Jillian Hervey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jillian Hervey
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Hervey performing at 2015 Austin City Limits Music Festival
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| Birth name | Jillian Kristin Hervey |
| Born | June 19, 1989 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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Jillian Kristin Hervey (born June 19, 1989) is an American dancer and singer. She is the main singer for the music group Lion Babe. Jillian is the daughter of famous singer and actress Vanessa Williams.
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Early Life and Family
Jillian Hervey has a very interesting family background. Her mother is Vanessa Williams, a well-known singer and actress. Her uncle is actor Chris Williams. Her family history was even explored on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are?. This show found out that one of her ancestors, William A. Feilds, was an African-American who was elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives a long time ago.
Jillian's family comes from many different places. Besides being African-American, she also has roots from England, Wales, Ireland, Finland, Italy, France, and Portugal. She grew up in Chappaqua, New York. Her parents divorced when she was eight, so she spent time at both their homes.
Jillian learned to play the guitar when she was 11. She also studied dance at the New School. While there, she became very interested in performance art. It was during this time that she started working with Lucas Goodman. They had met before at a party. Jillian asked Lucas to help her with music for a dance project at school. This was the start of their musical partnership.
In December 2021, Jillian and Lucas welcomed their first child together.
Career Highlights
Film and Television Appearances
Jillian Hervey has appeared in some TV shows and movies. In 2000, she was in the Lifetime TV movie The Courage to Love. This movie starred her mother, Vanessa Williams. It was about a woman named Henriette Delille who lived in New Orleans in the 1800s.
When Jillian was 19, she was offered a role on the TV show Gossip Girl. However, she decided to focus on her music career instead. In 2012, she performed the song "Glamazon" on an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Music Journey
Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman formed the music duo Lion Babe. In December 2012, they released their first song called "Treat Me Like Fire." This song quickly made people notice Jillian's unique voice and style.
Lion Babe has worked with many famous musicians. These include Pharrell Williams, Mark Ronson, and Childish Gambino. In 2014, they released another song called "Jungle Lady." People loved this song, and Essence magazine said that talent clearly runs in Vanessa Williams's family.
In July 2015, Lion Babe performed at the Lollapalooza music festival. In 2016, they released their first full album, which was called Begin. Critics have compared Jillian's singing style to other great artists like Erykah Badu and Corinne Bailey Rae. They say her voice can be jazzy and smooth.
Beauty and Fashion Influence
Jillian Hervey is also known for her style and has worked with big beauty and fashion brands. In early 2016, she became a spokeswoman for MAC Cosmetics. This campaign focused on new and exciting musicians. Jillian's role, along with other women of color, was important because it showed more diversity in beauty campaigns.
In June 2016, Jillian also became a representative for Pantene hair products. This was a big deal because Pantene usually focused on long, straight hair. Jillian encouraged "curly girls" to love their natural hair. She shared that she used to be teased for her curly hair. But then she learned to love it, especially after moving to New York. She felt more free and confident. This change also helped her art. She was inspired by artists like Josephine Baker and wanted to show her true self.
Jillian's fashion sense is also popular. She often wears '70s-inspired outfits. She has done fashion shoots with her mother, Vanessa Williams. Jillian also gets fashion ideas from icons like Naomi Campbell and Chaka Khan. Vogue magazine once described one of her signature looks as a short, flared dress with tall, velvet boots.
