Heather Headley

Heather Headley (born October 5, 1974) is a Trinidadian-American singer, actress, and songwriter. She is best known for her work in theatre, particularly for her roles as Nala in The Lion King (1997–2000) and Aida in Aida (2000–2003), for which she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Headley was born in Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago. She began singing in church at a young age, and at the age of 16, she won a scholarship to study music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After graduating from Berklee, Headley moved to New York City and began her career as a professional singer.

Headley made her Broadway debut in 1997, when she joined the cast of The Lion King as Nala. She played the role for three years, and during that time, she also recorded the song "Circle of Life" for the film's soundtrack. In 2000, Headley left The Lion King to star in the Broadway musical Aida. She played the title role for two years, and her performance earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

After Aida closed, Headley continued to work in theatre, appearing in productions such as The Producers (2005) and Wicked (2007). She also released two solo albums, This Is Who I Am (2002) and In My Mind (2006). In 2009, Headley starred in the film Cadillac Records, in which she played Etta James.

In recent years, Headley has focused on her television career. She has appeared in shows such as Empire (2015–2016), Quantico (2016–2017), and Chicago Med (2017–present). She has also released a new album, Broadway My Way (2018).

Headley is a versatile and talented performer who has achieved success in both theatre and television. She is a Tony Award winner, and she has also been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She is a role model for young people, and she continues to inspire audiences around the world with her powerful voice and her dynamic performances.

Here are some additional facts about Heather Headley:

• She is the first black woman to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for a role that was not specifically written for a black actress.
• She is the only person to have won a Tony Award for playing Nala in The Lion King.
• She was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for her role in Aida.
• She is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.
• She is married to British actor Adam Rayner.
• She has two children.