Profile: Heather Headley

HEATHER HEADLEY

In 1997, Heather won the role of Nala in the original Broadway cast of the Elton John and Tim Rice’s hit Tony winning musical The Lion King. While still in The Lion King, she was asked to audition for the title role in the writing duo’s next Broadway venture together, Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida. Her portrayal of the Nubian princess, Aida, won her the praise of critics and the prestigious Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. In addition to other awards, she also received the coveted Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.

Heather continued her musical success on the pop charts with her 2002 debut album on RCA Records, This Is Who I Am. Heather earned numerous accolades for This Is Who I Am, including Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

In 2007, Headley toured with Andrea Bocelli throughout Europe. Later in 2009 Heather released Audience of One for which she won the Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. She has performed on numerous daytime and late night shows, including The View, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and The Late Show with David Letterman. From November 2012 until August 2013, Headley played the role of Rachel Marron, in the musical adaptation of Whitney Houston’s 1992 movie, The Bodyguard at London’s Adelphi Theatre. She was nominated for an Olivier Award and a What’s On Stage Award for this performance. In 2016 Heather made a triumphant return to Broadway playing Shug Avery in The Color Purple. Since 2017, Headley has been co-starring as Dr. Jamison in Spike Lee’s Netflix reboot TV series of She’s Gotta Have It. In 2018 she has a recurring role in this season’s Chicago Med.