Stephanie Mills

Born in Brooklyn New York, Stephanie Mills is a Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter, actress and Broadway star. Mills started singing at the age of 3. While attending Lincoln Square Academy, a prestigious private children's school, Mills received professional training. Mills began her professional career at age 9, appearing in the Broadway musical "Maggie Flynn." She won the competitive Amateur Hour at the Apollo for six straight weeks. In 1973, Mills was signed to Paramount Records by Michael Barbiero, and her first single "I Knew It Was Love" was released. Mills rose to stardom as Dorothy in the original Broadway run of the hit musical, "The Wiz, " from 1974 to 1979. Mills's 1980's Sweet Sensation, featured her hit "Never Knew Love Like This Before." On May 24, 1984, Mills returned to theater to star in a short-lived touring revival of "The Wiz." In 1985, Mills's recording of "Bit by Bit" was featured in the Chevy Chase film, "Fletch." In 2008, Mills began a comeback with singles recorded with BeBe Winans and rapper DMX. Toward the end of 2012, Mills released a new single "So In Love This Christmas." In 2015, Mills was cast as "Aunt Em" in the NBC live musical of "The Wiz," 40 years after her initial Broadway appearance in the production. In November 2021, Mills participated in a "Verzuz" battle with singer Chaka Khan.