Tamyra Gray may have gotten her start on the first season of American Idol, but it was already apparent then that she was too talented to be pigeonholed as just a singer. Gray was born in 1979 in Maryland as one of a dozen children. Her family moved to Georgia when Gray was in her teens, but by then she had already performed for President Ronald Reagan and Harry Belafonte with her fourth grade choir. After high school, Gray attended Georgia State University and also won the Miss Atlanta contest. She graduated from college and took a job as a preschool teacher.

Gray decided to try out for American Idol and was almost instantly a fan favorite on the show. When she was cut late in the competition, many considered it the wrong choice. Gray, however, pushed on and started working on an album. While writing songs, she took acting gigs and appeared on Boston Public, Half and Half and Tru Calling. Her album took longer than expected to release since she changed labels and then was dropped. She found a home at 19 Records and released The Dreamer in 2004. The album had collaborations with stars like Babyface and Diane Warren and also showcased Gray's talent as a songwriter.

The album did well by reaching number 16 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 23 on the Billboard 200. She also tried her hand and writing for other as she co-wrote the dingle "You Thought Wrong" for another Idol alum, Kelly Clarkson. Gray also turned her attention back to acting and was in the films The Gospel and Rachel Getting Married. Further stretching herself, Gray also tried her hand at Broadway. She debuted in Bombay Dreams before being cast in one of stage's favorite shows, Rent. When she takes a break from acting, fans will be looking forward to her sophomore release.