By age 14 Reneé Olstead already possessed an entertainment résumé capable of stirring envy in most adults, thanks to appearances in hit films and television shows plus a major-label music debut that collectively positioned her as a seasoned industry figure. Born in Houston, she cultivated an intense passion for music while still very young, sharpening her vocal skills through repeated sing-alongs with the radio. She soon began entering talent contests and taking part in local musical productions. Footage chronicling her pursuit of fame became the focus of two E! documentaries titled “The Making of a Child Star” and “The Journey Continues.” That visibility led to screen roles in the 1999 features The Insider (Russell Crowe) and End of Days (Arnold Schwarzenegger), followed by Space Cowboys (Clint Eastwood) in 2000.
Although two country-flavored albums marked her first attempts at a recording career, steady acting work proved more reliable; in 2002 she secured a co-starring part on the popular CBS series Still Standing. Whenever spare moments allowed, Olstead joined a local jazz/swing ensemble performing around Hollywood, delivering standards in a voice that belied her years. Her abilities soon drew the notice of producer David Foster (Celine Dion, Natalie Cole), resulting in a major-label contract. In May 2004 she issued her self-titled set of jazz and pop standards while still appearing on Still Standing. She performed at the Live 8 festival in Berlin in 2005, and her second album, Skylark, arrived the next year.
