In the late 90s, Deborah Cox became a worldwide star when her unforgettable ballad “Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here” shot straight to #1 on the R&B charts and dominated that spot for a record-breaking 14 weeks.
A singer and songwriter groomed by the legendary Clive Davis, Deborah Cox became known for tender R&B songs like “Sentimental” and her duet with R.L. of Next, “We Can’t Be Friends”. And while rising on the R&B side, she was also burning up the dance-floor with infectious remixes to her R&B jams and original dance tracks like “Absolutely Not”, leading to 13 #1 Dance hits. Deborah is also an accomplished stage actor staring in musicals Aida, Jekyll & Hyde and The Bodyguard.
But long before dominating the charts or the stage, Deborah’s journey began in Toronto, Canada, where despite her reputation as a top singer, she was rejected by every major record label in the country. A middle child to Guyanese parents, Deborah struggled with insecurities growing up, from bullying in school, to lingering questions about her biological father. And years later, after launching a successful singing career, she found herself torn between plans to start a family and pressure from within the music industry to focus on the music.
In this episode of “Unsung”, Deborah Cox takes us backstage with The Bodyguard, and with her husband and manager Lascelles Stephens, and friends Clive Davis and Angela Bassett, he also shares her early years in Canada and her ups and downs in the music business.
Check out clips and stills below, from Sunday‘s episode.
• What Advice Did Whitney Houston Give Deborah Cox?
• ‘Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here’ Changed The Game for Deborah Cox!
• The Success of “Sentimental”
• Clive Davis on Deborah Cox: “She’s A Natural On Stage”
I didn’t get to hear Deborah back during those block party days but from some of my friends, this little unknown young lady really set the place on fire. I only lived in the Flemingdon Park area for one year and I really enjoyed the music coming out of there. I saw the Unsung episode featuring Deborah Cox Stephens (being respectful) and felt right at home during the early part of her interview. How can anyone with so much talent be overlooked by the music industry in Canada? I’m no longer in the music industry but I will say this…. Had I lived in the Flemingdon Park area a few years more, I would have gotten around to “discovering” this magnificent voice.
Thanks for that feedback Robert!