Ashanti

At age six, she first joined a gospel choir. She first sang R&B in 1994 at a local talent show.

Her last name is Douglas and middle name is Shaquoya. She was born in Glen Cove, New York (on Long Island).

She trained to dance at the Bernice Johnson Cultural Arts Center and has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater as part of the Senior Pro Ensemble. One of her first gigs was dancing in the 1989 Disney TV musical Polly, starring Phylicia Rashad.