Ciara (Ciara Harris, born October 25, 1985 in Austin, Texas) is an American rhythm and blues singer best known for her 2004 US #1 single Goodies. Her album of the same name debuted in the top 5 of the Billboard 200 in October 2004.

Biography

As her father was in the United States Army, she lived in bases in Germany, New York, California, Arizona, and Nevada. Her family eventually settled in Atlanta, Georgia. In her early teens, she got a piece of paper out and wrote down her life's goal, to become a professional singer. She joined a girl group, worked on her songwriting, left the group, landed a publishing deal, and found a "music soul mate" when she met producer Jazze Pha.

Jazze Pha signed her to his Sho' Nuff label after working with her for five days. Dubbed the "First Lady of Crunk & B" by the producer Lil Jon, Ciara burst onto the scene with her single "Goodies," the breathy answer song to Petey Pablo's Freek-a-Leek . With Sean Garrett, the co-writer of Usher's massive hit "Yeah!," Ciara co-wrote "Goodies." LaFace released the Lil Jon-produced track in the summer of 2004, and it saw a quick climb to the top of the music charts. Lil Jon produced the song in the crunk style, his speciality, with Petey Pablo also featured on the track. The single was released in the United States that summer through LaFace Records.

Goodies became a massive hit, reaching the top of the United States R&B and pop charts and also charting in Australia, Germany, Sweden and New Zealand. With help from Pha, Garrett, and Lil Jon, Ciara released her self-titled album in September 2004, debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200 and selling over 1 milion copies in the United States. The second single, 1, 2 Step , featuring Missy Elliott, has reached the top 10 in the US, peaking at #2. 1, 2 Step is released in the UK on the 11th of April.

Rumors emerged in January 2005 that Ciara was, in fact, born with a male body or intersex, and had sexual reassignment surgery at the age of 11. Many variations of this rumor exsisted. However, this rumor has been dismissed as false (view the links at the bottom of this page). She was also on BET's 106 & Park dispelling the rumour as she said, "If anyone can prove I'm a man I'll give them $100,000."

Discography

• Goodies 2004 #3 US

Singles

• 2004 "Goodies" (feat. Petey Pablo) #1 US, #1 UK (2005 release)
• 2004 "1, 2 Step" (feat. Missy Elliott) #2 US, #3 UK (2005 release)
• 2005 "Oh" (feat. Ludacris) #8 US

External links

• Ciara World
• Ciara Online
• dispelling the myth that Ciara was/is intersex, transgender, or had a "sex change" of any kind.
• Ciara Lyrics