CeCe Peniston facts for kids

Quick facts for kids CeCe Peniston
Peniston in March 2012
Born	Cecilia Veronica Peniston (1969-09-06) September 6, 1969 (age 55) Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater	Phoenix College
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress
Years active	1991–present
Spouse(s)	Malik Byrd ​ ​ (m. 1992; div. 1993)​ Frank Martin ​ ​ (m. 2003; div. 2011)​
Partner(s)	Marcus Matthews (2015–16)
Musical career
Genres	House dance R&B pop soul new jack swing
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	A&M Warner Bros. Universal
Signature

Cecilia Veronica "CeCe" Peniston (born September 6, 1969) is an American singer. She was also a beauty queen. In the early 1990s, she had five number one hits. These songs topped the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Her most famous song, "Finally", was a huge hit. It reached number 5 on the Hot 100 chart. It also hit number 2 in the UK Top 75.

CeCe Peniston has performed for many important people. She sang for Aretha Franklin at a private party. She also sang for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. She was part of a gospel group called Sisters of Glory. She even performed for Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States. This was during both of his inauguration ceremonies.

She was the first foreign female entertainer to perform in South Africa after apartheid. CeCe says her voice can reach "five to seven octaves". This means she has a very wide vocal range.

In 2016, Billboard magazine named her among the 100 Top Dance Club Artists of All Time. She was ranked 52nd.

Who is CeCe Peniston?

Her Early Life and School

CeCe Peniston was born in Dayton, Ohio. But she grew up mostly in Phoenix, Arizona. She moved there when she was nine years old. She is one of four children.

Her father, Ronald Peniston, was a military veteran. Her mother is Barbara Anne. CeCe started singing in church. She also performed in plays and musicals. One play was H.M.S. Pinafore in 6th grade. She took piano lessons and joined local singing contests.

She went to Trevor G. Browne High School in Phoenix. After high school, she studied liberal arts at Phoenix College. There, she played sports and entered beauty pageants. In 1989, she was crowned Miss Black Arizona.

CeCe started writing song lyrics while in school. She wrote the words for her hit song "Finally" during a chemistry class. She was thinking about dating in college at the time.

Starting Her Music Career

CeCe's music career began in 1991. Her friend, Felipe "DJ Wax Dawg" Delgado, asked her to sing backup. This was for a rapper named Overweight Pooch.

CeCe sang on three songs for Overweight Pooch's album. One song, "I Like It", became a single. It did fairly well on the dance charts. CeCe also helped write two songs on the album.

Even though the album didn't sell well, people noticed CeCe's powerful voice. A&M Records asked Felipe Delgado to produce a song for CeCe as a solo artist. He teamed up with Rodney K. Jackson. This led to her famous song, "Finally".

Her First Album: Finally

CeCe Peniston with Felipe Delgado in Phoenix, Arizona, working on her first album in 1991.

CeCe Peniston was 21 when "Finally" came out in 1991. It quickly became a huge dance hit in the U.S. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

After this success, CeCe had two months to record her first full album. The album, also called Finally, was released in January 1992.

Both the song and the album were very popular. "Finally" reached number 5 on the U.S. Hot 100 and number 2 in the UK Top 75. The album sold over 540,000 copies in the U.S. by the end of 1992.

Her second single, "We Got a Love Thang", also hit number 1 on the U.S. Dance chart. It reached number 6 in England. Her third hit, "Keep On Walkin'", was her third number 1 dance hit in the U.S. It also made the Top 10 in the UK.

In October 1992, Billboard magazine nominated CeCe for four Billboard Music Awards. She won two awards for "Keep On Walkin'". Three of her songs were among the Top 100 songs of the year.

Other songs from her Finally album also did well. "Inside That I Cried" reached number 10 on the U.S. R&B chart. "Crazy Love" also made the Top 40.

By the end of 1992, CeCe received many awards. These included a Billboard Music Award, three ASCAP Awards, and three awards at the Annual Winter Music Conference.

Her Second Album: Thought 'Ya Knew

CeCe Peniston quickly returned to the studio to record her second album. She wanted to show she could sing more than just dance music. So, she included several ballads.

She helped write three songs on the album. She was also an executive producer for the album, called Thought 'Ya Knew.

The first single, "I'm in the Mood", became her fourth number 1 dance hit in the U.S. It also reached number 16 in the UK.

Thought 'Ya Knew was released in January 1994. It didn't sell as well as Finally. It reached number 96 on the Billboard 200 chart.

"I'm Not Over You" was the second single released in the U.S. It reached number 2 on the U.S. Dance chart. It was also named the ninth most successful dance song of 1994.

"Hit by Love" was the third single. It became another number 1 dance hit for CeCe.

At the end of 1994, Billboard named CeCe Peniston the No. 1 Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play Artist. She was also rated the 5th Top R&B Singles Female Artist.

A remix of "Keep Givin' Me Your Love" was featured in the movie Prêt-à-Porter (Ready To Wear). It reached number 4 on the U.S. Dance charts in 1995.

Singing with The Sisters of Glory

CeCe Peniston joined a gospel group called The Sisters of Glory. Other members included Thelma Houston and Albertina Walker. They recorded a spiritual album called Good News in Hard Times.

On this album, CeCe sang two solo traditional songs: "How I Got Over" and "Precious Memories". She also had solo parts on other songs like "Oh Happy Day". The album was released in 1995. It reached number 29 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.

Her Third Album: I'm Movin' On

In 1996, CeCe released her third studio album, I'm Movin' On. The album had a more R&B sound.

The first single, "Movin' On", reached number 29 on the U.S. R&B/Hip Hop chart. CeCe helped write three songs on this album.

The album didn't do as well as her previous ones. It reached number 48 on the U.S. R&B chart. The second single, "Before I Lay (You Drive Me Crazy)", featured JoJo Hailey. It reached number 52 on the U.S. R&B chart.

CeCe performed songs from this album during Bill Clinton's election campaign. He even thanked her for her beautiful singing.

After this album, CeCe played Glinda the Good Witch in a musical play called The Wiz.

In 1998, a remix of "Somebody Else's Guy" became a hit in Europe. It reached number 13 in the UK. This song was on her greatest-hits collection, The Best Of.

New Songs and Collaborations

After leaving A&M Records, CeCe worked on new music. She released "Nobody Else" in 1998. This song was praised by Billboard magazine.

In 1999, "He Loves Me 2" reached number 24 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart. Her next single, "My Boo", used a sample from "The Bottle" by Gil Scott-Heron.

"Lifetime to Love"

In 2001, CeCe recorded a cover of "Lifetime to Love". This song almost brought her back to number 1. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play list.

"Reminiscin"

In 2001, CeCe worked with Filipino singer Ella Mae Saison. They released a duet called "Reminiscin". It reached number 30 on the U.S. Dance chart.

"For My Baby" and Colour of My Soul

CeCe sang lead vocals for the R&B production duo Full Flava. She recorded songs for their album Colour of My Soul in 2003. One song, "For My Baby", was later remixed for dance floors. Her other solo song on the album was "I Think about Him".

"Eternal Lover"

CeCe then worked with French producer Fréderic Tharreau. They released the single "Eternal Lover" in 2004. It was released in France, Australia, and New Zealand.

TV Appearances

In 2005, CeCe appeared on the NBC reality TV show Hit Me, Baby, One More Time. She performed "Finally" and a Faith Hill song, "There You'll Be". She played for the charity of the hip-hop group Arrested Development.

Movies and Awards

In 2005, CeCe filmed two independent movies. In Don't Touch if You Ain't Prayed, she played a Christian woman. She also had a small role in Pastor Jones. Both films featured gospel music.

On September 19, 2005, CeCe was honored at the 2nd Annual Dance Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This event recognized people who greatly impacted dance music.

"Deeper Love"

CeCe teamed up with songwriter David Longoria for the song "Deeper Love". This song combined jazz and dance music. It reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 2006.

"You Are the Universe" and Music Is Our Way of Life

CeCe co-wrote "It's Alright" for RaShaan Houston. She also covered the Brand New Heavies hit "You Are the Universe". Her version was on Full Flava's album, Music Is Our Way of Life.

"EP Live" and Divas of Disco

In 2007, CeCe performed at the Divas of Disco – Live concert in Hollywood. She sang "Keep On Walkin'", "Last Dance", and "Finally". Her performances were released as a digital live EP in 2008. The whole concert was also released on DVD and CD.

"I'm Feelin' U"

In 2007, CeCe worked with US house DJ Ron Carroll on "I'm Feelin' U". This song was popular in European clubs.

"Shame Shame Shame"

Her next single, "Shame Shame Shame", was released in 2007. It reached number 1 on several UK magazine charts.

"Above Horizons"

In 2009, CeCe released "Above Horizons". This was an anthem for the PTA. It honored families, teachers, and communities who help children. CeCe was a National Ambassador for the PTA.

Recent Music

In 2010, CeCe was the lead singer on Ron Carroll's song "In Love with a DJ".

In 2011, CeCe signed with West Swagg Music Group. Her first single with them was "Stoopid!". She also contributed to the Miami 2011 compilation with "Make Me Say Oh". She released a remixed version of "Keep On Walkin'" as a duet. A new version of "Finally" by Paul Oakenfold also came out. Another song, "Celebrate", was released in March.

Her Personal Life

In 1992, CeCe was briefly married to Malik Byrd. He helped write her song "Inside That I Cried". In 2003, she married Frank Martin. They divorced in 2011. In 2015, she dated Marcus Matthews, a personal trainer.

CeCe's brother, Gregory, now manages her career. Her mother, Barbara Anne Quick Peniston, was also her manager.

Her Charity Work

CeCe Peniston Youth Foundation

In 1997, CeCe started the CeCe Peniston Youth Foundation. It raised money for groups helping with HIV/AIDS, women and children in need, and hunger.

After the September 11 attacks, Michael Jackson asked her to sing at his "United We Stand" concert. This concert helped families affected by 9/11. She also sang on Christmas albums to raise money for multiple sclerosis. She has performed for U.S. troops overseas since 1993.

In 2006, her foundation was renamed the LOTS Foundation (Lifting Others To Succeed). She planned to do a benefit for cancer research because her father is a cancer survivor.

National PTA Ambassador

In 2008, CeCe was named a National Ambassador for the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). This is a large group that helps children.

In this role, she visited many children. She talked about how important arts education is. She also encouraged families to be more involved in their children's lives.

As an ambassador, CeCe recorded the official PTA anthem, "Above Horizons". It was released in 2009.

Discography

Filmography

CeCe Peniston has acted in plays like The Wiz. She also appeared in two independent films in 2005. In Don't Touch If You Ain't Prayed, she played Pamela Matthews. In Pastor Jones, she had a cameo role.

Images for kids

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  CeCe Peniston performing at the Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 2011.

See also

In Spanish: CeCe Peniston para niños

• List of awards and nominations received by CeCe Peniston
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart