Regina Belle

Regina Belle (born July 17, 1963)

Biography Early life and education Belle was born in Englewood, New Jersey. It was at Englewood's Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and then Paterson's Friendship Baptist Church (presided over by Belle's uncle, the Reverend Fred Belle), that Belle began attracting attention with her vocal abilities. She sang her first solo in church at the age of eight. She attended Dwight Morrow High School, where she studied trombone, tuba, and steel drums. After graduation, Belle studied opera at the Manhattan School of Music. She attended Rutgers University and became the first female vocalist with the school's jazz ensemble. Belle's musical influences include Phyllis Hyman, Billie Holiday, Shirley Caesar, Patti LaBelle, and Nancy Wilson. She was introduced to the Manhattans by New York radio DJ Vaughn Harper and began working as their opening act. She recorded the duet "Where Did We Go Wrong" with the group on their Back to Basics album, which helped to attract the attention of Columbia Records. She recorded a second duet, "Maybe Tomorrow", which appeared on the B-side of "Where Did We Go Wrong". Columbia eventually signed her to a record deal.

Career

In 1987, she released her debut album, All by Myself. It includes her first hits "So Many Tears" and "Show Me the Way". The same year, Belle recorded her first successful duet with Peabo Bryson: the song "Without You", the love theme from the comedy film Leonard Part 6, also released in 1987. The song was her first single to appear on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at #8 and was also her first single to appear in four charts, including the UK Singles, peaking at #85, her best position in this chart until 1989. Her follow-up album, Stay with Me, released in 1989. Belle recorded a duet in 1991 with Johnny Mathis, "Better Together", which appeared on his album Better Together: The Duet Album. Continuing her tradition of duets, Belle teamed up with Peabo Bryson for four songs: "Without You" (in 1987), "I Can't Imagine" (in 1991), "A Whole New World" (in 1992) and "Total Praise" (in 2009).

Later in 1993, she released her platinum-selling third album, Passion. The album featured the Disney hit "A Whole New World". The theme song "Far Longer than Forever" from the animated movie The Swan Princess, performed with Jeffrey Osborne, was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1995 for Best Original Song. On June 5, 2012, Belle released on Pendulum her second gospel album, called Higher, on which she stated: "I think that, with the second CD [Higher] I had a better understanding of where I wanted to go [compared to Love Forever Shines]". Belle has appeared in concert with many other performers, including Ray Charles, Boney James, Paul Taylor, The Rippingtons, Gerald Albright, Will Downing, Maze, Frankie Beverly, Phil Perry, Al Jarreau, and Stephanie Mills.

Personal life Belle has been married twice. Her first marriage was to saxophonist and flute player Horace Alexander Young from 1985 until 1990, and together they adopted a daughter named Tiy (born 1989). Belle married former NBA basketball player John Battle on June 25, 1991. Belle and her husband reside in Atlanta, Georgia. John is a pastor of a church in Atlanta.

The couple has four children together, two of whom are adopted: daughter Winter, and son Jayln. After suffering miscarriages of two sets of twin boys, the couple had daughter Sydni (born 1994) and Nyla (born November 10, 1995). Belle has two grandchildren from Winter, Thea and Joshua.

Belle successfully battled a brain tumor in 2009. However, she is now deaf in her left ear.

Discography Studio albums Year Album Chart positions Certifications Record label US US R&B 1987 All by Myself 85 14 — — 53 Columbia 1989 Stay with Me 63 1 — — 62 US: Gold 1993 Passion 63 13 — — — US: Gold 1995 Reachin' Back 115 18 — — — 1998 Believe in Me — 42 — — — MCA 2001 This Is Regina! — 61 — — — Peak 2004 Lazy Afternoon — 58 12 — — 2008 Love Forever Shines 119 15 — 3 — Pendulum 2012 Higher — 44 — 15 — 2016 The Day Life Began — — — 11 — Shanachie "—" denotes the album failed to chart.

Compilations 1997: Baby Come to Me: The Best of Regina Belle 2001: Super Hits 2006: Love Songs

Singles Year Single Chart positions US US R&B US A/C US Dance US Gospel UK 1986 "Where Did We Go Wrong?" (with The Manhattans) — 42 — — — —1987 "Show Me the Way" 68 2 — — — 97 "So Many Tears" — 11 — — — — "Without You" (with Peabo Bryson) 89 14 8 — — 851988 "How Could You Do It to Me" — 21 — — — — "After the Love Has Lost Its Shine" — — — — — — "You Got the Love" — — — — — 1031989 "All I Want Is Forever" (with James "J.T." Taylor) — 2 34 — — 144 "Baby Come to Me" 60 1 — — — 127 "Good Lovin'" — — — — — 73 "Make It Like It Was" 43 1 5 — — —1990 "What Goes Around" — 3 — — — — "This Is Love" — 7 29 — — — 1992 "Better Together" (with Johnny Mathis) — 68 — — — — "A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme)" (with Peabo Bryson) 1 21 1 — — 12 1993 "If I Could" 52 9 12 — — — "Quiet Time" — 47 — — — — "Dream in Color" — 63 — — — — "The Deeper I Love" — — — — — — 1994 "Far Longer than Forever" (with Jeffrey Osborne) — — — — — — 1995 "Love T.K.O." — 29 — — — — 1998 "Don't Let Go" — — — — — — "I've Had Enough" — — — — — — 2001 "Oooh Boy" — 63 — — — — 2004 "For the Love of You" — — — — — — 2008 "God Is Good" — 83 — — 2 — "I Call on Jesus" — — — — 17 — 2012 "Make an Example Out of Me" — — — — 19 — "—" denotes the single failed to chart.

Awards and nominations American Music Award 1991, Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist (Nominated) Grammy Award 1991 "Make It Like It Was" Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

Record of the Year Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals 1999 Believe in Me Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album 2002 This is Regina Best Traditional R&B Vocal Album MTV Movie Awards 1993, Best Song From a Movie: "A Whole New World" (with Peabo Bryson) (Nominated)

Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame Herself (thirteenth class)