Anika Noni Rose

Although Anika Noni Rose isn't a household name quite yet, and it may that she was cast in Dreamgirls as a newcomer to show business, she has actually been in the business for quite a few years, appearing in movies, television, and Broadway, including in some award-winning roles.

Rose was born on September 6, 1972, in Bloomfield, Connecticut, with early aspirations of becoming a veterinarian. Once she realized she'd be dealing with animals in pain, she was singing a different tune. She'd never realized she had been born with a beautiful singing voice, as she was in chorus, but thought everyone her age was. Yet once she entered a school production of Fame while a freshman, she found a new passion. Rose earned a theater degree from Florida A&M University, and then furthered her studies at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco, California, earning an M.F.A.

Taking her talents and degrees back to the east coast, Rose landed in New York City, with dreams of making it to Broadway. Only in the city for three short months, and just as her unemployment checks were due to run out, she realized her dream, landing a part in the Broadway production of Footloose, toward the end of its successful run. Rose followed this with an appearance in Eli's Comin', earning herself an Obie Award, then appearing with Lou Rawls in Me and Mrs. Jones. Her most successful theater work was in Caroline, or Change, which won her a Tony Award, among others.

Along with her successful work in theater, Rose also made a foray into film, appearing first as the film noir female in King of the Bingo Game. Then down to her last twenty dollars, she showed up at an audition for the American Idol alumni film, From Justin to Kelly. Not realizing it was a beach movie, she showed up for the winter audition dressed from head to toe, wondering why everyone else was in summer clothing. Nevertheless, she won the part, starring with Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, and has said while it didn't launch her career, it did help pay her bills.

Rose appeared in a few other movies such as Temptation and Surviving Christmas with Ben Affleck and James Gandolfini. She turned to television as well, appearing in guest starring roles on 100 Centre Street and Third Watch, the latter of which she starred alongside Coby Bell and Michael Beach. Her biggest project yet is combining her favorite mediums, starring in the film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. This ironically has her working with an American Idol alumna again in Jennifer Hudson, and also starring with Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, and Jamie Foxx. Rose was picked as an actress was needed who was less glamorous than Knowles's character, and less showy than Hudson's, yet could still pull her weight.

 The future seems even brighter for Rose, as she has lined up even more movies in the future, including One Part Sugar with Danny DeVito. Soon, this talented singer and actress will be a household name.

YUDDY