Leslie Mills is an American actress, film producer, singer, songwriter, and record producer.

Music career

Originally from

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...

and based in

Nashville Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the seat of Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the most populous city in the state, 21st most-populous city in the U.S., and the ...

, Mills grew up studying dance, theater, and music. She got her start fronting the New York-based band to the Moon Alice with

A&M Records A&M Records was an American record label founded as an independent company by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss in 1962. Due to the success of the discography A&M released, the label garnered interest and was acquired by PolyGram in 1989 and began distr ...

before relocating to

to begin her solo career. Mills met her long-time collaborating partner, the Australian writer/producer

Chris Pelcer Chris Pelcer is an Australian musician, songwriter, arranger, and record producer who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. He was born in Sydney, Australia, and grew up in Moruya, on the south coast of New South Wales. After high sch ...

and began writing songs for her solo project along with co-writing the single "Just Like Love" for

Peter Cetera Peter Paul Cetera ( ; born September 13, 1944) is an American retired musician best known for being a lead vocalist and the bassist of the rock band Chicago from 1967 until his departure in 1985, before launching a successful solo career. His c ...

, and "Rule The World" for Cetera's album ''

Another Perfect World ''Another Perfect World'' is the seventh and final solo album by music artist Peter Cetera released in 2001. It was his sixth album overall since leaving the group Chicago. The track, "Perfect World" peaked at number 21 on the Adult Contemporary ...

''. Mills also co-wrote the title track and single

One Determined Heart ''One Determined Heart'' is the debut studio album by Australian recording artist Paulini, released through Sony BMG Australia on 23 July 2004. The album produced by Audius Mtawarira and recorded by Louise Wheatley, mostly features cover songs ...

for Australian artist

Paulini Pauline Curuenavuli (born 15 October 1982), known professionally as Paulini, is a Fijian-Australian singer and songwriter. Born in Suva, Paulini moved to Sydney with her family at the age of four. She rose to fame in 2003 as a contestant on the ...

, which debuted at number one on the

ARIA Charts The ARIA Charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling songs and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA became the offici ...

and certified platinum by the

ARIA In music, an aria (Italian: ; plural: ''arie'' , or ''arias'' in common usage, diminutive form arietta , plural ariette, or in English simply air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompanime ...

(Australian Recording Industry Association).

Atlantic and MPL

Mills signed as a writer to

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained worldwide fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John Lennon. One ...

's publishing company MPL and received an

Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

Nomination for the song ''On My Own''. She signed with

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

, and released her debut album '' Different for Girls'' which included producers such as

David Kahne David Kahne is an American record producer, musician, composer, and former record company executive. Professional career Kahne started his musical career as a working musician and soon became Director of A&R for America's first punk and new ...

John Shanks John Matthew Shanks (born December 18, 1964) is an American songwriter, record producer and guitarist. Early life and education John Matthew Shanks was born in New York City. Shanks moved to Los Angeles when he was 17 years old. He was in a ban ...

, and co-productions by Mills and Pelcer. While signed to

, Mills began to get her songs into film and soundtracks such as '' What A Girl Wants'', ''

White Oleander ''White Oleander'' is a 1999 novel by American author Janet Fitch. It is a coming-of-age story about a child (Astrid) who is separated from her mother (Ingrid) and placed in a series of foster homes. It deals with themes of motherhood. The book w ...

'', and ''

The Powerpuff Girls Movie ''The Powerpuff Girls Movie'' is a 2002 American animated superhero film based on the Cartoon Network animated television series ''The Powerpuff Girls''. It was co-written and directed by series' creator Craig McCracken (in his directorial debut) ...

''. She left Atlantic Records, and continued to write songs for television and film while working on her second album ''Everlasting Road'' which was released on her own label Tiny Violet Records. Other film and TV credits for Mills' songs include ''

Going in Style ''Going in Style'' is a 1979 American heist comedy film written and directed by Martin Brest and starring George Burns, Art Carney, Lee Strasberg (in his final film role) and Charles Hallahan. It was Brest's first commercial feature film. Plot ...

'', '' Overboard'', ''

Barbie of Swan Lake ''Barbie of Swan Lake'' is a 2003 computer-animated fantasy film directed by Owen Hurley. It was released to video and DVD on September 30, 2003, and made its television premiere on Nickelodeon on November 16, 2003. Based on the Tchaikovsky ball ...

'', '' My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie'', '' Gray Matters'', '' My Best Friend's Girl'', '' Just My Luck'', ''

Las Vegas Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

Yanni Voices

Mills was a featured artist as part of the ''

Yanni Voices ''Yanni Voices'' (also released in Spanish as ''Yanni Voces'') is the twelfth studio album and fifth live DVD by Yanni, released on Yanni/Wake label in 2009. Background This was Yanni's first studio release in six years. In collaboration with pr ...

'' tour of US, Canada, and Mexico. She wrote and recorded for the project with the musical artist

Yanni Yiannis Chryssomallis ( el, Γιάννης Χρυσομάλλης; born November 14, 1954), known professionally as Yanni ( ), is a Greek-American composer, keyboardist, pianist, and music producer. Yanni continues to use the musical shorthand ...

for two years. Four songs featuring Mills are included on the Yanni Voices album ''Disney Pearl'', along with Mills' featured in the PBS special ''Yanni Voices Live From the Forum in Acapulco'' which aired in the U.S. in March 2009, with a full-length DVD released in October of the same year. Mills also wrote and performed two songs on Yanni's album

Truth of Touch ''Truth of Touch'' is the fourteenth studio album by keyboardist and composer Yanni, released by Yanni/Wake label in 2011. Track listing Production *Arranged by Yanni *Engineered by Yanni, Silvio Richetto & Travis Meck *Additional Arrangements ...

in 2011. She also had songs featured on Yanni's album Sensuous Chill in 2016.

Acting career

Mills has Acted in Television and numerous independent film projects. She appeared on ABC's Nashville, and had a recurring role on Drop Dead Diva's final season 6. Her film credits include: Strategy & Pursuit (2018), Tunnel Vision, The Identical, and the Indie Award winning Wild Sands.

Film Production

Mills is a Producer on the feature film Talon Falls. (2017)

Discography

Studio albums

* '' Different for Girls'' (2003) * ''Everlasting Road'' (2007) * ''Falling Off The World'' (2009) * ''Winter's Garden'' (2017) Single.

Songs in film and TV

* '' Overboard'' 2018 "Leave the Light On" performed by Leslie Mills, written by Leslie Mills & Mark Cofer * "

" "Long Walk Out" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Leslie Mills, Chris Pelcer (2017) * "

The Swan Princess ''The Swan Princess'' is a 1994 American animated film, animated fantasy film based on the ballet ''Swan Lake''. Featuring Michelle Nicastro, Howard McGillin, Jack Palance, John Cleese, Steven Wright, Sandy Duncan, and Steve Vinovich, the film is ...

" "Born To Be Me" Written by Leslie Mills, Chris Pelcer, J Bateman, Performed by Macy Kate, Sam Tsui (2017) * " The Swan Princess: Princess Tomorrow, Pirate Today" "I'll Be Your Star" Written by Leslie Mills, Chris Pelcer, J Bateman, Performed by Macy Kate (2016) * '' You're So Cupid'' Songs Performed by Leslie Mills: "Higher" (Leslie Mills/Andy West), "Another Side of Me"(Mills/Pelcer), "Danceparty" (Mills/Pelcer) (2010) * ''

Barbie and the Three Musketeers ''Barbie and the Three Musketeers'' is a 2009 computer-animated fantasy film. It was released to DVD on September 15, 2009, and made its television premiere on Nickelodeon on November 22, 2009. This film is the sixteenth entry in the ''Barbie'' ...

'' Song: "Making My Way" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/

(2009) * '' My Best Friend's Girl'' Song:"Tell Me You Will" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2008) * '

Live! Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film *'' ''Live'' (Apocalyptica DVD) Music *Live (band), American alternative rock band * List of albums ...

' Song: "Never Leave The Sun" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2007) * '' Just My Luck'' Song: "All About A Kiss" Performed by

Chantal Kreviazuk Chantal Jennifer Kreviazuk (; born May 18, 1974) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist. Born in Winnipeg, she played music from a young age before signing with Columbia Records in the 1990s. Her debut studio album, ''Under These ...

, Written by Leslie Mills / Chris Pelcer (2006) * '' Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy'' Song: "Away We'll Ride" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2006) * '' Gray Matters'' Song: "All Kinds of Love" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2006) * '' Everything You Want'' Song: "Ready To Rain" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2005) * '' My Scene Goes Hollywood: The Movie'' Songs: "Feel Like LA" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written & Produced by Mills/Pelcer, "Find The Fun" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written & Produced by Mills/Pelcer, "Starlight" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written & Produced by Mills/Pelcer, "Lucky" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written & Produced by Mills/Pelcer * '' My Scene: Jammin' in Jamaica '' Song: "Radiowave", Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2004) * '' What A Girl Wants'' Song: "Good Life" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2003) * ''

'' Song: "Wings" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by

Jason Blume Jason Blume is an American songwriter, author, and teacher of songwriting. Blume is the author of ''6 Steps to Songwriting Success'' (and the Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition), ''This Business of Songwriting'', and I''nside Songwriting'', all pub ...

(2003) * ''

'' Song: "Good Life" Performed by Leslie Mills, Written by Mills/Pelcer (2002) * ''

'' – "Melting" (2007) * ''

America's Next Top Model ''America's Next Top Model'' (abbreviated ''ANTM'' and ''Top Model'') is an American reality television series and interactive competition in which a number of aspiring models compete for the title of "America's Next Top Model" and a chance to b ...

'' – "Blue" (2010) * ''Beauty and the Beast'' – "I Will Always Believe" * ''

Guiding Light ''Guiding Light'' (known as ''The Guiding Light'' before 1975) is an American radio and television soap opera. It is listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the third longest-running drama in television in American history. ''Guiding Light'' a ...

'' – "On My Own" * ''

'' – "Be My Water"

Soundtracks and Compilations

* "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 albums

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

Awards & Nominations

* 2002:

nominationIMD
"Leslie Mills Emmy Nomination"

IMDb IMDb (an abbreviation of Internet Movie Database) is an online database of information related to films, television series, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, ...

, USA, May 30, 2002. Retrieved October 29, 2011. for Outstanding Original Song, "On My Own" for "Guiding Light" (shared with

Brian Siewert Brian D. Siewert, alternatively credited with or without his middle initial, is an American public speaker, multiple Emmy Award-winning concert and television composer, producer, songwriter, musician, arranger and visual artist. He has worked on ' ...

) * 2013: Tennessee Spirit Award for Short Narrative Film "Wild Sands" starring Leslie Mills, at the

Nashville Film Festival The Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm), held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, is the oldest running film festival in the South and one of the oldest in the United States. In 2016, Nashville Film Festival received more than 6,700 submissions from ...

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mills, Leslie Actresses from Kentucky Living people American women singer-songwriters American women pop singers Atlantic Records artists Rock musicians from Kentucky Singer-songwriters from Kentucky Year of birth missing (living people) 21st-century American women