Keshia Chanté
Keshia Chanté | |
|---|---|
Chanté in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Keshia Chanté Harper June 16, 1988 |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada[1] |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels | |
Keshia Chanté Harper (born June 16, 1988) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, television host, actress and entrepreneur.
She has served as a judge on the international music competition series The World's Best,[2] hosted The Legacy Awards,[3] been an on-air reporter and host for Entertainment Tonight Canada,[4][5] and is listed as an International Voter for the Golden Globe Awards.[6]
Chanté has appeared on, or hosted, several television programs including the BET Awards,[7] Paramount’s Peak of the Week,[2] hosted BB Rewind, the official after show of season 22 of Big Brother on CBS,[8] and Battle of the Blades.[9] She has also participated in community and charitable initiatives, including hosting We Day and supporting campaigns focused on mental health awareness.[10][11] In 2022, she founded the hair care brand KHAIR.[12]
In 2014, she received a star on the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame for her contributions to Canadian entertainment.[13]
Early life
[edit | edit source]Keshia Chanté Harper was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, and spent summers with her grandparents in Hinesville, Georgia. Her father is of Afro-Trinidadian descent and her mother is of Puerto Rican and Portuguese descent.[14]
She moved to the Greater Toronto Area as a teenager and graduated from Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School in 2006.[15]
Career
[edit | edit source]2003–2012
[edit | edit source]In 2003, Chanté released the singles "Shook (The Answer)," and "Unpredictable",[16] in response to Shawn Desman’s "Shook".[17] The video for her single "Bad Boy"[18] was directed by Director X.[5]
Her self‑titled debut album was released in 2004.[17] In October 2004, at the Canadian Urban Music Awards, Chanté won Best New Artist, Video of the Year (for "Bad Boy"), and the Fan’s Choice Award.[19] That month she also performed the national anthem at the CFL’s Grey Cup championship game.[20]
Her second album, 2U, was released by Sony Music Canada in 2006, in Canada and Japan. That same year, her MTV special "The Diary of Keshia Chanté" aired in December.[21][22]
Her third album, Night & Day, was released in 2011 by Universal Music Canada.[23] Singles "Test Drive" and "Table Dancer" received Juno Award nominations (R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and Dance Recording of the Year, respectively).[24] She performed on ET Canada’s New Year’s Eve show in Niagara Falls.[25] In late 2012, "Table Dancer" reached the Billboard Japan charts, including Hot 100 and Digital & Airplay.[26][27]
2013–2015
[edit | edit source]Chanté co‑hosted 106 & Park on BET alongside Bow Wow during 2013–2014, and appeared as an on‑air correspondent at BET events.[28] In December 2014, she received a star on the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame.[29][30]
2016–2022
[edit | edit source]BET premiered Chanté’s song "The Valley" in November 2016.[31] In March 2017, Noisey premiered "Red Light"[32] and A.Side (AUX) premiered "Harmless",[33] followed by the release of the EP Unbound 01 (2017) and Unbound 02 (2018).[32][34] Unbound 01 received a Juno nomination in 2018.[35]
In 2020, Chanté hosted Battle of the Blades with Ron MacLean on CBC Television.[36] She also hosted BB Rewind, the official after show of season 22 of Big Brother.[8]
2023–present
[edit | edit source]In 2022, Chanté launched the hair care brand KHAIR.[37] In April 2023, she was listed as an International Voter for the Golden Globe Awards.[38] In April 2025, she appeared in the Lifetime film Fame: A Temptations Story alongside Keri Hilson.[39]
In June 2025, Chanté participated in the 25th‑anniversary 106 & Park tribute segment at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.[40][41][42]
Musical style
[edit | edit source]Tara Henley of The Georgia Straight wrote that Chanté has "an arresting voice, magnetic charisma, and driving ambition."[43] Denise Sheppard of Amazon.ca described Chanté as "a teen‑targeted pop phenom" whose "music has the one‑two punch of melodic hooks and the voice to back them up; a combination that can and will appeal to dance/pop music fans of any age."[44]
Influences
[edit | edit source]Chanté has cited Beyoncé, Aaliyah, and Brandy among her childhood influences, as well as Tupac Shakur, with whom she shares a birthday.[45]
Public image
[edit | edit source]On 106 & Park, Chanté was noted by Missy Elliott and Timbaland for her resemblance to Aaliyah. She was approached to portray Aaliyah in a planned biopic but declined after speaking with Aaliyah’s mother, who opposed the film.[46]
In Canada, Chanté has been described as a fashionista by national outlets, performing at Marchesa’s first Toronto runway show and appearing at a Chanel event during the Toronto International Film Festival.[47][30] She later served as a judge on Canada’s Best Beauty Talent alongside Coco Rocha and Flare editor‑in‑chief Lisa Tant.[48]
Endorsements
[edit | edit source]Chanté has endorsed brands such as CANON, Pepsi, Bacardi, Nestlé, Bell, Rogers, Stila Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Ecko Red and Sony.[30] In 2007, Chanté served as the face of Ontario Tourism and sang the theme song in their commercials.[49] In November 2010, Chanté became the face of the Pepsi Refresh Project campaign.[30]
Personal life
[edit | edit source]Chanté divides her time between West Hollywood, California, and Toronto, Ontario.[50]
Philanthropy
[edit | edit source]Chanté has supported HIV/AIDS awareness and youth initiatives in Canada and abroad. [51]
She has worked with World Vision in the Dominican Republic.[52] She also participated in an AIDS awareness fundraiser with Alicia Keys in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation.[53][54]
In 2014, Chanté appeared in an NBC public service announcement for Mariska Hargitay’s Joyful Heart Foundation alongside Eli Manning and Hilary Swank to raise awareness of domestic violence.[30] She has hosted We Day events in Calgary and Ottawa and spoken about mental health awareness, including depression and anxiety.[10][11]
Discography
[edit | edit source]Studio albums
- Keshia Chanté (2004)
- 2U (2006)
- Night & Day (2011)
- Unbound 02 (2018)
- Unbound 01 (2017)
Filmography
[edit | edit source]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | da Kink in My Hair | Dahlia | Episode: "Empty Bag Can't Stand Up"; 1 epiode |
| 2009 | Soul | Mahalia Brown | Lead role; 6 episodes |
| 2011 | Top Chef Canada | Judge | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Match Game | Guest star | 5 episodes |
| 2012 | Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town | Vocalist | TV film |
| 2012–2013 | The Next Star | Judge | 2 seasons; 24 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | 106 & Park | Host | 390 episodes |
| 2014 | BET Awards Pre-Show | Host | |
| 2014 | BET Awards | Presenter | |
| 2014 | BET Hip Hop Awards | Presenter | |
| 2014 | Bethenny | Herself | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | 106 & Park: New Year's Eve | Host | |
| 2014 | BET: Notarized | Host | TV special; Best 100 Videos of 2014 |
| 2015 | Hockey Wives | Herself | 5 episodes |
| 2015 | BET Awards Pre-Show | Host | |
| 2015 | 106 & Party: New Year's Eve | Host | TV special |
| 2015 | BET: Notarized | Host | TV special; Best 100 Videos of 2015 |
| 2016 | 106 & Party: New Year's Eve | Host | TV special |
| 2016 | Chopped Canada | Guest star | 1 episode |
| 2018–present | ET Canada | Host | Hollywood correspondent; 300+ episodes |
| 2019 | The World's Best | International music judge | Season 1; 10 episodes |
| 2020–present | Big Brother aftershow "BB Rewind" | Host | 14 episodes |
| 2021–2022 | Peak of the Week (Paramount+) | Host | 2 seasons; 20 episodes |
| 2020–2021 | Jann | Recurring guest star | |
| 2020 | Private Eyes | Recurring guest star | |
| 2025 | Fame: A Temptations Story | Roxy | Lifetime film |
Awards and nominations
[edit | edit source]2003
[edit | edit source]- Canadian Urban Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single for "Shook (The Answer)" – Won [30]
- Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist" (Dance/Urban/Rhythmic) – Won [55]
- Canadian Radio Music Award for "Best New Solo Artist" (CHR) – Won [55]
2004
[edit | edit source]- Canadian Urban Music Award for Best New Artist – Won [19]
- Canadian Urban Music Award for Video of the Year for "Bad Boy" – Won [19]
- Canadian Urban Music Award for Fans’ Choice – Won [19]
- Rising Star Award for Rising Star of the Year – Won [30]
- MuchMusic Video Award for "Best R&B Video" for "Does He Love Me?" – Won [56]
2005
[edit | edit source]- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" – Won [57]
- Juno Award for "New Artist of the Year" – Nominee [58]
- Canadian Urban Music Award for "Video of the Year" for "Does He Love Me?" – Won [56]
- MuchMusic Video Award for "People's Choice: Favourite Canadian Artist" – Won [30]
- MuchMusic Video Award for "Best Pop Video" for "Does He Love Me?" – Won [30]
2007
[edit | edit source]- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" for "Been Gone" – Nominee [59]
2008
[edit | edit source]- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" for "2U" – Nominee [60]
2011
[edit | edit source]- Juno Award for "Dance Recording of the Year" for "Table Dancer" – Nominee [61]
- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" for "Test Drive" – Nominee [62]
2018
[edit | edit source]- Juno Award for "R&B/Soul Recording of the Year" for Unbound 01 (EP) – Nominee [63]
2022
[edit | edit source]- Canadian Screen Award — Best Entertainment News Program or Series for ET Canada – Winner [64]
2023
[edit | edit source]- Canadian Screen Award — Best Host, Web Program or Series for ET Canada Live – Winner [65]
2024
[edit | edit source]- Canadian Screen Award — Best Host, Live Entertainment Special for The Legacy Awards – Nominee [66]
- Canadian Screen Award — Best Host, Entertainment News Program for Entertainment Tonight Canada – Nominee [67]
References
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External links
[edit | edit source]- Lua error in Module:Official_website at line 94: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Keshia Chanté's channel on YouTube
- Keshia Chanté at AllMusicLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- Keshia Chanté discography at Discogs
- Keshia Chanté at IMDbLua error in Module:EditAtWikidata at line 29: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Lua error in Module:Authority_control at line 153: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
- 1988 births
- Living people
- 21st-century Black Canadian women singers
- 21st-century Canadian women singers
- 21st-century Canadian actresses
- Actresses from Ottawa
- Actresses from Toronto
- Black Canadian actresses
- Black Canadian dancers
- Canadian expatriate actresses in the United States
- Canadian expatriate musicians in the United States
- Canadian contemporary R&B singers
- Canadian female dancers
- Canadian female models
- Canadian film actresses
- 21st-century Canadian philanthropists
- Canadian people of Portuguese descent
- Canadian people of Puerto Rican descent
- Canadian people of Trinidad and Tobago descent
- Canadian television actresses
- Canadian television hosts
- Canadian women singer-songwriters
- Canadian women television hosts
- Female models from Ontario
- Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year winners
- Singers from Ottawa
- Singers from Toronto
- 21st-century Canadian singer-songwriters