Overview

Chrisette Michele Payne (born December 8, 1982), known professionally as Chrisette Michele, is an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. She garnered attention early in her career by appearing on tracks by prominent hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z, Nas, and The Game. In 2007, she released her debut album, ‘I Am,’ which spawned four singles and earned her a Grammy nomination for the lead single, ‘If I Have My Way.’ Michele won a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2009 for her song ‘Be OK’. Her second and third albums followed in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Her third album, ‘Let Freedom Reign’, debuted at #25 on the Billboard Hot 200. Her fourth album, ‘Better’, was released June 11, 2013, under the Motown Records label. Chrisette was previously signed to Motown Records, Capitol Records, and Caroline Distribution but was dropped from her label in 2017 after performing at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. In the same year, Michele announced plans to release new music independently through her own label, Rich Hipster.

What Is Chrisette Michele Net Worth’ Net Worth

As of 2024/2025, Chrisette Michele’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. This valuation is based on her career as an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter. It’s important to note that net worth figures can fluctuate due to various factors, including album sales, touring, endorsements, and other business ventures.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Chrisette Michele Payne was born on December 8, 1982, in Central Islip, New York, and later grew up in Patchogue, New York. Her parents played significant roles in her early musical development; her father was a sociologist and a deacon who played the organ, and her mother was a psychologist and the church’s choir director. Chrisette’s upbringing heavily involved gospel music, and she led gospel choirs in high school. At the age of 17, after being introduced to Astrud Gilberto’s voice, she began learning jazz standards. She pursued formal education in vocal performance at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, where she earned a degree. Chrisette is also the first cousin of soul singer Raheem DeVaughn.

Music Career and Album Sales

Chrisette Michele’s career gained momentum through guest appearances on hip-hop albums by artists such as The Game on “LAX” (song: “Let Us Live”) and Jay-Z. Her debut album, “I Am,” was released on June 19, 2007, under Def Jam. The album spawned four singles and earned her a Grammy nomination in 2008 for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “If I Have My Way”. While specific sales figures for “I Am” are not available in the provided context, it marked a significant milestone in her career.

Her second album, “Epiphany,” was released on May 5, 2009, also under Def Jam Recordings. “Epiphany” debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 83,000 copies in its first week. However, songwriting for this album was primarily outsourced to writers like Chuck Harmony and Rodney Jerkins. Chrisette returned to writing most of the material for her third album.

Chrisette Michele’s third studio album, “Let Freedom Reign,” was released in November 2010, entirely produced by Chuck Harmony. It debuted within the Top Ten of Billboard’s R&B chart but was her last album with Def Jam. Specific sales numbers for “Let Freedom Reign” aren’t available in the search results, but it reached #25 on the Billboard 200.

In 2013, Chrisette Michele released her fourth album, “Better,” under the Motown Records label. The album “Better” sold 133,000 copies in the US. The first single from the album, “Charades”, was released on January 29, 2013.

Beyond her studio albums, Chrisette Michele has also released mixtapes, including “Love Thy Brother” and “Audrey Hepburn: An Audiovisual Presentation.”

Awards and Recognition

Chrisette Michele won a Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2009 for her song “Be OK” (featuring will.i.am). In addition to the Grammy win, she received a nomination for Best R&B Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards for “Better.” She was also nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “If I Have My Way” in 2008.

Touring and Live Performances

Chrisette Michele has an estimated speaking fee range of $20,000 – $30,000. From May to July 2008, Michele co-headlined the “Art of Love Tour” with Raheem DeVaughn, with Solange Knowles as the opening act. In September 2008, she performed twice at the Evening of Stars: A Tribute to Patti LaBelle. These live performances and tours contribute to her income, although specific financial figures are not detailed.

Acting and Television Appearances

Michele has also ventured into acting, with appearances in various television shows and films. She guest-starred as herself in The CW’s “Girlfriends” and joined the cast of “R&B Divas LA” for its second season. Her acting credits include roles in “Crossing Over ISO Love”, “Christmas Ringer” (2023) as Michelle, and “Miracles Across 125th Street” (2021) as Ebony. She also played Roslyn Jones in “Footprints of an Angel” (2023).

Controversies and Career Impact

In 2016, Chrisette Michele faced significant backlash after performing at the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. This decision resulted in considerable public criticism, a decline in her fan base, and the loss of her record deal. In a 2021 interview, Michele admitted that participating in the inauguration “was the wrong thing to do.” She denied rumors of being paid $750,000 for the performance, stating that she did not do it for the money.

Real Estate and Assets

Specific details regarding Chrisette Michele’s real estate holdings, properties, or other significant assets are not available within the provided search results. Information on personal investments, private planes, or luxury cars is also not available.

Additional Ventures and Collaborations

Chrisette Michele has collaborated with numerous artists throughout her career, including The Game, Nas, Jay-Z, Drake, Wale, 2 Chainz, and The Roots. She also wrote a song for Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne,” showcasing her versatility as a songwriter. In 2023, she was inducted as an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Income from Youtube

As of February 2025, Chrisette Michele’s estimated earnings from YouTube are $1.71K for the month. In August 2024 her estimated earnings from Youtube was $1.62K

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