Began singing in a gospel choir at the age of six

Danced at Carnegie Hall and in the NBC Disney musical "Polly," directed by Debbie Allen and starring Phylicia Rashad

Appeared in the biopic "Malcolm X," directed by Spike Lee

First announced her presence with the Big Pun hit "How We Roll"

Signed with Irv Gotti of Murder Inc. Records; was the first R&B singer to join Murder Inc.

Appeared on the soundtrack for "The Fast and The Furious" with "When a Man Does Wrong" and "Justify My Love" (with Vita) a remake of Madonna’s "Justify My Love"

Featured on Ja Rule's single "Always on Time" and appeared with him on MTV’s "Making the Video"; earned Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Featured on Fat Joe’s single "What's Luv" from Jealous Ones Still Envy; earned Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Portrayed Dionne Warwick on the NBC series "American Dream"

Released self-titled debut album, Ashanti; wrote all 12 tracks; earned Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance for the single "Foolish"

Appeared on the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" on UPN

Released second album, Chapter II; nominated for 2 Grammy Awards including Best Contemporary R&B Album

Release third album, Concrete Rose

Cast alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the sports drama, "Coach Carter" as the pregnant girlfriend of a college-bound basketball player

Co-starred with Jesse Metcalfe in "John Tucker Must Die" as one of three girls seeking revenge on the high school hunk

Co-starred in "Resident Evil: Extinction," the third installment in the series, starring Milla Jovovich

Made her stage debut as Dorothy in a limited Manhattan stage engagement of "The Wiz"