Meet Deborah Cox, the Canadian singer born to Afro-Guyanese parents who has made Hall of Fame history

Deborah Cox is a Canadian R&B singer who started singing when she was only 12 years old. She performed in TV commercials and in talent shows. However, her music career got started after becoming a background singer for celebrated singer Céline Dion.

Cos, 47, was later signed onto Arista Records in 1994 by Clive Davis. That same year, she released her self-titled debut album. Her second album, “One Wish,” was certified platinum and produced two No. 1 singles, “We Can’t Be Friends” and “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here.” The latter held the record for the longest-running No. 1 R&B single of all time.

Aside from singing, Cox is also an accomplished actress and has featured in a number of projects, including Love Come Down, First Wives Club and HBO hit series Station Eleven.

The accomplished artist and actress also starred in the Rachel Marron role originally played by Whitney Houston in the musical “The Bodyguard.” She made her Broadway debut when she played a leading role in Elton John and Time Rice’s musical “Aida.”

According to Celebrity Net Worth, the Grammy-nominated singer cum actress has a net worth of $6 million and she makes her money primarily from songs, stand-up comedy, and sponsorships.

Cox will now be the first Black woman inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the 51st JUNO Awards, Canada’s version of the Grammys.

“Deborah is a multi-dimensional artist who has been entertaining and captivating audiences around the world for over 25 years,” CARAS/The JUNO Awards president & CEO Allan Reid said. “Her resounding voice and powerful performances have made her an international icon.”

“I feel incredibly grateful to experience this true milestone moment,” Cox said in a statement. “As the first Black woman to become an inductee, I am honoured to have the chance to show our younger generations that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to with hard work, dedication and passion,” she added.

Cox was born in Toronto, Canada on July 13, 1974, but grew up in Scarborough. Her parents are of Afro-Guyanese origin. She attended John XXIII Catholic Elementary School and completed her high school education at Earl Haig Secondary School.

Cox is a mother of three and lives in Miami with her husband and children. In what was her first visit to Ghana, the Grammy-nominated Canadian musician, actress and producer was in the West African nation to perform at the talked-about Ghana World Music Festival which took place in August 2019.

Cox shared every detail of her stay and experience with her fans. From dancing along to the traditional sounds of the local dance troupe that welcomed her at the airport to visiting the Cape Coast Castle as well as trying out Ghanaian cuisine, Cox most definitely didn’t just go to Ghana to work, but to also play and learn.

The actress and producer has often been recognized for her longstanding commitment to the LGBT community. She also supports those living with HIV/AIDS. The Harvey Milk Foundation at the 2015 Diversity Honors honored her for her efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the LGBT community.