Shaddaii Harris

Shaddaii Charly'mayne Harris was born in Lubbock, Texas. She's Nigerian and Asian. Harris was born in an economically impoverished neighborhood and raised by a single mother. Shaddaii, (Shaddah) had a name people often struggled to pronounce. Growing up, Harris often refrained from watching television, instead would read, and write. Due to love for music, books, writing and reading, at an early age, her mother enrolled her in magnet schools, and she participated in theatre, ballet, tap, jazz, played the violin, and piano. During high school she enrolled in theatre classes, analyzed music, and wrote poems often. She felt music, journaling, and theatre arts were her escapes, and ways to express her thoughts, opinions, ideas, and emotions. Her teachers often said she had a gift of writing, and encouraged her to take up journalism in college. Harris began her stardom as a UNT college student when appeared on American Idol XIII, not knowing her performance would be broadcasted. She was labeled as the horrible singer, her television appearance went viral within an hour, reaching over 1 million views. After taking a break, she decided to pursue an entertainment career once more. USC approved Harris for an audition to be accepted into the Dramatic Arts program. A few months later, she interviewed Grammy Award singer Lala Hathaway while competing to host Born to Shine, a Time Warner production. Harris held the title Miss Grand Prairie USA 2013, and competed in Miss Texas USA 2013. She's appeared on NBC's salvation with Ashley Judd, TNT's Dallas (2012-2014), and in The Carter High Movie. After receiving her Bachelor's of Arts degree she worked for K104 radio station in Grand Prairie, Texas. A few months later, she was offered a position at ESPN in Houston, Texas. In Houston, she co-directed a music video called "Friday Song." On March 31, 2018 she wrote, directed and co-produced "Damn Pride", a music video. Harris is a writer, and creative. Most of all, she's an advocate for young women. She established her purpose to uplift and motivate youth to make wise choices, live out their dreams, never throw in the towel, and live a life of purpose; on purpose no matter what it looks like. Her life is a representation of self-determination, ambition, and self-love.