Naturi Naughton-Lewis | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Naturi Cora Maria Naughton |
Born | East Orange, New Jersey, U.S. | May 20, 1984
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Instrument | Vocals |
Years active | 1999–2002 (3LW) 2005–present (solo) |
Labels | Epic Records (1999–2002) |
Naturi Cora Maria Naughton-Lewis (born May 20, 1984) [1] is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Naughton is best known as one-third of the R&B group 3LW and for her acting roles in the films Fame and Notorious , playing rapper Lil' Kim in the latter film. Naughton was a series regular on the NBC series The Playboy Club as Bunny Brenda, starred in the first season of the Lifetime drama series The Client List as Kendra and starred in the Starz drama Power as Tasha St. Patrick, a role she reprised in the spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost . In 2022, she starred as Jill “Da Thrill” in the ABC series Queens .
Naughton was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, [1] the daughter of Brenda, a part-time paralegal, and Ezra Naughton, a retired accountant. [2] Her father is originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and her mother is from Raleigh, North Carolina. [3] Her musical talent emerged at the age of five years old, when she joined the choir at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey (the same church where Whitney Houston had performed in her youth). Naughton continued her musical studies at the Newark School of the Arts. She attended St. Joseph's Catholic school and Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, New Jersey. Naughton has sung the national anthem at various events in New Jersey and attended Seton Hall University. [4]
In 1999, at age 15, Naughton joined Adrienne Bailon and Kiely Williams to form the group 3LW. Their first single, "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)", was released in the fall of 2000. "No More" was a success and was followed by the second single, "Playas Gon' Play" in early 2001. The group's debut album, 3LW, was released on December 5, 2000. The album went platinum, selling 1.3 million copies in the U.S. In the summer of 2001, the group went on MTV's TRL tour along with Destiny's Child, Dream, Nelly, Eve, and Jessica Simpson.
3LW spent the first half of 2002 in the studio, recording an album tentatively titled Same Game, Different Rules. The album and its intended lead single "Uh Oh" were presented to the label, who felt it did not have enough urban radio appeal. The tracks from Same Game, Different Rules were leaked to the Internet in MP3 format, and Epic considered dropping the band. A fan support campaign for 3LW named 'Never Let Go of 3LW' followed, and the act was retained. Recording a new set of tracks, 3LW returned in the summer of 2002 with the P. Diddy-produced single "I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)", featuring Loon.
In August 2002, the group was set to release its newest LP, A Girl Can Mack, when Naughton announced that she was no longer a member of the trio. Naughton insisted that the other two girls and their management had forced her out. [5] The problems reached a breaking point after a heated argument with Williams, Bailon, and their manager, which allegedly involved Williams throwing a hot plate of KFC food at Naughton. [6] Epic Records then ended their relationship with both 3LW and Naughton. Following Naughton's departure, Bailon and Williams resumed as a duo for a short time, before Jessica Benson became Naughton's replacement. [7] The group has since disbanded. In May 2017, Naughton reunited with Bailon on the daytime talk show The Real , [8] while promoting the season premiere of Power .
Naughton recorded five tracks for the Fame soundtrack, released on August 25, 2009. [9] The following month, Naughton scored her first solo chart entry ever with her cover of Fame peaking at No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart. The single also reached the Top 20 in Finland, Portugal and Norway. [10] In 2010, an extended play was released, titled Fame Presents Naturi Naughton as Denise: Didn't I Tell You?. The EP included both previously released and unreleased tracks. [11] [12]
During her February 2010 appearance on The Mo'Nique Show , Naughton expressed interest in recording a solo-debut album. She was believed to be working with music producer Full Force at the time. Naughton has since revealed that she is now focusing on her acting career, but has not ruled out an album. An ensemble of demos, including a duet with Lil' Kim, have been leaked to the internet in recent years. However, it is unknown whether or not they will be released on Naughton's debut album.
In March 2008, Naughton was cast to portray Grammy Award-winning rap artist Lil' Kim in Notorious , a biopic film about The Notorious B.I.G. [13] The film was released in January 2009 to mixed reviews [14] and went on to make over $43 million worldwide. [15] Lil' Kim has stated that she "hated everything about that movie" and would not have chosen Naughton to play her because they "have nothing in common". [16] [17]
Naughton was later cast as Denise, an aspiring singer, in the Lionsgate remake of the 1980 film of the same name Fame . [18] Filming took place in New York City and Los Angeles in November and December 2008. The film was released in September 2009 and opened No. 3 at the U.S. box office in its opening weekend despite negative reviews from critics. [19] It went on to make $77 million worldwide.
In August 2010, Naughton was announced to appear in an episode of the AMC drama television series Mad Men . [20] The episode, "Hands and Knees", which aired on September 26, 2010, saw Naughton portray the role of Toni Charles, a Playboy Bunny mistress to the character Lane Pryce. That same month, Naughton appeared in the Warner Bros. Pictures comedy film Lottery Ticket .
In March 2011, Naughton appeared in the drama television series pilot The Playboy Club , which centers around the lives of the employees of the original Playboy Club operating in Chicago. [21] The series was picked up by NBC in May 2011. [22] Naughton portrayed Brenda, a Playboy Bunny who dreams of being the first African-American Playboy centerfold. [23] The role marked the second time Naughton portrayed a fictional Playboy Bunny. The series premiered on September 19, 2011 and was cancelled after three episodes due to low ratings. [24] In October 2011, Naughton appeared as a 1970s jazz club singer named Shadynasty in an episode of the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia . [25] In December 2011, it was announced Naughton had been cast in the Lifetime drama television series The Client List opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt. [26] The series is a re-imagining of the 2010 film of the same name. [27] Naughton plays the role of Kendra, a hard-working masseuse at a parlor. The series premiered on April 8, 2012 to 2.79 million viewers [28] and mixed reviews from critics. In May 2012, Lifetime renewed the series for a 15-episode second season. [29]
In September 2012, Naughton starred in the BET original film Let The Church Say Amen, which is an adaptation of author ReShonda Tate Billingsley's 2005 best-selling novel of the same name. The film marked the directorial debut of actress Regina King.
Naughton then starred in the Starz drama Power as Tasha St. Patrick, the wife of James "Ghost" St. Patrick (played by Omari Hardwick), a New York nightclub owner living a double life as a drug kingpin. She won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the third season. Naughton reprised her role as Tasha in the spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost , which began airing in September 2020.
On March 8, 2021, it was announced that Naughton had joined the cast of American Broadcasting Company's music series Queens , alongside Brandy and Eve. [30] [31] [32] [33] In May 2021, it was announced the show was being picked up for a full series, [34] [35] [36] [37] followed by the first official trailer, released on May 18. [38] On October 1, 2021, the first promo single from Queens (“Nasty Girl"), featuring Naughton alongside the cast: Brandy, Eve and Velazquez, was released. [39] A music video, directed by Tim Story, premiered on the same day. [40] This was followed on October 18, 2021, by another rap song from the Queens soundtrack, “The Introduction”, which was co-written by Nas. [41] Queens debuted on October 19; although the series was cancelled after one season, reviews were largely positive. Caroline Framke for Variety praised the quartet’s musical offering, calling their raps “sharp and distinct […] making clear their talent as both individuals and a swaggering collective”. [42] Angie Han for The Hollywood Reporter called the show “Impressive […] lavish […] magic”. [43]
In March 2017, Naughton announced that she was expecting her first child. [44] She welcomed a daughter with her then-partner Ben on July 19, 2017. [45] In April 2022, Naughton married talent manager and entrepreneur Xavier "Two" Lewis in a lavish wedding ceremony in Atlanta. [46] She welcomed her second child, a son, on May 27, 2023. [47]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2008 | Cash Rules | - | Video |
2009 | Notorious | Lil' Kim | |
Fame | Denise Dupree | ||
2010 | Lottery Ticket | Stacie | |
2013 | Highland Park | Char | |
Let the Church Say Amen | Rachel Jackson | TV movie | |
2018 | Step Sisters | Aisha | |
2020 | Emperor | Sarah Green | |
Really Love | Sicily | ||
2022 | 88 | Maria Jackson | |
The Night Before Christmas | Journee | ||
2023 | Call Her King | Jaeda King |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Taina | Ria | Episode: "Blue Mascara" |
The Jersey | Herself | Episode: "Speaking of Coleman" | |
Becoming Presents: Wannabe | Herself | Episode: "3LW" | |
2002 | The Nick Cannon Show | Herself | Episode: "Nick Takes Over Nickelodeon" |
All That | Herself | Episode: "3LW" | |
2010 | Mad Men | Toni Charles | Episode: "Hands and Knees" |
2011 | The Playboy Club | Bunny Brenda | Main Cast |
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Shadynasty | Episode: "Frank's Brother" | |
2012 | The Client List | Kendra | Main Cast: Season 1 |
2013 | Let's Stay Together | Sharon | Episode: "Single Black Stacy" |
2014 | The Eric Andre Show | Herself | Episode: "Naturi Naughton; Ryan Phillippe" |
2014–20 | Power | Tasha St. Patrick | Main Cast |
2015–19 | Doc McStuffins | Luna (voice) | Guest Cast: Seasons 2-3 & 5 |
2018 | Queen of the South | Sasha Bishop | Episode: "La Muerte" |
2020–24 | Power Book II: Ghost | Tasha St. Patrick | Main Cast: Season 1, Guest: Seasons 2-3, Recurring cast: Season 4 |
2021–22 | Queens | Jill “Da Thrill” | Main Cast |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005–08 | Hairspray | Little Inez | Replacement |
Brandy Rayana Norwood, better known by her mononym Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, model and actress. Born into a musical family in McComb, Mississippi, Norwood was raised in Carson, California, beginning her career as a backing vocalist for teen groups. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1993, she released her self-titled debut album the following year, which sold six million copies worldwide. Brandy gained fame by starring in the UPN sitcom Moesha, and further recognition for her role in the television film Cinderella (1997) and the slasher film I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998). Her 1998 duet with fellow R&B contemporary Monica, "The Boy Is Mine", won a Grammy Award and became one of the best-selling female duets of all time. Her second album, Never Say Never (1998), sold 16 million copies worldwide.
Eve Jihan Cooper is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress. Her debut studio album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999) peaked atop the Billboard 200, received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and spawned the hit singles "What Ya Want", "Love Is Blind", and "Gotta Man". That same year, she guest featured on the Roots' Grammy Award-winning single "You Got Me", as well as Missy Elliott's single "Hot Boyz", both of which peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Deborah Ann "Debbi" Morgan is an American film and television actress. Morgan has appeared in a number of film and TV productions, and may be best known for the role of Angie Baxter–Hubbard on the ABC soap opera All My Children.
3LW was an American girl group formed in 1999 by Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, and Naturi Naughton. Jessica Benson later replaced Naughton after she left the group in 2002. 3LW was signed to the label Epic Records, and later moved to So So Def. They are best known for their singles "No More ", "Playas Gon' Play" and "I Do ".
Adrienne Eliza Bailon-Houghton ; born October 24, 1983) is an American television personality, singer, and actress. She is a former member of the girl groups 3LW and The Cheetah Girls. From 2013 to 2022, Bailon was a co-host of the daytime talk show The Real; for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award. From 2022 to 2023, Bailon-Houghton was a co-anchor of the entertainment news show, E! News.
Kiely Alexis Williams is an American singer, dancer and actress. She is known for her membership in the girl groups 3LW, the Cheetah Girls and BluPrint.
Timothy Kevin Story is an American film director. He is best known for Barbershop (2002), Fantastic Four (2005), and the Ride Along franchise. He has been nominated for two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Directing in a Feature Film/Television Movie in 2006 and 2013.
Nadine E. Velázquez is an American actress and model known for her roles as Catalina Aruca on My Name Is Earl and Sofia Ruxin on The League. She has also appeared in films such as Blast (2004), A Day in the Life (2009), Flight (2012), Snitch (2013), and Ride Along 2 (2016), and was a cast member on the TV series Major Crimes.
3LW is the debut studio album by American girl group 3LW. It was released through Epic Records on December 5, 2000. The album contains their debut single "No More " which peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and their follow-up single "Playas Gon' Play". 3LW peaked at number 29 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum by Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). As of March 2003, the album has sold 1.3 million copies in the US.
A Girl Can Mack is the second studio album by American girl group 3LW. A follow-up to their self-titled debut album (2000), it was released by Epic Records on October 22, 2002. With A Girl Can Mack, the group attempted to shed their youthful image and craft a mature look. The album combines both ballads and upbeat songs, with several serving as a declaration of equality in romantic relationships. The album was considered at lot "racier" and sexier than their debut.
Naughty or Nice is a Christmas album, as well as the third and final studio album by American girl group 3LW, released in 2002. The album was recorded without Naturi Naughton who had recently left the group.
"I Do (Wanna Get Close to You)" is the first single from 3LW's second album A Girl Can Mack and featured P. Diddy and Loon. The single peaked at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 during 2002. It achieved greater success in New Zealand, where it peaked at number 13 on the New Zealand Top 40. It is the last single to feature Naturi Naughton.
Brandy Norwood, an American singer, songwriter and actress, has released various music videos. She first appeared in the music video for her debut single "I Wanna Be Down (1994). The Keith Ward-directed clip won the Billboard Music Award for Best New Clip, R&B/Urban. A second version, shot alongside female rappers MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and Yo-Yo for the Human Rhythm Hip Hop Remix of "I Wanna Be Down", earned Norwood her first MTV Video Music Award nomination in the Best Rap Video at the 1995 ceremony, and received Billboard Music Award and Billboard Music Video Award nods. Norwood's video for follow-up "Baby", a collaboration with director Hype Williams, garnered a Best Choreography nomination at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards. Other videos from the album included for the singles "Best Friend", and "Brokenhearted".
Lance Darnell Gross is an American actor and model. He is known for his role as Calvin Payne on the TBS/BET sitcom Tyler Perry's House of Payne, for which he won four NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
The Cheetah Girls were an American girl group formed in 2003, primarily consisting of Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Kiely Williams, and Sabrina Bryan. Raven-Symoné contributed as a member to two musical films and their associated soundtracks which featured the group.
Fame is a 2009 American teen musical drama film directed by Kevin Tancharoen from a screenplay by Allison Burnett. It is a loose remake of the 1980 film of the same name. The film follows talented high school students attending The High School of Performing Arts in New York City, where students get specialized training that often leads to success in the entertainment industry.
The Playboy Club is an American historical crime drama television series that aired on NBC from September 19 to October 3, 2011. Set in 1961, the series centers on the employees of the original Playboy Club operating in Chicago. The Playboy Club stars Eddie Cibrian, Laura Benanti, Amber Heard, Jenna Dewan, Naturi Naughton, Leah Renee, Wes Ramsey, Jenifer Lewis, and David Krumholtz.
The pilot episode of the American historical fiction television series The Playboy Club premiered on September 19, 2011 in the United States on NBC. It was directed by Alan Taylor and written by Chad Hodge and Becky Mode. In this episode, Maureen, a newly hired Playboy bunny, gets involved in the murder of mob boss Bruno Bianchi. Nick Dalton, one of Chicago's top attorneys and Club key-holder, comes to her aid; his girlfriend Carol-Lynne makes an ambitious move and becomes the first Bunny Mother. Meanwhile, Bunnies Janie, Alice and Brenda each deal with their own personal issues and secrets while the club's general manager Billy Rosen tries his best to keep the club running without interference from the mob.
Really Love is a 2020 American romantic drama film directed by Angel Kristi Williams and co-written with Felicia Pride. The film is set in Washington, D.C., and centers the romance between a struggling artist and an ambitious law student. Really Love debuted in October 2020 at AFI Film Festival. It received mainly positive critical reception and leads Wong-Loi-Sing and Siriboe received a Special Jury Recognition for Acting at South by Southwest.
Queens was an American musical drama television series that premiered on October 19, 2021, on ABC. It starred Eve, Naturi Naughton, Nadine Velazquez and Brandy Norwood. It received generally positive reviews from critics. In May 2022, the series was canceled after one season.
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