Aaliyah Dana Haughton

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born on January 16th 1979. The World was blessed with the birth of Aaliyah Dana Haughton in Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. Aaliyah was brought up as a Christian with her older brother Rashad Haughton. Diane Haughton, Aaliyah’s mother, also a vocalist, encouraging her daughter’s career. 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 is of both African American and Native American ancestry.

In 1989 at age 10, she appeared on the TV talent show Star Search,the TV programme and sang 'My Funny Valentine', a song which her mother had sung years earlier. 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 auditioned for TV shows, including Family Matters.

At age 11, she sang with Gladys Knight in a five-night stint in Las Vegas. In 1992, she began to work on her debut album with the help of singer R. Kelly. The album, 'Age Ain't nothing but a number' was released in 1994 and received heavy praise. Aaliyah came under attack shortly after when reports suggested she was married to R. Kelly.

Later that year she released the single 'Journey to the past', off the Anastasia soundtrack. In 2000, she made her film acting debut and starred as Trish O'Day in the smash hit, hip-hop, kung fu film, 'Romeo Must Die' alongside Jet Li. The producer was so impressed by her performance she got parts in 'The Matrix 2' and 3.