Born in McComb, Mississippi and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, she appeared in stage productions and television series, before signing with Jive Records in 1997.
Lahir di McComb, Mississippi, dan dibesarkan di Kentwood, Louisiana, dia tampil diproduksi panggung dan pertunjukan televisi ketika masih anak-anak, sebelum dikontrak oleh Jive Records pada tahun 1997.