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Heather Headley

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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.

Photos

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]


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

Videos

News


Interview: Music Director Dan Lipton Rocks Out Weekly at The Friki Tiki

Dan Lipton talks about what goes into music directing – changing arrangements to suit various needs, concocting song mashups, and more – and serving up rock hits of the 80s and beyond his weekly show VARIOUS ARTISTS WITH MATT & DAN at the Friki Tiki.
Netflix Sets SWEET MAGNOLIAS Season Four Premiere Date, Shares First-Look

Netflix has announced a premiere date for the much-anticipated fourth season of Sweet Magnolias, with all ten episodes premiering Thursday, February 6, 2025.
Keith and Kristyn Getty's AN IRISH CHRISTMAS Concert to be Livestreamed This Week

GRAMMY-nominated artists Keith and Kristyn Getty bring audiences an evening of beloved Christmas carols, newly released songs and modern hymns honoring the true meaning of the season with An Irish Christmas livestream. Learn how to watch.
Review: Heather Headley Beautifully Bewitching at 92NY

92NY does their audiences a solid by booking in one of the industry's great entertainers.
Tony-Winner Heather Headley To Perform At The 92nd Street Y

Heather Headley, the Tony and Grammy Award winning star of Aida, The Color Purple and more, will present an afternoon of song at The 92nd Street Y. Headley will perform an afternoon of music from her musical theater songbook.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Shoshana Bean, and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Vote-A-Thon

“Stars in the House” will return for its second Election Day Vote-A-Thon with a star-studded lineup joining hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson to talk about their voting experiences and deliver LIVE musical performances.
Billy Porter to Join Jason Robert Brown in Concert at Carnegie Hall

Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning performer Billy Porter will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Feature: BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup " Oct. 21 to Oct. 27, 2024

Are you trying to plan your entertainment for the week or looking for a fun show to see this weekend? We have you covered with a few top picks for jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including the cabaret convention, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Jason Robert Brown.
Laura Benanti and Christine Duffy to be Honored at Broadway Dreams Gala

Co-directed by Tony Award-winner Alex Newell and Emmy Award-nominated director and choreographer Spencer Liff, the Broadway Dreams Gala will honor Laura Benanti and Christine Duffy. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Videos You Missed This Week: TAMMY FAYE, LEFT ON TENTH, and More

Catch up on all the latest from the week ending October 11, 2024 with videos from Left on Tenth, McNeal, and more!
Video: Unpacking the Music of Jason Robert Brown

In this video, we welcome Broadway’s own Jason Robert Brown to talk about his big Carnegie Hall concert coming October 25th with guests Heather Headley, Ben Platt, Shoshana Bean, J. Harrison Ghee, and more!
Kelli O'Hara and Raúl Esparza Will Join Jason Robert Brown at Carnegie Hall

Tony Award Winner and Emmy and Grammy Nominee Kelli O'Hara and Tony Nominee Raúl Esparza will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM. Learn more about the guests and how to get tickets.
Shoshana Bean and J. Harrison Ghee Will Join Jason Robert Brown in Concert at Carnegie Hall

Grammy and two-time Tony Award Nominee Shoshana Bean and Tony Award winner J. Harrison Ghee will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM.
Review: HEATHER HEADLEY with the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center

When summer ends many people get depressed. Let’s face it, you can’t go to the beach or your private summer home for another year. However, you can look on the bright side of things knowing that the end of summer brings a new season of audible brilliance from the mighty National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). This past Saturday evening, the NSO Pops season opened with a bang as Tony Award winning performer Heather Headley made her Kennedy Center Concert Hall debut. The evening featured lots of show tunes, a choir, a TV vocal competition winner, and most importantly, YOUR NSO under the baton of Maestro Steven Reineke.
Loren Smith Releases New Album 'Love Against the Clock: Chapter One'

Bay Area Native Loren Smith, celebrated for his extraordinary vocal talent and extensive musical collaborations, has released his highly anticipated album, Love Against the Clock: Chapter One.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 27, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 27, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Heather Headley and Ben Platt Will Join Jason Robert Brown at Carnegie Hall

Tony and Grammy Award-winning artists Heather Headley and Ben Platt will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut on October 25, 2024, at 8:00 PM.
Nyla Watson Brings AN ODE TO AUDRA to 54 Below

54 Below will present Hadestown star Nyla Watson in An Ode to Audra on Sunday, August 18 at 9:30pm with a livestream option at 9:45pm ET.
Are We In a Sondheim Renaissance?

This time, the reader question was: Have there been a lot of Sondheim productions in New York City since the legendary composer and lyricist passed away?
The 92nd Street Y, New York Announces 2024/25 Tisch Music Season

The 92nd Street Y, New York has announced its 2024/25 Tisch Music Season, featuring a diverse lineup of world and U.S. premieres, innovative musicians, and multidisciplinary collaborations across various genres.

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?

Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Bodyguard, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Aida, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Aida and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Aida.

What awards has Heather Headley won?

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

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