Fergie (singer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fergie
Fergie in 2014
Born	Stacy Ann Ferguson (1975-03-27) March 27, 1975 (age 50) Hacienda Heights, California, U.S.
Other names	Fergie Duhamel
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress businesswoman
Years active	1984–present
Works	Discography
Spouse(s)	Josh Duhamel ​ ​ (m. 2009; div. 2019)​
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B hip hop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	RCA will.i.am Interscope BMG Dutchess Music

Stacy Ann "Fergie" Ferguson (born March 27, 1975) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She first gained recognition as a child actress in the 1980s. Later, Fergie became famous worldwide as a member of the music group Black Eyed Peas from 2002 to 2018. During her time with the group, she also found success with her own music, acting roles, and business projects.

As a child, Fergie starred in the TV show Kids Incorporated from 1984 to 1989. She also lent her voice to Sally Brown in two Peanuts TV specials and The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show (1984–1986). Later, she helped start the girl group Wild Orchid. They released two albums in the 1990s. Fergie joined the Black Eyed Peas in 2002 and recorded four successful albums with them. Her first solo album, The Dutchess (2006), reached number two on the US Billboard 200 chart. This album had several hit songs, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Glamorous", and "London Bridge", which all reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Other popular songs from the album were "Clumsy" and "Fergalicious".

Fergie continued her acting career, appearing in films like Poseidon (2006) and Nine (2009). She also started other businesses, releasing her first fragrance Outspoken with Avon Products in 2010. She later launched more fragrances and two lines of shoes. Her second solo album, Double Dutchess (2017), came with a film called Double Dutchess: Seeing Double. This album reached number 19 on the Billboard 200. She also hosted the reality TV series The Four: Battle for Stardom in 2018.

Fergie has sold over 35 million albums and 60 million singles around the world. She has received many awards, including eight Grammy Awards. Billboard magazine named her Woman of the Year in 2010. They also ranked her among the top female artists of the 2000s and the 21st century.

Early Life and Beginnings

Stacy Ann Ferguson was born on March 27, 1975, in Hacienda Heights, California. Her parents are Terri and Jon Patrick Ferguson. She has a younger sister named Dana. Fergie grew up in a Roman Catholic family. She attended Mesa Robles Middle School and Glen A. Wilson High School. She was a cheerleader, a top student, a spelling bee champion, and a Girl Scout.

Music and Acting Career

Early Acting and Wild Orchid Group

Fergie began studying dance and doing voiceover work. She voiced Sally Brown in two Peanuts TV cartoons, It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown (1984) and Snoopy's Getting Married, Charlie Brown (1985). She also voiced Sally on four episodes of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show. From 1984 to 1989, Fergie starred on the TV show Kids Incorporated. She was the longest-running cast member, appearing in the first six seasons.

Fergie was also a member of the female trio Wild Orchid. She sang alongside Stefanie Ridel and fellow Kids Incorporated star Renee Sandstrom. By 1992, the group started meeting with record labels. They eventually signed a music publishing deal with Sony Publishing and then a record contract with RCA Records in 1994.

Wild Orchid released their first album in March 1997. It reached #153 on the Billboard 200 chart. In September 1998, they released their second album, Oxygen. This album did not sell as well, with only 200,000 copies sold worldwide. From June to August 1999, they opened for Cher's Do You Believe? tour. They performed in 52 cities across the United States and Canada. The group finished a third album, but their record label decided not to release it. Fergie left the group in September 2001.

Joining the Black Eyed Peas

Fergie with apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas in 2005

The Black Eyed Peas were working on their third album, Elephunk (2003). will.i.am invited Fergie to sing on the song "Shut Up". She got the part and quickly connected with the group. She ended up recording five more songs on the album. In the spring of 2003, before Elephunk was released, Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine offered Fergie a permanent spot in the group. She took over vocal duties after background singer Kim Hill left in 2000.

Rolling Stone magazine praised the Black Eyed Peas' new style. They noted that since 2002, when Fergie joined, the group started making "futuristic songs." The song "Where Is the Love?" from Elephunk became the Black Eyed Peas' first big hit. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in many other countries. The album also produced "Shut Up," which was a number one hit in many places. The third single, "Hey Mama", reached the top 10 in several European countries.

Their next album, Monkey Business, was released on June 7, 2005. It debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 albums chart. The album sold over 295,000 copies in its first week. It was later certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album's first single, "Don't Phunk with My Heart", was a hit in the United States, reaching number three on the U.S. Hot 100. It also won them a Grammy Award. "Don't Lie", the second single, reached No. 14 on the U.S. Hot 100. "My Humps", another song from the album, became very popular in the U.S. and Australia. In 2005, the Black Eyed Peas toured with Gwen Stefani. They also went on a "European Tour" in December 2005. In March 2006, they headlined the Honda Civic Tour.

Solo Success with The Dutchess

Fergie at the 2007 MuchMusic Video Awards

Fergie's first solo album, The Dutchess, was released in September 2006. It was recorded in 2005. will.i.am, who helped produce the album, said Fergie was "writing about her personal struggles and feminine power." He added that she was "singing for young girls to be strong."

"London Bridge" was the first single from the album. It was released on July 18, 2006. The song became a huge success, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. It also reached the top-ten in over twelve countries. The music video for the song features the Black Eyed Peas members and Fergie on the Tower Bridge.

The next single, "Fergalicious", was released on October 23, 2006. This song, which features will.i.am, reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It also made it to the top-five in Australia and New Zealand. "Glamorous" was released as the third single on February 20, 2007. This song, featuring Ludacris, became another number-one hit for Fergie in the United States. It also reached the top-ten in over seven countries.

The fourth single, "Big Girls Don't Cry", was released on May 22, 2007. This ballad became very successful worldwide, topping the charts in ten countries. It was also the album's most successful single in Europe. It earned Fergie a nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The music video features actor Milo Ventimiglia. "Clumsy" was the fifth and final single from the album. It was released on September 25, 2007, and became a top-ten hit in five countries.

In 2007, the Black Eyed Peas went on the Black Blue & You World Tour. Fergie returned to acting in 2006, appearing in the film Poseidon. She also had roles in Grindhouse (2007) and the musical film Nine (2009). Fergie and the cast of Nine won an award for Best Cast – Motion Picture. On December 31, 2006, Fergie started hosting Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on ABC.

Continued Success with the Black Eyed Peas

Fergie performing at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, 2010

In early 2009, Fergie and the group left A&M Records but stayed with Interscope Records. The group's fifth album, The E.N.D ("The Energy Never Dies"), was released on June 9, 2009. This album had a more electronic sound. In its first week, it sold 304,000 copies and debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200.

They released "Boom Boom Pow" as the first single in March 2009. It became the group's first number one hit in the United States. By March 2011, the album had sold over 3 million copies in the US. They then released "I Gotta Feeling", which was even more successful. It stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 straight weeks. These two hits kept the Black Eyed Peas at the top for 26 weeks in a row. Fergie also bought a share in the Miami Dolphins football team in 2009.

"Meet Me Halfway" was released as the third single in September 2009. It reached number one in the United Kingdom and Australia. "Imma Be" was released as the fourth single and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks. "Rock That Body" was the fifth single and reached number nine in the U.S. In September 2009, the group started The E.N.D World Tour.

The Black Eyed Peas performed at the Grammys on January 31, 2010. They won three awards, including Best Pop Vocal Album for The E.N.D. and Best Music Video for "Boom Boom Pow". On July 27, 2010, the Black Eyed Peas released a remix album. Fergie launched her first fragrance, Outspoken, with Avon in May 2010.

Fergie performing during Walmart Shareholders' Meeting in 2011

Their sixth album, The Beginning, was released on November 30, 2010. The first single was "The Time (Dirty Bit)". In January 2011, Fergie started appearing in Dr Pepper Cherry commercials. "Just Can't Get Enough", the second single, was released on February 18, 2011. The music video was filmed in Tokyo. The group's third single was "Don't Stop the Party". On July 6, 2011, the Black Eyed Peas announced they would take a break after their tour. On September 22, Fergie visited Madame Tussauds for the unveiling of her wax figure in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2012, she became an owner and partner for Voli Light Vodkas.

Double Dutchess and Recent Work

Fergie at the 2013 Life Ball Vienna

In 2013, Fergie announced she was writing her second solo album. She also filed to legally change her name to Fergie Duhamel, taking her husband's last name. In January 2014, she confirmed that will.i.am would produce the album. She later shared that becoming a mother influenced her songwriting. In September 2014, it was announced her second album would be released in 2015.

A new single, "L.A. Love (La La)", was released on September 30, 2014. The song reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. On April 22, 2015, Fergie performed with the Black Eyed Peas at the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Fergie announced in June 2015 that her second album would be called Double Dutchess. A teaser for the album, "Hungry (1st Byte)", was released on June 9, 2016. On July 1, she released a new single. On November 11, 2016, Fergie released the third single from the album, "Life Goes On".

In May 2017, Fergie announced she had left Interscope Records. She launched her own music company, Dutchess Music, in partnership with BMG Rights Management. On June 2, 2017, a Billboard article suggested Fergie was leaving the Black Eyed Peas. will.i.am said she was taking a break to focus on her solo career. The album Double Dutchess was available for pre-order on August 25, 2017. It included new songs like "Hungry" and "You Already Know" with Nicki Minaj. On September 16, 2017, Fergie performed a solo show at Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro. On September 20, 2017, a film for Double Dutchess called Double Dutchess: Seeing Double was shown for one night. Double Dutchess was released on September 22, 2017. The album debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard 200.

On February 18, 2018, will.i.am confirmed Fergie's departure from the Black Eyed Peas. That same day, Fergie performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. She later said that her performance "didn't strike the intended tone." Also in 2018, Fergie hosted the singing competition The Four: Battle for Stardom for two seasons on Fox. In September 2018, Fergie re-recorded The Wendy Williams Show's theme song.

In May 2019, Fergie competed against actress Octavia Spencer on VH1's Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party. They competed to make the best brunch for Mother's Day. In 2022, Fergie performed "First Class" with Jack Harlow at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards. This was her first televised performance in four years. In January 2025, Fergie played a teacher in the music video for "Trippin" by Sturdyyoungin, which uses a sample from her song "Clumsy". In July 2025, Fergie filmed a second "London Bridge" music video for Too Much. She said she enjoyed being "a little bit messier, a little bit goofier, and just having fun with life."

Other Ventures

Business Projects

In 2007, Fergie launched two handbag collections for Kipling. In 2008, she signed a deal with Brown Shoe to create her own shoe brand. In 2010, Fergie launched her first fragrance, Outspoken by Fergie, with Avon. She released more fragrances in her Outspoken line, including Outspoken Intense (2011), Viva by Fergie (2012), Outspoken Fresh (2013), and Outspoken Party! (2015). Her slogan for her fragrance line is "Say What You Mean It".

In 2012, Fergie released a 24-piece nail polish collection with Wet 'n' Wild. She debuted her cosmetics line for Wet 'n' Wild in 2013. In 2019, Fergie visited Toronto, Canada, to promote her two footwear lines: Fergalicious by Fergie and Fergie Footwear. These lines became available at Hudson's Bay in 2015. Fergie Footwear is a higher-end line sold at luxury stores like Nordstrom. Fergalicious by Fergie is sold at lower prices at stores like Famous Footwear.

In 2020, Fergie and her father Pat Ferguson's winery, Ferguson Crest, released three new wines. The winery was founded in 2006. The wines were named after song lyrics by Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas. In 2023, Architectural Digest reported that she sold the vineyard property in Solvang, California.

Modeling and Endorsements

Fergie has been featured on the covers of many lifestyle and fashion magazines. These include Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Glamour. She has appeared in advertisements for Voli, MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam, Candie's, and Philipp Plein. She has also been in commercials for Pepsi, Hewlett-Packard, Dr Pepper, and Doritos.

Fergie was signed to Wilhelmina Models from 2007 to 2011. Through this agency, she worked with brands like Calvin Klein and Marchesa. In 2010, she became a spokesperson for Avon's haircare line, Advanced Techniques. In 2012, Fergie became a global beauty ambassador for Wet 'n' Wild.

Charity Work

Bill Burns; Alyse Nelson, Fergie (middle), Sheri McCoy and Assistant Secretary Zerya pose for a photo at the launch of the Gender-Based Violence Emergency Response and Protection Initiative at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. in 2014.

Fergie has supported many charity organizations. These include Habitat For Humanity, Lopez Family Foundation, Red Cross, Stand Up To Cancer, and The Trevor Project. In April 2011, Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas partnered with the children's clothing brand P.S. from Aeropostale. They designed a charity T-shirt to benefit the band's Peapod Foundation.

In April 2013, Fergie received an award from Logo TV for her work in the LGBT community. On March 20, 2014, as Avon Foundation's global ambassador, Fergie announced a new global project. This project, called the Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence, aims to improve laws that protect victims of domestic violence.

In 2020, all the money from Fergie Footwear's holiday shoe was donated to Dress For Success. This organization helps women with professional clothing.

Achievements and Awards

Fergie after winning the MuchMusic Video Award for Best International Video ("Fergalicious") in 2007

As a solo artist, Fergie has sold over 7.2 million albums and 29 million singles worldwide. In the United States, she has sold 27.5 million albums and singles. With her first album The Dutchess, she became the first singer since Milli Vanilli in 1989 to have five singles from a debut album reach the top five of the Billboard Hot 100. She also set a record for the most multi-platinum singles from one album in the digital era. She is the second female artist in the 21st century to have three Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles from one album. In 2006, her song "London Bridge" quickly reached the top of the Hot 100 chart.

Fergie has been nominated for five Brit Awards with the Black Eyed Peas. She has been nominated for twenty Grammy Awards and has won eight. These include awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005 and 2006. She also won Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Music Video in 2010. Blender named Fergie their woman of the year in 2007. Billboard named Fergie Woman of the Year in 2010. The same publication ranked her 16th on the 2000s Top Female Artists of the Decade list.

Personal Life

Fergie began dating actor Josh Duhamel in September 2004. They met when she and the Black Eyed Peas filmed a cameo for his show Las Vegas. Fergie and Duhamel got engaged in December 2007. They married in a Catholic ceremony on January 10, 2009. They have one son named Axl Jack, who was born on August 29, 2013. On September 14, 2017, Fergie and Duhamel announced they had separated earlier that year. On June 1, 2019, they filed for divorce, which was finalized in November 2019.

In 2013, Fergie built a house in Solvang, California, which she sold in 2023. Her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles was saved from wildfires in January 2025 by firefighters.

Discography

Solo albums

• The Dutchess (2006)
• Double Dutchess (2017)

With Wild Orchid

• Wild Orchid (1997)
• Oxygen (1998)

With the Black Eyed Peas

• Elephunk (2003)
• Monkey Business (2005)
• The E.N.D. (2009)
• The Beginning (2010)

Tours

Headlining

• Verizon VIP Tour (2007)

Opening act

• FutureSex/LoveShow (2007)
• The Police Reunion Tour (2008)

Filmography

Film

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

Music videos

• "Trippin" (2025), by Sturdyyoungin, Ohthatsmizz, and Zeddy Will

See also

In Spanish: Fergie para niños

• List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards