Leslie Mills facts for kids

Leslie Mills is an American artist who is known for her work as an actress, film producer, singer, and songwriter. She also produces music.

Leslie Mills' Music Journey

Leslie Mills grew up in Kentucky and later moved to Nashville. From a young age, she studied dance, theater, and music. She began her music career as the lead singer of a band called To the Moon Alice in New York.

After her time with the band, Leslie moved to Nashville to start her solo music career. There, she met Chris Pelcer, an Australian writer and producer. They became long-time partners in creating music. Together, they wrote songs for Leslie's own projects. They also co-wrote songs for other artists, like "One Determined Heart" for Australian singer Paulini. This song became very popular, reaching number one on the music charts in Australia.

Working with Big Labels

Leslie Mills signed a deal as a songwriter with Paul McCartney's music publishing company, MPL. She even received an Emmy Award nomination for her song "On My Own."

Later, she signed with Atlantic Records. With this label, she released her first album, Different for Girls. Famous producers like David Kahne and John Shanks worked on this album. Leslie also helped produce some of the songs with Chris Pelcer.

While at Atlantic Records, Leslie's songs started appearing in movies and on soundtracks. Some of these films include What A Girl Wants, White Oleander, and The Powerpuff Girls Movie. After leaving Atlantic Records, she continued to write songs for TV and movies. She also worked on her second album, Everlasting Road, which she released on her own label, Tiny Violet Records.

Her songs have been featured in many other films and TV shows. These include Going in Style, Overboard, Barbie of Swan Lake, and My Best Friend's Girl.

Singing with Yanni

Leslie Mills was a special guest artist on the Yanni Voices tour. She traveled across the US, Canada, and Mexico with the famous musician Yanni. For two years, she wrote and recorded music with him.

Four of her songs are on the Yanni Voices album, Disney Pearl. Leslie also appeared in the TV special Yanni Voices Live From the Forum in Acapulco, which was shown in the U.S. in 2009. A full DVD of the show was released later that year. She also wrote and performed two songs on Yanni's album Truth of Touch in 2011. Her songs were also featured on Yanni's 2016 album, Sensuous Chill.

Leslie Mills' Acting Career

Besides music, Leslie Mills has acted in many TV shows and independent films. She appeared on the ABC show Nashville. She also had a regular role on the final season of Drop Dead Diva.

Her movie roles include Strategy & Pursuit (2018), Tunnel Vision, The Identical, and the award-winning independent film Wild Sands.

Producing Films

Leslie Mills has also worked behind the scenes as a film producer. She produced the movie Talon Falls in 2017.

Leslie Mills' Albums

Here are the studio albums Leslie Mills has released:

• Different for Girls (2003)
• Everlasting Road (2007)
• Falling Off The World (2009)
• Winter's Garden (2017) (This was a single song release)

Songs in Movies and TV Shows

Leslie Mills' songs have been featured in many popular movies and TV shows. She often writes and performs her own songs for these projects.

• Overboard (2018) – "Leave the Light On"
• Going in Style (2017) – "Long Walk Out"
• The Swan Princess (2017) – "Born To Be Me"
• The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today (2016) – "I'll Be Your Star"
• You're So Cupid (2010) – "Higher," "Another Side of Me," "Danceparty"
• Barbie and the Three Musketeers (2009) – "Making My Way"
• My Best Friend's Girl (2008) – "Tell Me You Will"
• Live! (2007) – "Never Leave The Sun"
• Just My Luck (2006) – "All About A Kiss" (performed by Chantal Kreviazuk)
• Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy (2006) – "Away We'll Ride"
• Gray Matters (2006) – "All Kinds of Love"
• Everything You Want (2005) – "Ready To Rain"
• My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie (2005) – "Feel Like LA," "Find The Fun," "Starlight," "Lucky"
• My Scene: Jammin' in Jamaica (2004) – "Making My Way," "Radiowave"
• What A Girl Wants (2003) – "Good Life"
• Barbie of Swan Lake (2003) – "Wings"
• White Oleander (2002) – "Good Life"
• Las Vegas (2007) – "Melting"
• America's Next Top Model (2010) – "Blue"
• Beauty and the Beast – "I Will Always Believe"
• Guiding Light – "On My Own," "Be My Water"

Soundtracks and Music Collections

Leslie Mills' songs have also been included on various movie soundtracks and music collections:

• "Swan Princess" (2017)
• "Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today" (2016)
• Feel Like LA: The Hollywood Collection (2009)
• Barbie in A Perfect Christmas Soundtrack (2010)
• Barbie In A Christmas Carol Soundtrack (2008)
• Everything You Want Soundtrack (2005)
• Barbie Sings!: The Princess Movie Songs Collection (2004)
• What A Girl Wants Soundtrack (2003)
• Powerpuff Girls: Power Pop (2003)

Songs on Other Artists' Albums

Leslie Mills has written or performed songs for other musicians' albums:

• Yanni's "Sensuous Chill" (2016)
• Yanni's Truth Of Touch (2011) – "Can't Wait" and "Long Way Home"
• Yanni Voices (2009) – "Before The Night Ends," "The Keeper," "Never Leave The Sun," "Our Days"
• Peter Cetera (2001) – "Just Like Love" and "Rule The World"
• Paulini (2002) – "One Determined Heart"
• Steve Nelson (2002) – "Be My Water"
• Shanley Del (2002) – "The Other Side of Love"

Awards and Nominations

Leslie Mills has received recognition for her work:

• 2002: She was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Original Song" for "On My Own," which was featured on the TV show "Guiding Light." She shared this nomination with Brian Siewert.
• 2013: Her short film "Wild Sands," in which she also starred, won the Tennessee Spirit Award at the Nashville Film Festival.