Avril Lavigne stormed onto the mainstream music scene in 2002 as a breath of fresh air in an age dominated by pop princesses. Her rebellious, skater image clashed against most teen female artists of the time. Lavigne quickly rose to star status and has remained in the limelight since her arrival.

Lavigne was born in Ontario, Canada and honed her voice by singing in her church's choir and at local events. She dropped out of high school at 16 when she was signed by Arista, relocating to New York and eventually Los Angeles to write, all the while crafting the edgy rock style that she'd become known for.

Her debut album, Let Go, was released in 2002 and was an immediate success. The record boasted four charting singles and had gone multi-platinum less than two months after its release. The album was a hit worldwide, receiving eight Grammy nominations, and Lavigne became the youngest female solo artist to have a number one record in the United Kingdom.

Her follow-up effort, Under My Skin, came equipped with an injection of maturity, touching on real-life issues such as premarital sex, depression and death. Under My Skin was a smash hit, climbing to the top slot on several Billboard charts. Lavigne's third album, The Best Damn Thing, was somewhat of a combination of its two predecessors, dealing with some serious issues but rekindling the defiant tone that exuded from her debut. The record's single "Girlfriend" became Lavigne's most popular song to date, despite being surrounded by its fair share of controversy.

Lavigne is married to Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whimbley. She has established herself as one of the premiere artists in the recording industry and did so through unconventional methods for her age and gender. Each of her three albums has reached the number one spot on a Billboard chart and have all been major sellers.