Anastacia Lyn Newkirk, born on September 17, 1968, is a notable American singer, songwriter, and former dancer. She gained rapid recognition through her initial albums, “Not That Kind” (2000) and “Freak of Nature” (2001), both of which achieved substantial success.
The breakout hit “I’m Outta Love” led her to secure the title of the ‘World’s Best-Selling New Female Pop Artist’ in 2001. Her musical triumph extended with global hits like “Paid My Dues,” “One Day In Your Life,” and the official anthem of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, “Boom.” Even after overcoming cancer, she made a triumphant comeback with her 2004 release, “Anastacia,” showcasing a shift towards pop-rock.
This album soared to the top spot in 11 nations and emerged as Europe’s second highest-selling album of the year. The lead single, “Left Outside Alone,” maintained its dominance on the European Billboard chart for an impressive 15 weeks, bolstering Anastacia’s successful solo European tour the same year. The album also unveiled three more hit singles: “Sick and Tired,” “Welcome to My Truth,” and “Heavy on My Heart.”
In 2005, she presented the multi-platinum project “Pieces of a Dream,” which included the chart-topping duet with Eros Ramazzotti, “I Belong to You (Il Ritmo della Passione).” Her fourth studio album, “Heavy Rotation” (2008), spawned notable tracks such as “Absolutely Positively,” “Defeated,” and “I Can Feel You.” Subsequently, her cover album “It’s a Man’s World” (2012) paved the way for her sixth studio album, “Resurrection” (2014), securing a place in the top ten of several European charts.
The “Ultimate Collection,” unveiled in 2015, achieved top-ten status in the UK charts, marking her sixth top-ten album in Britain. The year 2017 saw the release of her studio album, “Evolution,” accompanied by its lead single, “Caught in the Middle.” Anastacia’s presence as one of the top-selling international female vocalists of the 2000s and 2010s is well-established. Her global sales surpassed 50 million as of 2016. She has earned five top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard’s Dance Club chart and placed three albums on its Top Album Sales chart.
Recognized for her commanding mezzo-soprano voice and standing at a height of 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm), she has been affectionately referred to as “the little lady with the big voice.” Her corrective LASIK surgery in August 2005 has not deterred her from occasionally wearing the iconic glasses that became part of her early fame.
Throughout her life, Anastacia has confronted various health challenges. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at the age of 13, she battled breast cancer at 34 and supraventricular tachycardia at 39. In 2013, at the age of 45, she faced breast cancer for the second time. In acknowledgment of her dedicated decade-long work in breast cancer awareness, Anastacia made history by becoming the second woman ever to receive the Humanitarian Award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2013.