Whether you are a 2000s kid or just want to take a trip down memory lane, here is our list of the 100+ best female singers of the 2000s. The 40 Best British Actresses Working Today - IMDb Whenever, Wherever her English-language debut gained massive success in the U.S. market. O'Grady is also well known for her lead roles in a number of television movies. Barbara Niven was born on February 26, 1953 in Portland, Oregon, USA. From indie muse to in-demand actress, Chloe Sevigny has long been a player in the Hollywood game. She released iconic alt-rock singles, such as Everywhere and All You Wanted, propelling her to stardom in the teen pop era. She is an actress and writer, known for The Vanishing (1993), Cutter's Way (1981) and The Europeans (1979). The blues is a genre of music that has its origins in the African-American experience. She died on August 7, 2016 in New York City, New York, USA. The 2000s saw a continued rise in the popularity of Christian music, with artists like Hillsong United, Casting Crowns, and MercyMe finding crossover success. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! Im Dan and I run this website. So what does that mean for the future of the genre? Miley Cyrus starred in the hit Disney TV show Hannah Montana. Her sophomore album, Stripped, achieved massive success with its inspirational ballad Beautiful, and the high-sexualized Dirrty. Her reliable vocal range and ambitious music are what separated her from her female counterparts, making her the true pop diva of her time. Her mother is one of 9 children! Early, Mid, and Late 2000s Female Singers, 10 Best Karaoke Duet Songs: Immortal Songs For Male, Female & Couples, Top 10 Reasons Why Rock Music Is The Best, What is Metal music? "I tried to get in the theatre department," she says, "but it was full." The scene was thriving, with clubs and venues all over the country showcasing jazz talent. After briefly romancing Heath Ledger shortly before his 2008 death, Gemma found love again: She and partner David Letts have three children. As a toddler, she was already a compulsive performer, re-enacting TV commercials for her family's amusement, but she decided to American actress and political activist Ashley Judd was born Ashley Tyler Ciminella on April 19, 1968, in Granada Hills, California. She has an older brother, Ivor Francis, and a younger brother, Kenneth Francis, and a half-sister, Shelley Francis. She is an actress, known for The Princess Diaries (2001), Under Siege 2: Dark Territory (1995) and Valentine's Day (2010). No matter what the cause may be, theres no doubt that women are now calling the shots when it comes to pop music. Not all popular 2000s celebs have gone on to such success in subsequent years. It reached number one on the Billboard charts then eventually achieved four-time platinum status. Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images Hilton starred on the reality TV show "The Simple Life" with Nicole Richie from 2003 to 2007, in which the pair traded their luxe lifestyles for everyday jobs. And when it comes to women in alternative music, they are often celebrated for their unabashed individuality and their refusal to be pigeonholed into any one genre. After the show ended, Richie focused on music and acting. She is an actress, known for Flash Gordon (1980), Speed Zone (1989) and Dead & Buried (1981). Hilary Duff first experienced stardom as the title character of the hit-Disney T.V. Later, she attended the Acting Conservatory of the State New York at Purchase, from which she graduated in 1989 with a B.F.A. Norah Jones mesmerized the nineties with her enchanting vocals and her musical miscellany of pop, jazz, country, soul, and folk. Her song Hoy No Quiero was especially popular and nominated for Latin Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. She is the only performer to debut in the number one position on the charts with their first six studio albums. Elsewhere (1982). Maximum 100 Persons. In the last few years alone, weve seen the likes of Adele, Ellie Goulding, and Florence + The Machine achieve massive success both in the UK and overseas. She is the only child of Avner Hershlag, an Israeli-born doctor, and Shelley Stevens, an Named one of People Magazine's highly-coveted 50 Most Beautiful in 2014, Haitian-born actress Garcelle Beauvais immigrated to the United States at the age of seven with her mother and sisters, and has since charmed audiences with her dramatic and comedic abilities. They brought a more soulful sound to mainstream pop music. She still often sings at sports events and any other opportunities that arise. These singers included Julieta Venegas, Paulina Rubio, and Maite Perroni. The following year, Lohan transformed into a bold and damaged siren with her sophomore album A Little More Personal (Raw), which was certified gold.. Her parents were hotel agents in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. Her career began where she grew up in McComb, Mississippi. Britneys fame was so electric that shes still constantly in the news today, even though she hasnt released any new singles for a number of years. Her Scottish mother, Margaret (Hutton), worked as a secretary, and her English father, Nathaniel Smith, was a teacher at Oxford University. "I was twelve but looked like an eight-year-old boy" she recalls. series, Lizzie McGuire. However, it was in 2003 when she became a bona fide pop star through her debut album Metamorphosis. True enough, it was a reinvention for Duff as she offered a hipper sound and dynamic sound compared to what she has done in the series. The story of Amy Winehouse is one of a meteoric ascent to stardom and a tragic ending. Bradley Cooper told a bit of a lie to land his role on 'Sex and the Jennifer Cooke was born on September 19, 1964 in New York, USA. Her father, Julio Enrique Vergara Robayo, provides cattle to the meat industry. 12 Popular Actresses From the Early 2000s Who Suddenly Disappeared From A few of the blonde actresses of the early 2000s, such as Amanda Bynes, have opted to take a step back from the spotlight. No matter what era you explore in music history, there are always going to be amazing female singers. She is of German and English ancestry, including descent from Mayflower passengers. Celebrities born in 2000 including Addison Rae, Baby Ariel, Ice Spice, Maverick Baker, Lil Pump and many more. 101 Best Actors of the 2000's by daizybug | created - 01 Apr 2012 | updated - 02 Apr 2012 | Public Sort by: View: 101 names 1. In 2009, she retired from acting and modeling to focus on her personal life. Dan Farrant, the founder of Hello Music Theory, has been teaching music for over 15 years, helping hundreds of thousands of students unlock the joy of music. Dido was already world-famous, but when Eminem sampled Thank You in his explosive hit, Stan, Dido became a household name, and her lyrics were sung by a whole new legion of fans. She grew up in Long Beach with her parents and her brothers, professional cyclist Todd (born August 1, 1968) and Schyler (born May 10, 1977). Admittedly, the brand of the sultry, All-American bombshell has served Julie Michaels well in her acting career. All of the above? Shes also a proud Christian and is married to Shaun Morgan of the alternative band, Seether. Be it with their debut album or their follow-up albums, these ladies brought something new and fresh to the table, giving some of the best hits of the decade. Even now, her bouffant hairstyle is recognizable. She is an actress and director, known for Vegas Vacation (1997), Where's Daddy! Top 10 Celebrity Fashion Icons of the 2000s - College Fashion This was largely due to the crossover success of Shania Twain, who brought country music to a mainstream audience. Over the years, Janet Gunn has become quite an American success story. According to "Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, who appeared on . Addison Rae, 22 TikTok Star. These women were not only successful musicians but also influential feminist icons, helping to break down barriers for women in the music industry. As a child, Britney attended dance classes, and she was great at gymnastics, winning many competitions and the like. The label also aids in the preservation of traditional weaving in Ethiopia. So, if you are looking for a list of the best British female singers of the 2000s, here it is. She is an active sports enthusiast and has been involved in many professional sports, including the arena of competitive martial arts, and has developed her talents as a weapons, sparring and forms champion. 25 Famous 2000s Heartthrobs: Then and Now PHOTOS - Cosmopolitan The native New Yorker was born Bonnie Bedelia Culkin on March 25, 1948, the daughter of Phillip Harley Culkin, a journalist, and Marian Ethel Wagner Culkin, a writer and editor. Rebecca would appear on Rebecca Ferratti was born in the "Big Sky Country," Montana. Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams. charmed viewers when she appeared on "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" from 2004 to 2005 and "The Hills" from 2006 to 2009. They have three children. Born in the 2000s | Famous Birthdays Fergie is perhaps best known as a singer in the band Black Eyed Peas. And while its hard to say which gender has had the most influence on these changes, its hard to argue against the idea that females have had a large impact on pop music in recent years. She is also a member of the Actor's Studio in New York City. Her debut solo album Love. Even though she was already a star, her first release didnt rocket up the charts, perhaps limited in appeal due to its Christmas theme. Her parents are Olympic long-jump skier Keith Wegeman and actress Judy Lang; her grandfather was Academy Award-winning cinematographer Charles Lang. Her breakout song " Hit Me Baby One More Time " and the follow-up " Oops I Did It Again " are synonymous with the early noughties. While her next records, Harmonium and Heroes & Thieves, were not as successful as her first, her first single was enough to make her name shine in the 2000s. Kari Samantha Wuhrer was born on April 28, 1967 in Brookfield, Connecticut, the daughter of Karin, a payroll officer and Andrew, a former police officer and car salesman. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)," "Smoove Jones" and 2018's "TKO (The Knock Out)." Kathleen Beller was born on February 19, 1956 in Queens, New York, USA. With 331 million followers on Instagram and 73.8 million followers on Twitter, Kardashian leveraged her social media empire to launch her cosmetics line, KKW Beauty, in 2017, and her shapewear line, Skims, in 2019. More recently, she starred on Hulu's "The Girl From Plainville" alongside Elle Fanning. Dido was born in Kensington, England, on Christmas Day in 1971. From 2012 to 2019, Lucy Liu was back on TV as Joan Watson on the Sherlock Holmes-inspired TV series "Elementary." These singers all achieved massive success both commercially and critically. As the genre evolved, so did the role of women, with bands like Heart and The Runaways paving the way for female rockers in the 1970s. It spent almost a year in the top ten of the record charts on the success of songs like Bring Me to Life and My Immortal. Here's a list of the best female pop artists that reigned supreme in the 2000s. 2000s Star You Loved: Ben McKenzie. She'll next appear in the 2023 DC superhero flick "Shazam! Linda Blair Actress | The Exorcist From the age of five, Linda Blair had to get used to the spotlight, first as a child model and then as an actress, when out of 600 applicants she was picked for the role of Regan, the possessed child, in The Exorcist (1973). Blacks have had a long and storied history in the music industry. "I'm happy that I got all of that out of my system and I don't really care for going to clubs anymore," she told the Wall Street Journal in 2021. Who remembers this beautiful R&B singer? Rosalind Allen (born Rosalind Ingledew) hails from New Zealand and studied acting there before coming to the United States. However, at its core, Christian music is music that is inspired by or based on the teachings of Christianity. So what's this California girl up to nowadays? Mya who sang the hook on Pras's hit track "Ghetto Supastar (That Is What You Are)" in 1998 released her self-titled debut album the same year and achieved even greater success in 2001 when she collaborated with music stars Christina Aguilera, Pink and Lil' Kim on the track "Lady Marmalade" for the Academy Award-winning musical-drama "Moulin Rouge!" She auditioned for a revival of the Mickey Mouse Club, and despite her rejection for that role, she caught the eye of talent scouts and, as the saying goes, the rest is history. The shows successful run included number-one hits for Cyrus, singing as the lead character of the same name. That said, here are some of the best female punk rockers of the 2000s: How do you define hot? When her first album, The Dutchess, hit the charts in 2006, her powerful voice and fun-loving spirit were apparent. The 100+ Most Beautiful '90s Female Celebrities, Ranked By Fans So what is she up to today? There are many great female singers out there but these 10 mentioned below are what we consider to be the best of the best. Her debut album Let Go sold millions of copies and became one of the best selling albums in 2002. She was previously married to Tom Fontana. Andrea Alexis Parker learned to walk on the sand in Newport Beach, California. 10 on Forbes' list of the world's highest earning supermodels. She has been married to Simon McCoy since October 9, 2021. She moved to New York to attend the Juilliard and appeared in the Broadway cast of "A Few Good Men" where she won two theater awards (Theatre World and Outer Critics Circle Ana Alicia Ortiz Torres is a Mexican actress, she was born in Mexico City, Mexico on December 12, 1956. From Patti Smith to riot grrrls like Bikini Kill, female punk rockers have always been determined to make their voices heard. She was previously married to Mykelti Williamson. She was previously married to Sander Cary Zagzebski. Vanessa Carlton is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. She went to UCLA to study biology/ pre-medicine, but she dropped out to become a model in Japan. Actress Jacqueline Obradors is currently enjoying the success of her latest feature, 'Palm Springs,' in which she appears with Andy Samberg and Oscar-winner JK Simmons. Big in 2000: Flashback to the Year's Biggest Stars | EW.com Zarinah Reed Actress | Snowfall Zarinah Reed is known for Snowfall (2017) and Insecure (2016). From being the lively lead singer of No Doubt, Gwen Stefani went into a solo career during the bands hiatus and reached new heights. She studied ballet, but it was stripping that started her on her road to superstardom. Their album Riot!, released in 2007, exploded onto the pop music scene when she was only nineteen. Eva likes to ride horses and has shown horses for over a decade Emily Procter is a native of Raleigh, N.C. who attended East Carolina University. With that being said, here are 10 of the most successful alternative female singers of the 2000s. The top hits from that album, Misery Business and Thats What You Get, saw the band rise in influence and fame, and brought stardom to Williams. Hilary Duff released her first studio album in 2002 when she was only 15. In the United States, folk music became popular in the early 20th century, thanks to artists like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. She is one of six children born to an Italian hairdresser father and an Irish mother who managed a pediatrician's office. The series, which followed her marriage to boybander Nick Lachey, captivated viewers for three seasons and turned Jessica into a household name thanks to her lovable gaffes like thinking tuna was chicken. She is the eldest daughter in a family of four girls and one boy. in Theatre from the University of California at Santa Cruz and her M.F.A. 250 list of female actors - IMDb Others say that its simply a reflection of changing cultural values, as society becomes more comfortable with powerful women in positions of authority. Welcome to Hello Music Theory! But once you hear her voice, youll recognize the lead singer of the symphonic metal band Evanescence. Her striking spiked haircut and tough, punk attitude isnt part of an act. and grunge rock: the 1990s. Powerful Women of the Decade 2000 - 2009 Sonia Sotomayor at formal investiture as justice of the US Supreme Court, September 8, 2009. Stacy knew that she wanted to act, and from an early age began to act professionally. Los Angeles native Kate Bosworth rose to stardom appearing in 1998's "The Horse Whisperer" and 2000's "Remember the Titans" then led a film when she portrayed a humble and aspiring professional surfer in 2002's "Blue Crush." Here are some more Mexican female singers that achieved success in the 2000s: Females in punk rock have always been at the forefront of the genre, both in terms of performing and songwriting. Linda quickly rose to international fame, won the Golden Globe, and seemed. Lil Pump, 22 Rapper. What a motley crew! She continued to spawn hits, through her uniqueness that most anchored on her ear of cryptic yet enchanting melodies. She was educated at a private bilingual Spanish/ Salma Hayek was born on September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico. She later took drama lessons when she was in high school. He plays the guitar, piano, bass guitar and double bass and loves teaching music theory. Theres no question that pop music has changed a great deal in the last few decades. I . The 10 Most Iconic Movie Actresses Of The 2000s - Screen Rant Born in Three Rivers, California, beautiful and sensual actress, Rochelle Swanson has starred in several B-Movies low cost films of various genres among which we can remember: Secret Games 3 (1994), Night Fire (1994), Droid Gunner (1995), Deadly Outbreak (1995), Within the Lines (1996), Walnut Creek Sara Suzanne Brown is known for The Last Boy Scout (1991), Lover's Leap (1995) and The Bikini Carwash Company II (1993). After a six-year hiatus, Gemma Ward made her return to the runway in September 2014 when she walked for Prada during Milan Fashion Week. In 2020, she released a handful of singles and the same year made headlines when a photo of her in wedding dress surfaced, sparking speculation she'd eloped with a mystery man. She is an actress and producer, known for Friends (1994), Loverboy (1989) and Baywatch (1989). 2000s fashion is often described as a global mash up, where trends saw the fusion of vintage styles, global and ethnic clothing (e.g. The Australian singer Kylie Minogue rocked the hit charts with her catchy and inescapable hit Cant Get You Out Of My Head in 2001. Jason Lives: Friday the 13th Part VI. Favorite B List Actresses - IMDb She brought a fresher sense in the industry, providing a perfect blend of electro, R&B, and J-pop. Halle Maria Berry was born Maria Halle Berry on August 14, 1966 in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Oakwood, Ohio to Judith Ann Berry (ne Hawkins), a psychiatric nurse & Jerome Jesse Berry, a hospital attendant. She started acting early in the decade then started up a relationship with the ultimate aughts heartthrob, Jude Law, in 2003 while co-starring in the movie "Alfie." She is an actress and writer, known for General Hospital (1963), Dynasty (1981) and Goliath Awaits (1981). Well, we will leave that up to you to decide. She has continued modeling for brands like Savage X Fenty, Skims, and Valentino, but says she's left her partying days behind. Fury of the Gods." Regardless of when they emerged, all these singers had one thing in common: they were able to find success in a male-dominated industry. Meryl Streep Actress | Out of Africa Considered by many critics to be the greatest living actress, Meryl Streep has been nominated for the Academy Award an astonishing 21 times, and has won it three times. While other performers are centering on the R&B style, Pink forged her own identity in the music scene by touting a distinct blend of pop and rock-influenced vocals. She is an actress and director, known for Yes, Dear (2000), Pay It Forward (2000) and Sirens (1993). She went on to become the youngest model to ever be featured on the cover of American Vogue and was declared by Vogue Paris to be one of the top models of the aughts. 100+ Best Female Singers of the 2000s ( Ultimate List ) Her voice stands on its own and shines on tracks like Pieces of Me, her most prominent hit. Some of these women include Esperanza Spalding, Ccile McLorin Salvant, Tia Fuller, and Roberta Gambarini. She became an instant pop star, mainly due to her witty, poetic prowess, and sexy persona powered by electrifying belly dance moves. To celebrate these women, in this post, were going to take a look at the lives and careers of 15 of the greatest and most famous female singers of the 2000s. While she was already a successful producer, giving smash to Tweet and Aaliyah, she made a mark for herself through her own hit singles, such as Get Ur Freak On, Gossip Folks, Work It and Back In The Day with Jay Z. Feminizing pop-punk and sporting an anti-starlet image, Avril Lavigne rose to stardom in the 2000s through her debut single Complicated. She deviated from the usual glamor of conventional pop and brought her own skatepunk personality. 25 ICONIC 2000s Fashion Trends & Outfits (Popular In 2023) - The VOU Since 2019, she's starred on the dark-comedy anthology series "Why Women Kill." While many remember her from her time on the hit TV series "Ally McBeal," which saw her earn a best supporting actress in a comedy Emmy, Lucy Liu also made a major impression when she starred as Alex Munday in the "Charlie's Angels" films in 2000 and 2003. After living in Mexico City, where she did Spanish commercials, she moved to Los Angeles. The dawn of the new millennium saw drastic shifts in attitudes, categories, which brought music into new directions. Lindsay Lohan is returning to acting with a new Netflix deal. They often performed songs in Spanish and English, and their music videos were popular on MTV Latino. The Most Beautiful Women Of The 2000s - Ranker Shue's parents divorced while Emma Samms was born on August 28, 1960 in London, England, UK. At age 8, Britney tried out for The Lorissa McComas was born on November 26, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. Her incredibly graphic fight scene with Keanu Reeves in Kathryn Kelly Lynch was born in 1959 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ", Lohan took a break from acting in the 2010s, moving abroad and opening beach clubs in Mykonos and Rhodes. 15 Biggest Stars of the 2000s - IMDb Her willingness to challenge some of the expectations for a female singer has helped inspire a whole new generation of female singers and songwriters. She started her acting career with a small job at the Guthrie Theater. Theyre also a major force in terms of sales; in fact, some of the biggest alternative hits have been performed by women. Actress | Following that role, she appeared in more movies of the aughts including "Wonderland," "Beyond the Sea" and "Superman Returns." She studied acting at age 13 at the Wooster School, and headed to New York City to do rounds of Scarlett Ingrid Johansson was born on November 22, 1984 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. If you grew up during the aughts, you'll remember there were a slew of female celebrities be it models, actresses or musicians who had major moments. Today, she continues to be a prominent female figure in the music industry. She was born and raised in the Bronx.You Olivia Brown was born on April 10, 1960 in Livonia, Michigan, USA. Britney Spears 2002 MTV Video Music Awards | Photo Credit: Wild1 / PR Photos Britney Spears was already a pop star from the 1990s, but she hit mega-celebrity status in the early 2000s thanks to hits like "Oops, I Did It Again" and "Toxic" soaring through the pop charts. Blue-eyed brunette Meg Foster was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1948 to David and Nancy. After, began her acting career appearing mainly in films, such as the Holly Floria thrilling mystery Bikini Island (1991), the Jeff Wincott action flick Mission of Actress | "As luck would have it, none of the boys in town could sing, so I got the part and wore Barbara Bosson, who earned an Emmy Award nomination for her performance on Murder One (1995), was raised in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, a small coal-mining town about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh. And in the 2000s, we saw a new generation of folk singers carrying on the tradition. in 2007 in the wake of a sex tape scandal involving Kardashian's ex-boyfriend, Ray J. After a late-90s breakthrough, Christina Aguilera continued to shine in the new millennium. By using the site, you agree to the uses of cookies and other technology as outlined in our Policy, and to our Terms of Use, Lauren Conrad affectionately known to MTV reality fans as "L.C." Mary McCormack began her acting career performing in a stage production of Gian Carlo Menotti's Christmas opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors". She is an actress and producer, known for The Cosby Show (1984), House of Payne (2006) and Madea Goes to Jail (2009). Her hit song Thank You helped propel the No Angel album to the top of the charts, selling more than 20 million records and earning Dido commercial success. Country music has been around for centuries, with both male and female artists taking the stage. She has four siblings and grew up in Rowayton, Connecticut. She also released her debut album "Paris," featuring the hit single "Stars Are Blind," in 2006, as well as lines of perfume, jewelry, and purses. Michael Kovac / Getty Images for Furtuna Skin. Her music has enjoyed worldwide success, with millions of records sold globally. The recent BBC series Celebrity: A 21st-Century Story also features interviews with Kerry Katona and Charlotte Church, both . RELATED: Most beloved female characters on 2000s teen dramas. But through it all, these ladies persevered and rose to the top, giving us some of the best music of the decade. However, in the early 2000s, the genre began to see an influx of successful female artists. Chloe Sevigny has worked steadily since the aughts, appearing in projects including the films "Lovelace," "The Wait" and "Antibirth" and television shows like "Portlandia," "The Mindy Project," "Those Who Kill," "American Horror Story" and "Bloodline." The 200 Best Actresses Today | Top Current Actress List - Ranker She started her music education at the University of North Texas, majoring in voice and piano, and then moved to New York City to continue her studies. Sonia Sotomayor was born in New York in 1954 to immigrant parents from Puerto Rico, and received a law degree from Yale Law School in 1979. The pop star topped charts that year with . popular trending video trivia random. She is an actress and writer, known for General Hospital (1963), Santa Barbara (1984) and Babylon 5 (1993). Music. 1. Since then, many other females have achieved success in country music. Paris Hilton hosts a podcast and advocates for ending abuse at youth residential treatment centers. A seasoned actress, Garcelle Lela Rochon was born on April 17, 1964 in Los Angeles, California, USA. The 2000s was a great time for jazz music. From the age of five, Linda Blair had to get used to the spotlight, first as a child model and then as an actress, when out of 600 applicants she was picked for the role of Regan, the possessed child, in The Exorcist (1973). Dancing led to nude modeling, and by her 20th birthday she had appeared in Chandra West was born in Alberta, Canada, the youngest of nine children. RELATED: Taylor Kitsch and more '00s crushes: See them then and now. In her early career, she was a member of the trio Destinys Child as the featured lead singer. When she separated from that group, her 2003 debut album Dangerously in Love catapulted her to new levels of success and stardom. Her father is Joe Butler, the lead singer and drummer for the reunited Lovin' Spoonful; her mother, Leslie , was a company Nichole Marie Hiltz (born September 3, 1978) is an American actress. Based on Quigley's top money-making stars. She has been married to Thomas Dolby since July 2, 1988. But, the 2000s were also marked by an explosion of talented female singers who defined the era and whose voices became synonymous with those years. Its a genre that is known for its sad, emotional lyrics and its slow, mournful melodies. After winning numerous awards locally and in the surrounding states of Georgia and North Carolina, she signed with Wilhelmina's Kids Division Pam Grier was born in Winston-Salem, NC, one of four children of Gwendolyn Sylvia (Samuels), a nurse, and Clarence Ransom Grier Jr., an Air Force mechanic. Celebrity women like Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, and Beyonc Knowles dominated pop culture in the 2000s.