Stacie Orrico

Born on March 3, 1986, in Seattle, Washington, CCM performer Stacie Orrico grew up as one of five children to Christian missionaries. After her family relocated to Denver, Colorado, she started singing while still quite young. Recognition arrived in 1998 when, at age 12, she captured the top prize in the vocalist category at the Estes Park Christian Artist Seminar. That achievement launched her career and led to a recording contract with Forefront Records. Her debut album, Genuine, appeared in 2000 and merged Christian pop with urban textures while recalling the work of Christina Aguilera and Lauryn Hill. Orrico wrote or co-wrote three tracks on the project, among them the Michael W. Smith-produced ballad “Dear Friend” and the opening single “Don’t Look at Me.” The next year she released the six-song EP Christmas Wish and soon afterward opened for Destiny’s Child across the United States, where she met Mathew Knowles; the encounter resulted in a 2002 deal with Virgin Records. Greater visibility came with her self-titled 2003 album, which earned a Grammy nomination, a feature on TRL, and a worldwide tour. Still a teenager, she found the industry’s pace overwhelming, withdrew from performing, returned to her family in Seattle, and took a restaurant job. She reemerged in early 2007 with Beautiful Awakening, contributing to the writing of many of its songs.