Cleo Higgins - Biography
Cleo Higgins (born Cleopatra Madonna Higgins on April 30th 1982 in Birmingham, U.K.) is best known as the lead singer of the eponymously-named RnB/pop sensation, Cleopatra.
Formed in the 1990’s with her sisters Zainam and Yonah, after winning a talent contest Cleopatra secured management and worked the live circuit which led to a recording contract.
The debut album ‘Comin Atcha’ was released on Warner Bros. Records and yielded three U.K. top 5 hit singles namely ‘Cleopatra's Theme’, ‘Life ain't Easy’ and the Jackson 5 cover ‘I Want you Back’. The Christmas T.V. sitcom special was also well-received and paved the way for the popular children’s situation comedy series ‘Comin' Atcha!’ and the sequel ‘In the House with Cleopatra & Friends’.
Madonna’s Maverick label signed Cleopatra for the U.S.A. and the girls worked with several luminary producers on their more grown-up second album ‘Steppin’ Out’.
They were promoted on Jay Leno’s Tonight show, the Queen Latifah show, and toured America with Jessica Simpson, Next, Brian McKnight, and performed on the Disney cruise ship which was broadcast worldwide on television.
With disappointing sales on the more risqué singles 'You Got It' and ‘Come and Get Me’ and with the second album not released in the U.K. at all, the girls decided to call time on the group and pursue their solo ventures.
Nowadays with children of their own the 3 sisters occasionally reunite for special one-off projects and performances.
In 2000 Cleo recorded a duet of the song ‘Someone Like You’ with Russell Watson for his debut album called ‘The Voice’ which achieved the coveted number 1 spot on both sides of the pond and went multi-platinum. Cleo duetted again with Russell on the song ‘The Best That Love Can Be’ for his third album called ‘Reprise’.
The noughties saw Cleo touring with Joe Budden, Russell Watson, Blue and Girls Aloud and sharing the stage with Jimmy Ruffin, Lenny Kravitz, to name just a few.
In 2001, 15,000 people packed the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester to watch Cleo help front ‘the young voices’ break the U.K. record for the largest singing choir with 7,000 members. In 2007, Cleo released her pilot solo single ‘Feelin Like This’ produced by Scandinavian hit-maker Marco Rakaskan which was picked up by Samsung, who used it as a built-in song and ringtone.
With her love of soul, RnB, hip hop, reggae, pop, classical and jazz, Cleo moves fluidly around different genres and always gives the audience something special to remember. Cleo is a singer, songwriter, actress, brand ambassador and a great performer who has achieved so much already.
The show will go on for Cleo Higgins – keep your eyes and ears peeled for news of her next performance!