Willa Ford

Last updated

Willa Ford
Willa Ford and Mike Modano.jpg
Ford (left) with Mike Modano (right)
Background information
Birth nameAmanda Lee Williford
Born (1981-01-22) January 22, 1981 (age 43)
Genres Pop, dance-pop
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, presenter, actress, interior designer
Years active1999–present
Labels MCA
Lava/Atlantic
Website https://www.wfordinteriors.com/

Amanda Lee Williford (born January 22, 1981), [1] known by her stage name Willa Ford, is an American television personality, film actress, dancer, model, and former singer and songwriter. She released her debut album, Willa Was Here , in 2001. Ford also has appeared in movies such as Friday the 13th (2009), hosted several reality television shows, posed for Playboy and competed on ABC's Dancing with the Stars .

Contents

Early life

Ford was raised in Ruskin, Florida. [1] She began singing with the Tampa Bay Children's Choir at age eight. At age 11, she started singing with the Tampa-based children's performing arts troupe, Entertainment Revue. [1] She attended East Bay High School in Gibsonton, Florida.[ citation needed ]

Career

Music career

In 1999, the 18-year-old Ford started performing under the stage name Mandah and was signed to MCA. [1] Ford was later dropped from MCA and signed by Atlantic Records. Atlantic placed one of Ford's songs, "Lullaby," on the soundtrack for Pokémon: The First Movie . Ford changed her stage name from Mandah to Willa Ford to avoid confusion with Mandy Moore. [1]

In 2000, she was one of the opening acts on the Backstreet Boys' "Into the Millennium" tour.

In 2001, Ford signed on to a new label, Lava Atlantic Records, while on a mall tour for Nautica Kids. Ford wrote most of her own lyrics and served as executive producer for most of her first album. On July 17, 2001, she released Willa Was Here . The album included the single "I Wanna Be Bad" which featured rapper Royce da 5'9". Willa Was Here reached 56 on the Billboard 200 and sold approximately 200,000 copies.[ citation needed ] Ford went on to release a second single from the album, "Did Ya' Understand That," which was released on September 11, 2001, failed to garner much attention. She would later explain that "Everything that happened that day froze; the world stood still, as it should have. My second single didn’t do well because anything that launched that day kind of got canned." [2] "Ooh Ooh" was released as a promotional single, but also failed to find success.

Ford was a spokesperson for Pantene Pro-V's ProVoice campaign while promoting the album. She also appeared in Uncle Kracker's video for "In A Little While." Ford also went on to guest-host MTV's TRL and Say What Karaoke, which led to a hosting contract with Viacom. Ford hosted the MTV reality shows The Morning After and I Bet You Will . In 2001, Ford also co-wrote and recorded a duet with South Korean pop star Park Ji-yoon. The song, titled "Nastified," appeared on Park's fifth album, Man. She was also part of an ad campaign for Six Flags.

In 2003, Ford released a song titled "A Toast to Men." The song, which featured guest rapper Lady May, was featured in daytime promotional ads for soap operas. The single came from her unreleased second album Sexysexobsessive, which was previously titled Porn Poetry. The title track, "Sexysexobsessive," was to be the second single, but it was only released through Ford's official website.

From 2005 to 2006, she appeared as a guest doll in Pussycat Dolls' show at the club in Las Vegas. In 2010, she released the first song since 2003 "All This Time" online, collaborated with Riley Smith. In 2011, Ford resumed her music career with a performance at The Viper Room in LA. In the performance, she revealed her first solo song since 2003, "Back Back Back." In 2014, she was featured in the song "Rock Tonight" by Willa Ford, Eve Nelson and Ray Cervenka. [3]

She would state that after her music didn't garner as much success as hoped for, she "really took a step back because I felt like I wasn't doing what I was supposed to be at the time." "I know that sounds crazy, but it was the perfect storm, and I walked away," as she would go on to try out many different careers.

Television, film, and magazine appearances

In 2002, Ford appeared in an episode of the short-lived television sitcom Raising Dad, playing a bully named Edie. In 2005, Ford hosted the first season of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV. [4] After the show's finale, Ford was contracted as a summer's guest doll performer for the Las Vegas shows of The Pussycat Dolls. Ford was later featured as the June celebrity on FHM's 2005 pin-up calendar.

In early 2006, Ford played as one of the four celebrity quarterbacks for the Lingerie Bowl, which was shown during the half-time of Super Bowl XL. Later that year, she was featured in a nude pictorial in the March 2006 issue of Playboy . Stuff magazine ranked her No. 48 in the 101 Sexiest Online Women supplement later that year. In fall 2006, Ford competed on the third season of Dancing with the Stars . Ford and her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, were eliminated in the fifth week of competition. She talked about her experience with Maxim in its January 2007 issue.

Ford appeared on an episode of My Celebrity Home on the Style Network, which aired on January 31, 2007 [5] She also hosted the third season of Pants-Off Dance-Off on Fuse TV. On August 23, 2007, Ford and her then-husband, NHL hockey player Mike Modano, were featured in an episode of MTV Cribs .

Ford appeared in the 2009 slasher film Friday the 13th .

Ford played Becca in the direct-to-video Universal Squadrons, which was first shown at the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival in 2010. [6] [7]

Ford appeared in a 2011 episode of The Glades . In 2012, she appeared in 4 episodes of the Magic City and an episode of Leverage season five. In June 2014, it was announced that she was working on four films: Submerged, [8] Any Day, The Nurse, and Checkmate. [9]

Ford was also cast in the film Assassin's Fury, but was later dropped. In an interview with BZFilm.com, producer Fabio Soldani said that Ford was replaced after five days of shooting and that she was "a nightmare to be around" and "shooting was a really sad place to be for those 5 days". [10]

She currently runs a home interior design business, WFord Interiors.

In 2019, Ford appeared on an E!'s reality show Flip It Like Disick . [11]

Personal life

Ford and hockey player Mike Modano married in a small, private ceremony on August 25, 2007, in Athens, Texas. [12] [13] In August 2012, Ford and Modano announced that they were divorcing. [14]

In April 2015, Ford married former NFL linebacker Ryan Nece. [15] In March 2016, it was announced that the couple were expecting their first child. [16] On September 7, 2016, Ford gave birth to a son. [17]

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales, and certifications
TitleAlbum detailsPeaks
US
[18]
Willa Was Here
  • Released July 17, 2001
  • Label:Lava, Atlantic
  • Format: CD, digital download
56

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[19]
US
Dance

[20]
US
Sales

[21]
US
Pop

[22]
US
Top 40

[23]
US
R&R

[24] [25]
AUS
[26]
2001"I Wanna Be Bad"224611191152 Willa Was Here
"Did Ya' Understand That"
"Santa Baby (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme)" MTV: TRL Christmas
2003"A Toast to Men"
(featuring Lady May)
114546Non-album singles
2004"Sexy Sex Obsessive"

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
2007 The Anna Nicole Smith Story Anna Nicole Smith
2008ImpulseClaire Dennison
2009 Friday the 13th Chelsea
2011Universal SquadronsBecca
2014The NurseLynette
2015Any DayCherry
CheckmateSasha
2016A Father's Secret/Hunt For TruthKerry EvansTV film. Entitled Enquête sécrète in France.
Submerged Carla

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2001 The Mind of the Married Man Popstar
2002 I Bet You Will Host
Raising Dad Edie
The Morning AfterHost
Miss Teen USA Host
2003 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guest appearance
2005 The Ultimate Fighter Host
2006Lingerie Bowl IIICelebrity Quarterback for the Dallas Desire
Calvin Ayre WildCard PokerPlayer
Dancing with the Stars Celebrity Dancer
Jimmy Kimmel Live! Guest appearance
Live with Regis and Kelly Guest appearance
2007 Pants Off Dance Off Host
Red Eye Guest Appearance
MTV Cribs Introduced her home
My Celebrity HomeIntroduced her home
2010 Chelsea Lately Guest appearance
2011 The Glades Shelby AdamsEpisode: "'shine"
2012 Magic City Janice Michaels4 episodes
Leverage Tabatha DelavegaEpisode: "The Low Low Price Job"
2019 Flip It Like Disick Herself

Music videos

YearTitleArtist
2001"I Wanna Be Bad"Herself
"Did Ya' Understand That"
"Santa Baby (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme)"
2002"In a Little While" Uncle Kracker
2003"A Toast to Men"Herself
2011"Burn It Down" Awolnation

Other

Television live performances
Television commercials
Events

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sisqó</span> American singer (born 1978)

Mark Althavan Andrews, known professionally as Sisqó, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Following his tenure as lead performer of the R&B group Dru Hill, he quickly reached success as a solo act with the release of his debut studio album Unleash the Dragon (1999), which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. Its singles, "Incomplete" and "Thong Song" peaked at numbers one and three on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. His second album, Return of Dragon (2001) trailed commercially, as did his subsequent releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eve (rapper)</span> American rapper, singer, and actress (born 1978)

Eve Jihan Cooper is an American rapper, singer, and actress. Her debut studio album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady (1999) reached number one on the Billboard 200—making her the third female rapper to accomplish this feat—and received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album 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", which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashlee Simpson</span> American singer and actress (born 1984)

Ashlee Ross-Næss, known professionally as Ashlee Simpson, is an American singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. The younger sister of singer and actress Jessica Simpson, she began her career as a back-up dancer for her sister and appeared in television commercials at the age of 15. She later pursued a career as an actress and had a main role on the family drama 7th Heaven. She appeared on the reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, broadcast on MTV between 2003 and 2005, which focused on Ashlee's older sister Jessica and Jessica's then-husband Nick Lachey. While working on her debut studio album, Simpson became the star of a spin-off reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show, which was broadcast on MTV between 2004 and 2005. Like her sister before her, Simpson became the center of considerable media attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberley Locke</span> American singer-songwriter and TV personality

Kimberley Dawn Locke is an American singer-songwriter and television personality. She has recorded in the dance and pop genres, and has targeted the adult contemporary radio format. She was the cohost of the daytime talk show, Dr. and the Diva.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trina</span> American rapper (born 1978)

Katrina Laverne Taylor, known professionally as Trina, is an American rapper. She rose to prominence in the late 1990s for her collaborations with Trick Daddy on the singles "Nann Nigga", "Shut Up", and "Take It to da House". In 2000, she released her debut album Da Baddest Bitch. Afterwards, she made an appearance on the remix of "One Minute Man" by Missy Elliott and Ludacris. In 2002, she released the Kanye West-produced single "B R Right" featuring Ludacris, from her sophomore album Diamond Princess (2002).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Cabrera</span> American musician (born 1982)

Ryan Frank Cabrera is an American musician. He began his career as a lead singer for the Dallas band Rubix Groove before pursuing his solo career. Following the 2001 release of independent album Elm St., he released his first major-label album, Take It All Away, on August 17, 2004. Earlier in the year, Cabrera had become known for his up-tempo pop-rock single "On the Way Down". It was then followed by Cabrera's second single, "True"; and his third single "40 Kinds of Sadness".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bret Michaels</span> American musician

Bret Michael Sychak, known professionally as Bret Michaels, is an American singer and musician. He is the frontman of rock band Poison who has sold over 65 million albums worldwide and 30 million records in the United States. The band has also charted 10 singles to the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100, including six Top 10 singles and a number-one single, "Every Rose Has Its Thorn".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tamar Braxton</span> American singer

Tamar Estine Braxton is an American singer and television personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashley Tisdale</span> American actress and singer (born 1985)

Ashley Michelle Tisdale is an American actress and singer. During her childhood, she was featured in over 100 advertisements and had minor roles in television and theatre. She achieved mainstream success as Maddie Fitzpatrick in the Disney Channel teen sitcom The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005–2008). This success was heightened when she starred as Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical film series (2006–2008). The success of the films led to Tisdale's signing with Warner Bros. Records and subsequently releasing her debut studio album, Headstrong (2007), which was a commercial success, earning a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Tisdale played the voice role of Candace Flynn in the Disney Channel animated series Phineas & Ferb (2007–2015).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">With You (Jessica Simpson song)</span> 2003 single by Jessica Simpson

"With You" is a song by American recording artist Jessica Simpson from her third studio album, In This Skin. "With You" was released by Columbia Records as the second single from In This Skin on November 3, 2003. Overall, "With You" was Simpson's seventh single in the United States and her fourth single in the United Kingdom. Billy Mann and Andy Marvel produced the song and co-wrote it with Simpson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Wanna Be Bad</span> 2001 single by Willa Ford

"I Wanna Be Bad" is a song by American singer Willa Ford from her first studio album, Willa Was Here (2001). The song features a guest appearance from rapper Royce da 5'9". Ford wrote it alongside Brian Kierulf and Josh Schwartz, who both handled the production, when her record label, MCA Records, told her to tone down her music. Ford refused, deciding to create a track with a rebellious message. After Jason Flom of Lava Records heard the song, he signed Ford to the label and included it on Willa Was Here. Lava and Atlantic Records released the song as Ford's debut single and the lead one from the album on April 24, 2001. A pop and dance-pop track, it has Ford explaining that she wants to be a "bad girl" because her partner makes bad behavior look so good. The lyrics contain messages of rebellion and being oneself against the influences of other people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Toast to Men</span> 2003 single by Willa Ford

"A Toast to Men" is a song by American singer Willa Ford featuring Lady May. Toby Gad produced the pop track and co-wrote it with Ford and Rhonda Robinson. Ford's record label Lava approached Gad for the collaboration after he was struggling to replicate his success in Europe in the US. Ford wrote the song based on a chant she heard at a sorority party. The title and chorus feature a profane word, which attracted media attention. Ford said she wanted to revolutionize pop music by using the word "fuck", and was surprised her label chose it as a single because of its explicit content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessica Simpson</span> American singer (born 1980)

Jessica Ann Simpson is an American singer, actress, and businesswoman. After performing in church choirs as a child, Simpson signed with Columbia Records in 1997, aged seventeen. Her debut studio album, Sweet Kisses (1999), sold two million copies in the United States and saw the commercial success of the single "I Wanna Love You Forever". Simpson adopted a more mature image for her second studio album, Irresistible (2001), and its title track became her second top 20 entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In This Skin (2003), Simpson's third studio album, sold three million copies in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aubrey O'Day</span> American singer and reality television personality

Aubrey Morgan O'Day is an American singer and reality television personality, best known for being a member of the girl group Danity Kane. Following discord among Danity Kane and with her mentor at the time, P. Diddy, O'Day was fired from the group in 2008, but reunited with them in 2013 before a second disbandment. Danity Kane reunited in 2018 as a trio. She has also performed in the duo Dumblonde with former Danity Kane bandmate Shannon Bex since 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heidi Montag</span> American television personality (born 1986)

Heidi Blair Pratt is an American reality television personality and singer. In 2006, Montag came to prominence after being cast in the MTV reality television series The Hills. The show chronicled the personal and professional lives of Lauren Conrad, Montag, and friends Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port. During its production, she briefly attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and was “employed” by event planning company Bolthouse Productions. As the series progressed, Montag began dating fellow cast member Spencer Pratt, which ultimately ended her friendship with Conrad. Their ensuing feud became the central focus of the series, and was carried through each subsequent season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Star</span> American musician

Ryan Stahr Kulchinsky, known professionally as Ryan Star, is an American rock singer-songwriter from Long Island, New York, currently signed on Island Records. His first major label record 11:59, released via Atlantic in 2010, reached No. 31 on Billboard 200 and No. 10 on Billboard Rock albums chart. Star became known to a wider audience as contestant on the CBS reality TV show Rock Star: Supernova in 2006. His songs have featured on several TV shows and promotion. His song "Brand New Day", featured as the main theme to Fox TV series Lie to Me, earned him a BMI TV Music Award in May 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicole Scherzinger</span> American singer (born 1978)

Nicole Scherzinger is an American singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, and television personality. She is a former member of the pop group and dance ensemble The Pussycat Dolls. With over 55 million records sold worldwide, The Pussycat Dolls are one of the world's best-selling female groups of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katy Perry</span> American singer (born 1984)

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson, known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is known for her influence on modern pop music and her camp style, being dubbed the "Queen of Camp" by Vogue and Rolling Stone. At 16, Perry released a gospel record titled Katy Hudson (2001) under Red Hill Records, which was commercially unsuccessful. She moved to Los Angeles at 17 to venture into secular music, and later adopted the stage name "Katy Perry" from her mother's maiden name. She recorded an album while signed to Columbia Records, but was dropped before signing to Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Jonas</span> American musician (born 1987)

Paul Kevin Jonas Jr. is an American musician, television personality and entrepreneur. He rose to fame as the rhythm guitarist of the pop rock band Jonas Brothers alongside his younger brothers Joe and Nick. Jonas became a prominent figure on the Disney Channel alongside his brothers in the late 2000s, gaining a large following through the network: he appeared in the widely successful musical television film, Camp Rock (2008) and its sequel, Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010) as well as two other series, Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream (2008–2010) and Jonas (2009–2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Disick</span> American entrepreneur, media personality and socialite

Scott Michael Disick is an American media personality and socialite. He is most famous for starring as a main cast member on Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its spinoffs. Disick's popularity on Keeping Up with the Kardashians led to the development of a house flipping show, Flip It Like Disick, that aired on E!. In addition to starring on reality shows, Disick has pursued multiple business ventures, including starting a clothing brand Talentless, investing in nightclubs, and running multiple vitamin companies.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Willa Ford". MTV . Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  2. Kaplan, Ilana (July 25, 2017). "Willa Ford Explains Why She Left Music – And Teases a Possible Comeback". Billboard . Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  3. "Rock Tonight- Willa Ford". Soundcloud.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  4. "Willa Ford: Biography". TV Guide . Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  5. "Episode Detail: Willa Ford – My Celebrity Home". TV Guide. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  6. "Dreamfly Productions" . Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  7. "All Titles". Maverick Entertainment. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  8. Baldock, Luke Ryan (October 3, 2013). "Steven C. Miller To Direct 'Submerged'". Thehollywoodnews.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  9. "status-media". Statusmedia-ent.com. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  10. "Real nightmare on set of independent action film". BZFilm.com. April 25, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2014.
  11. "'Flip It Like Disick': Scott Disick and former pop star Willa Ford to star on new E! reality show". April 23, 2019.
  12. Hall, Sarah (August 27, 2007). "Willa Ford Weds Hockey Beau". E!. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  13. Peppard, Alan (August 26, 2007). "Willa you? We do! CELEBRITY EVENT: Stars' Modano, actress-singer Ford wed in East Texas". The Dallas Morning News.
  14. "Willa Ford and Husband to Divorce". People . August 7, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
  15. Vanier, Jayme (October 8, 2015) "Willa Ford and Ryan Nece's Orange County Wedding".. Agoodaffair.com. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  16. Bacardi, Francesca (March 18, 2016). "Willa Ford Is Pregnant, Expecting First Child With Husband Ryan Nece". E!. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  17. "Willa Ford and Ryan Nece Welcome a Son". People. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  18. "Willa Fordy". Billboard .
  19. Willa Ford - Billboard Hot 100 Chart History , retrieved November 26, 2020
  20. Willa Ford - Dance Single Sales Chart History , retrieved November 26, 2020
  21. "Willa Ford Hot Singles Sales". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  22. Willa Ford - Mainstream Top 40 Chart History , retrieved November 26, 2020
  23. "Willa Ford Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
  24. "Willa Ford – I Wanna Be Bad" . Retrieved May 25, 2013.[ dead link ]
  25. "Willa Ford – A Toast to Men" . Retrieved May 25, 2013.[ dead link ]
  26. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 106.