Aaliyah Dana Haughton, better known as Aaliyah, was an American singer, dancer, actress and model.
Early years
Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City, New York to Michael and Diane Haughton, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. Her name means "Highest, Most Exalted, The Best" in both Arabic and Hebrew. Her maternal Grandmother, Mintis L. Hicks Hankerson, gave her the middle name Dana. Aaliyah was brought up as a Catholic with her older brother Rashad Haughton. Her maternal Grandmother was of African American and Native American descent. Diane Haughton, Aaliyah's mother, also a vocalist, encouraged her daughter's career.
In 1991, she appeared on the TV talent show Star Search at age ten, singing her mother's favorite song, "My Funny Valentine". Although she did not win, she remained a good sport and continued to perfect her skills. Aaliyah worked with an agent in New York and began to attend auditions for TV shows, including Family Matters.
Following her appearance on Star Search Aaliyah performed on stage in Las Vegas, Nevada with Gladys Knight, her aunt by way of Knight's marriage to her uncle, Barry Hankerson. In her early teens, Aaliyah attended the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, and graduated as a Dance major with a 4.0 GPA.
In 1991, she appeared on the TV talent show Star Search at age ten, singing her mother's favorite song, "My Funny Valentine". Although she did not win, she remained a good sport and continued to perfect her skills. Aaliyah worked with an agent in New York and began to attend auditions for TV shows, including Family Matters.
Following her appearance on Star Search Aaliyah performed on stage in Las Vegas, Nevada with Gladys Knight, her aunt by way of Knight's marriage to her uncle, Barry Hankerson. In her early teens, Aaliyah attended the Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts, and graduated as a Dance major with a 4.0 GPA.
Awards
MTV Video Music Awards:
2000, Best Female Video: "Try Again"
2000, Best Video From Film: "Try Again"
MOBO Awards:
2002, Best Video: "More Than a Woman"
BET Awards:
2002, Best Actress: "Queen of The Damned"
2002, Best Female R&B Artist
2000, Best selling female artist in "pop"
Image Awards
2002, Outstanding Female Artist
2003, Best female video: "Miss You"
Soul Train Awards
2002 Female R&B/Soul Single: "Rock The Boat"
Lady of Soul Awards
2000, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video : "Try Again"
2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year: "Try Again"
2002, Best R&B/Soul Solo Single: "Rock the Boat"
2002, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year: "Rock the Boat" * American Music Awards
2002, Favorite Female R&B Artist
2002, Favorite R&B/Soul Album: Aaliyah
2003, Favorite Female R&B Artist
Source Awards
2000, R&B Artist of the Year, Female: Aaliyah
2000, Best Female Video: "Try Again"
2000, Best Video From Film: "Try Again"
MOBO Awards:
2002, Best Video: "More Than a Woman"
BET Awards:
2002, Best Actress: "Queen of The Damned"
2002, Best Female R&B Artist
2000, Best selling female artist in "pop"
Image Awards
2002, Outstanding Female Artist
2003, Best female video: "Miss You"
Soul Train Awards
2002 Female R&B/Soul Single: "Rock The Boat"
Lady of Soul Awards
2000, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video : "Try Again"
2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year: "Try Again"
2002, Best R&B/Soul Solo Single: "Rock the Boat"
2002, Best R&B/Soul or Rap Song of the Year: "Rock the Boat" * American Music Awards
2002, Favorite Female R&B Artist
2002, Favorite R&B/Soul Album: Aaliyah
2003, Favorite Female R&B Artist
Source Awards
2000, R&B Artist of the Year, Female: Aaliyah
Also known as Baby Girl, Liyah, The Queen of Neo Soul, The Queen of Urban Pop.
Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words described R&B singer-turned-actress Aaliyah perfectly.
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