Editing Deborah Cox

{{short description|Canadian musician and actress (born 1974)}}
{{about|the singer|the screenwriter|Deb Cox}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Deborah Cox
| image           = File:Deborah Cox Feb 2020.png
| caption         = Cox during an interview in February 2020
| image_size      =
| birth_name      =
| alias           =
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1974|7|13}}
| birth_place     = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| instrument      =
| genre           = {{flat list |
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] 
*[[soul music|soul]] 
*[[Pop music|pop]] 
*[[Dance music|dance]] 
*[[jazz]]
}}
| occupation      = {{flat list |
*Singer
*songwriter 
*actress
*producer}}
| years_active    = 1987–present
| label           =
| website         = {{URL|deborahcox.com}}
}}

'''Deborah Cox''' (born July 13, 1974) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in [[Toronto]], she began performing on television commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows in her teenage years before becoming a professional backing vocalist for [[Celine Dion]]. In 1994, Cox relocated to the United States and was signed to [[Arista Records]] by [[Clive Davis]], releasing her [[Deborah Cox (album)|self-titled debut album]] the following year. Her second studio album, ''[[One Wish (Deborah Cox album)|One Wish]]'' (1998), was certified platinum in the United States. It was marked by the commercial success of the pop [[crossover (music)|crossover]] single "[[Nobody's Supposed to Be Here]]", which would become her most successful entry on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, peaking at number two and remaining there for eight consecutive weeks. Cox signed with [[J Records]] for her third studio album ''[[The Morning After (Deborah Cox album)|The Morning After]]'' (2002), which saw moderate commercial success.

Cox ventured into acting in the 2000s, making her film debut in the Canadian drama film ''[[Love Come Down (film)|Love Come Down]]'' (2000) and her stage debut in 2004, in the title role in the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musical ''[[Aida (musical)|Aida]]''. She has since appeared in smaller films and several musical productions, including the horror-drama ''[[Jekyll & Hyde (musical)|Jekyll & Hyde]]'', the biographical musical ''Josephine'', the musical adaptation of ''[[The Bodyguard (musical)|The Bodyguard]]'', and the 2023 revival of ''[[The Wiz]]''. Cox's most recent studio albums, ''[[Destination Moon (album)|Destination Moon]]'' (2007) and ''[[The Promise (Deborah Cox album)|The Promise]]'' (2008), have been released through her own independent record label, Deco Recording Group. In 2017, her single "[[Let the World Be Ours Tonight]]" became her 13th number-one hit on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Dance Club Songs]] over the span of three consecutive decades.<ref name="billboard2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7957568/deborah-cox-13th-no-1-dance-club-songs|title=Deborah Cox Earns 13th No. 1 on Dance Club Songs|website=[[Billboard.com]]|date=September 7, 2017|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In 2016, ''Billboard'' listed Cox at 23rd on its list of the Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists.<ref name="billboard2016">{{cite magazine|title=Greatest of All Time Top Dance Club Artists|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=December 2016|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/greatest-top-dance-club-artists|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> An eight-time [[Juno Award]] nominee, she has won four awards and is often cited as Canada's top R&B artist.<ref name=deborah>{{cite web|url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Cox_Deborah/1999/08/28/744253.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524234931/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Cox_Deborah/1999/08/28/744253.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=May 24, 2012 |title=CANOE – JAM! Cox, Deborah: Lilith love affair |website=Jam.canoe.ca |date=November 30, 2004 |access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> She received her first [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]] nomination for ''[[The Wiz]]'' in the [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album|Best Musical Theater Album]] category.<ref name="Grammy">{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/deborah-cox/57863|title=Deborah Cox|publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]|access-date=November 12, 2024}}</ref>

Cox was inducted into the [[Canadian Music Hall of Fame]] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 Mar 2022 |title=Deborah Cox to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at this year's Junos |url=https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/deborah-cox-to-be-inducted-into-the-canadian-music-hall-of-fame-at-this-year-s-junos-1.6399780 |access-date=24 Aug 2022 |website=CBC}}</ref>

==Early life==
Deborah Cox was born in Toronto to parents of [[Guyanese people|Guyanese]] descent, grew up in [[Scarborough, Ontario|Scarborough]], was raised [[Catholic Church|Catholic]], and attended John XXIII Catholic Elementary School and [[Earl Haig Secondary School]].<ref name=deborah/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Oh|first=Susan|date=1999-07-19|title=Deborah Cox: Queen of R&B|url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1999/7/19/deborah-cox-queen-of-r-b|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Maclean's|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911093440/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1999/7/19/deborah-cox-queen-of-r-b |archive-date=September 11, 2020 }}</ref> She began singing on TV commercials at age 12, and entered various talent shows including an appearance on ''[[Tiny Talent Time]]''.<ref name=weisblott>[http://o.canada.com/entertainment/tiny-talent-time-60th-anniversary-chch "Tiny Talent Time returning to Hamilton channel CHCH"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002444/http://o.canada.com/entertainment/tiny-talent-time-60th-anniversary-chch |date=March 4, 2016 }}. [[Canada.com]], June 11, 2013.</ref> She performed in [[nightclub]]s as a teenager, and began to write music around the same time.<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=deborah cox|bio=true}} Biography – Deborah Cox] ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. Accessed on December 5, 2007.</ref> Cox entered the music industry in the early 1990s, performing as a backup vocalist for [[Celine Dion]] for six months.<ref name=deborah/><ref name=deborah2>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130120201152/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/C/Cox_Deborah/1999/08/19/744254.html Fair not over till it's over, Cox insists]}} JAM! Music. Accessed on March 9, 2009.</ref> In 1992, she also appeared on [[Devon (rapper)|Devon]]'s LP titled ''It's My Nature'' on the track "That's A Friend." After receiving many rejection letters from Canadian record labels that claimed their "quota" had been reached, Cox moved to Los Angeles in 1994 with producer and songwriting partner, Lascelles Stephens.<ref name=deborah/><ref name=deborah2/>

==Career==
===1995–1999: Debut and ''One Wish''===
In late 1994, label executive [[Clive Davis]] signed Cox to [[Arista Records]]. Featuring production from [[Dallas Austin]], [[Keith Crouch]], [[Tim & Bob]], and [[Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds]], she released her [[Deborah Cox (album)|self-titled debut album]] the following year. A middling commercial and critical success, the album peaked at number 102 on US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] but emerged as a steady seller, eventually receiving a gold certification by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), while going [[Music Canada|platinum in Canada]]. Lead single "[[Sentimental (Deborah Cox song)|Sentimental]]" entered the top five on the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]], while follow-up "[[Who Do U Love]]" attained worldwide success, becoming a top twenty success in Australia, New Zealand and the US, also reaching the top of ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Dance Club Songs]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IA8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA61 |title=Best-Selling Records of 1996 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|publisher=BPI Communications Inc.|date=January 18, 1997 |access-date=May 8, 2015 |page=61 |issn=0006-2510|volume=109|number=3}}</ref> In 1996, ''Deborah Cox'' won Cox a [[Juno Award]] for [[Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year|Best R&B/Soul Recording]] at the [[Juno Awards of 1996|annual award ceremony]] and earned her a Best Soul/R&B New Artist nomination at the [[American Music Awards of 1996|1996 American Music Awards]].

Cox contributed the non-album song "Things Just Ain't The Same" to the soundtrack to the 1997 film ''[[Money Talks (1997 film)|Money Talks]]''. A dance remix of the song, produced by [[Hex Hector]], became her second number-one hit on ''Billboard''{{'}}s Dance Club Songs chart and was included on her second album, 1998's ''[[One Wish (Deborah Cox album)|One Wish]]''. As with her self-titled debut album, her sophomore effort was once again executive-produced by Davis, but featured more uptempo, contemporary R&B, and a slew of new producers and personnel to incorporate dance and [[club music]], including [[Montell Jordan]], [[Shep Crawford|Anthony "Shep" Crawford]], [[Rodney Jerkins|Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins]], and [[DJ Quik]]. ''One Wish'' peaked at number 72 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and earned a [[RIAA certification|platinum]] certification from the RIAA, while reaching gold status in Canada. The album capitalized on the [[Crossover (music)|crossover]] success of lead single "[[Nobody's Supposed to Be Here]]" which became Cox's most successful entry on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], peaking at number two, and remaining there for eight consecutive weeks, making it one of the [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Most weeks at number two|longest stays at number two in chart history]]. The song also reached number one on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]], spending a then record-breaking 14 weeks at number one, while the third single "[[We Can't Be Friends]]," a duet with [[R. L. Huggar]], reached the top ten, with "It's Over Now" and "I Never Knew" become chart-toppers on the [[Dance Club Songs]] chart.

===2000–2005: ''The Morning After'' and acting career===
After ''One Wish'', Cox collaborated with singer [[Whitney Houston]] on her single "[[Same Script, Different Cast]]" from the compilation album ''[[Whitney: The Greatest Hits]]''. Incorporating a backing track of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]'s "[[Für Elise]]" during the intro, it was released as a radio-only promo single and became a minor hit on [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], peaking at number 70 while reaching number 14 on [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]]. In 2000, Cox made her acting debut when she starred in [[Clement Virgo]]'s Canadian drama film ''[[Love Come Down (film)|Love Come Down]]'', playing a [[nightclub singer]]. The film garnered eight nominations at the [[21st Genie Awards]], including two [[Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best Achievement in Music – Original Song|Best Original Song]] nominations for Cox's songs "29" and "Our Love". In 2001, Cox then recorded "[[Absolutely Not]]", for the soundtrack to ''[[Dr. Dolittle 2]]'' which became her sixth number one hit on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Dance Club Songs]].

Cox's third album ''[[The Morning After (Deborah Cox album)|The Morning After]]'' was released in November 2002 on [[J Records]] following a frustratingly long departure from Arista. It marked the Cox's first record under [[Clive Davis]]'s label, with Davis, once more serving as executive producer.<ref name="billboard2002"/> Keen to build on the success of her previous album ''One Wish'', he enlisted the help of producers such as [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]], [[Jermaine Dupri]], [[Rodney Jerkins|Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins]], and [[Shep Crawford]] as well as up-and-coming producers [[Warryn Campbell]], [[Johntá Austin]] and [[Trackmasters|Alex Richbourg]] to work with Cox. A blend of urban R&B and adult contemporary songs with additional dance/house tracks, it became her highest-charting album on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] yet, debuting and peaking at number 38 and number seven, respectively. Commercially, the album was less successful than her previous album, however, though it produced two singles on the US [[Dance Club Songs]] chart, including "Mr. Lonely" and "Play Your Part".<ref name="billboard2002">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QA0EAAAAMBAJ&q=deborah+cOX+%22THE+MORNING+AFTER%22&pg=PA16|title=Cox Makes J Debut with 'The Morning After'|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=November 16, 2002|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>

In February 2004, Cox made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the [[Elton John]]-[[Tim Rice]] musical ''[[Aida (musical)|Aida]]'' when she replaced singer [[Michelle Williams (singer)|Michelle Williams]] in her role of the Nubian princess. Her four-month engagement earned largely positive reviews.<ref name="playbill2004">{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/deborah-cox-is-aida-beginning-feb-17-com-117946|title=Deborah Cox Is Aida Beginning Feb. 17|website=[[Playbill.com]]|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> The same year, she recorded and released a dance remix of the musical's theme song "Easy As Life" as a promotional single.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/de/Deborah-A-Cox-Easy-As-Life-Theme-From-Aida/release/3010016|title= Deborah A. Cox – Easy As Life (Theme From Aida) |website=[[Discogs.com]]|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In 2005, Cox starred in the films ''Blood of a Champion'' and ''Love on Layaway''. Also that year, her voice was featured in the movie ''[[Hotel Rwanda]]'' in the song "Nobody Cares". To sustain demand for Cox's club appearances, while focused on her family and new album projects, she released a dance single titled "House Is Not a Home" on [[Nervous Records (US)|Nervous Records]] in January 2006. Later in the year, her song "Definition of Love" was used in the movie ''[[Akeelah and the Bee]]'', but was not released as a single.

===2006–2009: ''Destination Moon'' and ''The Promise''===
Between 2005 and 2006 Deborah recorded her fourth album, called ''[[Destination Moon (album)|Destination Moon]]'', arranged and produced by [[Rob Mounsey]]. A tribute album to [[jazz]] singer [[Dinah Washington]], Cox noted it a [[concept album]] that she had in mind for years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deborahcox.com/ |title=The Official Deborah Cox Website |publisher=Deborah Cox |access-date=May 12, 2012}}</ref> Most of the album was recorded live with a forty-piece orchestra with Rob Mounsey arranging. Eventually released by [[Decca Records]] in June 2017, ''Destination Moon'' peaked at number three on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top Jazz Albums. The same year, Cox co-starred alongside [[Golden Brooks]] and [[Darius McCrary]] in Leslie Small's film ''A Good Man is Hard to Find''. Based on the musical stage play of the same name, the comedy depicts the story of three women who each undergo romantic crises that challenge their personal and spiritual relationships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10008746_good_man_is_hard_to_find?|title=A Good Man is Hard to Find (2007)|website=[[Rottentomatoes.com]]|date=November 2, 2007 |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In 2008, Cox performed the [[O Canada|Canadian national anthem]] at the [[2008 NBA All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Game]] in [[New Orleans]], receiving rave reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/southwest/story/top-10-nba-all-star-national-anthem-performances-020914|title=Top 10 NBA All-Star National Anthem Performances|website=FoxSports.com|date=February 9, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> She also contributed the song "This Gift" to the soundtrack of the 2008 romantic drama film ''[[Meet the Browns (film)|Meet the Browns]]'', directed by [[Tyler Perry]], and served as a supporting act on [[Cyndi Lauper]]'s [[True Colors Tour 2008]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046360/lauper-b-52s-anchoring-true-colors-tour|title=Lauper, B-52s Anchoring True Colors Tour|website=[[Billboard.com]]|date=March 5, 2008|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>

Also that year, Cox finished work on her sixth studio album ''[[The Promise (Deborah Cox album)|The Promise]]'', released on November 11, 2008, through Deco Recording Group, Cox's own independent label, with distribution handled by [[Image Entertainment]]. A breakaway from her previous album, it marked her return to R&B music and saw her working with a wider number of songwriters and producers on the album, including The Avila Brothers, [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]], [[Devo Springsteen]], [[Sounds of Blackness|Big Jim]], and Shep Crawford.<ref name=linernotes>{{cite AV media notes|title=The Promise|others=Deborah Cox|year=2008|publisher=Deco, Image}}</ref> 
''The Promise'' debuted at number 106 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], number 14 on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]], and number 95 on the [[Canadian Albums Chart]]. Earning generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20245520,00.html|title=Picks and Pans Review: Deborah Cox |website=[[People.com]] (US)|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> it was nominated for [[Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year|R&B/Soul Recording of the Year]] at the [[Juno Awards of 2009|2009 Juno Awards]]. The second single "Beautiful U R" marked her biggest hit since "[[Nobody's Supposed to Be Here]]," becoming a top ten hit in Canada, where it was certified platinum by [[Music Canada]], as well as her tenth chart-topper on the ''Billboard''{{'}} [[Dance Club Songs]]. In support of the album, Cox joined forces with American R&B singer [[Kenny Lattimore]] for the joint Timeless Promise Tour in July 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.savannahtribune.com/articles/a-timeless-promisetour-kick-off-a-grand-success/|title="A Timeless Promise" Tour Kick-Off: A Grand Success!|work=[[Savannah Tribune]]|date=July 15, 2009|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> Also in 2009, she was featured on the single "Leave the World Behind", a house track produced by four DJs [[Axwell]], [[Steve Angello]], [[Sebastian Ingrosso]] and [[Laidback Luke]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/leave-the-world-behind-all-mixes-feat-deborah-cox/626279932|title=Leave the World Behind |website=[[iTunes]] (US)|date=May 4, 2009 |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref>

===2010–2017: The Queen Project, dance music and Broadway===
[[File:DeborahCox.CPF.MainStage.NW.WDC.10June2012 (7363461582).jpg|thumb|Cox performing at the [[Capital Pride (Washington, D.C.)|Capital Pride]] in Washington, D.C. in 2012]]

In 2010, it was announced that Cox would be joining fellow R&B singers [[Kelly Price]] and [[Tamia]] to form a [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thafeedback.com/2009/blogs/the-queen-project-is-coming-are-you-excited/|title=The Queen Project Is Coming; Are You Excited?|publisher=ThaFeedback.com|date=November 4, 2009 |access-date=June 17, 2015}}</ref> While the trio recorded several tracks together, their joint album ''The Queen Project'' eventually failed to materialize due timing issues and label politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://singersroom.com/content/2010-08-31/EXCLUSIVE-Kelly-Price-Talks-New-Album-and-Why-Project-with-Tamia-and-Deborah-Cox-Failed/#ixzz3dQ92EWx9/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Kelly Price Talks New Album and Why Project with Tamia and Deborah Cox Failed|publisher=Singersroom.com|date=October 31, 2010|access-date=June 17, 2015}}</ref> In 2011, Cox released the dance-heavy single "If It Wasn't for Love" through Deco Entertainment.<ref name="If It Wasn't for Love">{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/if-it-wasnt-for-love/489266567|title=If It Wasn't for Love|website=[[iTunes]] (US)|date=November 26, 2011|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> It became her eleventh chart topper on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Dance Club Songs]] and was to precede a new studio album which remained unreleased.<ref name="sgn">{{cite web|last=Klein |first=Aiden |title=Dance Diva Deborah Cox |work=Seattle Gay News|url=http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews40_06/page22.cfm |access-date=February 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052640/http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews40_06/page22.cfm |archive-date=March 4, 2016}}</ref> In September 2012, Cox gave her inaugural performance as the female lead Lucy in a revival of the musical ''[[Jekyll & Hyde (musical)|Jekyll & Hyde]]'' which toured North America for twenty-five weeks. While the show enjoyed a limited [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] run only, Cox received positive reviews for her performance.<ref name="sgn"/> Also in 2012, she collaborated with rapper [[Akon]] on the song "No Labels", the official anthem of the [[No Labels|same-titled American bipartisan political organization]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-labels-anthem-single/494160184|title=No Labels|website=[[iTunes]] (US)|date=January 10, 2012|access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> The following year, Cox collaborated with DJ Paige on the non-album single "[[Higher (Deborah Cox song)|Higher]]". Released on March 18, through Electronic Kingdom Records, it became her twelfth number-one hit on the US Dance Club Songs chart.<ref name="If It Wasn't for Love"/> In 2014, Cox was one of the performers at the opening ceremonies of [[WorldPride]] in Toronto, alongside [[Melissa Etheridge]], [[Tom Robinson]] and [[Steve Grand]].<ref>[https://www.thestar.com/news/pridetoronto/2014/06/19/rise_up_the_theme_as_worldpride_2014_arrives.html "Rise Up" the theme as WorldPride 2014 arrives]. ''[[Toronto Star]]'', June 19, 2014.</ref>

In 2015, she provided vocals for the made for television biographical film ''[[Whitney (2015 film)|Whitney]]'', directed by [[Angela Bassett]] based on American recording artist [[Whitney Houston]].<ref name="go">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2014/10/first-time-director-angela-bassett-defends-her-whitney-houston-biopic/|title=First-Time Director Angela Bassett Defends Her Whitney Houston Biopic – ABC News|publisher=abcnews.go.com|access-date=February 14, 2015}}</ref> Cox performed all of Houston's vocals in the film, including "[[I Will Always Love You]]", "[[I'm Your Baby Tonight (song)|I'm Your Baby Tonight]]", and "[[The Greatest Love of All]]."<ref name="go"/> The same year, she released the [[deep house]]-influenced "Kinda Miss You",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kinda-miss-you-single/id960942385 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403163424/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/kinda-miss-you-single/id960942385 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Kinda Miss You – Single by Deborah Cox on Apple Music |website=[[iTunes]] |date=February 3, 2015 |access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> as well as the ballad "More Than I Knew" as singles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/more-than-i-knew-single/id981243937 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418085118/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/more-than-i-knew-single/id981243937 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |title=More Than I Knew – Single by Deborah Cox on iTunes |website=[[iTunes]] |date=April 14, 2015 |access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> Both were set to appear on her sixth album ''Work of Art'', initially announced for an August 2015 release through Deco and Primary Wave Music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theboombox.com/deborah-cox-work-of-art-album-interview/ |title=Deborah Cox Talks Police Brutality, 'Work of Art' Album & Relationship Woes |website=Theboombox.com |date=May 2015 |access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> However, after several delays, the album remained unreleased.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/deborah-cox-release-new-album-work-art-summer|title=Deborah Cox to Release New Album "Work of Art" This Summer|website=YouKnowIGotSoul.com |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In 2016, Cox played the lead role of [[Josephine Baker]] in the Broadway-bound musical ''Josephine'', which chronicled the singer's life between the years of 1939 and 1945, and starred as Rachel Marron in the North American Tour of the musical ''[[The Bodyguard (musical)|The Bodyguard]]'' based on the [[The Bodyguard (1992 film)|1992 film of the same name]]. In support of the musical, Cox released the EP ''I Will Always Love You'' on Deco and [[Broadway Records (2012)|Broadway Records]], containing cover versions of seven Whitney Houston originals as well as Houston's cover of [[Dolly Parton]]'s "[[I Will Always Love You]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-will-always-love-you/1217567899|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729172603/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-will-always-love-you/1217567899|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2018|title=I Will Always Love You (EP)|website=[[iTunes]] (US)|date=March 31, 2017 |access-date=July 29, 2018}}</ref> In June 2017, she released an uptempo dance single "[[Let the World Be Ours Tonight]]" during [[LGBTQ]] pride season on Radikal Records and Galactic Media. It marked her 13th single to top ''Billboard''{{'}}s Dance Club Songs.<ref name="billboard2017"/>

===2018–present: Seventh studio album and television films===
In June 2019, Cox performed at [[Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019]], marking the 50th anniversary of the 1969 [[Stonewall riots]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Lou|last=Chibbaro|url=https://pridesource.com/article/stonewall-50-expected-to-draw-millions-to-nyc/|title='Stonewall 50' Expected to Draw Millions to NYC|website=pridesource.com|date=June 28, 2019|accessdate=April 14, 2022|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729030457/https://pridesource.com/article/stonewall-50-expected-to-draw-millions-to-nyc/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In November 2019, she released the [[Rico Love]]-produced single "[[Easy Way (song)|Easy Way]]" through Deco Entertainment. The song was expected to lead her yet-unreleased seventh studio album, initially expected to be released in late 2020.<ref name="wsvn"/> It was followed by the Christmas single "Gimme Gimme Gimme Some Christmas" a month later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gimme Gimme Gimme Some Christmas — Single|website=[[Apple Music]]|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/gimme-gimme-gimme-some-christmas-single/1488986056|accessdate=April 14, 2022}}</ref> In February 2020, Cox starred opposite [[Roger Guenveur Smith]] in the [[BET+]] television thriller ''Influence'', an adaption of [[Carl Weber (American author)|Carl Weber]]'s same-titled 2018 novel, portraying a big-name celebrity singer accused of killing her husband.<ref name="wsvn">{{cite web |title=Deborah Cox dishes on BET+ thriller 'Influence,' upcoming album|url=https://wsvn.com/entertainment/deborah-cox-dishes-on-bet-thriller-influence-upcoming-album/ |website=wsvn.com |access-date=February 21, 2020|date=June 22, 2020}}</ref> Also in 2020, she appeared as a guest host in an episode of ''[[Canada's Drag Race]]'' and started a webseries titled ''COXtales with Deborah Cox'' during the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>Allie Gregory, [https://exclaim.ca/comedy/article/tom_green_allie_x_ralph_to_guest_on_canadas_drag_race "Tom Green, Allie X, Ralph to Guest on 'Canada's Drag Race'"]. ''[[Exclaim!]]'', June 15, 2020.</ref> In fall 2020, Cox released further two Christmas singles, the original song "I Really Don't Want Much for Christmas" and a rendition of the [[Eartha Kitt]] song "[[Santa Baby]]."<ref>{{cite web|title=Santa Baby — Single|website=[[Apple Music]]|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-really-dont-want-much-for-christmas-single/1540764158|accessdate=April 14, 2022}}</ref>

In 2021, Cox was added to the BET series ''[[First Wives Club (TV series)|First Wives Club]]'' during its second season, playing the role of musician Regina alongside [[Michelle Buteau]] and [[Jill Scott (singer)|Jill Scott]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2021/08/02/first-wives-club-season-3-tracy-oliver-girls-trip-2/|title = First Wives Club Creator Tracy Oliver Shares Season 3 Wishes and Gives Us an Update on Girls Trip Sequel|date = August 2, 2021}}</ref> The same year, she co-starred as Wendy in the [[HBO Max]] post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction miniseries ''[[Station Eleven (miniseries)|Station Eleven]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/deborah-cox-station-eleven-hbo-max-recurring-1234736071/|title =Deborah Cox Joins HBO Max Series 'Station Eleven' As Recurring|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=April 14, 2021|access-date=April 14, 2022}}</ref> and appeared on "Summe of Love," another collaboration with Israeli producer [[Offer Nissim]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Summer of Love (feat. Deborah Cox) — Single|website=[[Apple Music]]|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/summer-of-love-feat-deborah-cox-single/1582944696|accessdate=April 14, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, Cox was announced as an inductee into the [[Canadian Music Hall of Fame]], becoming the first Black woman to be inducted.<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/music/junos/news/deborah-cox-to-be-inducted-into-the-canadian-music-hall-of-fame-at-this-year-s-junos-1.6399780 "Deborah Cox to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at this year's Junos"]. [[CBC Music]], March 29, 2022.</ref><ref>[https://getuperica.com/533642/deborah-cox-hits-historic-music-milestone/?amp=1 "Deborah Cox Hits Historic Music Milestone"]. Get Up! Mornings, July 28, 2022.</ref> Beginning in September 2023, Cox starred as [[Glinda]] in a US revival of ''[[The Wiz]]'', touring nationally in advance of a March 2024 Broadway opening.<ref name="cl-29sep2023">{{cite news |last1=Morona |first1=Joey |title=R&B singer Deborah Cox brings star power to pre-Broadway premiere of 'The Wiz' at Playhouse Square |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/09/rb-singer-deborah-cox-brings-star-power-to-pre-broadway-premiere-of-the-wiz-at-playhouse-square.html |access-date=January 17, 2024 |work=[[Cleveland.com]] |date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Cox currently lives in Miami, Florida. She is married to her high school sweetheart and manager, Lascelles Stephens.<ref>{{cite web |author=Karen Bliss |url=http://www.jam.canoe.ca/Music/Lowdown/2008/12/22/7827426.html |title=CANOE – JAM! Music – Karen Bliss's Lowdown: Insider Canadian music news: Deborah Cox' promising indie decision |website=Jam.canoe.ca |date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110419004946/http://www.jam.canoe.ca/Music/Lowdown/2008/12/22/7827426.html |archive-date=April 19, 2011 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> They have three children: a son, Isaiah (born July 1, 2003) and two daughters, Sumayah (born June 29, 2006), and Kaila Michelle (born February 23, 2009).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://perezhilton.com/2009-02-23-she-popped-4 |title=She Popped! |website=PerezHilton.com |date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=July 15, 2016 |archive-date=February 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203014757/http://perezhilton.com/2009-02-23-she-popped-4 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bckonline.com/2011/07/20/deborah-cox-kids-are-growing-up-fast/|title=DEBORAH COX' KIDS ARE GROWING UP FAST
|date=July 20, 2011|access-date=June 27, 2014}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Deborah Cox discography}}
* ''[[Deborah Cox (album)|Deborah Cox]]'' (1995)
* ''[[One Wish (Deborah Cox album)|One Wish]]'' (1998)
* ''[[The Morning After (Deborah Cox album)|The Morning After]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Destination Moon (album)|Destination Moon]]'' (2007)
* ''[[The Promise (Deborah Cox album)|The Promise]]'' (2008)

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Love Come Down (film)|Love Come Down]]''
| Niko Rosen
| Nominated — [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Song]] ("Our Love")<br />Nominated — [[Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Song]] ("29")
|-
|2005
|''Blood of a Champion''
|Sharon
|
|-
|2005
|''Love on Layaway''
|Monique
|
|-
|2008
|''A Good Man Is Hard to Find''
|Charlene
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Carl Weber's Influence|Influence]]''
| Savannah Kirby
| 
|-
|2023
|''This Time''
| Blue Mahoney
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|2000
|''[[Nash Bridges]]''
|Vanessa Swan
|Episode: "Hit and Run"
|-
|2020
|''[[Canada's Drag Race]]''
|Herself
|Guest host, Episode: "Not Sorry Aboot It"
|-
|2021
|''[[V. C. Andrews|Ruby]]''
|Mrs. Thibodeau
|Television film
|-
|2021–2022
|''[[First Wives Club (TV series)|First Wives Club]]''
|Regina Crowell
|12 episodes
|-
|2021–2022
|''[[Station Eleven (miniseries)|Station Eleven]]''
|Wendy
|5 episodes
|}

==Awards and nominations==
;1996
*'''Won''': [[Juno Award]] for Best R&B/Soul Recording (''Deborah Cox'').
*Nominated: [[American Music Award]] for Favorite New Artist – Soul/Rhythm & Blues.

;1997
*Nominated: Juno Award for Best Female Vocalist.

;1998
*'''Won''': Juno Award for Best R&B/Soul Recording ("Things Just Ain't the Same").
*'''Won''': [[Soul Train Award]] for Best R&B/Soul Single – Female ("Nobody's Supposed to Be Here").

;1999
*'''Won''': Juno Award for Best R&B/Soul Recording (''One Wish'').
*Nominated: Juno Award for Best Female Vocalist.
*'''Won''': Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for Best R&B/Soul Song of the Year ("Nobody's Supposed to Be Here").

;2000
*Nominated: [[Genie Award]] for [[Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television Award for Best Achievement in Music – Original Song|Best Original Song]] ("Our Love" and "29" from ''[[Love Come Down (film)|Love Come Down]]'').
*Nominated: Soul Train Award for Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band or Duo ("Same Script, Different Cast" feat. [[Whitney Houston]]).
*Nominated: [[Image Award]] for Outstanding Female Artist ("We Can't Be Friends")

;2002
*Nominated: Juno Award for Best Dance Recording ("Absolutely Not").

;2008
*Nominated: Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year (''Destination Moon'').
*Received a star on walk of fame, in Toronto's [[Scarborough Town Centre]].

;2009
*Nominated: Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year (''The Promise'').

;2022
*Inducted into [[Canadian Music Hall of Fame]]

;2024
*Nominated: Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Diva Performance (''[[The Wiz]]'')

;2025
*Nominated: [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album]] (''[[The Wiz]]'')<ref name="Grammy"/>

==See also==
*[[List of number-one dance hits (United States)]]
*[[List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Deborah Cox}}
* [http://www.deborahcox.com Official website]
* {{IMDb name|0184990}}
* {{IBDB name}}

{{Deborah Cox}}
{{Canadian Music Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cox, Deborah}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Black Canadian women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Black Canadian women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian women singers]]
[[Category:Actresses from Miami]]
[[Category:Actresses from Toronto]]
[[Category:Arista Records artists]]
[[Category:Black Canadian actresses]]
[[Category:Canadian contemporary R&B singers]]
[[Category:Canadian dance musicians]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate musicians in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian house musicians]]
[[Category:Canadian film actresses]]
[[Category:Canadian musical theatre actresses]]
[[Category:Canadian people of Guyanese descent]]
[[Category:Canadian soul singers]]
[[Category:Canadian television actresses]]
[[Category:Canadian women in electronic music]]
[[Category:Canadian women pop singers]]
[[Category:Canadian women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Dance-pop musicians]]
[[Category:Decca Records artists]]
[[Category:J Records artists]]
[[Category:Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Miami]]
[[Category:Singers from Toronto]]
[[Category:Singers from Florida]]
[[Category:Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Earl Haig Secondary School alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate actresses in the United States]]