Ciara's second album, Ciara: The Evolution, was released in December 2006. It has spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top ten hit "Get Up", and the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts top ten hits "Promise", "Like a Boy", and "Can't Leave 'em Alone". To date, the album, which went platinum only five weeks after its release, has sold more than one million copies in the U.S. and three million worldwide.
Ciara's third studio album, Fantasy Ride, was released in the United States on May 5, 2009.[5] The first official single, the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts top ten hit "Never Ever", features rapper Young Jeezy and was released in January 2009. The second single, the worldwide hit "Love Sex Magic" featuring Justin Timberlake, was released in March 2009. Since its release, the single became a hit on numerous charts, including the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 10.[6] Ciara cites Janet Jackson as her inspiration.[7] Ciara was born October 25, 1985,[1] in Austin, Texas; She is the only child of Jackie (née Smith) and Carlton Clay Harris. She grew up on Army bases in Germany, New York, Utah, California, Arizona, and Nevada, since her father was in the United States Army.[8] During her teens, Ciara and her family settled in Atlanta.[8] Ciara said that watching Destiny's Child perform on a television program while staying home from school inspired her to pursue a career in music. Then, Ciara joined a girl group called Hearsay and worked on her songwriting.[8] The group recorded demos, but began to have differences. Eventually, she left the group, got a publishing deal, and found a "musical soulmate" when she met producer Jazze Pha.[8] Ciara graduated from Riverdale High School in Riverdale, Georgia in 2003 and was signed by LaFace Records executive L.A. Reid with the help of Jazze Pha. She began production on her debut album. Ciara co-wrote a demo with songwriter Sean Garrett, who was co-writer of Usher’s international hit "Yeah!".[8] Goodies became a commercial success in the U.S., selling 2.63 million copies. The following year, Goodies received an international release, but success was limited, although the singles were worldwide hits. Ciara’s debut single,reached number one in United States and United Kingdom. The second and third single "1, 2 Step featuring Missy Elliott and "Oh" featuring Ludacris were top five singles, both peaking at the number two spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, in both countries. "And I", the fourth single, did poorly compared to the first three releases. The song peaked at ninety-six on the Billboard Hot 100.
In the summer 2005, Ciara released her DVD of music videos, documentaries, and commentaries entitled Goodies: The Videos & More and contributed to hip-hop artists' singles during Goodies success. She appeared on Missy Elliott's "Lose Control" from her album The Cookbook and Bow Wow’s "Like You" from his album Wanted, which both peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
In December 2005, Ciara went on tour with Gwen Stefani on her Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005 and Bow Wow and Chris Brown for the "Holladay Jam" tour, which stopped at big cities such as New York, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. She received Grammy nominations for "Best New Artist", "Best Rap/Sung Collaboration" for "1, 2 Step", "Best Rap Song" and "Best Short Form Music Video" for “Lose Control”.
Ciara's second studio album, Ciara: The Evolution was released December 5, 2006. Production included hit makers such as, Jazze Pha, Rodney Jerkins, Pharrell, Bryan Michael Cox, Will.i.am and many others. The album is about Ciara's personal growth after two years in the public eye. She co-wrote and co-produced most of the songs. The official first single "Promise",produced by Atlanta producer Polow da Don, which reached eleven on the Billboard Hot 100. In October 2006, Ciara went on a seventeen city club tour until December, which she previewed new music from the album. Ciara: The Evolution debuted at number one selling over 338,000 copies, which is 213,000 more than Ciara’s debut album Goodies. The album received generally positive reviews and was certified platinum by the RIAA within only five weeks of its release. The second single from Ciara: The Evolution, the first single in Europe, "Like a Boy", was released on February 13, 2007 in the U.S. The single was the second to be released in the UK with an April 9, 2007 release date. The single was a moderate success peaking at nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100, six on the Hot Hip-Hop/R&B Singles chart, and sixteen in the UK. In early May, Ciara teamed with Glamour Magazine to direct her first music video for emerging female artists Tiffany Evans, Paula Campbell, or Samantha Jade in the Nissan Reel Music Contest.[10] She signed on to her second film role Mama, I Want to Sing! which filmed the summer 2007 and is due in theaters October 2008 and she became the face of Jay-Z's Rocawear clothing line and spokesperson for the women campaign entitled "I Will Not Lose", which debuted in the summer.[11] The official third single "Can't Leave 'Em Alone",which features 50 Cent was released on June 12, 2007 and peaked at forty on the Billboard Hot 100. Ciara headlined with Lloyd, T-Pain, T.I. and Yung Joc on the Screamfest '07. The tour was scheduled to begin July 24, 2007.[12] but it was changed to August 3, 2007.[13] During this period, Ciara was featured on teen singer Tiffany Evans's debut single, "Promise Ring". Ciara supported fellow pop singer Rihanna on the UK leg of the Good Girl Gone Bad Tour. Ciara performed "Can't Leave 'Em Alone" e. at the World Music Awards with 50 Cent. She won the award for "World's Best Selling Female R&B Artist" at the 2007 World Music Awards.
In early January, Ciara released a promo single titled which featured J-Hood, though no radio stations picked up on it cause it wasn't an official single. At this time Ciara was originally getting ready for the release of her theatrical debut in the film Mama, I Want to Sing!. But shortly after it was announced the film would go straight to DVD in Fall 2009.
The album's artwork featured cover art and a comic book superhero theme, similar to the superhero she portrayed in the "Go Girl" video. She is working with DC Comics artist Bernard Chang to make the cover artwork.[20][21]
In October 2008, Billboard announced that Ciara would be honored as a "Woman Of The Year" for her success in the music industry.[24] Ciara did interviews in many magazines including "Right On", Maxim Magazine, and Vibe Magazine, which she was promoting the new album Fantasy Ride.[25][26] This followed to the Vibe Magazine controversy. On the October issue, Ciara was appearing to be naked but she has stated that Vibe airbrushed her clothes off to make it appear she was completely nude. She later confirmed to MTV News that she was in fact clothed. Ciara was quoted as saying:[27]
In March 2009, it was also announced that Ciara will be the supporting act for Britney Spears world tour, "The Circus Starring: Britney Spears". She will serve as the opening act of her European Leg in June. In May 2009, Ciara announced that she will also be going on a 10-city summer tour with fellow rapper Jay-Z.[28]
In 2005, Ciara began dating rapper Bow Wow. They ended their relationship in April 2006.[29]
She recently signed a deal with the modeling agency Wilhelmina Models. The deal will allow Wilhelmina to focus on casting Ciara in various photo shoots and commercials. In addition to that, she also has her eyes set on beginning a new clothing line. In June 2008 she was in talks with the department store Steve & Barry's, who are home to a clothing line for Sarah Jessica Parker's "Bitten" line as well as New York Knicks' star Stephon Marbury's "Starbury" collection, to create a reasonably priced clothing line that would combine her style with affordable prices;[30] these talks presumably ended when Steve & Barry's filed for bankruptcy protection and then liquidated.
The first picture Ciara took with Wilhelmina Models from a photo shoot was released on the Internet. The picture shows Ciara wrapped up in a microphone cord. Ciara confirmed on a radio station that her fashion line is in early talks.[31] Ciara is also currently featured on a six page spread in the January 2009, issue of Elle Magazine. It shows Ciara in different styles of clothes and hairstyles. She promotes the upcoming album "Fantasy Ride".[32]
Ciara is starring with Patti LaBelle in the upcoming film Mama, I Want to Sing!, which is based on the worldwide hit off-Broadway musical. Ciara is playing a preacher's daughter in the church choir who becomes a pop star.
In November, Ciara teamed up with the "Make A Wish Foundation". In the foundation, Ciara taught an mentally challenged girl how to do the 1, 2 Step, something the girl always dreamed of doing. The little girl is a huge fan of Ciara and was so happy that she finally able to meet her idol.[36] more
My Goodies
Ciara-Goodies - A funny movie is a click away
1,2 Step
Ciara - 1, 2 Step (Official Music Video) - Watch more funny videos here
So What
FieldMob Feat Ciara - So What - Click here for this week’s top video clips
Get Up
Ciara - Get Up (Official Music Video) - For more of the funniest videos, click here
Go Girl
Ciara - Go Girl (Featuring T-Pain) (Official Music Video) - More amazing video clips are a click away
Never Ever
Ciara - Never Ever (featuring Young Jeezy) (Official Music Video) - Celebrity bloopers here
Promise
Ciara - Promise (Official Music Video) - The best free videos are right here
Ciara - Love Sex Magic
Ciara - Love Sex Magic (featuring Justin Timberlake) (Official Music Video) - The most popular videos are a click away
Takin' Back My Love
"Takin' Back My Love" - Enrique Iglesias Feat. Ciara - More amazing video clips are a click away
Ciara - "Can't Leave 'Em Alone" Featuring 50 Cent
Ciara - "Can't Leave 'Em Alone" Featuring 50 Cent (Official Music Video) - Watch a funny movie here
OH
Ciara - Oh (MUSIC VIDEO) - Amazing videos are here