Nikki Cleary

The young artist first broke through in 2001 via the novelty pop single "I.M. Me," which came out under her birth name, Brittney Cleary. Label attention soon followed from the track’s buzz, leading to a deal with Jive that prompted a switch to Nikki Cleary as her performing moniker, since the imprint already counted one high-profile Britney among its roster. Her self-titled debut album surfaced in August 2003 as a wholesome assortment of new songs and upbeat covers. Among them was a collaboration with Dream Street heartthrob Chris Trousdale on the Grease standard "You're the One That I Want." The project found traction on Radio Disney, prompting Cleary to tour it that fall through a series of brief shows staged at malls and middle schools.