Award-winning singer and actress Brandy Norwood has attained unimaginable success over the years. Part of her appeal is her perfectly crafted 'girl next door' persona, which made her a fan favorite from the beginning of her career.
However, the pressure to be perfect led to embarrassment. Although Brandy has managed to maintain a somewhat wholesome image, she's no stranger to controversy. In 2006, the singer was involved in a car accident that claimed the life of 38-year-old Awatef Aboudihaj.
Following the fatal car accident, Brandy left America's Got Talent, on which she served as a judge.
Not all of Brandy's past is as tragic, but the star did fake a marriage when she was expecting her daughter Sy'Rai Iman Smith.
Brandy and Sy'Rai's father, record producer Robert Smith, weren't actually married at the time they claimed they were. But why did Brandy Norwood fake her marriage?
She Had A Perfectly Crafted 'Girl Next Door' Persona
Like most child stars, Brandy felt pressured to portray a certain image. She's among tons of child stars who were expected to have an impeccable image. This is owing to the fact that most of her fan base at the time was comprised of teens and younger audiences.
From Keke Palmer and Lindsay Lohan to Miley Cyrus—the pressure to maintain a wholesome image is high yet unattainable in many cases.
Expectations from fans, producers, and even parents can put a strain on child stars. Several former child actors such as Mara Wilson, Brandy, and Alyson Stoner have spoken about the downside of child stardom.
Brandy was only 15 years old when she shot to stardom, following the release of her self-titled album. In an interview with People, the star revealed that "she struggled with being put in a box of perfection."
She was perceived as a role model, especially in the black community. That meant she had to guard her reputation because everyone was watching. Brandy elaborated, "I felt like my mistakes would let down everyone if I made them. I had to make the transition from being a teenager to a woman and figure out what direction I was going to go in."
The Pressure Of Maintaining Her Image Made Her Fake A Marriage
So in 2002, Brandy appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and announced that she had gotten married secretly and was six months pregnant at the time.
The news came as a shock to her fans, nevertheless, they still supported the singer. However, after the couple split, Smith dropped a bombshell. He revealed that he and Brandy weren't ever married.
The pair lied about their marital status to preserve Brandy's image. The pregnancy happened at the height of the singer's career, and she felt that admitting that she'd gotten pregnant out of wedlock wasn't an option for her.
She wasn't pleased with Robert's revelation and accused him of trying to destroy her reputation. The duo has since put their differences aside, moved on with their lives, and have co-parented amicably.
She Apologized For Lying About The Marriage
Twelve years after the shocking revelation, Brandy appeared on Oprah: Where Are They Now? where she apologized for lying about her marital status and explained what led to the lie. It boiled down to the fear of losing face, and understandably so.
Brandy confessed, "At that time, being pregnant out of wedlock was not a trend. It was not something people praised, it was a sin. I felt the pressure of having to be perfect, and I was scared."
The Moesha star did what she thought she needed to do in order to save her career.
She added, "I thought that everything that I have worked hard for and everything that I worked to build — the image that I worked so hard to build — was threatened.… And I felt that having a child out of wedlock would ruin my career, everything that I'd built. "
The Singer Is Currently Single
Norwood has been a permanent fixture in the entertainment industry for nearly three decades. She has topped charts, won awards, and won the hearts of fans worldwide.
Despite a few setbacks, Brandy's career remains on track. However, the "Almost Doesn't Count" singer hasn't been as successful at love as she's been in her career.
She has been linked to some of Hollywood's high profile leading men and has been engaged twice. Brandy is currently single and is all about self-love. She is focused on herself and her daughter and isn't looking to date.
Per Essence, the star revealed," I’ve learned boundaries for myself. I’ve learned how to take care of myself. I learned that self-love is really what I’ve been looking for all my life, and I’ve looked for it in the wrong places." At least she's not stuck in a marriage that's all wrong for her!
