Инстасамка
Fergie (real name — Stacy Ann Ferguson; born March 27, 1975, Hacienda Heights, California, USA) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. She achieved worldwide fame as a vocalist with Black Eyed Peas, with whom she recorded «Where Is the Love?», «Shut Up», «My Humps», «Pump It», «Boom Boom Pow», «I Gotta Feeling», «Meet Me Halfway» and other international hits.
At the same time, Fergie built a successful solo career. Her debut album The Dutchess (2006) produced several of the biggest hits of the mid-2000s, including «London Bridge», «Fergalicious», «Glamorous», «Big Girls Don't Cry» and «Clumsy». Her second solo album, Double Dutchess, arrived in 2017 after an eleven-year gap.
Childhood and early acting roles
Stacy Ann Ferguson was born on March 27, 1975, in Hacienda Heights, a suburb of Los Angeles. She studied dance from childhood and began working in the entertainment industry at an early age.
One of her first professional jobs was voicing Sally Brown, Charlie Brown’s sister, in animated projects from the Peanuts universe. Her voice appeared in the television specials It's Flashbeagle, Charlie Brown (1984) and Snoopy's Getting Married, Charlie Brown (1985), as well as in several episodes of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show.
In 1984, Ferguson joined the cast of the children’s musical television show Kids Incorporated. The program originally aired in syndication and was later broadcast on Disney Channel. Fergie remained with the show for six seasons, through 1989.
The program became her first serious school of stagecraft: the young performers acted, danced and sang popular songs at the same time. Other future artists who appeared on the show in different years included Jennifer Love Hewitt, Martika and Shanice.
Wild Orchid
In the early 1990s, Fergie formed the female pop group Wild Orchid together with Stefanie Ridel and her former Kids Incorporated castmate Renee Sandstrom.
After several years of searching for a record deal, the group signed with RCA Records. Their debut album Wild Orchid was released in 1997 and included «At Night I Pray», «Talk to Me», «Supernatural» and other songs.
A second album, Oxygen, followed in 1998. The group toured, appeared on television and joined Cher’s North American Do You Believe? tour in 1999.
Despite several successful singles, Wild Orchid did not reach the commercial level expected by the label. Work on a third album dragged on and its release was ultimately canceled. Fergie left the group in the early 2000s.
Addiction and recovery
The period after Wild Orchid became one of the most difficult phases of the singer’s life. Fergie has repeatedly said in interviews that she used methamphetamine and developed a serious addiction.
According to her own accounts, the drug use eventually led to paranoia and hallucinations. In the early 2000s, she stopped using drugs and went through a period of recovery.
Fergie later spoke openly about this stage of her life, emphasizing that overcoming addiction became a turning point before the beginning of the most successful era of her music career.
Meeting Black Eyed Peas
By the early 2000s, Black Eyed Peas already existed as a hip-hop group consisting of will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo. Their first albums, Behind the Front and Bridging the Gap, had attracted attention on the alternative hip-hop scene, but the group had not yet become an international pop act.
While working on their third album, the musicians needed a female vocalist. Fergie was invited to record a part for «Shut Up». The collaboration proved successful, and she became a permanent member of the project.
This transition is usually dated to 2002–2003: the material was recorded in advance, while the first Black Eyed Peas album featuring Fergie was Elephunk, released in 2003.
Elephunk and the worldwide breakthrough
Elephunk completely changed the scale of the group’s career. Its biggest international hit was «Where Is the Love?», recorded with Justin Timberlake.
It was followed by «Shut Up», «Hey Mama» and «Let's Get It Started». The latter earned Black Eyed Peas their first Grammy Award.
Fergie’s presence significantly expanded the group’s vocal palette. She could move from pop choruses to R&B, rap and a more aggressive spoken delivery, which became one of the defining characteristics of this new version of Black Eyed Peas.
Monkey Business
In 2005, Black Eyed Peas released Monkey Business. This album firmly established the group among the biggest pop acts of its era.
The record included «Don't Phunk with My Heart», «Don't Lie», «My Humps» and «Pump It».
«Don't Phunk with My Heart» won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, while «My Humps» received the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
Beginning of the solo career
At the height of Black Eyed Peas’ popularity, Fergie began working on her own album. At first, a solo career was not treated as a departure from the group: she continued performing and recording with Black Eyed Peas.
will.i.am served as producer and one of the main co-writers of the material. Polow da Don, Ludacris and other figures from the American pop and hip-hop scenes also contributed to the album.
The Dutchess
Fergie’s debut solo album The Dutchess was released on September 19, 2006.
It combined pop, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and electronic music. Unlike Black Eyed Peas, where Fergie was one of several voices, the solo album allowed her to move freely from club tracks to ballads.
The Dutchess peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and eventually received five-times-platinum certification in the United States.
London Bridge
The first single was «London Bridge», produced by Polow da Don. The song quickly climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Fergie’s first solo No. 1 hit in the United States.
The track introduced the harder side of the album: brass, a heavy beat and Fergie’s spoken delivery differed noticeably from most of her vocal parts in Black Eyed Peas.
Fergalicious
Next came «Fergalicious» featuring will.i.am. The song combined electro, hip-hop and a playful rap delivery.
In the United States, it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of Fergie’s most recognizable solo recordings.
Glamorous
In 2007, Fergie released «Glamorous» featuring Ludacris. The more relaxed song, about fame and staying connected to one’s past, became Fergie’s second solo No. 1 hit in the United States.
Fifteen years later, the track gained a new wave of popularity through Jack Harlow, who sampled it in his hit «First Class».
Big Girls Don't Cry
The ballad «Big Girls Don't Cry» became Fergie’s third solo Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper.
As a result, The Dutchess produced three No. 1 singles in the United States: «London Bridge», «Glamorous» and «Big Girls Don't Cry».
«Big Girls Don't Cry» also earned Fergie a solo Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Clumsy
The fifth major single was «Clumsy». The song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
In total, The Dutchess produced five major American pop hits: three No. 1s, one No. 2 and one No. 5. This made Fergie’s debut solo era considerably more successful than most side projects by members of major groups in the 2000s.
Film
Alongside music, Fergie also appeared in films. In 2006, she played the singer Gloria in the disaster film Poseidon.
In 2007, she played Tammy Visan in Planet Terror, the Robert Rodriguez segment of the Quentin Tarantino and Rodriguez project Grindhouse.
One of her most notable acting and musical roles was Saraghina in Rob Marshall’s 2009 musical Nine. In the film, Fergie performed the number «Be Italian».
Acting, however, always remained secondary to her music career.
The E.N.D.
After completing the first phase of her solo campaign, Fergie returned to full-time work with Black Eyed Peas.
In 2009, the group released The E.N.D., on which the electronic dance-pop element became much stronger.
The first single, «Boom Boom Pow», became Black Eyed Peas’ first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained at the top for 12 weeks.
It was replaced at number one by «I Gotta Feeling», which stayed there for another 14 weeks. Together, the two Black Eyed Peas songs held the top position on the American chart for 26 consecutive weeks.
The album also produced the hits «Meet Me Halfway», «Imma Be» and «Rock That Body».
Grammy Awards and the peak of Black Eyed Peas
At the 2010 Grammy Awards, Black Eyed Peas won three awards, for «I Gotta Feeling», the album The E.N.D. and the «Boom Boom Pow» music video.
According to the Recording Academy, Fergie has a total of 8 Grammy Awards from 20 nominations. Most of her wins are connected with Black Eyed Peas; she also received two awards as a contributor to Kanye West’s «All of the Lights».
The Beginning
In 2010, the group released its next album, The Beginning.
It included «The Time (Dirty Bit)», «Just Can't Get Enough» and «Don't Stop the Party». The electronic side of Black Eyed Peas became even more pronounced, while the live hip-hop instrumentation associated with the group’s earlier period largely gave way to synthesizers and programmed rhythms.
Super Bowl
In February 2011, Black Eyed Peas performed during the halftime show of Super Bowl XLV.
The set included «I Gotta Feeling», «Boom Boom Pow», «Pump It», «Let's Get It Started» and other hits. Guest musicians included Usher and Slash; with the latter, Fergie performed a portion of Guns N' Roses’ «Sweet Child o' Mine».
At this point, Black Eyed Peas were at the commercial peak of their career.
Black Eyed Peas hiatus
At the end of 2011, the group announced a hiatus. The members pursued separate projects, while Fergie began devoting more time to her personal life.
No full new Black Eyed Peas album featuring her appeared after The Beginning.
L.A.LOVE (la la)
Fergie’s first major solo release after a long break was «L.A.LOVE (la la)», released in 2014.
The song was produced by DJ Mustard. Rapper YG appeared on the remix.
The track was intended to launch Fergie’s second solo phase, but preparation of the new album took several more years.
M.I.L.F. $
In July 2016, Fergie released «M.I.L.F. $». The music video was conceived as a stylized fantasy about a world of famous mothers and featured numerous models and public figures.
The song reached number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most visible releases from her second solo period.
The more restrained «Life Goes On» followed in November of the same year.
Leaving Black Eyed Peas
In 2017, it became known that Fergie was no longer involved in the current work of Black Eyed Peas.
will.i.am emphasized that there was no conflict between the parties and that Fergie remained part of the group’s history and «family». At the time, she was focused on her second solo album.
Black Eyed Peas members later explained that one of the main reasons for her extended absence was her desire to spend more time with her son.
Double Dutchess
On September 22, 2017, Fergie released her second solo album, Double Dutchess, eleven years after The Dutchess.
It was the first full-length release on her own imprint, Dutchess Music, in partnership with BMG.
In addition to «M.I.L.F. $» and «Life Goes On», the album included «Hungry» with Rick Ross, «You Already Know» with Nicki Minaj, «Save It Til Morning», «A Little Work», «Like It Ain't Nuttin'», «Tension» and the previously released «L.A.LOVE (la la)».
Visual album
Double Dutchess was conceived not only as a music album but also as a visual project. Almost every track received its own video, and the material was brought together as Double Dutchess: Seeing Double.
Different directors, photographers, designers and models contributed to the visual component. Guest performers on the album included Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and YG.
The voice of Fergie’s son Axl also appears in «Enchanté (Carine)».
Break from regular performing
After the promotional campaign for Double Dutchess, Fergie significantly reduced her public music activity.
She did not announce an official retirement, but stopped touring regularly and releasing new material. Her main focus shifted toward family and selected projects.
National anthem at the NBA All-Star Game
One of the most widely discussed performances of this period was her rendition of the American national anthem before the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
Fergie presented a slow version of «The Star-Spangled Banner» stylized with jazz and blues elements. The unusual interpretation attracted widespread criticism and numerous parodies.
The following day, the singer acknowledged that she had wanted to create an unusual arrangement, but that the performance did not produce the effect she had intended.
Return at the MTV VMAs
In 2022, Fergie’s music unexpectedly returned to the center of American pop culture thanks to Jack Harlow.
His single «First Class» sampled «Glamorous» and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
At the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, Harlow began his performance with «First Class», after which Fergie made a surprise appearance on stage and performed «Glamorous».
It became one of her rare major musical appearances after the Double Dutchess period.
Return to the stage in 2025
In October 2025, Fergie returned to the concert stage as a special guest during Ludacris’s performance at ONE Musicfest in Atlanta.
They performed their collaborative hit «Glamorous», while Fergie also sang «London Bridge» with producer Polow da Don.
The appearance was not accompanied by an announcement of a new album or a full tour, so it is more accurate to regard it as a rare return rather than the resumption of regular concert activity.
Reunion with Black Eyed Peas in 2026
On May 25, 2026, Fergie appeared publicly on stage with will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo for the first time in many years at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Black Eyed Peas received the Best Throwback Song award for «Rock That Body», and Fergie joined her former bandmates to accept the honor.
She referred to the musicians as longtime friends and «brothers», thanked the fans and also mentioned her son Axl.
The event became the most notable public reunion of the classic lineup since her departure, although no official return of Fergie to Black Eyed Peas was announced.
Fergie and Black Eyed Peas today
After the American Music Awards appearance, Black Eyed Peas continued performing without Fergie. In September 2026, the group played Rock in Rio as will.i.am, apl.de.ap and Taboo; Fergie did not participate in the concert.
At present, her relationship with her former bandmates remains friendly and joint appearances are possible, but Fergie has not returned to the group’s permanent lineup.
Musical style
Fergie’s music has never been limited to a single genre. Wild Orchid worked mainly with dance-pop and R&B, Black Eyed Peas during the Elephunk and Monkey Business era combined hip-hop, pop, funk and R&B, while by the time of The E.N.D. the group had moved toward electronic dance music.
On her solo album The Dutchess, Fergie used an even broader range: hip-hop on «London Bridge» and «Fergalicious», pop balladry on «Big Girls Don't Cry», R&B and pop on «Glamorous», and reggae inflections on «Mary Jane Shoes».
Double Dutchess continued this eclectic approach, combining trap, hip-hop, R&B, electronic pop and ballads.
Vocals
Fergie uses several distinctly different vocal approaches. In ballads, she relies primarily on clean pop singing with a strong upper-middle register, while in dance tracks she often switches to spoken, rap-based and rhythmic delivery.
This versatility became particularly important within Black Eyed Peas: Fergie could sing melodic choruses, take full solo verses and move into the group’s hip-hop structure without a strict division between the roles of «rappers» and «singer».
Songwriting
Fergie participated in writing a significant portion of her own material as well as a number of Black Eyed Peas songs.
Her songwriting credits include «Fergalicious», «Big Girls Don't Cry», «Clumsy», «M.I.L.F. $», «Life Goes On», «You Already Know», «A Little Work» and other compositions.
She is also credited as one of the writers of Kanye West’s «All of the Lights» and received a Grammy for the work as part of the songwriting team.
Fashion and business
In addition to music, Fergie has been involved in commercial fashion projects. In 2008, she began collaborating with Brown Shoe Company, and in spring 2009 two footwear lines went on sale: Fergie and Fergalicious by Fergie.
The first targeted a more expensive fashion segment, while the second was aimed at a broader younger audience. The designs developed elements of the singer’s stage style: high heels, platforms, metallic details and glam-rock touches.
Personal life
In 2004, Fergie began a relationship with actor Josh Duhamel. They married in January 2009.
On August 29, 2013, their son Axl Jack Duhamel was born.
In 2017, the couple announced their separation. Their divorce was finalized in 2019. Afterward, Fergie and Josh Duhamel continued co-parenting their son.
Awards
According to the Recording Academy, Fergie has 8 Grammy wins and 20 nominations.
Her awards include work with Black Eyed Peas:
- «Let's Get It Started»;
- «Don't Phunk with My Heart»;
- «My Humps»;
- «I Gotta Feeling»;
- The E.N.D.;
- «Boom Boom Pow».
Two more Grammys are connected with Fergie’s participation in Kanye West’s «All of the Lights».
At the same time, her biggest solo hits did not win Grammys: «Big Girls Don't Cry» and The Dutchess received nominations.
Solo discography
- The Dutchess — 2006;
- Double Dutchess — 2017.
Major solo songs
- «London Bridge» — 2006;
- «Fergalicious» — feat. will.i.am, 2006;
- «Glamorous» — feat. Ludacris, 2007;
- «Big Girls Don't Cry» — 2007;
- «Clumsy» — 2007;
- «Here I Come» — feat. will.i.am, 2008;
- «L.A.LOVE (la la)» — 2014;
- «M.I.L.F. $» — 2016;
- «Life Goes On» — 2016;
- «You Already Know» — feat. Nicki Minaj, 2017;
- «Save It Til Morning» — 2017;
- «A Little Work» — 2017.
Black Eyed Peas albums with Fergie
- Elephunk — 2003;
- Monkey Business — 2005;
- The E.N.D. — 2009;
- The Beginning — 2010.
The defining period of Fergie’s career came between 2003 and 2011, when Black Eyed Peas and her solo project developed in parallel. During those years, she became the voice of several of the decade’s biggest international pop hits, while The Dutchess established her as an independent artist whose success did not depend solely on the group.
After Double Dutchess, Fergie deliberately reduced her music activity. Rare appearances — performing with Jack Harlow in 2022, appearing with Ludacris in 2025 and reuniting with the classic Black Eyed Peas lineup at the 2026 American Music Awards — indicate that she has not announced the end of her career. However, as of September 2026, she had neither released another solo album after 2017 nor officially returned to Black Eyed Peas.
