Keri Hilson has enjoyed major success in her career. From winning BET’s Best New Artist Award to a Grammy nod in 2010. She has worked with everyone from Timbaland to Kanye West to Ne-Yo. In the 2010s, you couldn’t turn on the radio and not hear a song penned by or sung by Ms. Keri baby. With rumors swirling for the last year or so that new music is looming, we’re getting pumped up for the Decatur, Ga. native to make a comeback.
For now, here are 10 things you may not know about the award-winning R&B singer.
1. She was a member of multiple girl groups
Like many before her, Keri found success early on by being a part of two girl groups, one named Pretty Toni, and the other called D’Signe. While conversing with Rolling Stone, Keri mentioned her studio time as an adolescent was contingent upon doing well in school. “You’re not going into the studio if you don’t get an A,” she said, recalling her parents’ specific directives.
Both groups later disbanded, but Keri still landed on her feet and learned a work ethic that paid off int he long-term.
2. She gave a telephone audition
These days, a lot of artists get discovered on Soundcloud or Instagram. For Keri, it was a different journey. She auditioned for legendary music producer Timbaland via phone. According to Rolling Stone, Keri’s writing credits combined with a great impromptu phone audition led to her being signed to Mosley Music immediately after.
3. What’s up with her and socks?
Sure, we all have our thing. Maybe you have OCD. Maybe you sleep with the TV on. Keri’s thing just happens to be… socks. “I buy new socks bi-weekly because I’m secretly afraid of being seen with dirty socks at the airport,” she told Vibe.
I buy socks because the dryer tends to take one and leave me with the other. Keri buys them because, well, she wants to stay fresh and clean!
4. Keri Hilson is a sneakerhead
Don’t let the glamour fool you. Glamour shares that Keri is a self-proclaimed sneakerhead. Her love for sneakers goes well with her self-described “tomboy chic” appearance. Sneakers or heels, Keri always carries a look well!
5. She’s a baller
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reveals Keri was the captain and MVP of her high school basketball team. Sis got so much game she decided to bet R.Kelly $16,000 that she would beat him in his crew in a basketball game, according to Vibe.
Though she was that girl in high school, it seems her moves weren’t enough against R. Kelly, and she found herself out of 16 racks.
6. She flexed her acting chops
While some artists dream of crossing into the film and TV space, Keri Hilson has an advantage that most don’t. She told Entertainment Weekly she attended Emory University where she majored in theater. Those acting chops not only call for great music videos but they have allowed her to flourish in major films, like Almost Christmas and Think Like A Man.
7. She has a hidden talent
In conversation with Marie Claire, Keri Hilson revealed that one of her special talents is juggling. Now that we think about it, this makes sense, considering she’s able to juggle life as a successful singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist.
8. She loves to give back
Speaking of philanthropy, Keri Hilson has her own non-profit charity, called The Keri Hilson Foundation. She was compelled to launch the organization after realizing how many institutions have gotten rid of “the arts and physical education.” In speaking with Breakfast Television Toronto, Keri said she believes those things are crucial to helping people cope with their mental health.
Her sentiments are also aligned with the mission of her organization, which seeks to provide “life skills & educational enrichment to women and children globally.”
9. She’s all about honesty
Keri spoke with GoToWhitney and shared how important honesty is to her. “I’m a truth-teller, I don’t ever like to be looked at like a liar.”
Those who follow her closely can attest to this. Keri has always been open and honest with her fans, including in a Feb. 2019 Instagram post when she revealed the true reason her highly anticipated studio album has been delayed for so long. Keri explained she had to step away from some people in her life due to greediness and others who fail to recognize how much she has grown as a person.
10. She’s not afraid to talk about politics.
In an interview with SDE, Keri Hilson made it clear she’s not pleased with the current state of American politics. “What we’re seeing now is a tremendous amount of racial divide,” she said. She added that the goal is for Americans to be united, not divided. And in her mind, that simply isn’t happening right now. Do y’all agree?