Fergie (singer)

Stacy Ann"Fergie"Ferguson(/ˈfɜːrɡi/FUR-ghee; born March 27, 1975)is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. As a child, Fergie starred on the children's television seriesKids Incorporated(1984–1989), and voicedSally Brownin twoPeanutstelevision specialsand inThe Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show(1984–1986). She later co-founded thegirl groupWild Orchid, and performed ontwo albumsin the 1990s.
During the 2000s, Fergie achieved international fame as a part of thehip hopgroupthe Black Eyed Peas, recordingfour albumswith them. Her debut solo album,The Dutchess(2006), peaked at number two on theBillboard200. It spawned theBillboardHot 100number-one singles "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Glamorous" and "London Bridge", and the top-five singles "Clumsy" and "Fergalicious". Her second solo album,Double Dutchess(2017), was released alongsidea filmand peaked at number 19 on theBillboard200. It spawned the top 40 singles "L.A. Love (La La)" and "M.I.L.F. $".
Fergie has acted in the disaster filmPoseidon(2006), the double featureGrindhouse(2007), the musical dramaNine(2009), and the comedy filmMarmaduke(2010). She also hosted the reality seriesThe Four: Battle for Stardom(2018). Her other ventures include launching two footwear lines and fivefragrancesbeginning withAvon'sOutspokenin 2010.
Fergie has sold over 35 million albums and 60 million singles worldwide.Her accoladesinclude eightGrammy Awardsand aScreen Actors Guild Awardnomination.Billboardranked her among the top artists of the 2000s and named herWoman of the Yearin 2010.
Stacy Ann Ferguson was born on March 27, 1975, inHacienda Heights, California,to Terri (néeGore) and Jon Patrick Ferguson. Her father died in September 2021 at age 74.She has a younger sister named Dana Ferguson; their ancestry includes English, Irish, Mexican, and Scottish.Ferguson was raised Roman Catholic and attended Mesa Robles Middle School andGlen A. Wilson High School.She was a cheerleader, straight-A student,spelling beechampion,andGirl Scout.
Fergie studied dance and began to dovoiceoverwork. She provided the voice forSally Brownin two made-for-televisionPeanutscartoons,It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown(1984) andSnoopy's Getting Married, Charlie Brown(1985), as well as on four episodes ofThe Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show. From 1984 to 1989, Fergie starred on the TV showKids Incorporatedand was the longest running cast member. She starred in the first six of the show's nine seasons. Fergie was a member of the female trioWild Orchid, which she fronted withStefanie Rideland fellowKids IncorporatedstarRenee Sandstrom. By 1992, the girls began meeting with record labels, but they still could not get a recording contract. They eventually signed a music publishing deal withSony Publishingbefore signing a record contract withRCA Recordsin 1994.
Wild Orchid released theirself-titled debut albumin March 1997, which charted at #153 on theBillboard200. In September 1998, they released their second album,Oxygen, which was a commercial failure, only selling 200,000 copies worldwide. From June 16 to August 28, 1999, they opened forCher'sDo You Believe?tour alongsideCyndi Lauper, which took them to 52 cities across the United States and Canada. They completed a third album, which their record label declined to release, and Fergie left the group in September 2001. In 2006, Fergie toldEntertainment Weeklythat both frustrations with the band's image and personal drug problems led her to leave Wild Orchid.
TheBlack Eyed Peaswere recording their third album,Elephunk(2003), whenwill.i.aminvited Fergie to try out for the song "Shut Up". She secured the gig and instantly bonded with the trio, going on to record five additional songs on the album. The following spring, shortly beforeElephunkcame out,InterscopechairmanJimmy Iovineoffered Fergie a permanent spot to take over vocal duties and fill the void left by background singerKim Hill's departure in 2000.In a positive review of the Black Eyed Peas' new-found style,Rolling Stonenoted that since 2002, when the group "hired a blond bombshell named Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson and gave up their pursuit of backpack-rapper cred, they have made a kind of spiritual practice of recording futuristic songs – a total aesthetic commitment that extends from their garish wardrobes to theirUnited Colors of Benettonworldview."FromElephunkcame "Where Is the Love?", which became the Black Eyed Peas' first major hit: it peaked at number eight on theBillboardHot 100 and topped the charts in several other countries.The album subsequently spawned "Shut Up", which topped the charts in many markets. The third single from the album, "Hey Mama", reached the top 10 in several European countries and later peaked at number twenty-three in the United States in 2004.
Their next album,Monkey Business, was released on June 7, 2005, and debuted at number two on theU.S.Billboard200albums chart, selling over 295,000 copies in its first week and was latercertifiedtriple platinum by theRIAA. Their next and last commercially released single from the album was "Pump It", which borrows much of its sound from "Misirlou", specificallyDick Dale's version; it peaked at number 8 in Australia and 18 in America. The album's first single, "Don't Phunk with My Heart", was a hit in the United States, reaching number three on the U.S. Hot 100 and earned them another Grammy forBest Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. "Don't Lie", the second single from the album, saw success on the U.S. Hot 100, reaching No. 14, although becoming somewhat more successful in the UK and Australia, reaching a peak of No.6 in both countries. "My Humps", another song from the album, immediately achieved commercial success in the U.S. and fairly substantial radio play despite the sexually suggestive lyrics, reaching number three on the U.S. Hot 100 and number one in Australia, making it their fourth Australian number one single. However, many mocked the song for its poor lyrical content; John Bush, writing forAllMusic, described it as "one of the most embarrassing rap performances of the new millennium".Later in 2005, the Black Eyed Peas toured withGwen Stefani, as supporting act. In December 2005, they embarked on the "European Tour". In March 2006, the Black Eyed Peas toured again, as the featured headliner for theHonda Civic Tour.
Fergie's debut solo album,The Dutchess, was released in September 2006.It was initially recorded in 2005.The songs on the album are "from a seven-year period, but [Interscope CEO]Jimmy Iovineheard some [tracks] and was like, 'This is great, let's put it out'.One of the album's executive producers and fellow Black Eyed Peas memberwill.i.amstated that she was "writing about her personal struggles and casting her demons away and feminine power. [It's] her singing for young girls to be strong, and what they're going through in life, just growing up in this world of uncertainty.""London Bridge" was released as the album's lead single on July 18, 2006, to radio stationsand on August 7, 2006, on the iTunes Store.Theurban poptrack caused controversy due to itsdouble entendretitle,but became a huge success, topping theBillboardHot 100(for three weeks) and New Zealand charts, while also reaching the top-ten in over twelve countries.The music video for the song features the Black Eyed Peas members as well as Fergie on theTower Bridge, among other scenes.
The following single, "Fergalicious", was released on October 23, 2006.The track, which featureswill.i.am, reached number two on theBillboardHot 100, the top-five in Australia and New Zealand, although it peaked lower than "London Bridge" in Europe.Its music video features Fergie asWilly Wonkain a candy factory."Glamorous" was released as the third single from the album, on February 20, 2007.The track, which featuresLudacris, became another number-one single for Fergie in the United States, and also reached the top-ten in over seven countries.The fourth single, "Big Girls Don't Cry", was released on May 22, 2007.The ballad became a huge success worldwide, topping the charts of ten countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States; it was also the album's most successful single in Europe.It earned Fergie a nomination for theGrammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.The music video for the song features American actorMilo Ventimigliaas her love interest."Clumsy" was then selected to be the fifth and final single from the album. It was released on September 25, 2007and became a top-ten hit in five countries, including in Australia and the United States, becoming her fifth consecutive top-five hit in the U.S.
In 2007, the Black Eyed Peas embarked on theBlack Blue & You World Tourand visited more than 20 countries. Fergie returned to acting in 2006, appearing as a lounge singer in thePoseidonremake. She later had supporting roles in 2007'sGrindhouseand the 2009 musical filmNine. Fergie and other members of the cast ofNinewon theSatellite Award for Best Cast – Motion Pictureand received nominations for theCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting EnsembleandScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picturefor their performances. On December 31, 2006, Fergie began hostingDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' EveonABCfor the pre-taped Hollywood segments after theNew Year Ballcame down inTimes Square.
In early 2009, Fergie and the group leftA&M Records; both remained withInterscope Records.The group's fifth studio album,The E.N.D("TheEnergyNeverDies"), was released on June 9, 2009. The overall sound of the album has a more electro hop beat rather than the usual hip pop/R&B feeling of their previous albums. In its first week, the album sold 304,000 copies and debuted at number 1 on theBillboard200.They released "Boom Boom Pow" as the lead single from their fifth album,The E.N.D., in March 2009. It went to number one in the United States and became the group's first chart topper.As of March 2011, the album has sold over 3,000,000 copies in the US alone.In France, the album proved to be very successful. It spent 55 weeks inside of the top 10 with 11 at No. 1.They subsequently released a second single from the album, "I Gotta Feeling", which proved an even greater success than the first: it moved from number two behind "Boom Boom Pow" to the top spot in July,and stayed for 14 straight weeks at number one on theBillboardHot 100,the longest stay at the top of 2009. The two hit singles back to back kept the Black Eyed Peas on the top for 26 consecutive weeks, from April 18 through October 16. Fergie bought a stake in theMiami Dolphinsin 2009,and has performed at the team's football games numerous times.
"Meet Me Halfway" was released as the third single from the album in September 2009. The single reached number one in the United Kingdom and Australia. It also peaked at seven on theBillboardHot 100. In October 2009, Fergie became a part owner of the National Football League'sMiami Dolphins."Imma Be" was released as the fourth single; it reached number one on theBillboardHot 100 for two weeks."Rock That Body" was then released as the fifth single and reached number nine on the U.S. charts.In September 2009, the group embarked onThe E.N.D World Tour, visiting Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. In October 2009, they also were the opening acts for 5 concerts of theU2 360° TourNorth America leg.
The Black Eyed Peas performed at theGrammyson January 31, 2010. They performed a mash-up of "Imma Be"/"I Gotta Feeling". They won 3 out of the 6 awards they were nominated for including Best Pop Vocal Album forThe E.N.D., Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group for "I Gotta Feeling" and Best Short Form Video for "Boom Boom Pow". On July 27, 2010, the Black Eyed Peas released a remix album:The E.N.D. Summer 2010 Canadian Invasion Tour: Remix Collection. It was released oniTunesin Canada only, during the Canadian leg of The E.N.D World Tour. It mostly features remixes of the singles taken fromThe E.N.D.It also features a remix of "Let's Get It Started" taken fromElephunk; the remix was also a bonus track on the deluxe edition ofThe E.N.D.. She launched her debut fragrance,Outspoken, underAvonin May 2010.Her performance of Gimme Shelter with Mick Jagger and U2 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary in 2010 has over 13 million views.
Their sixth studio album,The Beginning, was released on November 30, 2010, and received mixed reviews.The album's first single release was called "The Time (Dirty Bit)".In January 2011, she began appearing inDr PepperCherry commercials. "Just Can't Get Enough", the album's second single, was released on February 18, 2011. The music video was released on March 16, 2011, and it was filmed inTokyo, one week before theearthquake and the tsunami. The video was directed by Ben Mor. The group's third single was "Don't Stop the Party" and it was released on May 10, 2011. On the same day, a music video for the song was released oniTunes, along with the single. The video, which is directed by Ben Mor, features on stage and backstage footage of the group duringThe E.N.D. World Tourin 2009–10. The video premiered onVevoon May 12, 2011. On May 22, the group appeared on the2011 Billboard Music Awardsand won 1 of their 4 nominations, for "Top Duo/Group".On the July 6, 2011 during a concert atAlton TowersinStaffordshire, the Black Eyed Peas announced they are taking an indefinite hiatus following the completion of their current tour, as they did between 2005 and 2009.On September 22, Fergie visitedMadame Tussaudsfor the unveiling of her wax figure inLas Vegas, Nevada.In 2012, she became the owner and celebrity partner for Voli Light Vodkas, a low-calorie vodka with natural flavors.
In 2013, Fergie announced that she had begun writing her second solo studio album.The same year, Fergie filed a claim at theLos Angeles County Superior Courtto legally change her name to Fergie Duhamel and take the last name of her husband,Josh Duhamel.On January 6, 2014, it was announced, again, that Fergie was beginning the process of her second studio album. She stated in an interview with radio hostRyan Seacrestthat will.i.am would be handling the production, with a release through Interscope.Later that year withBillboard, she revealed that her experiences with motherhood influenced her songwriting.In September 2014, it was announced that Fergie's second studio album had been slated for a 2015 release.A new single from Fergie, titled "L.A. Love (La La)", was released tocontemporary hit radioon September 30, 2014.The song debuted on theBillboardHot 100at number 97 and peaked at number 27.It also reached number 16 on the Rhythmic Songs, number eight on Hot Rap Songs, number 24 on the Digital Songs and number 20 on the Pop Songs radio chart.
On April 22, 2015, the singer performed a song with the Black Eyed Peas at the2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festivalas part ofDavid Guetta's set. Fergie announced in June 2015 that she was putting the finishing touches on her second album, titledDouble Dutchess.A teaser for the album titled "Hungry (1st Byte)" was released on June 9, 2016.On July 1, she released a new single, titled "M.I.L.F. $".Fergie was inspired to write the song after the birth of her son, Axl.The music video was conceptualized by Fergie and features a group of famous mothers aslingerie-clad 1950s housewives.On November 11, 2016, Fergie released the third single from the album, "Life Goes On".In November 2016, during a live Facebook chat, Fergie confirmed that the album would see its release in 2017.
In May 2017, it was announced that Fergie had parted ways—by mutual decision—with Interscope and would launch her own imprint, Dutchess Music, as part of a global partnership withBMG Rights Management.On June 2, 2017, aBillboardarticle rumored that Fergie was departing from the Black Eyed Peas. Band frontman will.i.am dismissed this, but stated that Fergie was taking a break from the group opting to concentrate on her solo career whilst the remaining members are working on a side project.The pre-order ofDouble Dutchesswas made available on August 25, 2017, along with instant downloads of "Hungry" and "You Already Know", collaborations withRick RossandNicki Minajrespectively, with the latter being the fourth single from the album. On September 16, 2017, Fergie performed a solo set live from theRock in Riostage inRio de Janeirofor over a hundred thousand people with surprise guestsPabllo Vittar,Sergio MendesandGracinha Leporace.On September 20, 2017, a film forDouble DutchesstitledDouble Dutchess: Seeing Doublewas released as a one-night only event.Double Dutchesswas finally released on September 22, 2017;on that same day,Double Dutchess: Seeing Doublewas screened in Canada.The album debuted on the USBillboard200at number 19, with first-week sales of 21,000 units in the United States.
On February 18, 2018, will.i.am confirmed Fergie's departure from the band in an interview with theDaily Star.That same day, at the2018 NBA All-Star Game, Fergie performed a controversial rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner",whichPeopledescribed as a "slowed-down jazzy rendition"andDeadlinereported it as being "bluesy" and "breathy".She would later acknowledge that "clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone."Also in 2018, Fergie hosted the singing competition seriesThe Four: Battle for Stardom, which ran for two seasons onFox.In September 2018, Fergie re-recordedThe Wendy Williams Show's theme song "Feel It" to celebrate the show's 10th season.
In May 2019, Fergie competed against actressOctavia SpenceronVH1'svariety showMartha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party.Spencer and Fergie competed on who can make the best brunch spread forMother's Day.Varietyreported that afterJack Harlow's sampling of "Glamorous" for "First Class", her song had a 70% increase in streams and 125% increase in digital song sales.Fergie and Harlow opened the2022 MTV Video Music Awardswith a live performance of "First Class", which marked her first televised performance in four years.New York Postcalled it one of the best performances of the night.
She played a teacher in the music video for Sturdyyoungin, Ohthatsmizz and Zeddy Will's' song "Trippin", which samples her song "Clumsy".The music video was released on January 24, 2025.
In 2007, Fergie launched two handbag collections forKipling.In 2008, she signed a deal withBrown Shoeto create a licensed footwear brand.In 2010, Fergie launched her first fragrance,Outspoken by Fergie, under direct selling beauty and cosmetics company,Avonand release more fragrances in herOutspokenline, includingOutspoken Intensein 2011,Viva by Fergiein 2012,Outspoken Freshin 2013andOutspoken Party!in 2015.Her tagline to her fragrance line is "Say What You Mean It".
In 2012, Fergie released a 24-piecenail polishcollection with the Wet 'n' Wild.She debuted her cosmetics line for Wet 'n' Wild in 2013, consisting of numerous make-up products such as lip gloss, primer, lipstick, eyeliner and mascara.In 2019, Fergie visitedToronto, Ontario, Canada to promote her twofootwearlines, Fergalicious by Fergie and Fergie Footwear, which became available at Canadianluxury goodsdepartment storeHudson's Bayin 2015.Fergie Footwear is an upscale line, sold at luxury department such asNordstrom, while Fergalicious by Fergie is sold at lower prices at outlets such asFamous Footwearstores.
In 2020, Fergie and her father Pat Ferguson's winery Ferguson Crest, which was founded in 2006,released three new wines called 2012 Syrah, 2012 Fergalicious and 2013 Viognier.The wines were named after song lyrics by Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas.In 2023,Architectural Digestreported that she sold the vineyard property inSolvang, Californiafor $3.7 million.
Fergie has been featured on the cover of numerous lifestyle andfashion magazinessuch asMarie Claire,Paper,Harper's Bazaar,Cosmopolitan,Lucky,Cleo,Elle,Glamour,Allure,ShapeandSeventeen.She has appeared in ad campaigns for Voli,MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam,C&AMexico,Candie'sandPhilipp Plein.She has appeared in commercials for Case-Mate,Motorola RokrU9,Pepsi,Hewlett-Packard,Dr PepperandDoritos.
Fergie was signed toWilhelmina Modelsfrom 2007 to 2011.Through Wilhelmina Models, she worked with brands such asDsquared,Calvin KleinandMarchesa.In 2010, she became a spokesperson forAvon's haircare line Advanced Techniques, appearing in advertisements and commercials for the brand.In 2012, Fergie became a global beauty ambassador for Wet 'n' Wild.
Fergie has supported charity organizations such asHabitat For Humanity,Lopez Family Foundation,Red Cross,Stand Up To Cancer,The Trevor ProjectandTreatment Action Campaign.In April 2011, Fergie and theBlack Eyed Peasteamed up with children's clothing brandP.S. from Aeropostaleto design a charity T-shirt that will benefit the band's Peapod Foundation.
In April 2013, Fergie received the "Always Next, Forever Now" award fromLogo TVin recognition of her work in theLGBTcommunity.On March 20, 2014, asAvon Foundation's globalbrand ambassador, Fergie announced the launch of a new global initiative, the Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence, with Avon Foundation,Vital Voices, and theU.S. Department of StateinWashington, D.C.The new public-private initiative aims to improve the enforcement of laws around the globe protecting victims of domestic and gender violence.
In 2020, 100 percent of the proceeds from Fergie Footwear's holiday shoe were donated toDress For Success, a global nonprofit organization that provides professional attire for low-income women.
Fergie does not consider herself a rapper. In a 2006 interview withRolling Stone, Fergie said of her vocal style: "I love imitating instruments, sometimes you can't understand what I'm saying because I'm going for an instrumental sound. It would ruin the sound if I pronunciated [sic] correctly."She citesSelenaas her first influence.Roxanne Shante,Monie Love,Salt-N-Pepa, andJ. J. Fadare artists she looks up to, andThe Dutchesspays homage to them.In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, she saidBeyoncéwas a major influence for her albumDouble Dutchess.Other influences for her sophomore record areAmy Winehouse,Jhené Aiko,Ed Sheeran,Robert Plant, andGuns N' Roses.
Fergie has received attention for her work with the Black Eyed Peas and for her solo music.Leah Greenblatt ofEntertainment Weeklysaid that, withThe Dutchess, "she's earned her Black Eyed independence – and perhaps even her new royal title."Retrospectively, Jason Lipshutz ofBillboardcalled Fergie "a fearlessly individual female artist that had been hiding in plain sight. [...] Fergie deserves retroactive praise for an uncompromising first look".With the release ofDouble Dutchess, Allan Raible ofABC Newswrote: "On her own, Fergie remains a versatile, exciting performer, further establishing her growing clout as an entertainer."Tara Joshi ofThe Guardianagreed, deeming Fergie "pop royalty".
In a retrospectivePaperarticle analyzing her image, Katherine Gillespie called her an "imperfect popstar" who "managed to rise above these manufactured circumstances and establish a unique onstage persona that relied on fashion just as much as music to get its point across. [...] She featured in Worst Dressed columns, but also inspired millions of 14-year-olds to spend their allowances on cargo pants. That's real influence."
Artists who have been influenced by Fergie includeAriana GrandeandJack Harlow.Harlow'sBillboardHot 100 number one song "First Class", released in April 2022, samples Fergie's song "Glamorous".
As a solo artist, Fergie has sold over 7.2 million albums and 29 million singles worldwide.According to theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA), she has sold 27.5 million albums & singles in the United States.With her debut albumThe Dutchess, she became the first singer to have five singles from a debut album peak within the top five of theBillboardHot 100 sinceMilli Vanilli'sGirl You Know It's True(1989).With those singles selling over two million digital downloads individually in the United States, she set a record in the digital era for the most multi-platinum singles from one album, which she held until 2012.She is the second female to achieve threeBillboardHot 100 topping singles from one album, the first beingChristina Aguilera.Her single "London Bridge" had the second fastest ascent in Hot 100 history, peaking at the top in three weeks.
Fergie has been nominated for fiveBrit Awardswith the Black Eyed Peas.She has been nominated for twentyGrammy Awards, of which she has won eight:Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Groupin2005and2006;Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocalsin2007;Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals,Best Pop Vocal Album, andBest Music Videoin2010;andBest Rap/Sung CollaborationandBest Rap Songin2012.Blendernamed Fergie their woman of the year in 2007.Billboardnamed FergieWoman of the Yearin 2010,and the same publication ranked her 16th on the 2000s Top Female Artists of the Decade list.
Fergie isbisexual. She said "I've been in show business since I was a little girl, so [homosexuality] was always very normal to me. My mom taught me that every human is God's child. You have to live your own life and not judge other people. Love is a great thing."
While performing with Wild Orchid, Fergie developed an addiction tocrystal methamphetamine, which continued after her departure from the group in 2001. In September 2006, she called crystal "the hardest boyfriend I ever had to break up with". Fergie also stated "It's the drug that's addicting. But it's why you start doing it in the first place that's interesting. A lot of it was being a child actor; I learned to suppress feelings."She has stated in several interviews that she is an avid user ofhypnotherapy, which she used to overcome her crystal meth addiction and to relax.
Fergie began dating actorJosh Duhamelin September 2004, after she met him when she and the Black Eyed Peas filmed a cameo appearance for an episode of Duhamel's showLas Vegas.Fergie and Duhamel became engaged in December 2007;they married in a Catholic ceremony on January 10, 2009.They have one son named Axl Jack who was born on August 29, 2013.On September 14, 2017, Fergie and Duhamel announced that they had separated earlier that year.On June 1, 2019, the couple filed for divorce after two years of separation.The divorce was finalized in November 2019.
In 2013, Fergie constructed a house inSolvang, California, which she sold in 2023.Her home inBrentwood, Los Angeleswas saved from theJanuary 2025 Southern California wildfiresby firefighters.
Solo albums
With Wild Orchid
With the Black Eyed Peas
Headlining
Opening act