Kristinia Jamie DeBarge Bio
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge (born March 8, 1990) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress whose career began on national television in 2003 as a contestant on the American Idol spin-off, American Juniors. The daughter of musician James DeBarge, she signed with Sodapop Records, a division of Island Records, and released her debut album, Exposed, in 2009. She later expanded into acting, independent music releases, and the launch of her own cosmetics brand.
Early Life and Background
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge was born on March 8, 1990, in South Pasadena, California, in the United States. She is the daughter of James DeBarge, a member of the well-known DeBarge family of musicians. She grew up surrounded by music, which shaped her interest in performance from a very young age.
DeBarge began singing when she was three years old, although she did not take the craft seriously until she was twelve. At that age, her father brought her into a recording studio, where the two worked until 4 a.m. recording a duet titled "How I Feel Inside." The session convinced her father that she was committed to pursuing a singing career. This early family support and exposure to the recording process laid the foundation for her future in the music industry.
Path to Music
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge first appeared on national television in 2003 as a contestant on American Juniors, the American Idol spin-off created for younger performers. She progressed to the semi-final round of twenty contestants and was featured in the first group of ten semi-finalists, where she performed "Reflection" from the Disney film Mulan. Although she was not among the five who advanced from that group, the experience gave her significant public exposure and helped establish her as a young performer to watch.
At fourteen, Kristinia Jamie DeBarge was introduced to the acclaimed producer and songwriter Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. She worked with Edmonds for five years, developing her songwriting, vocal style, and stage presence. Two days before her nineteenth birthday, she signed a recording contract with Sodapop Records, a new division of Island Def Jam Records founded by Edmonds and Jeff Burroughs. This deal marked her official entry into the professional pop and R&B music world.
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge Career
Early Career (2003–2008)
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge built her early career through television exposure, family mentorship, and years of training. Following her appearance on American Juniors in 2003, she continued developing her craft alongside her father, James DeBarge, and later under the guidance of Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. These years of steady work prepared her for the launch of a major-label recording career.
During this formative period, DeBarge focused on songwriting, vocal training, and learning the inner workings of the music business. Her persistence and family roots in the industry helped her secure a place within the broader pop and R&B community before her debut album arrived.
Breakthrough (2009–2013)
In 2009, Kristinia Jamie DeBarge released her debut single, "Goodbye," in April, followed by her debut studio album, Exposed, on July 28, 2009. The album was released through Sodapop Records, a division of Island Records, and received generally positive reviews from music critics, earning an aggregate score of 69 out of 100 on Metacritic. In the United States, Exposed debuted at number 23 on the Billboard 200, while the lead single "Goodbye" peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100. The single also reached number 15 on the Canadian Hot 100, marking a successful international debut.
That same year, DeBarge served as an opening act for pop star Britney Spears on The Circus Starring Britney Spears world tour. In November 2009, she partnered with The Wet Seal, Inc. for a fashion collection, and in January 2010 she received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding New Artist. In 2010, she also appeared in the Nickelodeon film School Gyrls. In September 2012, she released the single "Cry Wolf" from her exclusive Japan album, Young & Restless, followed by the singles "Ignite" in April 2013 and "Higher" in May 2013, the latter released exclusively to Japan through Manhattan Records.
Continued Career (2014–2018)
In January 2014, Kristinia Jamie DeBarge was featured on the Finnish artist Redrama's single and music video "Let Go." The pair performed the song live on television during Finland's finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 at the Barona Areena in Espoo. The single became a success in Finland, reaching number one on NRJ's Top 10 list and on Spotify, and peaking at number three on the Finnish Singles Chart and number one on the Finnish Airplay Chart. In 2014, DeBarge also began working on her third studio album with Adonis Shropshire and took on her second acting role in Nick Cannon's directorial debut, School Dance, which premiered on July 2, 2014.
On January 5, 2015, DeBarge and Adonis Shropshire began releasing new music exclusively to YouTube under the project title "New Music Mondays." In July 2015, WE tv announced the reality series Growing Up Hip Hop, set to air on January 7, 2016, featuring DeBarge alongside other young performers from famous hip-hop families. In 2016, she released the EPs Thinkin Out Loud and Peaceful Understanding, along with the single "Crystal Ball." In 2017, she partnered with Priority/Capitol Records to release the single "Pink Love." In 2018, she independently released the singles "Hangover" and "Alright." On September 30, 2018, DeBarge announced the launch of her cosmetics company, Krissy D Cosmetics, which officially launched online on November 23, 2018.
Recent Activity (2019–Present)
In 2019, Kristinia Jamie DeBarge released the singles "Breathe" and "Back in the Day." On April 21, 2020, she released the single "Carousel," and on June 11, 2021, she released the song "Bet," featuring Eric Bellinger. DeBarge has continued to balance her music career with her business ventures, including her Krissy D Cosmetics brand, while building a multi-faceted identity in entertainment and entrepreneurship.
Notable Works and Milestones
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge's signature work remains her debut album, Exposed, which established her as a recording artist and produced the chart hit "Goodbye." Her appearance on American Juniors and her 2009 opening role on The Circus Starring Britney Spears solidified her public profile. A defining moment of her career came with her NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding New Artist in 2010, recognizing her early impact on pop and R&B music.
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge Award Nominations
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge received a nomination from the NAACP Image Awards in recognition of her early career achievements. In January 2010, she was nominated for Outstanding New Artist, an honor that acknowledged her successful debut as a recording artist following the release of her single "Goodbye" and her debut album, Exposed. This nomination marked her most prominent industry recognition during her breakout year.
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge Awards Won
There are no publicly confirmed major industry award wins documented for Kristinia Jamie DeBarge across her career based on the verified information available. While she has received critical recognition, chart success, and an NAACP Image Award nomination, no verified award victories have been recorded in the available sources.
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge Family
Kristinia Jamie DeBarge is the daughter of musician James DeBarge, a member of the renowned DeBarge family, a multi-generational musical family known for their contributions to R&B and pop music. Her father played a central role in her early musical development, taking her into a recording studio at age twelve to record their duet, "How I Feel Inside." This family connection provided her with a deep musical foundation and direct exposure to the recording industry from a young age.
Personal Life
Publicly verified details about Kristinia Jamie DeBarge's personal relationships and family life are limited. She was born and raised in the Los Angeles area of California and has continued to base her music and business activities in the United States. Beyond her known family connection to James DeBarge and her work in entertainment and cosmetics, no additional verified personal life details are available.