Willa Ford Profile
Willa Ford
Background information
Birth name Amanda Lee Williford
Born January 22, 1981 (1981-01-22) (age 27) Ruskin, Florida, United States
Genre(s) Pop, dance-pop
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, presenter, actress
Years active 1999–present
Label(s) MCA (1999–2000) Lava/Atlantic (2000–2004)
Website www.willafordinc.com
Amanda Lee Williford-Modano, known professionally as Willa Ford (born January 22, 1981) is an American pop singer, songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress, television personality, and presenter. She became known in 2001 as the self-proclaimed "Bad Girl of Pop", when she released her debut album, Willa Was Here. Aside from her music career, Ford has hosted several reality television shows, posed for Playboy, and competed on ABC's top-rated Dancing with the Stars in 2006. Ford will also portray Anna Nicole Smith in an upcoming television movie about Smith's life and death. Willa Ford is married to NHL player Mike Modano.
Contents
1 Biography 2 Personal life 3 Discography
3.1 Albums
4 Dancing With The Stars
4.1 Dancing With The Stars dances 4.2 Dancing With The Stars performances
5 Filmography
5.1 Music Videos 5.2 Television 5.3 Film
6 External links 7 References
Biography Ford was born in Ruskin, Florida and raised on her parents', Ralph Everett and Donna Williford, farm. As a young girl, she studied opera and began pursuing a singing career at age eight, when she joined the Tampa Bay Children's Choir. By age eleven, she had become a member of the Tampa-based Children's Performing Arts Troupe Entertainment Revue, which consisted of twenty girls, ages five-sixteen, who toured the area and sang at places such as Walt Disney World Resort and Busch Gardens. Ford advanced from the chorus to the role of featured soloist. When she was fifteen, she left the troupe and landed a spot with a local foursome called FLA but did not remain long before heading to Los Angeles, California. On the Fox News Channel late night show Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld (June 26, 2007), Ford said she had a 4.25 GPA when she left high school at the end of her junior year to start her professional career, but that she had to obtain a GED rather than graduate. She has also admitted to cheating her way through school and owes much of her educational success to her fellow classmates for helping her with her school work until she later dropped out at the end of her junior year to pursue her singing career. In 1999, Ford, performing under the stage name Mandah, signed with MCA, which released her song "Lullaby" on the double platinum soundtrack Pokemon: The First Movie. She also landed a spot as an opening act for the Backstreet Boys. This not only brought her attention for her performances but also for her relationship with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter. Soon Ford's label had her change her stage name to Willa Ford, so as to avoid confusion with Mandy Moore, and promoted her as a beautiful singer with a "good girl" image. After negative publicity tainted her clean-cut image, MCA dropped her and let her move to a label that would embrace her "bad girl" image.
During a mall tour for Nautica Kids, Lava/Atlantic Records noticed Ford. Shortly thereafter, Lava/Atlantic gave Ford a deal and put her into their recording studio with a diverse group of writers and producers. Unlike some teen singers, Ford preferred to write most of her lyrics. On July 17, 2001, Ford released her debut album Willa Was Here, containing the single "I Wanna Be Bad." The album used pop/R&B grooves, dance beats and vocoders. Despite this hit single, the album reached only No. 56 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Ford is one of the few female artists that can access the whistle register as displayed in her song "Ooh Ooh". Also in 2001, Ford served as the spokesperson for Pantene Pro-V's Pro-Voice campaign and appeared on the in-concert cable special Teensation. Ford also hosted MTV's Total Request Live and Say What Karaoke. She then won a contract with MTV. In 2002, Ford co-wrote and sang a duet with South Korean pop star Park Ji-yoon entitled "Nastified," which appeared on Ji-yoon's fifth album, Man. Throughout 2003, Ford hosted The Morning After and a reality series; I Bet You Will. Ford's song, "I Wanna Be Bad," became the theme song for the Six Flags amusement park chain and was also used by 7 Up for an advertising campaign. The hit single was also featured on the Totally Hits collection. Ford also modeled for Bongo clothing. During Ford’s appearances, hosting and modeling, she began working on her untitled second album which contained the songs “F.U.” and “I Gotta Feeling”. Although fans were excited to hear new material, Ford wanted to ditch it and start over. In 2003, Ford released the female empowerment dance song "A Toast to Men," which featured guest rapper Lady May. The single was from her unreleased second album Sexysexobsessive, which Ford originally wanted to call Porn Poetry, but Ford's record label did not agree with her "because that's not something that Wal-Mart will put on their shelves." "A Toast to Men" did well but, because of legal problems, the album was not released. This caused Ford to leave the label. The album also contained the title track “Sexysexobsessive” Another song that was mentioned was "Pieces", but nothing was told about the subject it discussed. She was ranked #100 on the FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 2004. She ranked #1 in Stuff's Sexiest Women of the Summer in 2005. She ranked #48 in the Stuff's 101 Sexiest Online Women in 2006. In 2005, she hosted the first season of the reality television show The Ultimate Fighter. After its final episode, Ford got a shot as the summer guest "doll" for the Pussycat Dolls' Las Vegas show. In 2006, Ford was one of the four celebrity quarterbacks for the Dallas Desire in the third Lingerie Bowl, which was shown on pay-per-view during half-time of Super Bowl XL. In February, Ford proved yet again to be the "Bad Girl of Pop" by posing nude for the March 2006 issue of Playboy with Jessica Alba on the cover. The pictorial shows her with almost all her pubic hair removed. In February 2006, Ford joined Nicollette Sheridan, Cindy Margolis, and DJ AM for a special Valentine's Day show at Club Pure in Las Vegas. Ford became a celebrity poker player on Calvin Ayre's Poker Wild Card in April. In the May issue of Stuff Magazine, Ford ranked No. 48 in the "101 Sexiest Online Women" competition and hosted the Love Jones Lingerie Fashion Show at Body English in Las Vegas later that month. On August 14, 2006, on national television, Lisa Rinna announced the competitors, which included Ford, for the third season of Dancing with the Stars, which premiered on September 12 on ABC. Some contestants, including Ford, had already been guessed days before Rinna's announcement on Good Morning America. Rumors were being circulated because of an article about Ford's close friend and former boyfriend UFC champ Chuck Liddell. Ford and her professional partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy were voted off Dancing with the Stars on October 11, 2006 after five weeks of competition. On October 12, it was announced that for personal reasons, Sara Evans would be dropping out of the show. On November 1, 2006, Ford returned to the televised result show of Dancing With the Stars, where she performed Fame, making her the first celebrity to be a contestant and performer on the show. On November 8, 2006, Ford returned to Dancing With the Stars again, but this time to perform a group jive and promote the upcoming tour. Ford also appeared a third time after her elimination on the November 15, 2006 season finale of Dancing With the Stars, when all the dancers and stars returned for their final dance number before crowning Emmitt Smith the third season's champion. Ford appeared on an EXTRA special undergoing an "Ugly Betty Make-Over" which aired on November 2, 2006 on the popular entertainment news television show. Ford also did a photoshoot for Maxim that is out in January 2007. In an interview with the magazine Starry Constellation, Ford said that she has decided to concentrate on her music career and that once Dancing with the Stars is over, she plans to complete her second album. On Thanksgiving, Ford was given an engagement ring by hockey player Mike Modano. The couple were wed in a small, private ceremony August 25th, 2007. She also announced to Access Hollywood that she was dropping out of the Dancing With The Stars Tour and will be working on the new pop-dance album instead. Ford gave a tour of her home, appearing on an episode of "My Celebrity Home" on the Style Network on February 7. She also hosted the third season of Pants Off Dance Off on Fuse TV. The Insider with Pat O'Brien announced on April 10, 2007 that Willa Ford will be playing the role of Anna Nicole Smith in a television movie about the life and death of the late celebrity. The film was shot between April and May 2007 and will be released in 2008. Ford also had her face molded and body suited to portray Smith in her heavier-set years for the movie. The biopic "Anna Nicole" marks Ford's first lead role in a film. The official teaser trailer for Anna Nicole was released on the internet mid February 2008 and proclaims to be the most anticipated motion picture of the year. The announcement led many fans to wonder if the movie will be released to theatres, television or DVD. The current debut status of Anna Nicole is yet to be determined. In May of 2007 Ford was featured on Maxims VH1 special Hot 100 and placed number 71. She was also on MTV Cribs with her husband which aired in August 2007. On December 6th 2007, Willa Ford and other Dallas Stars players’ wives gathered together for their annual holiday visit to the children of United Cerebral Palsy of Greater DFW. Ford made another local appearance with husband Mike Modano on a televised New Years countdown at Victory Park in Dallas called "BIG D NYE". Ford stars as the lead character named Claire Dennison in the movie "Impulse" alongside Angus MacFadyen.
Personal life Ford dated Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys from 1998 to 2001. She has also dated Christopher Jones and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell. While rumoured to be dating Modano, on the third episode of Dancing with the Stars, host Samantha Harris remarked to Ford and her dance partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, "Wow, you two have really fallen for each other." The couple looked stunned but did not deny it. In the segment preceding their Jive dance, they confirmed having "bonded way beyond the dance floor." In an interview with ABC after the Jive performance they were prodded by a reporter about their relationship status, Ford stated, "We are not an official couple." Maks followed this with, "Right. Not official." After their elimination from Dancing with the Stars, Chmerkovskiy posted on his official Web site, "Willa and I have become very close friends. I really like her and we are having a great time together. If you don't mind I would like to leave it at that." After Thanksgiving in November 2006, he announced his intentions to withdraw from the tour and stated clearly that the pair were not dating. Ford reported to Access Hollywood that she is in fact, engaged to Mike Modano. They had been dating on and off for the past four years excluding the year she was living with Chuck Liddell, with Ford making that announcement at the end of November. According to an interview with Access Hollywood she stated that Modano popped the question in bed at the end of October and presented Ford with an engagement ring over Thanksgiving. She has also decided to pull out of The Tour along with Chmerkovskiy, and is opting to work on her next album. Ford married Modano in Athens, Texas on August 25, 2007, in a private, sunset ceremony at the East Texas Barefoot Ranch, owned by Dallas businessman Benny & Stephanie Bray. She wore a wedding gown she designed herself. The couple bought a home in the Dallas area and hope to start a family soon.
Discography
Albums
Willa Was Here (2001)
Untitled ( 2007)
Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Hot Dance Music US Hot 100 Singles US Adult Top 40 US Top 40 Tracks
2001 "I Wanna Be Bad" 4 22 11 19 Willa Was Here
2001
"Did Ya' Understand That"A
-
-
-
-
Willa Was Here
2001
"Santa Baby (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme)"A
-
-
-
-
MTV: TRL Christmas
2004
"A Toast to Men" (feat. Lady May)
11
52
-
-
A Toast to Men (Single)
A Singles released, but failed to chart.
Dancing With The Stars
Dancing With The Stars dances
Week 1: Foxtrot Week 2: Mambo Week 3: Jive Week 4: Waltz Week 5: Rumba
Dancing With The Stars performances
Week 8: "Fame" (Live singing performance) Week 9: Group Jive (Live dance) Season Finale: Cast Reunion (Live dance)
Filmography
Music Videos
I Wanna Be Bad (2001) Did Ya' Understand That (2001) Santa Baby (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme) (2001) Uncle Kracker's: In A Little While -"Girlfriend" (2002) A Toast to Men (2003)
Television
Teensensation - Herself (2001) Pantene Pro-Voice commercial - Herself (2001) Pantene Pro-Voice featuring Jewel - Herself (2001) The Mind of the Married Man - Herself (2001) Six Flags commercial - Herself (2002) Raising Dad - Edie "Bully" (2002) Slime Time Live - Herself (2002) (Got Pied and Slimed!) I Bet You Will - Host (2002) The Miss Teen USA Pageant - Co-host (2002) Morning After - Herself (2003) VH1's 100 Most Outrageous Celebrity Moments - Commentator (2004) VH1's My Coolest Years: Bad Girls - Herself (2004) VH1's 100 Greatest Kids Stars - Commentator (2005) The Ultimate Fighter - Host (2005) My Fair Brady: Episode 3 - Herself (2005) The Fabulous Life of ... Las Vegas - Herself (2005) ESPN Hollywood: Lingerie Bowl - Herself (2005) Last Call with Carson Daly: Lingerie Bowl Event - Herself (2005) VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars - Commentator (2006) Lingerie Bowl III - Herself (Dallas Desire quarterback) (2006) Calvin Ayre's Poker Wild Card - Herself (2006) Access Hollywood - Herself (2006) Entertainment Tonight - Herself (2006) Extra - Herself (2006) The Insider - Herself (2006) E! News - Herself (2006) Dancing with the Stars -Celebrity Dancer (2006) Jimmy Kimmel Live - Herself (2006) Good Morning America - Herself (2006) Live with Regis and Kelly - Herself (2006) CNN Headlines - Herself (2006) 75th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade - Herself (2006) Arby's Action Sports Awards - Herself (2006) Pants Off Dance Off - Herself (2007) Geraldo at Large - Herself - Guest (2007) The Insider - Herself - Special/Behind The Scenes (2007) Entertainment Tonight - Herself - Special/Behind The Scenes (2007) VH1 Presents Maxim's Hot 100 - Herself (2007)
Film
Anna Nicole- Anna Nicole Smith/Vickie Lynn Marshall (2008) Impulse - Claire Dennison
External links
Willa Ford Inc. (Official site) Willa Ford's MySpace (Official MySpace) Willa Ford at the Internet Movie Database Willa Ford news, video, forums and others
References
^ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00005OC6F/] Amazon.com
Top 5 Search Results
Willa Ford Official site of pop singer Willa Ford. Site provides photos, multimedia, bio, and tour dates.
Willa Ford - Wikipedia User-created biography for the American singer-songwriter Willa Ford. Includes about her personal life, discography, filmography, and more.
Willa Ford | Music Artist | Videos, News, Photos & Ringtones | MTV Features Willa Ford music videos, news, photos, album details, bio, and more.
Willa Ford Zone Fan site features news, bio, photos, links, forum, and more for the pop singer.
Willa Ford - IMDb Provides a Willa Ford filmography, photos, trivia, bio, and more.
