Heather Headley

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Heather Headley BIO

Heather Headley was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Trinidad. Her family moved to the United States in the early 90's, where Heather's love for the arts continued. In 1997 Heather won the role of Nala in the original Broadway cast of the Elton John and Tim Rice's hit Tony Award-winning musical The Lion King. While still in The Lion King, Heather was asked to audition for the title role in the writing duo's next Broadway venture together, Aida. Her portrayal of the Nubian princess, Aida, won her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. That year she was listed as one of People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People and Essence magazine's 30 Women To Watch. Heather continued her musical success on the pop charts with her 2002 debut album This Is Who I Am and earned numerous accolades including Grammy Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Heather returned in January 2006 with In My Mind, her long-awaited second solo album. In 2009 Heather released Audience of One, for which she won the Grammy Award for the Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album, and in 2012 she released Only One In The World.

In 2012 Heather made a triumphant return to the stage, starring in The Bodyguard in London's West End, and in 2016 she made her return to Broadway, starring in the Tony Award winning production of The Color Purple as Shug Avery. In 2018 Heather had a recurring role on Chicago Med playing the formidable Gwen Garrett. Heather can currently be seen as a series regular in Sweet Magnolias on Netflix.

Most recently, she appeared as The Witch, in the City Center production of Into the Woods.

Heather Headley Photos

Heather Headley STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2015
Shug Avery [Replacement]

[St. Louis, MO (Regional)]
The Muny Production, 2015
Witch

[West End]
West End Original Production, 2012
Rachel Marron

[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Lorrell Robinson

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Aida

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1999
Tilda Mullen

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Nala

Nala [Replacement]


Heather Headley Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2013 - Best Actress in a Musical

Heather HeadleyThe Bodyguard


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Heather Headley, Aida

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Heather Headley, Aida


winner
Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Heather Headley, Aida

Heather Headley Videos

Heather Headley News


Lucie Jones, Carole Bufford, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. Learn more about the performances and how to get tickets here!

Stars to Celebrate HISTORY OF BLACK BROADWAY: WOMEN'S EDITION at 54 Below

Celebrate the history of Black Broadway through the eyes of Black women. Stars from & JULIET, THE LION KING, BACK TO THE FUTURE, and more pay tribute to legends like Lena Horne, Audra McDonald, and Diahann Carroll. Live and streaming.

Jeff Harnar to Present IT'S DE-LOVELY at Birdland in March

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Jeff Harnar in 'It’s De-Lovely: Jeff Harnar Sings Cole Porter'. Learn more about Harnar's show and see how to purchase tickets.

David Marino, Finalist On Canada's THE VOICE, to Perform at Birdland Jazz Club

Birdland Jazz Club will present the debut of rising young jazz vocalist David Marino, finalist on Canada's 'The Voice,' with Billy Stritch and more.

Review: Disney's THE LION KING Rules Once More at OC's Segerstrom Center

Now in its 27th year, Disney's game-changing, Tony Award-winning global megahit THE LION KING has once again taken over OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa for another month of performances that continues through February 25, 2024. Even today, the show still manages to elicit genuine wonder and awe for kids and adults alike.

22 Theater Books for Your Winter 2024 Reading List

The weather outside might still be frightful for a while, but what better time to stay in and snuggle up with a great Broadway read? Check out our complete Winter 2024 reading list!

Loren Smith Makes His DTLA Holiday Show Debut This Month

International Touring Artist Loren Smith, as seen on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' on tour with Michael Bublè, and on the 'Get Out' Soundtrack makes his Solo Holiday Show Debut!

Netflix Renews SWEET MAGNOLIAS For a Fourth Season

Sweet Magnolias follows lifelong best friends Maddie (JoAnna Garcia Swisher), Dana Sue (Brooke Elliott), and Helen (Heather Headley) as they juggle relationships, family, and careers in the charming small town of Serenity, SC. Season 3 premiered on Netflix on July 20, 2023 and debuted at #1.

Eddie Shapiro to Discuss Newest Book HERE'S TO THE LADIES at The Drama Book Shop

Join theatre journalist Eddie Shapiro as he sits down with Broadway's leading ladies for intimate conversations about their careers. RSVP now and get a chance to understand the life of a performing artist.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 05th, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 5, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Interview: Meet THE LION KING's New Simba, Vincent Jamal Hooper

incent Jamal Hooper took his very first bow in The Lion King as “Simba”. The show marks Hooper’s Broadway and Lion King debut. Below, he's checking in with BroadwayWorld to talk all about the role and his first night on Broadway! 

Therese Lee's RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET to Return to Don't Tell Mama in October

THERESE LEE  will return to New York for an encore performance of RIDING THE BUS TO THE RED CARPET which received the 2023 Bistro Award for Outstanding Autobiographical Show. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Annette Bening, Jason Alexander, Jean Smart & More to Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Labor Day Special

Join Annette Bening, Jason Alexander, Jean Smart, and other celebrated actors for a star-studded Labor Day Special on STARS IN THE HOUSE. Don't miss this exclusive event streaming live. Tune in for an unforgettable performance and support a great cause.

Exclusive: Broadway's Best Share First Show Memories

Seeing your first show is a memory you will never forget- a fact to which some of Broadway's biggest stars can attest. Below, stars from the participating Kids’ Night on Broadway shows recall their first experiences at the theatre.

Original AVENUE Q Stars To Reunite For STARS IN THE HOUSE FOR MAUI

Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley will welcome members of the original, Tony Award-winning company of the musical Avenue Q for a special edition of their lockdown roundtable series, Stars in the House.

21 Theater Books for Your Fall 2023 Reading List

We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 21 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's fall reading list.

STARS IN THE HOUSE To Host 20th Anniversary Reunion Of Todd Graff's Film CAMP

Join the STARS IN THE HOUSE livestreamed concert and reunion as they host the 20th Anniversary Reunion of Todd Graff's film CAMP. Featuring the film's writer and director, Todd Graff, along with cast members Daniel Letterle, Joanna Chilcoat, Robin de Jesus, and more.

Norm Lewis, Krysta Rodriguez, Patina Miller & More to Join 9th Annual VOICES: STARS FOR FOSTER KIDS

Get all the details about the star-studded 9th Annual VOICES: STARS FOR FOSTER KIDS event, including the latest lineup additions and information on the date and location. Don't miss out on this amazing event in support of foster kids.

THE LION KING on Broadway- A Complete Guide

Looking for all the latest info on one of Broadway's hottest shows? BroadwayWorld has the full scoop on everything that you need to know about The Lion King on Broadway. Check out all the details below!

Interview: Alexis Michelle Might Just Be the Ultimate Theatre Queen of RuPaul's Drag Race

RuPaul's Drag Race star Alexis Michelle checked in with BroadwayWorld to chat more about her background in theatre, current Broadway inspirations, and more!

Heather Headley FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Heather Headley been in?

Heather Headley has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Heather Headley been in?

Heather Headley has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Heather Headley's first West End show?

Heather Headley's first West End show was The Bodyguard which opened in 2012

What awards has Heather Headley been nominated for?

Heather Headley has been nominated for several awards, including Best Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "The Bodyguard," Outstanding Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Aida," Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Aida," and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Aida."

What awards has Heather Headley won?

Heather Headley has won the Outstanding Actress - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for her performance in Aida. She also won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical award at the Tony Awards for her role in Aida.

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