Normani
Normani Kordei Hamilton (/nɔːrˈmɑːni/ nor-MAH-nee; born May 31, 1996)[1] is an American singer and dancer. She auditioned as a solo act for the American television series The X Factor in 2012, after which she became a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony. While in Fifth Harmony, Normani competed in Dancing with the Stars (2017) and released the song "Love Lies" (2018), a duet with Khalid, which peaked in the top ten in the US and was certified quadruple platinum by RIAA.
Normani | |
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![]() Normani performing at Jingle Ball 2019 | |
Born | Normani Kordei Hamilton May 31, 1996 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2009–present |
Home town |
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Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments | Vocals |
Labels | |
Associated acts | Fifth Harmony |
Website | officialnormani |
Following Fifth Harmony's indefinite hiatus, Normani collaborated with several artists, and released a two-song EP with Calvin Harris, Normani x Calvin Harris (2018). In November 2018, she released the single "Waves" featuring 6lack. Her duet with Sam Smith, "Dancing with a Stranger" (2019), reached the top ten in the UK and US. In August 2019, Normani released her first solo single, "Motivation", which peaked in the top 40, and was certified platinum in the US. Normani then released songs for soundtracks including a collaboration with Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj for Charlie's Angels (2019) and "Diamonds" with Megan Thee Stallion for Birds of Prey (2020).
Early life
Normani Kordei Hamilton was born on May 31, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia. She has two older half sisters. Raised in New Orleans, she and her family relocated to Pearland, Texas, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[2][3][4] From the age of three, Normani had competed in dance, gymnastics and beauty pageants.[3][5] She performed gospel music, and recorded her first song at age 13.[3] She also appeared in the HBO series Treme.[3] Normani identifies as Christian.[6]
Career
2012–2018: The X Factor and Fifth Harmony
![](../I/m/Normani_Kordei_performing_in_2013_(cropped).jpeg)
Normani auditioned for the second season of The X Factor USA in 2012 with "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin.[7] She advanced to the next round after getting approval from all four of the judges. It was during the second round of boot camp that led to her elimination.[8] That marked the end of Normani's X Factor participation as a solo artist. However, she was brought back to the show and put into a group with four other girls, Ally Brooke, Lauren Jauregui, Dinah Jane, and Camila Cabello, who would later become Fifth Harmony.[9] At the end of the show's season, the group managed to make it to the finale and finished in third place.[10]
In October 2013, Fifth Harmony released their first EP, Better Together. The group released their debut album, Reflection, in 2015, and their second album, 7/27, in 2016. The latter two albums spawned the hit singles "Worth It" and "Work from Home", respectively.[9] After Cabello's departure from the group in December 2016, Fifth Harmony released their self-titled album as a quartet in August 2017.[11] Normani became the quartet's de facto leader, leading solos and choreography.[12] Her onstage confidence in the group caught the attention of executive Tunji Balogun, who founded RCA's imprint Keep Cool, and manager Brandon Silverstein, who began working with Normani in late 2017.[12] On March 19, 2018 the group announced their decision to take an indefinite hiatus to pursue solo careers.[13]
2015–present: Solo projects and upcoming debut album
![](../I/m/Normani_in_2017_(cropped).jpg)
In 2015, Normani released two dance videos performing Future's "Fuck Up Some Commas" and Teyana Taylor's "Do Not Disturb" on her YouTube channel.[14] From February 2016 through January 2017, Normani released covers of several songs, including Tory Lanez's "Say It" and mashups of Drake's "Fake Love"/"Sneakin'", and Solange's "Cranes in the Sky"/"Don't Touch My Hair", with the help of the producers The Invaders.[15] Normani competed on season 24 of Dancing with the Stars from March through May 2017, alongside her dancing partner, professional ballroom dancer Valentin Chmerkovskiy.[16] They reached the finals and finished in third place.[17] In early August 2017, Normani had a cameo in singer Khalid's music video for "Young Dumb & Broke".[18] In October 2017, it was announced that Normani had signed to management company S10 Entertainment as a solo artist.[19][20] She was reported to have signed a publishing deal to Stellar Songs in early February 2018.[21]
Normani's duet with Khalid, "Love Lies" from the soundtrack for romantic teen comedy-drama film Love, Simon (2018), was released in February 2018.[22][23] The song was considered a sleeper hit, peaking at number nine after charting for 28 weeks.[24][25] "Love Lies" scored the highest first-week position for a single by a girl group member in the US, debuting at number 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.[26] "Love Lies" charted the Mainstream Top 40 charts for forty five weeks, tying the record for longest charting song on the chart with Dua Lipa's "New Rules".[27]
Following the group's indefinite hiatus, in early April 2018, it was announced that Normani had signed to Keep Cool/RCA Records for her debut solo album.[28] The following month, it was reported that Normani signed to a modeling contract with Wilhelmina.[29] Over the next few months, Billboard announced that Normani was collaborating with Calvin Harris and Kehlani.[30][31] In August 2018, Normani was featured alongside Kehlani on Jessie Reyez's remix for her song "Body Count", which was featured on Reyez’s EP, Being Human in Public.[32] She also featured alongside Davido on Quavo's song "Swing", from his debut solo album Quavo Huncho (2018).[33]
On October 22, 2018, Normani and Calvin Harris released their EP, Normani x Calvin Harris, which features the songs "Checklist" with Wizkid and "Slow Down".[34][35] The following day, she performed the two songs alongside a new song, "Waves" featuring 6lack, at the Tidal X Brooklyn concert.[36][37] She then released "Waves" and premiered it on the music radio station Beats 1 on November 15, 2018.[38] Normani was named the Top Female Breakout Artist of 2018 by Spotify.[39] In her interview with Beats 1, Normani said that her debut album would be released in the first quarter of 2019, and its title is a number.[38]
On January 11, 2019, Normani and Sam Smith released the song "Dancing with a Stranger", peaking at number three in the UK and number seven in the U.S.[40] One year into her solo career, Normani became the fastest solo artist (without an album) to surpass one billion combined streams on Spotify.[41] In March 2019, she was the supporting act for Ariana Grande's first leg of the Sweetener World Tour in North America.[42] Normani's single "Motivation", co-written by Grande, was released in August 2019, her first single without a featured artist.[43] The song peaked at number 33 in the US.[44] "Motivation" was nominated for a Soul Train Music Award for Best Dance Performance.[45] In September 2019, Normani announced that her debut album would be released in 2020, stating "it is a little more than halfway" complete.[46] In October 2019, The Guardian ranked her as one of the 25 greatest female pop-group performers of all time.[47]
Normani collaborated with Grande and Nicki Minaj on the song "Bad to You", for the soundtrack of the 2019 film Charlie's Angels, released in November 2019.[48] In January 2020, Normani and rapper Megan Thee Stallion released "Diamonds", the lead single for the soundtrack of the superhero film Birds of Prey (2020).[49] Normani was named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2020.[50] She was placed on BET's "Future 40" list, which is a list of "40 of the most inspiring and innovative vanguards who are redefining what it means to be unapologetically young, gifted & black".[51] In August 2020, Normani made a cameo in Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion's music video for "WAP", alongside Kylie Jenner and Rosalía.[52]
Artistry
Normani has cited 1990s and 2000s R&B,[53] Aaliyah,[54] Alicia Keys,[54] Mariah Carey,[55] Janet Jackson,[56] Aretha Franklin,[54] Beyoncé,[57] and Lauryn Hill[58] as influences.
Endorsements
In 2018, Normani had a relation with the multinational company Puma. She was named as the endorser for a range of RS-0 shoes.[59][60] On November 22, 2019, Normani was announced as the first ambassador of the singer Rihanna's intimate company, Savage X Fenty.[61][62][63] Prior in becoming the ambassador, she performed a dance sequence on the company's show, Savage X Fenty Show, which was held in New York City on September 10, 2019.[64][65] It was later premiered on the media-services provider, Amazon Prime Video on September 20, 2019.[66][67] In 2020, Normani was named as a global citizen and a campaign spokesperson for the makeup brand, Urban Decay.[68][69]
Philanthropy
Along with Fifth Harmony, Normani has been involved with many charities like Girl Scouts of the US and the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.[70][71] In September 2016, Normani was named the Diversity Ambassador for The Cybersmile Foundation, an international non-profit organization providing support for victims of cyber bullying and online hate campaigns, after being racially abused online.[72] On January 26, 2017, Normani was named as the first official celebrity ambassador for the annual Stars & Strikes Celebrity Bowling Event & Tournament hosted by the non-profit organization A Place Called Home.[73] On February 24, 2017, it was announced that Normani partnered with American Cancer Society as a global ambassador to help increase awareness about the importance of breast cancer screening and HPV vaccination.[74][75]
Discography
Filmography
Year | Name | Role | Notes |
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2011 | Book | Bryn | Short |
2012–13 | The X Factor U.S. | Herself | 22 episodes (2012) Guest: 1 episode (2013) |
2014 | Faking It | Episode: "The Ecstasy and the Agony" | |
2015 | Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse | Episode: "Sisters' Fun Day" | |
Taylor Swift: The 1989 World Tour Live | Concert film | ||
2016 | The Ride | Episode: "Fifth Harmony" | |
2017 | Dancing with the Stars | 11 episodes; season 24 1 episode; season 25 | |
2018 | Lip Sync Battle | Episode: "Fifth Harmony" | |
Sugar | 1 episode[76] | ||
2019 | Savage X Fenty Show | Appearance/Performer[77] | |
The Voice | Advisor | seventeenth season for Team Kelly | |
2020 | RuPaul's Drag Race | Guest Judge | season 12 (2020) Episode: Gay's Anatomy[78] |
Awards and nominations
As a solo artist, Normani has won 11 awards and has been nominated for an additional 36. These awards include nominations for the duets "Love Lies", "Dancing with a Stranger" and "Waves" as well as solo song "Motivation" and artist awards.
Tours
Normani was the supporting act for the first leg of Ariana Grande's 2019 Sweetener World Tour
Personal life
Normani resides in Los Angeles, California in the San Fernando Valley.[79]
References
- "Watch Fifth Harmony Sing Happy Birthday to Normani Hamilton". Billboard. May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2018.
- Guerra, Joey (May 20, 2019). "Normani's Texas homecoming includes stops at Whataburger and Rose Gold nightclub". Chron. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
- "Bio: Fifth Harmony". Fifth Harmony Official. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- Krauser, Emily (October 31, 2017). "Normani Kordei Opens Up About Her Mom's Cancer Survivorship: 'That Deserves to Be Celebrated' (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- "Normani Is the Next Household Name". Paper. October 29, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
- "How Fifth Harmony Moved On and Took Control of Their Music: 'The Fans Are Our Fifth Member". Billboard. July 12, 2017. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
- Cubria, Kaitlin (May 24, 2015). "The Truth Behind Fifth Harmony's Auditions on The X Factor". teen.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Kissick, Dean (June 5, 2016). "Fifth Harmony". Wonderland Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Roth, Madeline (July 27, 2016). "From X Factor To 7/27, Relive Fifth Harmony's Biggest Moments". MTV. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Oldenburg, Ann (December 20, 2012). "'X Factor' crowns Season 2 winner". USA Today. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Kennedy, Gerrick D. (August 17, 2017). "After a rocky year, Fifth Harmony is in control – and tighter than ever". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- "Normani: A Pop Perfectionist Makes Her Move". Rolling Stone. February 28, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- Kaufman, Gil (March 19, 2018). "Fifth Harmony Announce Hiatus to Pursue Solo Careers". Billboard. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- Morris, Jessie (July 14, 2015). "Fifth Harmony Star Normani Kordei Shows Off Her Dance Skills to Future's "Commas" and More". Complex. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Normani Kordei's channel on YouTube
- "'Dancing with the Stars' 2017: Season 24 celebrity cast and partners revealed on GMA". ABC News. March 1, 2017. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- Knapp, DJ (May 23, 2017). "'Dancing With the Stars' Awards Its 24th Mirrorball Trophy". Variety. Retrieved June 17, 2017.
- Leight, Elias (August 1, 2017). "See Khalid Get Crowned Prom King in 'Young Dumb & Broke' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- Gemmill, Allie (October 23, 2017). "Why Some Fans Think Normani Kordei Is LEAVING Fifth Harmony". Teen Vogue. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- Kaufman, Gil (October 23, 2017). "Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei Signs Solo Management Deal With S10 Entertainment". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- Devoe, Noelle (February 6, 2018). "Normani Kordei Just Signed Her Own Solo Deal — Is Fifth Harmony Over?!". Seventeen. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- Bein, Kat (August 22, 2017). "Fifth Harmony's Normani & Khalid Are Working Together: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- Rice, Nicholas (January 16, 2018). "Normani and Khalid to Release New Song Together". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2018.
- Spanos, Brittany (November 27, 2018). "Song You Need to Know: Normani and 6lack, 'Waves'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
- Trust, Gary (September 4, 2018). "Drake Ties Usher for Most Total Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 Among Solo Males; Khalid & Normani Hit Top 10". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
- "Fifth Harmony's Normani Breaks Girl Group Chart Record With Khalid Duet". Iheart.com. Retrieved April 22, 2020.
- "Khalid & Normani's 'Love Lies' Ties Dua Lipa's 'New Rules' For Longevity Record On Pop Songs Chart". Billboard. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- Mitchell, Gail (April 9, 2018). "Normani Signs to Keep Cool/RCA Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
- Okwodu, Janelle (May 15, 2018). "Normani Is Ready for Her Close-Up". Vogue. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
- Bein, Kat (June 19, 2018). "Normani & Calvin Harris Are Working Together". Billboard. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
- Aniftos, Rania (August 1, 2018). "Kehlani Confirms Upcoming Collaboration With Normani". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
- "Jessie Reyez Links Up With Kehlani & Normani for 'Body Count' Remix: Listen". Billboard. August 24, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
- "Quavo, Normani & Davido 'SWING' On A Tightrope". HotNewHipHop. October 14, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
- Spanos, Brittany (October 22, 2018). "Normani, Calvin Harris Team on New Club-Bangers 'Slow Down,' 'Checklist'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
- "Normani and Calvin Harris Release 2 New Songs Together". Complex. October 22, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
- "Normani Performs Unreleased Song 'Waves' at TIDAL X Concert: Watch". Billboard. October 24, 2018.
- "Behind the Scenes of Normani's Tidal X Show". Paper. October 29, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- "Normani Unleashes New Single 'Waves' Feat. 6LACK, Says Debut Album Is Slated for Early 2019". Billboard. November 15, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
- "Spotify's 2018 List Of Most-Streamed Artists Is Depressing For One Major Reason". Revelist.com. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
- "Normani teams with Sam Smith on 'Dancing With A Stranger'". The Fader. January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
- Mercuri, Monica. "A Look Into Normani's Solo Career Success, Despite Not Having Released A Debut Album". Forbes. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- "Normani Joins Ariana Grande's Sweetener World Tour". Billboard. November 5, 2018.
- "Normani Returns With New Single 'Motivation,' Co-Written With Ariana Grande". Forbes. August 16, 2019.
- "Normani Kordei Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- "Chris Brown, Drake, Beyoncé and Lizzo Top Nominees For 2019 Soul Train Awards: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- "Normani Confirms 14 Track Debut Album Is 'Halfway Done' & Will Drop In 2020". Capital FM. September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
- Cragg, Michael (October 12, 2019). "From Mutya to Beyoncé: who is the best girl band member of all time?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
- "Ariana, Nicki, and Normani Share New Song 'Bad to You': Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 1, 2019.
- "Megan Thee Stallion & Normani Form The Ultimate Girl Power Duo On "Diamonds" For "Birds Of Prey" Soundtrack". Hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
- Greenburg, Zack O'Malley. "Some Call Normani The Next Beyoncé—With 3 Billion Streams, This 30 Under 30 Breakout Is On Her Way". Forbes. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
- "BET DIGITAL CELEBRATES BLACK EXCELLENCE WITH NEW ORIGINAL EDITORIAL SERIES". Chicago Defender. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
- Hussey, Allison. "Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion Share Video for New Song "WAP": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- Viswanath, Jake (February 14, 2018). "Normani Is Finally Stepping Out On Her Own". V. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- "Normani Kordei from Fifth Harmony Shares Style Influences, Turning 20 & Embracing Black Girl Magic". November 23, 2016. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
- "Billboard Music Award".
- White, Chelsea (December 7, 2018). "Janet Jackson Honored by Missy Elliott at 2018 BMI R&B/Hip Hop Awards". BlackPressUSA. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
- "Bio: Fifth Harmony". Fifth Harmony Official. Archived from the original on January 3, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
- Feeney, Nolan (June 1, 2018). "The Next Generation of Lauryn Hill: 16 Artists on Their Favorite 'Miseducation' Songs". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
The title track, 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,' is definitely a favorite. I have found inspiration in this particular record, which will be a huge influence on my project to come.
- "Normani Nabs Major Puma Deal / Unveils First Promo - That Grape Juice". thatgrapejuice.net. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Normani and Jacob Banks Style Out the PUMA RS-0 Sound". HYPEBEAST. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- "Normani Is Savage x Fenty's First Brand Ambassador". Nylon.
- ""I Feel Great, Empowered, Fearless, and Beautiful" : Normani Is Savage X Fenty's First-Ever Brand". Vogue.com.
- "Rihanna Introduces Normani as Savage X Fenty's First Brand Ambassador". Billboard.
- "Watch Normani Perform at Savage X Fenty Fashion Show". Harper's Bazaar.
- "Normani Was the Real Star of the Savage x Fenty Fashion Show". W Magazine.
- "Watch Savage X Fenty Show". Amazon.
- "Rihanna's Savage X Fenty fashion show streaming on Amazon". Business Insider.
- Smith, Erica (June 18, 2020). "Normani Lands Her First Big Beauty Contract". The Cut. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- "Normani Tapped As New Urban Decay Global Citizen And Campaign Spokesperson". www.essence.com. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- "An Exclusive Fifth Harmony Concert for Girl Scouts". Girl Scouts River Valleys. December 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 24, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- "Fifth Harmony Inspires Patients at Seacrest Studios!". Ryan Seacrest Foundation. November 8, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Robertson, Regina R. (October 12, 2016). "Normani Kordei Opens Up About Her Struggle With Cyberbullies and Racist Trolls". Essence. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Weatherby, Taylor (January 26, 2017). "Fifth Harmony's Normani Kordei to Serve as Celebrity Ambassador for Stars & Strikes Charity Bowling Event". Billboard. Retrieved March 2, 2017.
- "Normani Kordei of pop group Fifth Harmony partners with the American Cancer Society as a global ambassador". Yahoo!. PR Newswire. February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2017.
- Lenker, Maureen Lee (September 26, 2017). "Fifth Harmony singer Normani Kordei helps fight cancer: It's 'my duty'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 9, 2017.
- Milman, Lilly (August 3, 2018). "'Sugar' Trailer: Watch Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Charlie Puth and More Surprise the 'Most-Deserving Fans'". Billboard.
- "Normani Leaves Fans Gobsmacked With Performance At Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Show". Capital FM. September 20, 2020.
- Zafar, Nina (March 27, 2020). "What to watch on Friday: 'Ozark' returns on Netflix". The Washington Post.
- "Normani Goes Ultra-Modern in the Valley". Variety. July 27, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
External links
- Normani on IMDb
- Rogers, Dweyne (February 24, 2018). "Normani Kordei: Singer dishes on fame, Fifth Harmony and her 'DWTS' future". Rolling Out.