributed her health scare as being an inspiration for the sound and content of her third album. According to an interview she gave in 2005 on British music station The Box, her voice lost its power and she became unable to record and thus she spent a long time writing and trying to create a sound that she finally became happy with.
Compilations
Not That Kind
Not That Kind is the debut album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released internationally in June 2000 and in the United States and Canada on March 27, 2001. The album was primarily produced by Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, and Ric Wake, with additional production and writing from...
, released in 2000, achieved multi-platinum sales in Australia, New Zealand and much of Europe, was critically acclaimed by Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, and had the 4th biggest European single and biggest Australian single of 2000. She was awarded 'Best-selling International Artist' in 2000. Her next two albums also earned multi-platinum sales throughout Europe and Oceania making her one of the fastest and biggest-selling artists of the new millennium.
In 2005, she was recognized for worldwide sales of over 20 million albums/records.
Nicknamed "the little lady with the big voice", Anastacia is known for her powerful soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
voice, and her small stature – 5 in 2 in (157.48 cm). She was also known for her trademark glasses (often darkly tinted), but she had surgery to correct her vision permanently in August 2005.
Early life
Anastacia was born in Chicago, Illinois; her late father Robert Newkirk (of German descent) was a club-singer and her mother Diane Hurley (of Irish descent) an actress on Broadway. After her father (a sufferer of bipolar disorderBipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
) left the Newkirk family, they moved to New York City when she was a teenager. Then she enrolled at the Professional Children's School
Professional Children's School
Professional Children's School is a not for profit, college preparatory school that was founded in New York City in 1914 to provide an education to young people working on the New York stage, in Vaudeville, or "on the road."-History:...
in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
.
Anastacia soon was diagnosed with Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
when she was thirteen. The incurable bowel disease led to an operation where surgeons cut directly through her stomach muscles removing a foot of the singer's intestines, causing Anastacia to be wheelchair bound and needing to learn how to walk again. Despite her illness she soon became interested in dance. However she was frequently critiqued for being 'too large to make it in the music business'. Anastacia subsequently dieted, triggering a Crohn's relapse that caused her intestines to collapse which resulted in hospitalisation tube feeding and steroid treatments which caused hair loss, weight gain and swelling of the face.
Despite her ongoing health problems Anastacia pursued her ambitions and first gained prominence on BET
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Comic View, singing Oleta Adams
Oleta Adams
Oleta Adams is an American soul, jazz, and gospel singer and pianist.-Biography:Adams was born the daughter of a preacher and was raised with gospel music. In her youth her family moved to Yakima, Washington, which is sometimes shown as her place of birth.Before gaining her opportunity to perform,...
' "Get Here" in 1992. During the early 1990s, she appeared regularly on Club MTV
Club MTV
Club MTV was a half hour television show molded after American Bandstand that aired on MTV between the years 1985 and 1992. Club MTV was part of MTV's second generation of programming when they were phasing out the original 5 VJs and introducing new ones.-Background and format:Hosted by Downtown...
and in videos for the hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
group Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
. In 1999, she attracted the interest of record labels after making the finals of the MTV talent show The Cut
The Cut (MTV)
The Cut is a 1998 MTV talent series hosted by TLC member Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes. MTV's The Cut, was a precursor of sorts to American Idol. A handful of would-be pop stars, rappers, and rock bands competed against each other and were judged...
. Anastacia signed a contract with Daylight Records, a custom label of Sony BMG's Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in March 1999.
2000–2002: Not That Kind and Freak of Nature
Anastacia's debut album, Not That KindNot That Kind
Not That Kind is the debut album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released internationally in June 2000 and in the United States and Canada on March 27, 2001. The album was primarily produced by Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, and Ric Wake, with additional production and writing from...
, was released in 2000. The album reached the top ten in eight countries in Europe and Asia. It went four times platinum in Europe and triple platinum in Australia; her debut single, "I'm Outta Love" topped the charts in Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, peaked at number two in France, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland as well as also reaching number six both in Germany and the UK. In the U.S., it was only a minor radio hit. The second single "Not That Kind
Not That Kind (song)
"Not That Kind" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her debut album, Not That Kind . Written by Anastacia, Will Wheaton, and Marvin "Young MC" Young, the song was released as the album's second single.-Music video:...
" reached number 11 in the UK and became a Top 10 hit in Italy. It also entered the Top 20 in Switzerland and France. "Cowboys & Kisses
Cowboys & Kisses
"Cowboys and Kisses" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her album debut, Not That Kind . Written by Anastacia, JIVE, and Charlie Pennachio, the song was released as the album's third single.-Music video:...
" was released as the third single off the album, charting in the top forty in some European countries. As the last promotional only single, "Made for Lovin' You" charted in the UK at number twenty-seven and in France at number seventy-two. While "I'm Outta Love" was a top ten hit on the Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
, "Not That Kind" did not chart high on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, however in spite of this by the end of the year Anastacia would go on to be the World's Best Selling New Female Pop Artist.
Her second album, Freak of Nature
Freak of Nature
Freak of Nature is the second studio album by American recording artist Anastacia, released in Europe and the United Kingdom on November 26, 2001, and later in the United States and Australia on June 18, 2002. It was primarily produced by Ric Wake with occasional production from Sam Watters, Louis...
achieved successful sales in the U.K. where it went triple platinum as well as being a hit throughout continental Europe, however unlike her debut it did not match the same level of international success. The first single released was "Paid My Dues
Paid My Dues
"Paid My Dues" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature. Released as the album's lead single, the song was written by Anastacia herself, Greg Lawson, Damon Sharpe, and LaMenga Kafi and produced by Ric Wake, with additional production by Richie...
". The song became an overall hit, peaking in Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Switzerland, and reaching the top ten in several other mainland European countries. The second single, "One Day in Your Life
One Day in Your Life (Anastacia song)
"One Day in Your Life" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature. Co-written with and produced by Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello, the song was released as the album's second single...
", reached number eleven in the UK and the top ten in many European countries. The next single "Why'd You Lie to Me
Why'd You Lie to Me
"Why'd You Lie to Me" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature . Written by Anastacia, Damon Sharpe, Greg Lawson, Trey Parker, Damon Butler, and Canela Cox, it was released as the album's third single in September 2002. The track first appeared...
" reached the top thirty in the UK. "You'll Never Be Alone
You'll Never Be Alone
You'll Never Be Alone is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her second studio album, Freak of Nature . Co-written with and produced by Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters, the ballad was released in Europe as the album's fifth and final single in November 2002...
", the fourth single, reached number twenty-eight on the Adult Contemporary
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
chart in the U.S. When the album was finally released in the United States in May 2002, she dedicated the album to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
Lisa Lopes
Lisa Nicole Lopes better known by her stage name Left Eye, was an American rapper, singer, dancer, actress, television host, and songwriter...
, who had died in a car wreck the month before. Lopes was partly responsible for Anastacia's success, since Lisa hosted MTV's The Cut where Anastacia got her first break. Soon after she released a double disc edition featuring two bonus hits, remixes for three of the tracks on the album and two live tracks taken from a Japan gig that was performed on the September 13, 2002.
Anastacia joined Celine Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
, Shakira
Shakira
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...
, Cher
Cher
Cher is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, director, record producer and philanthropist. Referred to as the Goddess of Pop, she has won an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, three Golden Globes and a Cannes Film Festival Award among others for her work in...
, Dixie Chicks
Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks are an American country band which has also successfully crossed over into other genres. The band is composed of founding members Martie Erwin Maguire and Emily Erwin Robison, and lead singer Natalie Maines...
, and Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks
Stephanie Lynn "Stevie" Nicks is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Fleetwood Mac and an extensive solo career, which collectively have produced over forty Top 50 hits and sold over 140 million albums...
for VH1's Divas Live
VH1 Divas
In 1998, VH1 debuted the first annual VH1 Divas concert. VH1 Divas Live was created to support the channel's Save The Music Foundation and subsequent concerts in the series have also benefited that foundation. The VH1 Divas concerts aired annually from 1998 to 2004. After a five year hiatus, the...
in 2002 and she also contributed the song "Love Is a Crime" to the Chicago
Chicago (2002 film)
Chicago is a 2002 musical film adapted from the satirical stage musical of the same name, exploring the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Jazz-age Chicago....
soundtrack. The song peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart and enjoyed moderate airplay on Rhythmic/Dance format. Anastacia was also asked to sing the Official song for the 2002 Fifa World Cup and subsequently performed this at the opening ceremony.
2004–2006: Anastacia and Pieces of a Dream
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, pop, and rock. She named the album after herself.
Anastacia entered record studios in September 2003 to begin recording her next album, working with Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard
Glen Ballard is an American songwriter and record producer, best known for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill , which won Grammy Award for "Best Rock Album", and "Album of the Year" amongst others, and is ranked by the Rolling Stone amongst The 500 Greatest Albums of...
, Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin
Dallas Austin is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Some of his most notable clients include Michael Jackson, TLC, Boyz II Men, Pink, Monica, Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Stacie Orrico, Another Bad Creation, Fishbone, Sugababes, Anastacia, Namie Amuro, Kim...
, and David A. Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
for release in 2004. On the album, Anastacia also collaborated with P.O.D.
P.O.D.
Payable on Death is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Sonny Sandoval, drummer Wuv Bernardo, guitarist Marcos Curiel, and bassist Traa Daniels. Their Christian faith is an important part of their music.They have released seven studio albums and...
lead singer Sonny Sandoval
Sonny Sandoval
Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval is an American singer and rapper. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band P.O.D..-Biography:...
on the socially conscious track "I Do". The first single, released in March, was "Left Outside Alone
Left Outside Alone
"Left Outside Alone" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia, Dallas Austin, and Glen Ballard, the song was released as the album's lead single on March 15, 2004 to successful commercial performance, reaching number one in...
", which saw a change in direction for Anastacia. It was one of the biggest songs in Europe of 2004, reaching number one Austria, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland; number two in Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Norway; and number three in the United Kingdom and Hungary. The song also peaked in the Australian charts where it went on to become the countries' second biggest selling single of 2004. To date, Lefto Outside Alone is Anastacia's biggest hit.
Anastacia
Anastacia (album)
Anastacia is the eponymous third studio album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released in Europe and Australia on March 29, 2004 and in Japan on June 9, 2004...
quickly became her most successful album to date, giving her a third consecutive triple platnium album in the U.K. and reaching the top of national charts of Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia, Greece, Germany and other countries. Unlike her first two albums, which were released in her homeland of America, Anastacia was not, despite being scheduled for release on three occasions. "Left Outside Alone
Left Outside Alone
"Left Outside Alone" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia, Dallas Austin, and Glen Ballard, the song was released as the album's lead single on March 15, 2004 to successful commercial performance, reaching number one in...
" was released twice, but failed to pick up heavy airplay. It only gained sporadic Adult Contemporary and Hot AC format airplay. Again, it sparked Rhythmic/Dance format airplay and the dance mix of "Left Outside Alone" peaked at number five on the Hot Dance Club Play. After the original version of "Left Outside Alone" failed to catch on because of lukewarm promotional pushes, especially on radio, the album was postponed and eventually cancelled after the release date of August 30, 2004 passed. Anastacia released three further internationally successful singles; "Sick and Tired" (which gave her another number one in Spain and another UK top five single), "Welcome to My Truth
Welcome to My Truth
"Welcome to My Truth" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia, Kara DioGuardi, and John Shanks and released as the album's third single in Europe on November 8, 2004, the song chronicles Anastacia's strained relationship with her...
" (her best-selling hit in Spain), and the ballad "Heavy on My Heart
Heavy on My Heart
"Heavy on My Heart" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia and Billy Mann, its arrangement is built on simple guitar riffs, and its lyrics chronicle Anastacia's battle with breast cancer...
" proceeds from the sale of which went towards her Anastacia Fund (a charitable organization providing research funding
Research funding
Research funding is a term generally covering any funding for scientific research, in the areas of both "hard" science and technology and social science. The term often connotes funding obtained through a competitive process, in which potential research projects are evaluated and only the most...
for breast cancer).
A small batch of her self titled album
Anastacia (album)
Anastacia is the eponymous third studio album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released in Europe and Australia on March 29, 2004 and in Japan on June 9, 2004...
was released with a bonus DVD, Anastacia poster and slip case. The DVD includes "Making of Anastacia", "2002 Europe Promo Tour", and a photo gallery. From September 2004 to August 2005, Anastacia went on the Live at Last Tour
Live at Last Tour
The Live at Last Tour is the first concert tour by American singer-songwriter, Anastacia. The tour was in support of her third studio album, Anastacia. The show mainly reached Europe...
. By 2005 the tour was renamed to the Encore Tour. In late 2005, she released her first greatest hits collection, called Pieces of a Dream
Pieces of a Dream (album)
Pieces of a Dream is the 2005 greatest hits album by American pop singer-songwriter Anastacia, covering singles from her first three studio albums, 2000's Not That Kind, 2001's Freak of Nature, and 2004's Anastacia...
, named after a track of the same name. The album spawned the hit singles "Pieces of a Dream" which peaked at number one in Spain and the duet with Eros Ramazzotti
Eros Ramazzotti
Eros Luciano Walter Ramazzotti , known simply as Eros Ramazzotti, is an Italian singer and songwriter. Ramazzotti is enormously popular in Italy, and is well known in most non-English-speaking European countries and in the Spanish-speaking world, as he has released most of his albums in both...
, "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione)", which was a number 1 hit in Germany, Hungary, Italy and Switzerland and a huge hit throughout continental Europe. Even though Sony BMG did force her to release this collection, Anastacia has said that she is happy now that it was created as it was like a "story book", or summary of the first five years of her career.
Not long after the release of "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione)", Anastacia released her first live DVD Live at Last
Anastacia: Live at Last
Anastacia: Live at Last is a DVD collection from pop/rock music singer Anastacia, released on March 27, 2006. It is her first full live concert DVD. It includes footage from her Live at Last tour concerts in Berlin and Munich...
on March 27, 2006 in Europe. The DVD contains footage from concerts in Berlin and Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. It includes music videos to her four singles ("Left Outside Alone
Left Outside Alone
"Left Outside Alone" is a song by American recording artist Anastacia from her third studio album, Anastacia. Written by Anastacia, Dallas Austin, and Glen Ballard, the song was released as the album's lead single on March 15, 2004 to successful commercial performance, reaching number one in...
", "Everything Burns
Everything Burns
"Everything Burns" is an alternative rock song recorded by American guitarist Ben Moody and pop music singer Anastacia for the soundtrack of the film Fantastic Four...
", "Pieces of a Dream", and "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo Della Passione)", five alternative videos ("I Do", "Rearview", "Seasons Change", "Underground Army", and "Time
Time (Anastacia song)
Time is a song from the 2004 album Anastacia by American singer Anastacia. The rock-style song was popular, despite never being sung live and never being released as a single. It managed to enter the charts in some countries and reached as high as number 2 in Canada. A music video was made and...
") to songs from her self named album, and a documentary about the tour. Soon after the DVD release Anastacia took a break from the music industry and began concentrating on her growing fashion line with s.Oliver.
2007–2009: Heavy Rotation
Anastacia attended the memorial Concert for DianaConcert for Diana
Concert for Diana was a concert held at the then new Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, on 1 July 2007, which would have been her 46th birthday; 31 August that year brought the 10th anniversary of her death...
on July 1, 2007, which would have been on Diana's forty-sixth birthday. This was one of the first major events to take place in the new Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, and one of her first major appearances since she took a break from the industry. She opened the medley section of the show and she sang a rendition of "Superstar
Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar song)
"Superstar" is the title song from the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It was released as a single in 1969, before the album was completed. Sung by Murray Head with the Trinidad Singers, it reached number 78 on first release. Murray Head reached...
", from Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber is an English composer of musical theatre.Lloyd Webber has achieved great popular success in musical theatre. Several of his musicals have run for more than a decade both in the West End and on Broadway. He has composed 13 musicals, a song cycle, a set of...
's Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
, with a gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
chorus behind her.
In August 2007, a video was put on the "Anastacia by S. Oliver" web site. During the video, when Anastacia was asked about her future plans, she confirmed that she was working on a new album as well as the clothing line. A specific month of release or title was not mentioned. In November 2007, her biography on the official Anastacia website was updated to say there will be a new album in 2008, with a tour to follow. During this time Anastacia began having palpitations which she believed were simple panic attacks, she was soon diagnosed with the heart condition supraventricular tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia is a general term that refers to any rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricular tissue. Supraventricular tachycardias can be contrasted to the potentially more dangerous ventricular tachycardias - rapid rhythms that originate within the ventricular...
.
On July 24, Anastacia announced that her fourth studio album Heavy Rotation
Heavy Rotation (Anastacia album)
Heavy Rotation is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Anastacia. It is her first studio album in over four years, since her self-titled third studio album Anastacia released in 2004. According to Anastacia, the album title also has a deeper meaning to it, referring to the fact that...
would be released October 27, 2008 in Europe and Asia (and elsewhere in 2009). The new album featured collaborations with producers Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, The Heavyweights, Lester Mendez
Lester Mendez
Lester Mendez is an American record producer and songwriter. His production/writing credits include a multitude of successful hits including Shakira's "Underneath Your Clothes" and "La Tortura", Jessica Simpson's "A Public Affair", and Nelly Furtado's "Te Busqué".Mendez worked with Carlos Santana...
, J. R. Rotem
J. R. Rotem
- Early life :Rotem was born in South Africa to Israeli immigrant Jewish parents. He moved to Toronto at the age of two and finally to Moraga, California when he was twelve.Rotem's entry point into music was in receiving classical piano tuition at a young age...
, and Rodney Jerkins
Rodney Jerkins
Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins is an American songwriter, record producer, and musician. Jerkins received two Grammy nominations in 2011.-Biography:...
. The album's first single, called "I Can Feel You
I Can Feel You
"I Can Feel You" is a song by American pop singer-songwriter Anastacia from her fourth studio album, Heavy Rotation . The track was released in Europe on October 10, 2008 and in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2008 as the album's lead single...
", began playing in some radio markets on August 25, 2008. The second single from Heavy Rotation was "Absolutely Positively
Absolutely Positively
"Absolutely Positively" is the second single from American singer Anastacia's fourth studio album, Heavy Rotation. The single was released in February 2009, following a confirmation by Anastacia during a performance on This Morning on Monday, November 3, 2008. The song was produced by Chuck...
", later served as a promotional single only. The third official single from the album had been confirmed as "Defeated" and was released as a promotional single only in Europe without a music video. Her fourth studio album proved to be less successful than her previous ones; her singles failed to reach the top 40 in her most commercially successful country (UK). Anastacia however remained positive, stating that other artists have faced the same problems while changing a record label, also blaming the world economical crisis and the label's decision to alter her sound to a more 'urban feel'.
In June 2009, Anastacia began her second tour throughout Europe to promote her fourth studio album. The tour was not funded by her label, but instead the singer herself and was well received by critics and fans alike. In November and December 2009 Anastacia, Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
and Lulu
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
were headlining the Here Come the Girls a special Christmas concert that visited the United Kingdom only. On December 7, 2009 Anastacia opened the annual Royal Variety Performance
Royal Variety Performance
The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held annually in the United Kingdom, which is attended by senior members of the British Royal Family, usually the reigning monarch. In more recent years Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have alternately attended the performance...
with Lulu
Lulu (singer)
Lulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
and Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
performing a rendition of "Relight My Fire
Relight My Fire
"Relight My Fire" is a popular song which was written and released by Dan Hartman in 1979, when it topped the U.S. dance-music charts for six weeks...
".
2009-present: Fifth Studio Album and Future Ventures
In October 2009, Anastacia released a collaborative single with British band Ben's BrotherBen's Brother
Ben's Brother is a five-piece band from the UK, headed by founder Jamie Hartman. Their band was named after Jamie's big brother Ben, in whose shadow he lived as a teenager...
, entitled "Stalemate
Stalemate (song)
"Stalemate" is a song by the English band Ben's Brother from their second studio album, Battling Giants. Released as the album's third single on October 26, 2009, the album version of the song features Joss Stone, while the single version features Anastacia...
", which was included on the band's album Battling Giants. In March 2010, Anastacia began recording her fifth studio album. Around this time, she also headlined several shows at Art on Ice, in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
, the Hallenstadion
Hallenstadion
The Hallenstadion is a multi-purpose facility, in the Swiss city of Zurich.Designed by Bruno Giacometti, it opened on July 18, 1939, and was renovated in 2005....
and Lausanne
Lausanne
Lausanne is a city in Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and is the capital of the canton of Vaud. The seat of the district of Lausanne, the city is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva . It faces the French town of Évian-les-Bains, with the Jura mountains to its north-west...
. Her official website stated about the show: "In a unique, groundbreaking combination of Olympic-level figure skating and smash hit pop, the music of Anastacia will soundtrack and seamlessly inspire a performance from some of the world's best figure skaters, perfectly choreographed to complement her hits." During this time Anastacia also became one of the main judges on British talent series Don't Stop Believing
Don't Stop Believing
Don't Stop Believing is a British television talent show that aired on Channel 5 in summer 2010. It was inspired by the musical comedy-drama Glee, which airs in the United States on the Fox network. The series featured live shows in which musical performance groups competed against each other, with...
, a contest inspired by the musical comedy-drama Glee
Glee (TV series)
Glee is an American musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States, and on GlobalTV in Canada. It focuses on the high school glee club New Directions competing on the show choir competition circuit, while its members deal with relationships, sexuality and social issues...
. Following Stalemate, Anastacia released "Safety", a multi-language duet with Russian singer Dima Bilan
Dima Bilan
' is a Russian actor and pop singer . Bilan represented Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with "Never Let You Go", finishing second, and he won the contest in 2008 in Belgrade, with the song "Believe". He has had several Russian no. 1 hits....
, was recorded in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in May 2010. The song was performed live for the first time at the Muz-TV
Muz-TV
Muz-TV is a Russian music TV channel, broadcasting since 1996. It is largely modelled after western MTV and predates launching of MTV Russia in 1998. Muz TV was founded by Sergey Lisovskiy...
Music Awards Moscow in June 2010. The song was released as a single in the Russian Federation in August 2010. On August 13, Anastacia announced that she would be join Belgian singer Natalia Druyts for a joint tour, Natalia Meets Anastacia, for six arena shows which were performed at the Sportpaleis, Belgium. On August 17, Natalia and Anastacia recorded a collaborative single, "Burning Star
Burning Star (song)
"Burning Star" is a pop duet recorded by Belgian singer Natalia and American singer Anastacia, used to promote their concert series Natalia Meets Anastacia. The single was produced by Hans Francken and written by Luke Boyd, Micah Otano and Mike Barkulis. The song premiered on 17 September 2010 on...
", that was released on September 17, 2010, as promotion for the concert series. On November 13, Anastacia became the first international singer ever to perform a concert in Northern Cyprus. In February
February
February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is the shortest month and the only month with fewer than 30 days. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years...
2011, Anastacia was a guest at the Gigi D'Alessio
Gigi d'Alessio
Luigi "Gigi" D'Alessio is an Italian popular singer and Neapolitan singer-songwriter.-Career:D'Alessio was born in Naples. Well-known in Naples beginning in the early 1990s and throughout Italy due to participation in the Sanremo Festival in 2000 and 2001. He has also made overseas appearances,...
concert at Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall
Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue located in New York City's Rockefeller Center. Its nickname is the Showplace of the Nation, and it was for a time the leading tourist destination in the city...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, performing as an opening act. In June 2011, Anastacia announced that "Stalemate", "Safety" and "Burning Star" would all appear on her next studio project, and that further singles would follow, before the album was released in 2012.
Fashion brand
Anastacia by s. Oliver is a clothing collection released in late 2006 by Anastacia and German clothing company s. Oliver. She had said that she long wanted to release a clothing line:A limited edition CD named "Welcome to My Style" was also available for free to customers who spent sixty euros or more on the clothes in November. Anastacia by s. Oliver has released a limited edition clothing line called "Limited Luxury", that was designed together with the famous brand Swarovski
Swarovski
Swarovski is the brand name for a range of precisely-cut crystal and related luxury products produced by Swarovski AG of Wattens, Austria...
. This clothing line hit the stores on November 2, 2007 and was only sold in some countries.
Philanthropy
During her years of success, Anastacia has supported many charity events such as Life BallLife Ball
The Life Ball in Vienna is the biggest charity event in Europe supporting people with HIV or AIDS. The event is organized by the non-profit organization AIDS LIFE, which was founded in 1992 by Gery Keszler and Torgom Petrosian....
2006 (Europe's largest annual AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
charity event), Make a Difference and Challenge for the Children. Anastacia was one of the fifteen artists to record their take on a Disney song on the CD DisneyMania
DisneyMania
Disneymania is the first of a series of albums released by Walt Disney Records featuring various musical artists performing Disney songs. The original album, released on September 17, 2002, featured contemporary Disney classics...
. Anastacia recorded "Someday My Prince Will Come" from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated film based on Snow White, a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full...
. It is also included on the Collector's Edition of her second album.
In 2003, Anastacia took part in the charity event, 46664, organized by Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
to raise awareness of AIDS. She sang with U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
and Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
, and also contributed to the song "Amandla", recording the song and providing some of the lyrics.
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
joined forces with Anastacia and 22 other female artists to raise awareness of the transmission of HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
to unborn children in Africa. The single "Sing" was released on World Aids Day
World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day, observed December 1 every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. Government and health officials observe the day, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an...
, December 1, 2007, in conjunction with Annie Lennox's appearance at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert in South Africa.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Anastacia created "The Anastacia Fund" in partnership with Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder Companies
Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. is a manufacturer and marketer of prestige skincare, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The company has its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.-History:...
. The organization helps raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of mammograms to women 35 and under. Anastacia began selling her stage clothing on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
, donating a portion to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime by providing critical funding for innovative clinical and translational research at leading medical centers worldwide, an...
. The auctions were hosted by an eBay Trading Assistant and Certified Business Consultant. New listings began every Friday for 6 months.
In 2008, she performed at the "Pink Ribbon Gala" in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, she appeared on "Divas II", a benefit concert along with many other female artists as well as performing at the ChildLine Concert
ChildLine Concert
The ChildLine Concert is an annual pop music charity event which has taken place in Ireland since 1997. As the name suggests the money raised by the concert is donated to the young person's charity, ChildLine and many of the attendants are also children...
in Dublin.
Personal life
Anastacia married her bodyguardBodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
Wayne Newton in Huatulco
Huatulco
Huatulco , centered on the town of La Crucecita, is a tourist development in Mexico. It is located on the Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco's tourism industry is centered on its nine bays thus the name Bahias de Huatulco but has since been unofficially shortened to simply Huatulco...
, Mexico on April 21, 2007. In April 2010 it was confirmed that the two have filed a petition for divorce.
Anastacia has several tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
s on her back, and one below her neck saying "Forever" in an unusual font. She also has an Ankh
Ankh
The ankh , also known as key of life, the key of the Nile or crux ansata, was the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character that read "eternal life", a triliteral sign for the consonants ʻ-n-ḫ...
on her lower back, which appeared on her first album. Since it represents "eternal life", to her fans it has come to symbolize her.
Anastacia suffers from Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
. Of her illness she says: "Bottling things up fuels the symptoms of Crohn's. I have had to learn not to be frightened of feelings. You might think it strange that I still wanted to fulfil my ambition of becoming a singer, trying to make it in a business that is so difficult and so pressurized". Anastacia also was diagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia is a general term that refers to any rapid heart rhythm originating above the ventricular tissue. Supraventricular tachycardias can be contrasted to the potentially more dangerous ventricular tachycardias - rapid rhythms that originate within the ventricular...
in 2008. To date she has put off surgery and instead takes medication.
Cancer diagnosis
In January 2003, Anastacia decided to have her breasts reducedBreast reduction
Reduction mammoplasty is the plastic surgery procedure for correcting over-sized breasts...
because of back strain. From a routine mammogram for the surgery she discovered she had breast cancer. She immediately started and successfully completed surgery and radiotherapy. Anastacia subsequently established the Anastacia Fund to promote awareness of breast cancer among younger women.
She has attributed her health scare as being an inspiration for the sound and content of her third album. According to an interview she gave in 2005 on British music station The Box, her voice lost its power and she became unable to record and thus she spent a long time writing and trying to create a sound that she finally became happy with.
Discography
Studio albums- 2000: Not That KindNot That KindNot That Kind is the debut album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released internationally in June 2000 and in the United States and Canada on March 27, 2001. The album was primarily produced by Sam Watters, Louis Biancaniello, and Ric Wake, with additional production and writing from...
- 2001: Freak of NatureFreak of NatureFreak of Nature is the second studio album by American recording artist Anastacia, released in Europe and the United Kingdom on November 26, 2001, and later in the United States and Australia on June 18, 2002. It was primarily produced by Ric Wake with occasional production from Sam Watters, Louis...
- 2004: AnastaciaAnastacia (album)Anastacia is the eponymous third studio album by American recording artist Anastacia. It was released in Europe and Australia on March 29, 2004 and in Japan on June 9, 2004...
- 2008: Heavy RotationHeavy Rotation (Anastacia album)Heavy Rotation is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Anastacia. It is her first studio album in over four years, since her self-titled third studio album Anastacia released in 2004. According to Anastacia, the album title also has a deeper meaning to it, referring to the fact that...
Compilations
- 2005: Pieces of a DreamPieces of a Dream (album)Pieces of a Dream is the 2005 greatest hits album by American pop singer-songwriter Anastacia, covering singles from her first three studio albums, 2000's Not That Kind, 2001's Freak of Nature, and 2004's Anastacia...
Tours
- 2004–05: Live at Last TourLive at Last TourThe Live at Last Tour is the first concert tour by American singer-songwriter, Anastacia. The tour was in support of her third studio album, Anastacia. The show mainly reached Europe...
- 2009: Heavy Rotation TourHeavy Rotation TourThe Heavy Rotation Tour is the second concert tour by American singer-songwriter Anastacia in support of her fourth studio album Heavy Rotation which was released in 2008. The tour visited Europe.- Background :...
- 2009–10: Here Come the Girls
Filmography
| Year | Film/TV | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ally McBeal Ally McBeal Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia... |
Herself | Episodes: The Getaway Ally McBeal Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia... and Queen Bee Ally McBeal Ally McBeal is an American legal comedy-drama series which aired on the Fox network from 1997 to 2002. The series was created by David E. Kelley, who also served as the executive producer, along with Bill D'Elia... |
| 2002 | I Love the '80s I Love the '80s I Love the '80s is a decade nostalgia television program that was produced by VH1, based on the BBC series of the same name. The first episode, "I Love 1980", premiered on December 16, 2002.-Recurring segments:... |
Herself | |
| 2009 | X Factor X Factor (Italy) X Factor is a successful TV show airing on prime time in Italy. The singing competition is the Italian version of The X Factor franchise... |
Herself | Guest Judge |
| 2011 | All You Can Dream | Anastacia | post-production |
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
External links
- Anastacia.com — Anastacia's official website
- Anastacia at Allmusic
- Anastacia at BillboardBillboard (magazine)Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
- Anastacia on TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
- Anastacia on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....