What Is Macy Gray’s Net Worth?
Macy Gray, the celebrated American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actress, has amassed a considerable fortune over her career. Her net worth is currently estimated to be around $12 million. This substantial wealth is primarily derived from her successful music career, including album sales, royalties, and touring, as well as her ventures into acting.
Macy Gray’s Early Career and Musical Success
Born Natalie McIntyre on September 6, 1967, in Canton, Ohio, Macy Gray’s journey to stardom began with piano lessons at the age of seven. After graduating from Canton South High School in 1985, she enrolled at the University of Southern California to study scriptwriting. Her foray into music started while working as a cashier in Beverly Hills, where she met writer and producer Joe Solo. Together, they created a demo tape that opened doors for her to perform in Los Angeles jazz cafes.
In 1998, she secured a deal with Epic Records. Her debut album, “On How Life Is,” released in the summer of 1999, became an international sensation. The album spawned several hit singles, including “Do Something,” “Still,” and “Why Didn’t You Call Me,” but it was “I Try” that catapulted her to mainstream success. “I Try” became one of the biggest hits of 1999, propelling “On How Life Is” to triple platinum status in the United States and quadruple platinum in the United Kingdom. At the Grammy Awards, “I Try” earned nominations for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, ultimately winning the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Following her initial triumph, Macy Gray released her second studio album, “The Id,” which reached #11 on the “Billboard” 200. The album performed even better in the United Kingdom, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and earning gold certification. Subsequently, Gray collaborated with artists like Santana, contributing to their album track “Amoré (Sexo).” She also participated in a cover of Fela Kuti’s classic song “Water No Get Enemy” and recorded a duet with Zucchero.
In 2003, Gray released her third studio album, “The Trouble with Being Myself.” The album garnered critical acclaim, and its lead single, “When I See You,” achieved radio success in the US, while the album itself reached the top 20 in the UK. In the years that followed, Macy Gray released a greatest hits collection and a live album.
After a four-year hiatus, Gray returned with her fourth studio album, “Big,” which featured collaborations with artists like Justin Timberlake, Fergie, and Natalie Cole. The album included the singles “Finally Made Me Happy” and “Shoo Be Doo.” This album received positive feedback from critics.
Gray’s subsequent album, “The Sellout,” featured the lead single “Beauty in the World,” which was used in the series finale of ABC’s “Ugly Betty.” In 2011, Gray signed with 429 Records and began recording her next album, “Covered,” which featured covers of hit songs. This was followed in 2016 by “Stripped,” produced by Chesky Records. “Stripped” received high acclaim from critics and debuted at #3 on the “Billboard” Jazz Chart.
Macy Gray’s Film Career and Other Ventures
Beyond her musical accomplishments, Macy Gray has established a noteworthy film career, appearing in movies such as “Training Day,” “Shadowboxer,” “Domino,” and the 2004 remake of “Around the World in 80 Days.” She also had cameos in “Spider-Man” and “Spider-Man 3” and appeared in the 2005 television movie adaptation of the play “Lackawanna Blues.”
In 2006, Macy Gray portrayed the character of Taffy in the musical film “Idlewild,” which featured the music of the group Outkast. Later, after being a contestant on season nine of “Dancing with the Stars,” Gray starred in Tyler Perry’s “For Colored Girls” alongside Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, and others. Subsequent film credits have included “The Paperboy,” “Brotherly Love,” “Papa,” “Cardboard Boxer,” and “Change in the Air.” In addition to her acting roles, Gray competed on season eight of Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown,” finishing in third place. In 2012, she participated in a special performance of the West End musical “Thriller – Live,” where she performed Michael Jackson’s “Rock with You” to raise money for BBC Children in Need.
On the philanthropic front, Gray established the non-profit organization My Good to provide support to families dealing with mental health challenges and funeral expenses.
Macy Gray’s Personal Life and Real Estate
Macy Gray was married to mortgage broker Tracy Hinds for approximately four years, but they divorced during the early stages of her career. Together, they had three children: Mel, Aanisah, and Happy.
In 2006, Gray listed her sprawling estate in the San Fernando Valley for approximately $4.5 million. The 10,000-square-foot Colonial-style home featured seven bedrooms, nine-and-a-half bathrooms, a basketball court, a spa and pool, and a dome ceiling. The decision to sell this property reflected a shift in her priorities and lifestyle. Unfortunately, specifics on other real estate holdings are not publicly available.