American singer and actress Tamyra Gray was born in Takoma Park, Maryland in 1979. Raised in Norcross, Georgia, Gray was a singer from an early age, practicing often in front of her parents, family and friend. She competed in numerous pageants in her teens and, successful, was named Miss Atlanta by 1998. Ever with her eye on the entertainment industry, Gray majored in business law and entertainment management at Georgia State University, paying for her education with a combination of telemarketing, waitressing and day care working, not to mention running a cleaning service. She also worked in Coca-Cola commercials and with Lisa Lopes and rapper DMX, looking to break into the industry.

Her real break would come in 2002, however, when Gray was one of ten finalists in the first season of the ongoing reality television singing competition American Idol. She would finish in fourth place, praised in particular for her performance of the Burt Bacharach song “A House Is Not a Home”. Her departure from the show was viewed as a shock by most, including the judges. Gray would sing on the American Idol Christmas CD, as well as performing a duet with winner Kelly Clarkson on her debut album “Thankful”. She would return in the third season to sing several songs from her first album.

Despite losing American Idol doors opened for Gray, and she landed a seven-episode role in the TV drama Boston Public in 2003 and onwards. Here she showcased not only her already established singing skills but her acting prowess as well. This role would win her other guest roles in a number of other television shows.

Initially signing with J Records, Gray was dropped in 2003 and released her first solo album, The Dreamer, in 2004 by the newly created 19 Records recording label. The CD, written by Gray herself, acquitted itself decently well, having peaked on the American Billboard 200 at number 20. It has sold approximately 122,000 copies so far. The poor sales prompted 19 Records to drop Gray, and she is currently looking for a label for her upcoming album.

In 2005 Gray joined up with clothing company H&M, appearing in a film for their new line of denim jeans, performing the Dreamgirls song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”. She also appeared in print ads for the jeans, and her version of the song was played consistently in H&M stores.

Gray’s acting career has shown more promise, and she’s appeared in a number of stage and big screen roles, beginning with the Broadway show Bombay Dreams in 2005. She would go on to appear in the independent film The Gospel which performed strongly in DVD sales, and which featured a song by Gray, “Behold the Lamb”, which would rise to number one on the Billboard Soundtrack Chart. She’s set to appear in the Anne Hathaway film Dancing With Shiva in 2008.

Gray also appeared in the cast of RENT, playing Mimi Marquez, in May of 2007. Though her contract only had Gray appearing for six months in the role, the production kept her on until June of 2008.