Taral Hicks (born September 21, 1974) is an American actress and singer. Hicks is best known for her acting in such films as 1993's American crime drama film ''

A Bronx Tale ''A Bronx Tale'' is a 1993 American coming-of-age crime film directed by and starring Robert De Niro in his directorial debut and produced by Jane Rosenthal, adapted from Chazz Palminteri's 1989 play of the same name. It tells the coming of ...

'' and her singing in such work as her 1997 debut studio album '' This Time'' which peaked at No. 4 on ''Billboard''

Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (also known as Bubbling Under the Hot 100) is a chart published weekly by '' Billboard'' magazine in the United States. The chart lists the top songs that have not yet charted on the main ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Chart ...

. Raised in

Teaneck, New Jersey Teaneck () is a Township (New Jersey), township in Bergen County, New Jersey, Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is a bedroom community in the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States census, 2010 U.S. census, th ...

, Hicks graduated from

Teaneck High School , motto_translation = To enrich the mind and improve the character , fundingtype = Public , schooltype = high school , grades = 9– 12 , district = Teaneck Public Schools , enrollment = 1,239 (as of 2021–22) , faculty = ...

in 1994.

Career

Acting

Hicks began her film career with a role in the critically acclaimed 1993 film, ''

''. Her subsequent film roles were small: 1995's '' Just Cause'' with

Sean Connery Sir Sean Connery (born Thomas Connery; 25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to portray fictional British secret agent James Bond on film, starring in seven Bond films between 1962 and 1983. Origina ...

and

Laurence Fishburne Laurence John Fishburne III (born July 30, 1961) is an American actor. He is a three time Emmy Award and Tony Award winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen. He has been hailed for his forceful, militant, and authoritative charact ...

, and 1996's ''Educating Matt Waters'' and ''

The Preacher's Wife ''The Preacher's Wife'' is a 1996 American comedy-drama film directed by Penny Marshall and starring Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston, and Courtney B. Vance. It is a remake of the 1947 film ''The Bishop's Wife'', which in turn was based on the 1 ...

'' with

Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer and actress. Nicknamed "The Voice", she is one of the bestselling music artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide. Houston in ...

. She appeared in the movie ''

Belly Belly may refer to: Anatomy * The abdomen, the part of the body between the pelvis and the thorax; or the stomach ** A beer belly, an overhang of fat above the waist, presumed to be caused by regular beer drinking ** Belly dance * The fleshy, cent ...

'' in 1998. In 2000, she appeared on screen in the short film, ''Are You Cinderella?'', with actor

Wood Harris Sherwin David "Wood" Harris (born October 17, 1969) is an American actor. He has portrayed the drug kingpin Avon Barksdale on the HBO crime drama ''The Wire'', cocaine dealer Ace in '' Paid in Full'' and high school football player Julius Campbe ...

. Her later film roles were in independent films such as 2005's '' The Salon'', with

Vivica A. Fox Vivica Anjanetta Fox (born July 30, 1964) is an American actress, producer, and television host. Fox began her career on ''Soul Train'' (19821983). She eventually continued her career with roles on the daytime television soap operas ''Days of O ...

Dondre Whitfield Dondre, or Dondré , is a masculine given name. Notable people with the given name include: *Dondre Gilliam (born 1977), American football player *Dondré Whitfield (born 1969), American actor *Dondre Wright Dondre Wright (born April 7, 1994) is ...

, and

Darrin Henson Darrin Dewitt Henson (born May 5, 1973) is an American choreographer, dancer, actor, director and producer. Hensen was a brief member of freestyle music group Trilogy and was featured on their single "Good Time".

; 2006's ''Forbidden Fruits'' with

Ella Joyce Ella Joyce (born Cherron Hoye; June 12, 1954) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Eleanor Emerson on the Fox comedy-drama sitcom '' Roc'', which originally ran from 1991 until 1994. Early years The daughter of an autowor ...

Fredro Starr Fred Lee Scruggs Jr. (born April 18, 1971), better known by his stage name Fredro Starr, is an American rapper and actor best known as a member of the hardcore rap group Onyx. Fredro Starr was discovered by the late hip hop star Jam Master Jay of ...

, and R&B singer

Keith Sweat Keith Sweat (born July 22, 1961) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and an early figure in the new jack swing musical movement. He is known for his collection of hits including "I Want Her", " Make It Last Forever", "I'll Give A ...

; 2007's ''Humenetomy''; and 2010's ''Ex$pendable''. Hicks featured in the HBO television series ''

Subway Stories ''Subway Stories: Tales from the Underground'' is a film made in 1997 and produced by Home Box Office for television. It began as a contest among New Yorkers who submitted stories about their experiences within the New York City Subway. HBO pic ...

'' in 1997. Two guest roles followed: 2002's ''

100 Centre Street ''100 Centre Street'' is an American legal drama created by Sidney Lumet and starring Alan Arkin, Val Avery, Bobby Cannavale, Joel de la Fuente and Paula Devicq. Premise The show takes its name for the Manhattan street address of the New York Ci ...

'' in the episode titled "Fathers", and a 2003 episode of '' Soul Food: The Series'' titled "The New Math". Hicks co-starred in the musical stage play

Tyler Perry Tyler Perry (born Emmitt Perry Jr., September 13, 1969) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and playwright. He is the creator and performer of the Madea character, a tough elderly woman. Perry's films vary in style from orthodox filmmak ...

's ''

Aunt Bam's Place ''Aunt Bam's Place'' is a 2011 American stage play created, produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam and Melonie Daniels as Gloria. The live performance released on DVD (June 12, 2012) was recorded live in At ...

'' with

Paris Bennett Paris Ana'is Bennett (born August 21, 1988) is an American singer who finished in fifth place on the fifth season of the reality television talent show, ''American Idol''. Biography Early years Bennett was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Jamec ...

, Cassi Davis, Jeffrey Lewis, and Melonie Daniels. It had a 3-day run beginning August 30, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia (Cobb Energy Center) and was filmed for a DVD release on June 12, 2012.

Music

In 1995, Hicks signed a deal with

Motown Records Motown Records is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. It was founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on June 7, 1958, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmant ...

and released an album titled '' This Time''. The single " Ooh, Ooh Baby", written by and featuring

Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette Elliott (born July 1, 1971), better known as Missy Elliott or Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the earl ...

, charted on the

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

R&B singles chart. However, the lead single intended to debut her singing career was "

Distant Lover "Distant Lover" is the sixth song issued on singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 album, ''Let's Get It On'' and the B-side of the second single from that album, " Come Get to This". A live recording was issued as a single in 1974. The live version of th ...

", an uptempo track produced by

Teddy Riley Edward Theodore Riley (born October 8, 1967) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer credited with the creation of the New Jack Swing genre. Riley credits Barry Michael Cooper with giving the genre its name.Hogan, Paul. " Tedd ...

. The album did not take off until the second single, "Silly", a remake of the classic R&B hit by

Deniece Williams Deniece Williams (born June Deniece Chandler; June 3, 1951) is an American singer. She has been described as "one of the great soul voices" by the BBC. She is best known for the songs " Free", " Silly", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" and two ''Bill ...

, was released. Featuring a black-and-white music video directed by

Hype Williams Harold Williams (born August 1, 1970) is an American music video director, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. Early life Williams was born in Queens, New York. He is of mixed African-American and Honduran descent. He attended Adel ...

, the single charted well on the R&B chart. After collaborating on the video for "Silly", Williams cast Hicks as in his directorial film debut, 1998's ''

'', as Keisha, DMX's girlfriend. The video for "Silly" appeared in one of the film's scenes. Hicks has expressed interest in pursuing a career in

gospel music Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music, and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is com ...

Personal life

Hicks is a 1993 graduate of Grace Dodge Vocational High School in the Bronx, New York. She is the younger sister of actress and singer

D'atra Hicks D'Atra Hicks (born Deitra Cherelle Hicks; December 27, 1967) is an American actress and singer. Hicks is best known for her role as Jackie Simmons in Tyler Perry's 2002 stage play ''Madea's Family Reunion''. Hicks has also performed as Nurse Tru ...

. In 1999, Hicks began dating Loren Dawson, and the couple married in 2001.

Discography

Albums

Singles

;Soundtracks * 1996: '' The Associate'' (on "

Yes We Can Can "Yes We Can Can" is a funk song written by Allen Toussaint, popularized when it was recorded by the American R&B girl group the Pointer Sisters. Background "Yes We Can Can" was originally recorded as "Yes We Can" by Lee Dorsey on his albu ...

" with

Chantay Savage Chantay Savage (born July 16, 1971) is an American R&B/dance singer. She experienced some success in the 1990s on various ''Billboard'' singles charts, one of which was "I Will Survive", a reworking of the Gloria Gaynor hit song. Savage has s ...

, LaShanda Reese and

The Pointer Sisters The Pointer Sisters are an American pop and R&B singing group from Oakland, California, that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s. Their repertoire has included such diverse genres as pop, jazz, electronic music, bebop, b ...

)

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

* *

Cover of May 2021 Issue of REVÖ MAGAZINE www.revozine.us {{DEFAULTSORT:Hicks, Taral 1974 births Actresses from New Jersey Actresses from New York City 20th-century African-American women singers American film actresses African-American women singer-songwriters American contemporary R&B singers Living people People from the Bronx Teaneck High School alumni Singer-songwriters from New Jersey Singers from New York City African-American actresses American television actresses Singer-songwriters from New York (state)