The Gong Show made Cheryl Lynn a star.

Born Lynda Cheryl Smith in 1957, this Los Angeles native appeared no more than ordinary up until her last semester at The University of Southern California. Majoring in Speech Pathology, a boyfriend at the time suggested Lynn try out for the show hosted by Chuck Barris. She sang Billy Preston and Bruce Fisher's "You Are So Beautiful," and easily won. It wasn't until three months later, when the show aired, that Lynn immediately captured the attention of the recording world. Lynn completely forgot about the win that would change her life forever, that is, until several different recording companies starting vying for her attention, including Warner Bros., Atlantic, CBS & ABC Dunhill, all of whom had housed a wide variety of well-known R&B/Pop female singers of the day.

Signing with Columbia, she began recording immediately with session stars like Harvey Mason and Bernard Purdie, who helped to create a visionary success for this aspiring singer and songwriter. "Got To Be Real" was her first number one R&B hit, making Lynn an overnight success story. She received industry success, earning her a stream of recognition in the R&B world. Her self-titled debut album made Billboard's Black Albums and Pop Albums charts in 1979, and the next year she earned the Best New Female Vocalist at the 3rd Annual R&B Awards.

Throughout the ‘80s Lynn continued to work with top producers and musicians in the industry, creating singles that reached the R&B and Club charts. In 1995 Lynn singed with Japan's Avex Records and released Good Time, where she revisited her 1978 chart-topper. Since this album, she has moved on to other recording companies and continued working in her hometown. She has performed on several television specials, as well as creating more successful recordings, like "Sweet Kind of Life," which was featured in the 2004 film Shark Tale.