Brandy (real name Brandy Norwood) is a singer, songwriter, and actress known for her pop-oriented R&B songs. Her sound is nicknamed “the Vocal Bible,” referring to her use of heavy voice layering and intricate riffs. Norwood began her professional music career in 1994 by releasing her self-titled debut album, which sold six million copies worldwide and featured the song “I Wanna Be Down,” which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Norwood’s 1998 duet with Monica—”The Boy Is Mine”—launched her breakthrough, winning her a Grammy Award and becoming the longest-running number-one female duet in Billboard chart history. Her second studio album, Never Say Never, was released shortly after and was followed by Full Moon (2002), Afrodisiac (2004), Human (2008), Two Eleven (2012), B7 (2020), and Christmas with Brandy (2023).
In addition to music, Norwood has several acting credits in both television and film, including the UPN sitcom Moesha, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and Queens. She made her Broadway debut in 2015, portraying Roxie Hart in Chicago.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
Brandy made her first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance in 1995, journeying 20,000 leagues under the sea on the Sea Venture falloon. Among the nautical menagerie, she performed “Best Friend” from her debut album.
In 2023, Brandy made her second Parade appearance on Brach’s Palace of Sweets float, celebrating the seasonal candy brand with a three-story candy house. The appearance followed the release of her first holiday album, Christmas with Brandy, and the Netflix original film Best. Christmas. Ever! that features her in a starring role. She performed "Someday at Christmas" from the aforementioned album on the NBC broadcast, joined by a six-piece chorus.