Stacy Ann "Fergie"Ferguson (/ˈfɜːrɡi/FUR-ghee; born March 27, 1975)[5][6] is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. After earning recognition as a child actress in the 1980s, Fergie achieved international fame as a member of theBlack Eyed Peas from 2002 to 2018. During her tenure with the group, she also achieved success with her solo career, film and television appearances, and business ventures.
Fergie continued acting into the 2000s, appearing in the disaster filmPoseidon (2006), the double featureGrindhouse (2007), the musical dramaNine (2009), and the comedy filmMarmaduke (2010). She also pursued other ventures, releasing thefragranceOutspoken withAvon Products in 2010, and launching four other fragrances and two footwear lines. She began hosting the reality seriesThe Four: Battle for Stardom in 2018.
Stacy Ann Ferguson was born on March 27, 1975, inHacienda Heights, California, to Terri (née Gore) and Jon Patrick Ferguson.[7] She has a younger sister named Dana Ferguson; their ancestry includes English, Irish, Mexican, and Scottish.[8][9][10][11] Ferguson was raised Roman Catholic and attended Mesa Robles Middle School andGlen A. Wilson High School.[12] She was a cheerleader, straight-A student,spelling bee champion,[12] andGirl Scout.[13]
Wild Orchid released theirself-titled debut album in March 1997, which charted at #153 on theBillboard 200. In September 1998, they released their second album,Oxygen, which was a commercial failure, only selling 200,000 copies worldwide. From June 16 to August 28, 1999, they opened forCher'sDo You Believe? tour alongsideCyndi Lauper, which took them to 52 cities across the United States and Canada. They completed a third album, which their record label declined to release, and Fergie left the group in September 2001. In 2006, Fergie toldEntertainment Weekly that both frustrations with the band's image and personal drug problems led her to leave Wild Orchid.[15]
TheBlack Eyed Peas were recording their third album,Elephunk (2003), when A&R Music CoordinatorDante Santiago[16] askedwill.i.am to invite Fergie to try out for the song "Shut Up". She secured the gig and instantly bonded with the trio, going on to record five additional songs on the album. The following spring, shortly beforeElephunk came out,Interscope Records chairmanJimmy Iovine offered Fergie a permanent spot to take over vocal duties and fill the void left by background singerKim Hill's departure in 2000.[17] In a positive review of the Black Eyed Peas' new-found style,Rolling Stone noted that since 2002, when the group "hired a blond bombshell named Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson and gave up their pursuit of backpack-rapper cred, they have made a kind of spiritual practice of recording futuristic songs – a total aesthetic commitment that extends from their garish wardrobes to theirUnited Colors of Benetton worldview."[18] FromElephunk came "Where Is the Love?", which became the Black Eyed Peas' first major hit: it peaked at number eight on theBillboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in several other countries.[19] The album subsequently spawned "Shut Up", which topped the charts in many markets. The third single from the album, "Hey Mama", reached the top 10 in several European countries and later peaked at number twenty-three in the United States in 2004.[citation needed]
Their next album,Monkey Business, was released on June 7, 2005; it debuted at number two on the USBillboard 200 albums chart. The album sold over 295,000 copies in its first week; it was later certified triple platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Their next and last commercially released single from the album was "Pump It", which borrows much of its sound from "Misirlou", specificallyDick Dale's version; it peaked at number 8 in Australia and 18 in America. 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 and earned them another Grammy forBest Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. "Don't Lie", the second single from the album, saw success on the U.S. Hot 100, reaching No. 14, although becoming somewhat more successful in the UK and Australia, reaching a peak of No.6 in both countries. "My Humps", another song from the album, immediately achieved commercial success in the U.S. and fairly substantial radio play despite the sexually suggestive lyrics, reaching number three on the U.S. Hot 100 and number one in Australia, making it their fourth Australian number one single. However, many mocked the song for its lyrics. John Bush, writing forAllMusic, described it as "one of the most embarrassing rap performances of the new millennium".[20] Later in 2005, the Black Eyed Peas toured withGwen Stefani, as supporting act. In December 2005, they embarked on the "European Tour". In March 2006, the Black Eyed Peas toured again, as the featured headliner for theHonda Civic Tour.[21]
Fergie's debut solo album,The Dutchess, was released in September 2006.[22] It was initially recorded in 2005.[23][24] The songs on the album are "from a seven-year period, but [Interscope CEO] Jimmy Iovine heard some [tracks] and was like, 'This is great, let's put it out'.[25] One of the album's executive producers and fellow Black Eyed Peas memberwill.i.am stated that she was "writing about her personal struggles and casting her demons away and feminine power. [It's] her singing for young girls to be strong, and what they're going through in life, just growing up in this world of uncertainty."[26] "London Bridge" was released as the album's lead single on July 18, 2006, to radio stations[27] and on August 7, 2006, on the iTunes Store.[28] Theurban pop track caused controversy due to itsdouble entendre title.[29] It became a huge success, topping theBillboard Hot 100 (for three weeks) and New Zealand charts, while also reaching the top-ten in over twelve countries.[30] The music video for the song features the Black Eyed Peas members as well as Fergie on theTower Bridge, among other scenes.[26]
The following single, "Fergalicious", was released on October 23, 2006.[31] The track, which featureswill.i.am, reached number two on theBillboard Hot 100, the top-five in Australia and New Zealand, although it peaked lower than "London Bridge" in Europe.[32] Its music video features Fergie asWilly Wonka in a candy factory.[33] "Glamorous" was released as the third single from the album, on February 20, 2007.[34] The track, which featuresLudacris, became another number-one single for Fergie in the United States, and also reached the top-ten in over seven countries.[35] The fourth single, "Big Girls Don't Cry", was released on May 22, 2007.[36] The ballad became a huge success worldwide, topping the charts of ten countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States; it was also the album's most successful single in Europe.[37] It earned Fergie a nomination for theGrammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.[38] The music video for the song features American actorMilo Ventimiglia as her love interest.[39] "Clumsy" was then selected to be the fifth and final single from the album. It was released on September 25, 2007[40] and became a top-ten hit in five countries, including in Australia and the United States, becoming her fifth consecutive top-five hit in the U.S.[41]
In early 2009, Fergie and the group leftA&M Records; both remained withInterscope Records.[45][46] The group's fifth studio album,The E.N.D ("TheEnergyNeverDies"), was released on June 9, 2009. The overall sound of the album has a more electro hop beat rather than the usual hip pop/R&B feeling of their previous albums. In its first week, the album sold 304,000 copies and debuted at number 1 on theBillboard 200.[47] They released "Boom Boom Pow" as the lead single from their fifth album,The E.N.D., in March 2009. It went to number one in the United States and became the group's first chart topper.[48][49] As of March 2011, the album has sold over 3,000,000 copies in the US alone.[50] In France, the album proved to be very successful. It spent 55 weeks inside of the top 10 with 11 at No. 1.[51] They subsequently released a second single from the album, "I Gotta Feeling", which proved an even greater success than the first: it moved from number two behind "Boom Boom Pow" to the top spot in July,[49] and stayed for 14 straight weeks at number one on theBillboard Hot 100,[52] the longest stay at the top of 2009. The two hit singles back to back kept the Black Eyed Peas on the top for 26 consecutive weeks, from April 18 through October 16. Fergie bought a stake in theMiami Dolphins in 2009,[53][54] and has performed at the team's football games numerous times.[55][56]
"Meet Me Halfway" was released as the third single from the album in September 2009. The single reached number one in the United Kingdom and Australia. It also peaked at seven on theBillboard Hot 100. In October 2009, Fergie became a part owner of the National Football League'sMiami Dolphins.[57] "Imma Be" was released as the fourth single; it reached number one on theBillboard Hot 100 for two weeks.[58] "Rock That Body" was then released as the fifth single and reached number nine on the U.S. charts.[59] In September 2009, the group embarked onThe E.N.D World Tour, visiting Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. In October 2009, they also were the opening acts for 5 concerts of theU2 360° Tour North America leg.
The Black Eyed Peas performed at theGrammys on January 31, 2010. They performed a mash-up of "Imma Be"/"I Gotta Feeling". They won three out of the six awards they were nominated for; they won awards for Best Pop Vocal Album forThe E.N.D., Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group for "I Gotta Feeling" and Best Short Form Video for "Boom Boom Pow". On July 27, 2010, the Black Eyed Peas released a remix album:The E.N.D. Summer 2010 Canadian Invasion Tour: Remix Collection. It was released oniTunes in Canada only, during the Canadian leg of The E.N.D World Tour. It mostly features remixes of the singles taken fromThe E.N.D. It also features a remix of "Let's Get It Started" taken fromElephunk; the remix was also a bonus track on the deluxe edition ofThe E.N.D.. She launched her debut fragrance,Outspoken, underAvon in May 2010.[60] Her performance of Gimme Shelter with Mick Jagger and U2 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary in 2010 has over 13 million views.[61]
Fergie performing duringWalmart Shareholders' Meeting in 2011
Their sixth studio album,The Beginning, was released on November 30, 2010, and received mixed reviews.[62] The album's first single release was called "The Time (Dirty Bit)".[63] In January 2011, she began appearing inDr Pepper Cherry commercials. "Just Can't Get Enough", the album's second single, was released on February 18, 2011. The music video was released on March 16, 2011, and it was filmed inTokyo, one week before theearthquake and the tsunami. The video was directed by Ben Mor. The group's third single was "Don't Stop the Party" and it was released on May 10, 2011. On the same day, a music video for the song was released oniTunes, along with the single. The video, which is directed by Ben Mor, features on stage and backstage footage of the group duringThe E.N.D. World Tour in 2009–10. The video premiered onVevo on May 12, 2011. On May 22, the group appeared on the2011 Billboard Music Awards and won 1 of their 4 nominations, for "Top Duo/Group".[64] On the July 6, 2011 during a concert atAlton Towers inStaffordshire, the Black Eyed Peas announced they are taking an indefinite hiatus following the completion of their current tour, as they did between 2005 and 2009.[65] On September 22, Fergie visitedMadame Tussauds for the unveiling of her wax figure inLas Vegas, Nevada.[citation needed] In 2012, she became the owner and celebrity partner for Voli Light Vodkas, a low-calorie vodka with natural flavors.[66]
2013–2017:Double Dutchess
Fergie at the 2013 Life Ball Vienna
In 2013, Fergie announced that she had begun writing her second solo studio album.[67] The same year, Fergie filed a claim at theLos Angeles County Superior Court to legally change her name to Fergie Duhamel and take the last name of her husband,Josh Duhamel.[68] On January 6, 2014, it was announced, again, that Fergie was beginning the process of her second studio album. She stated in an interview with radio hostRyan Seacrest that will.i.am would be handling the production, with a release through Interscope.[69][70] Later that year withBillboard, she revealed that her experiences with motherhood influenced her songwriting.[71] In September 2014, it was announced that Fergie's second studio album had been slated for a 2015 release.[72] A new single from Fergie, titled "L.A. Love (La La)", was released tocontemporary hit radio on September 30, 2014.[73] The song debuted on theBillboard Hot 100 at number 97 and peaked at number 27.[74] It also reached number 16 on the Rhythmic Songs, number eight on Hot Rap Songs, number 24 on the Digital Songs and number 20 on the Pop Songs radio chart.[75]
On April 22, 2015, the singer performed a song with the Black Eyed Peas at the2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival as part ofDavid Guetta's set. Fergie announced in June 2015 that she was putting the finishing touches on her second album, titledDouble Dutchess.[76][77] A teaser for the album titled "Hungry (1st Byte)" was released on June 9, 2016.[78] On July 1, she released a new single, titled "M.I.L.F. $".[79] Fergie was inspired to write the song after the birth of her son, Axl.[80] The music video was conceptualized by Fergie and features a group of famous mothers aslingerie-clad 1950s housewives.[81] On November 11, 2016, Fergie released the third single from the album, "Life Goes On".[82] In November 2016, during a live Facebook chat, Fergie confirmed that the album would see its release in 2017.[83]
In May 2017, it was announced that Fergie had parted ways—by mutual decision—with Interscope and would launch her own imprint, Dutchess Music, as part of a global partnership withBMG Rights Management.[84] On June 2, 2017, aBillboard article rumored that Fergie was departing from the Black Eyed Peas. Band frontman will.i.am dismissed this, but stated that Fergie was taking a break from the group opting to concentrate on her solo career whilst the remaining members are working on a side project.[85] The pre-order ofDouble Dutchess was made available on August 25, 2017, along with instant downloads of "Hungry" and "You Already Know", collaborations withRick Ross andNicki Minaj respectively, with the latter being the fourth single from the album. On September 16, 2017, Fergie performed a solo set live from theRock in Rio stage inRio de Janeiro for over a hundred thousand people with surprise guestsPabllo Vittar,Sergio Mendes andGracinha Leporace.[86] On September 20, 2017, a film forDouble Dutchess titledDouble Dutchess: Seeing Double was released as a one-night only event.[87]Double Dutchess was finally released on September 22, 2017;[88] on that same day,Double Dutchess: Seeing Double was screened in Canada.[89] The album debuted on the USBillboard 200 at number 19, with first-week sales of 21,000 units in the United States.[90]
2018–present: Television and hiatus
On February 18, 2018, will.i.am confirmed Fergie's departure from the band in an interview with theDaily Star.[91] That same day, at the2018 NBA All-Star Game, Fergie performed a controversial rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner";[92][93]People described it as a "slowed-down jazzy rendition"[92] andDeadline reported it as being "bluesy" and "breathy".[93] She would later acknowledge that "clearly this rendition didn't strike the intended tone."[92] Also in 2018, Fergie hosted the singing competition seriesThe Four: Battle for Stardom, which ran for two seasons onFox.[94] In September 2018, Fergie re-recordedThe Wendy Williams Show's theme song "Feel It" to celebrate the show's 10th season.[95][96]
In January 2025, Fergie played a teacher in the music video for "Trippin" by Sturdyyoungin, which samples her song "Clumsy".[105] In July 2025, Fergie filmed a second "London Bridge" music video forToo Much, which takes place at itstitular location; the original took place atTower Bridge. Fergie said that, despite being on hiatus, "I loved this idea, and I loved—especially at this time in my life—just being a little bit messier, a little bit goofier, and just having fun with life."[106] Also appearing in the video areMegan Stalter and other cast members ofToo Much.[107] In October 2025, Fergie joinedLudacris at a show in Atlanta to perform "Glamorous".[108]
Other ventures
Business
In 2007, Fergie launched two handbag collections forKipling.[109] In 2008, she signed a deal withBrown Shoe to create a licensed footwear brand.[110] In 2010, Fergie launched her first fragrance,Outspoken by Fergie, under direct selling beauty and cosmetics company,Avon and release more fragrances in herOutspoken line, includingOutspoken Intense in 2011,[111]Viva by Fergie in 2012,[112]Outspoken Fresh in 2013[113] andOutspoken Party! in 2015.[114] Her tagline to her fragrance line is "Say What You Mean It".
In 2012, Fergie released a 24-piecenail polish collection with the Wet 'n' Wild.[115] She debuted her cosmetics line for Wet 'n' Wild in 2013, consisting of numerous make-up products such as lip gloss, primer, lipstick, eyeliner and mascara.[116] In 2019, Fergie visitedToronto, Ontario, Canada to promote her twofootwear lines, Fergalicious by Fergie and Fergie Footwear, which became available at Canadianluxury goodsdepartment storeHudson's Bay in 2015.[117][118] Fergie Footwear is an upscale line, sold at luxury department such asNordstrom, while Fergalicious by Fergie is sold at lower prices at outlets such asFamous Footwear stores.[110]
In 2020, Fergie and her father Pat Ferguson's winery Ferguson Crest, which was founded in 2006,[7] released three new wines called 2012 Syrah, 2012 Fergalicious and 2013 Viognier.[119] The wines were named after song lyrics by Fergie and the Black Eyed Peas.[119] In 2023,Architectural Digest reported that she sold the vineyard property inSolvang, California for $3.7 million.[120][121]
Fergie was signed toWilhelmina Models from 2007 to 2011.[135] Through Wilhelmina Models, she worked with brands such asDsquared,Calvin Klein andMarchesa.[136][137][138] In 2010, she became a spokesperson forAvon's haircare line Advanced Techniques, appearing in advertisements and commercials for the brand.[139] In 2012, Fergie became a global beauty ambassador for Wet 'n' Wild.[140]
In April 2013, Fergie received the "Always Next, Forever Now" award fromLogo TV in recognition of her work in theLGBT community.[143] On March 20, 2014, asAvon Foundation's globalbrand ambassador, Fergie announced the launch of a new global initiative, the Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence, with Avon Foundation,Vital Voices, and theU.S. Department of State inWashington, D.C.[144] The public-private initiative aims to improve the enforcement of laws around the globe protecting victims of domestic and gender violence.[144]
In 2020, 100 percent of the proceeds from Fergie Footwear's holiday shoe were donated toDress For Success, a global nonprofit organization that provides professional attire for low-income women.[145]
Fergie has received attention for her work with the Black Eyed Peas and for her solo music.[149][150] Leah Greenblatt ofEntertainment Weekly said that, withThe Dutchess, "she's earned her Black Eyed independence – and perhaps even her new royal title."[151] Retrospectively, Jason Lipshutz ofBillboard called Fergie "a fearlessly individual female artist that had been hiding in plain sight. [...] Fergie deserves retroactive praise for an uncompromising first look".[152] With the release ofDouble Dutchess, Allan Raible ofABC News wrote: "On her own, Fergie remains a versatile, exciting performer, further establishing her growing clout as an entertainer."[153] Tara Joshi ofThe Guardian agreed, deeming Fergie "pop royalty".[154]
In a retrospectivePaper article analyzing her image, Katherine Gillespie called her an "imperfect popstar" who "managed to rise above these manufactured circumstances and establish a unique onstage persona that relied on fashion just as much as music to get its point across. [...] She featured in Worst Dressed columns, but also inspired millions of 14-year-olds to spend their allowances on cargo pants. That's real influence."[155]
As a solo artist, Fergie has sold over 7.2 million albums and 29 million singles worldwide.[162] According to theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has sold 27.5 million albums and singles in the United States.[163] With her debut albumThe Dutchess, she became the first singer to have five singles from a debut album peak within the top five of theBillboard Hot 100 sinceMilli Vanilli'sGirl You Know It's True (1989).[164] With those singles selling over two million digital downloads individually in the United States, she set a record in the digital era for the most multi-platinum singles from one album, which she held until 2012.[165][166] She is the second female to achieve threeBillboard Hot 100 topping singles from one album in the 21st century, the first beingChristina Aguilera.[167] In 2006, her single "London Bridge" had the second fastest ascent in Hot 100 history at the time; it peaked at the top in three weeks.[168]
Fergie isbisexual. She said "I've been in show business since I was a little girl, so [homosexuality] was always very normal to me. My mom taught me that every human is God's child. You have to live your own life and not judge other people. Love is a great thing."[181]
While performing with Wild Orchid, Fergie developed an addiction tocrystal methamphetamine, which continued after her departure from the group in 2001. In September 2006, she called crystal "the hardest boyfriend I ever had to break up with". Fergie also stated "It's the drug that's addicting. But it's why you start doing it in the first place that's interesting. A lot of it was being a child actor; I learned to suppress feelings."[182] She has stated in several interviews that she is an avid user ofhypnotherapy, which she used to overcome her crystal meth addiction and to relax.[183][184]
Fergie began dating actorJosh Duhamel in September 2004, after she met him when she and the Black Eyed Peas filmed a cameo appearance for an episode of Duhamel's showLas Vegas.[185][186] Fergie and Duhamel became engaged in December 2007;[187] they married in a Catholic ceremony on January 10, 2009.[188][189][190] They have one son named Axl Jack who was born on August 29, 2013.[191] On September 14, 2017, Fergie and Duhamel announced that they had separated earlier that year.[192] On June 1, 2019, the couple filed for divorce after two years of separation.[193] The divorce was finalized in November 2019.[194]
^"Fashionable Fergie gets push from Wilhelmina Models".Reuters. December 4, 2010. RetrievedMarch 14, 2023.People see her working with Calvin Klein and Dsquared and see how all these unbelievable people in fashion want Fergie sitting at their table and coming to their show and they say, 'We need to buy into this and create a Fergie brand for us, too.'
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