Michelle Visage
Encyclopedia
Michelle Visage is a singer and TV/radio host
.
and David Cole
of C&C Music Factory fame. The group had several pop and dance hits, the most notable of which was "Two to Make It Right
,". After the break-up of Seduction in the early '90's, Visage collaborated with freestyle
dance act TKA
as a guest vocalist on the song "Crash (Have Some Fun)
" which was a Top 10 dance hit and peaked at #80 on the Hot 100
.
In 1992
, she provided lead vocals to another dance act assembled by Clivilles & Cole, The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.
Their song "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day", a cover version of the Bill Withers
song "Lovely Day
", was included on the soundtrack
to The Bodyguard
and became a #1 dance hit in 1992, and peaked at #34 on the Hot 100 early the next year. The soundtrack later went on to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was certified 17× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 1, 1999. To date, it has sold over 44 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack album of all time.
In 1996 Visage became the co-host of RuPaul
's VH1
talk show The RuPaul Show
. She also presented with RuPaul on WKTU
's morning show from 1996-2002.
Visage has also hosted several high-profile television events such as VH1's red carpet coverage of the 1998 Grammy's and in 2002, Grease's 20th Anniversary Re Release Party.
Visage was co-host of "The Jamz Session" on Hot 92 Jamz (KHHT
) in Los Angeles between 2002-2005. In 2005, she returned to New York City where she served as co-host of The Morning Mix on (WNEW-FM) until December 2006. Later in 2006, she was also heard on Sirius Satellite Radio
's The Beat 36, but left Sirius in hinting on disagreement in programming changes. On March 12, 2007, she became a co-host of the morning show on SUNNY 104.3 in West Palm Beach, Florida
. Since January 10, 2011, she has served as the host of the new MIA Morning Show on 93.9 MIA in Miami. On January 24, 2011, Visage made her debut as the second permanent judge on the popular reality-television series RuPaul's Drag Race
, where she replaced former judge Merle Ginsberg, who left the series after two seasons to pursue a new job as the Hollywood Reporter's new "Rambling Reporter", as well as covering fashion and society for the magazine.
, Sinbad
, and Mario Lopez
.
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
.
Career
Michelle was discovered in 1989 when she was asked to join Seduction, an R&B and dance vocal trio assembled by Robert ClivillesRobert Clivillés
Robert Clivillés is a record producer, songwriter, arranger, music video director most noted for his work with C+C Music Factory, a group he founded with musical partner David Cole...
and David Cole
David Cole
David Cole may refer to:* David Cole , music producer* David D. Cole, American law professor* David R. Cole, senior lecturer at the University of Technology, Sydney* David Cole * David N. Cole, American music producer...
of C&C Music Factory fame. The group had several pop and dance hits, the most notable of which was "Two to Make It Right
Two to Make It Right
"Two to Make It Right" is the title of a popular song by the American girl group Seduction. It appears on the group's debut album Nothing Matters Without Love...
,". After the break-up of Seduction in the early '90's, Visage collaborated with freestyle
Freestyle music
Freestyle or Latin freestyle, sometimes referred to as Latin hip hop, is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in the early 1980s. Mostly popular during the mid 80s to the early 90s...
dance act TKA
TKA
TKA was a Latin Freestyle trio that was prominent in the 1980s and early 1990s, mainly in New York City and Miami, Florida. Its members were Tony Ortiz, Louis "Kayel" Sharpe, and Alejandro "Aby" Escoto later replaced by Angel "Love" Vasquez. The acronym TKA represents their collective initials...
as a guest vocalist on the song "Crash (Have Some Fun)
Crash (Have Some Fun)
"Crash " is a song by the group TKA from their 1990 second album Louder Than Love.-Track listing:US 12" Single/CD Maxi-Charts:...
" which was a Top 10 dance hit and peaked at #80 on the Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
.
In 1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
, she provided lead vocals to another dance act assembled by Clivilles & Cole, The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.
The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.
The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. was an American 1990s R&B and dance music group, assembled by Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C&C Music Factory. The group featured lead vocals by Michelle Visage, who was formerly a member of another Clivilles & Cole group, Seduction...
Their song "It's Gonna Be a Lovely Day", a cover version of the Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
song "Lovely Day
Lovely Day (song)
"Lovely Day" is a song by American soul and R&B singer Bill Withers. Published in 1977 , the song was written by Withers and Skip Scarborough and appears on Withers' 1978 album Menagerie....
", was included on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard is a 1992 American romantic-thriller film starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston. Costner stars as a former Secret Service Agent turned bodyguard who is hired to protect Houston's character, a music star, from an unknown stalker. Lawrence Kasdan wrote the film in the 1970s,...
and became a #1 dance hit in 1992, and peaked at #34 on the Hot 100 early the next year. The soundtrack later went on to win a Grammy Award for Album of the Year and was certified 17× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 1, 1999. To date, it has sold over 44 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling soundtrack album of all time.
In 1996 Visage became the co-host of RuPaul
RuPaul
RuPaul Andre Charles , best known as simply RuPaul, is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, and singer-songwriter, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta...
's VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
talk show The RuPaul Show
The RuPaul Show
The RuPaul Show is an American talk/variety show that premiered on VH1 in 1996. Hosted by drag performer, RuPaul, the show had many famous musical guests and was notable as being one of the first national television programs in the United States hosted by an openly gay host...
. She also presented with RuPaul on WKTU
WKTU
WKTU is a radio station based in New York City that plays an upbeat, gold-based CHR format. The station's broadcast transmitter is located on the top of the Empire State Building and its city of license is Lake Success, New York, with offices formerly in the "Newport" section of Jersey City, New...
's morning show from 1996-2002.
Visage has also hosted several high-profile television events such as VH1's red carpet coverage of the 1998 Grammy's and in 2002, Grease's 20th Anniversary Re Release Party.
Visage was co-host of "The Jamz Session" on Hot 92 Jamz (KHHT
KHHT
KHHT is a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, USA with a Rhythmic Oldies musical format. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications.-KFAC:...
) in Los Angeles between 2002-2005. In 2005, she returned to New York City where she served as co-host of The Morning Mix on (WNEW-FM) until December 2006. Later in 2006, she was also heard on Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
's The Beat 36, but left Sirius in hinting on disagreement in programming changes. On March 12, 2007, she became a co-host of the morning show on SUNNY 104.3 in West Palm Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Since January 10, 2011, she has served as the host of the new MIA Morning Show on 93.9 MIA in Miami. On January 24, 2011, Visage made her debut as the second permanent judge on the popular reality-television series RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race
RuPaul's Drag Race is an American reality television series produced by World of Wonder for Logo. RuPaul plays host, mentor and inspiration for this series, which details RuPaul's search for "America's next drag superstar."...
, where she replaced former judge Merle Ginsberg, who left the series after two seasons to pursue a new job as the Hollywood Reporter's new "Rambling Reporter", as well as covering fashion and society for the magazine.
Albums/Groups
- 1989: SeductionSeduction (band)Seduction was a female dance-pop, urban contemporary, house music, and freestyle trio from New York assembled and produced by Robert Clivillés and David Cole , consisting of members April Harris , Michelle Visage , and Idalis DeLeon .Originally intended as a studio project, and prior to any...
- 1992: The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album
- 1993: The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M.The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. was an American 1990s R&B and dance music group, assembled by Robert Clivillés and David Cole of C&C Music Factory. The group featured lead vocals by Michelle Visage, who was formerly a member of another Clivilles & Cole group, Seduction...
- 1997: Ho, Ho, HoHo, Ho, HoHo, Ho, Ho is an album of Christmas music by American drag queen and singer RuPaul, released on October 28, 1997 by Rhino Records.-Album information:...
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Dance |
US AC Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States... |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
||||
| 1988 | "Seduction" | — | — | 17 | — | 87 | Nothing Matters Without Love | |
| 1989 | "(You're My One and Only) True Love" | 23 | 56 | 3 | — | 92 | ||
| "Two to Make It Right Two to Make It Right "Two to Make It Right" is the title of a popular song by the American girl group Seduction. It appears on the group's debut album Nothing Matters Without Love... " |
2 | — | 1 | — | 79 | |||
| 1990 | "Heartbeat Heartbeat (Taana Gardner song) "Heartbeat" is a 1981 dance single by Taana Gardner. It was arranged by Dennis Weeden and Kenton Nix, and released by West End Records, with the more famous club mix created by Larry Levan... " |
13 | 21 | 2 | — | 75 | ||
| "Free Your Body" | — | — | — | — | Non-album song | |||
| "Could This Be Love" | 11 | 38 | — | 21 | — | Nothing Matters Without Love | ||
| "Breakdown" | 82 | — | 4 | — | — | |||
| "Groove Me" | — | — | — | — | The Re-Mixes | |||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | ||||||||
Television series
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | The RuPaul Show The RuPaul Show The RuPaul Show is an American talk/variety show that premiered on VH1 in 1996. Hosted by drag performer, RuPaul, the show had many famous musical guests and was notable as being one of the first national television programs in the United States hosted by an openly gay host... |
Co-host |
| 2011 | RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul's Drag Race RuPaul's Drag Race is an American reality television series produced by World of Wonder for Logo. RuPaul plays host, mentor and inspiration for this series, which details RuPaul's search for "America's next drag superstar."... |
Judge |
Radiography
Over her career, Visage shared the airwaves with celeb co-hosts RuPaulRuPaul
RuPaul Andre Charles , best known as simply RuPaul, is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, and singer-songwriter, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta...
, Sinbad
Sinbad (entertainer)
David Adkins better known by his professional name of Sinbad, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He became well known in the 1990s from being featured on his own HBO specials, appearing on several television series, and starring in the films Necessary Roughness, Houseguest, First Kid,...
, and Mario Lopez
Mario López
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...
.
| Year | City | Station |
|---|---|---|
| 1996-2002 | New York City New York City New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and... |
WKTU WKTU WKTU is a radio station based in New York City that plays an upbeat, gold-based CHR format. The station's broadcast transmitter is located on the top of the Empire State Building and its city of license is Lake Success, New York, with offices formerly in the "Newport" section of Jersey City, New... |
| 1998-2000 | Dublin | 2FM |
| 2002-2005 | Los Angeles Los Ángeles Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants... |
KHHT KHHT KHHT is a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, USA with a Rhythmic Oldies musical format. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications.-KFAC:... |
| 2003-2006 | New York City | Sirius Satellite Radio Sirius Satellite Radio Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of... |
| 2005-2007 | New York City | WNEW - Mix 102.7 |
| 2007-2011 | West Palm Beach | WEAT-FM |
| 2011- | Miami | WMIA-FM |
External links
- Official website
- Michelle Visage on the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...
See also
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart