Her father was a radio disc jockey, and she became an R&B singer, as well as an actress, who had some major hits in the 1980s, such as "Don't Blow a Good Thing" and "Congratulations". Previously, she had sung back up for Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Sting.
She struggled with obesity in the 1990s, and at one time lost 100 lbs. She became an advocate for programs preventing both obesity and juvenile diabetes.