Shanice Lorraine Wilson-Knox (born May 14, 1973) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is recognized for her coloratura soprano voice.
In 1984, Shanice appeared on Star Search at age eleven and won in the Junior Vocalist category. Her success led to being signed to A&M Records and released her debut album Discovery in 1987, at age fourteen. The album spawned the top-ten R&B hits: "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance" and "No 1/2 Steppin'". After a label roster shift to Motown Records, she released her second album Inner Child in 1991. The album spawned the international chart-topping song "I Love Your Smile". The song also garnered a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards. Her single titled "Saving Forever for You", released on the Beverly Hills, 90210, peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. After releasing her third album, 21... Ways to Grow (1994), she went on a five-year hiatus. During her hiatus, Shanice performed background vocals for several chart-topping songs including "Un-Break My Heart" and "When You Believe". She also made her acting debut in the Broadway production of Les Misérables in 1997.
In March 1999, she released her self-titled album on LaFace Records. The album spawned the top-ten song "When I Close My Eyes". Shortly after the release of the album, Shanice went on another musical hiatus. After forming her own record label Imajah Records, she released her fifth studio album Every Woman Dreams (2006). In 2014, she starred alongside her husband Flex Alexander in the reality television series Flex & Shanice.
Early life
Shanice Lorraine Wilson was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 14, 1973. Her mother, Crystal Wilson, was a singer, while her father, Carl Black, was a guitarist. After her parents divorced in 1979, Shanice relocated to Los Angeles with her mother and her aunt Penni Wilson. At the age of nine, she appeared alongside American singer Ella Fitzgerald in a commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Career
1984–1989: Career beginnings
In 1984, Shanice competed Star Search, the largest national talent show on television at the time. Competing in the show's Junior Vocalist category, Shanice won the grand prize of $5,000 USD with her renditions of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and "Greatest Love of All". The album's lead single, "(Baby Tell Me) Can You Dance", became a top-ten R&B hit and peaked at number fifty on the US Billboard Hot 100. Her follow-up single, "I'm Cryin'", peaked at number eleven on the US Hot R&B Singles. In October 1992, she released a single titled "Saving Forever for You" on the soundtrack of American teen drama television series Beverly Hills, 90210. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. as well as on "Bedtime" for Usher's My Way album in 1997. In January 1997, she made her theater debut as Eponine in the Broadway production of Les Misérables. In the summer of 1997, Shanice signed to Arista Records but later moved to LaFace Records at the request of label's co-owner LA Reid. The album sales became sluggish after the release of the second single "Yesterday". In August 1999, Shanice toured as the opening act for NSYNC's Boys of Summer Tour.
In 2000, Shanice was dropped from her record deal with LaFace Records after she became pregnant with her first child. Following her appearance in the movie One Special Moment in June 2001, Shanice went on a music hiatus. She made a guest appearance in the American sitcom One on Ones season one episode "Me & My Shadow".
2005–2016: Every Woman Dreams and television
In 2005, Shanice re-emerged with the release of her single "Every Woman Dreams", which peaked at number 62 on the US R&B chart. In February 2006, she released her fifth album Every Woman Dreams on her own record label Imajah Records. Every Woman Dreams peaked at number thirty on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album's singles "Take Care of U" and "So Sexy" experienced moderate success, peaking within the top seventy on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 2010, she performed vocals on the track "Behind the Mask" from Michael Jackson's posthumous album Michael. She recorded the song "A Midnight Rendezvous" for the 2012 Kinect game Rhythm Party. She also performed "Love Is the Gift", the English theme song for the video game The Bouncer.
In November 2014, the Oprah Winfrey Network began airing the reality television series Flex & Shanice. The show ran for three seasons and chronicled the daily events of Shanice and her husband as well as their family members. During the show, Shanice began recording new music and working with several producers. To coincide with the debut of Flex & Shanice, she released two singles: "Gotta Blame Me" and "We Can Fly" in November 2014. In July 2015, she released another single titled "Another Lonely Day in California". In 2016, she release a single titled "Breakdown".
2019–present: Current projects
In 2019, Shanice returned with the single "He Won't". In 2022, she recorded the theme song for animated children's television series Mecha Builders. In September 2025, Shanice starred as former First Lady Michelle Obama in the Off-Broadway production of 44: The Obama Musical. In November 2025, Shanice announced that she will appear in the BET+ Christmas movie A Soulful Christmas.
Artistry
Voice and musical style
Shanice's voice has been classified as a five-octave coloratura soprano. Tim Griggs of AllMusic commented, "Shanice sure has an impressive voice, including the ability to sing falsetto." Music critic Jose F. Promis also of AllMusic stated, "Shanice has a strong voice and is a talented singer, but ultimately deserves more creative songwriting and better material, because one can't help but feel that her talent is wasted on this mindless, mass-produced '90s pop-soul borderline drudge." She is also known for ability sing and enunciate words in whistle register.
Influences
Shanice cited The Emotions as her greatest musical influence. Her mother Crystal Wilson also briefly replace Sheila Hutchinson of The Emotions in 2022. She also cited Minnie Riperton's vocal style as an early influence. Shanice has referred to MC Lyte as her favorite rapper, even influencing the rap verse on her song "I Love Your Smile". Other artists that Shanice has mentioned as inspirations include The Clark Sisters,
Business and ventures
Imajah Records
In 2005, Shanice established her independent record label Imajah Records, which serves an imprint for her music releases. The name is derived from her two children: Imani and Elijah. The record label collaborated with New York (state)-based label PlayTyme Music Entertainment to distribute Shanice's fifth album Every Woman Dreams in 2006. The label collaborated with Tree Leaf Records to distribute Shanice's later singles including "Another Lonely Day in California" and "Breakdown".
Smile by Shanice
In November 2018, Shanice launched her beauty line Smile by Shanice. The cosmetic line featured cruelty-free and vegan lipsticks and lip glosses.
Personal life
On February 19, 2000, Shanice married actor and comedian Flex Alexander. They have two children, daughter Imani Knox (2001) and son Elijah Knox (2004).
In 2024, Shanice revealed her breast cancer diagnosis and underwent a double mastectomy.
Discography
;Studio albums
- Discovery (1987)
- Inner Child (1991)
- 21... Ways to Grow (1994)
- Shanice (1999)
- Every Woman Dreams (2006)
Filmography
Film
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
|-
| 1995
| Panther
| Punk Panthers' Singer
|-
| 2001
| One Special Moment
| Cynthia Wilkens
|-
| 2022
| To Her, with Love
| Herself
|-
| 2023
| Kryptonite
| Imani
|-
| 2025
| A Soulful Christmas
| Patti Young
|-
|}
Television
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1984
| Kids Incorporated
| Herself
| Season one
|-
| 1993
| Welcome Freshmen
| Herself
| Episode: "What Rhymes with Liar"
|-
| 1994
| Family Matters
| Herself
| Episode: "Rock Enroll"
|-
| 1996
| The Wizard of Oz on Ice
| Singer
| TV Special
|-
| 2002
| One on One
| Chocolate Kisses' lead singer
| Episode: "Me and My Shadow"
|-
| 2020
| Stuck with You
| Travina
| Recurring role
|-
| 2021
| First Wives Club
| Herself
| Episode: "End of the Road"
|-
|2024
| The Cuzzin M Show
| Zina
| Episode: "Periodt"
|}
Theatre and musical
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of acting performances in theatre
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Source
|-
| 1985
! scope="row" | Get Happy
| Performer
| Supporting role; Westwood Playhouse production
| <div style="text-align: center;">
|}
Soul Train Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual award show aired that honors the best in Black music and entertainment.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Nominated work
!Award
!Result
|-
| 1988 || Shanice || Best New Artist ||
|}