It’s probably been a minute since Fergie came across your mind, and you aren’t alone. It’s not unusual for celebrities to be on and off the public’s radar, and Fergie has been out of the limelight for a while. She might be keeping quiet now, but she used to be the topic of every headline.

Fergie’s professional and personal life has been punctuated with many highs and lows. She’s hit rock bottom and come back from very dark places. Between her divorce and struggles with addiction to her departure from the Black-Eyed Peas, Fergie never stays down for too long.

Born to Be a Star

Stacy Ann Ferguson, better known as Fergie, was destined to be a star since she was a child. Born and raised in California, she was at the center of opportunity to start a career in Hollywood, so her parents made sure to let Fergie’s star potential shine from a very young age.

As a child, Fergie was a straight-A student, cheerleader, spelling bee champion, and Girl Scout. From the time she could talk, Fergie would take cereal boxes from the cupboard and act out commercials for her parents. She was a hyperactive kid, so her mom put her in dance classes.

Starting Young

When she was still known as Stacy Ferguson, Fergie was discovered by an agent through her dance classes. She started doing voiceover work for Peanuts cartoons, voicing the character of Sally. However, Fergie’s first appearance on TV was in Kids Incorporated; she starred in six of the show’s nine seasons.

By the time she was ten, Fergie had a steady TV career. She was the longest-running cast member of Kids Incorporated, which also launched the careers of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mario Lopez, and pop star Martika. Fergie shined on the show when she sang Lionel Richie’s “Say You, Say Me.”

The Beginnings of Wild Orchid

After starring on Kids Incorporated from 1984 to 1989, Fergie started to dabble with the gangs in LA’s Hacienda Heights neighborhood. As a teenager, she got mixed up with the wrong people, but the real trouble began when she moved out of her parent’s house to form a girl group.

Fergie, Stefanie Ridel, and fellow Kids Incorporated star Renee Sandstrom formed the R&B trio Wild Orchid. The girls started meeting with record labels in 1992 but couldn’t get a recording contract. They eventually signed a deal with Sony Publishing before making a deal with RCA Records in 1994.

Getting Into Trouble

When RCA Records signed Wild Orchid, Fergie, Ridel, and Sandstrom wanted to go in the R&B direction. However, the label forced them to make teen-pop tracks. The more the record label pushed, the more Fergie rebelled and drifted into the underground club scene. It became a dark time in her life.

Fergie admitted that she started experimenting with many things, and after a bad breakup, she plunged into a crystal meth habit. She said, “Once you get into the drug world, you don’t realize how far you’re getting until you’re that far gone.” Fergie did everything to hide her addiction.

In a Dark Place

Due to her addiction, Fergie stopped eating and pretended to have an eating disorder to cover up her drug use. She even attended self-help groups to make her story more convincing. But she was quickly spiraling out of control and blowing through all her savings.

The drugs caused her to start hallucinating and hearing voices. Fergie thought the CIA and FBI were after her; she convinced herself that they were listening to her phone calls. She turned to the church, but they asked Fergie to leave because of her severe addiction and erratic behavior.

Hitting Rock Bottom

After leaving Wild Orchid in 2001 because of the band’s image and her drug problem, Fergie hit rock bottom. On the day the church asked her to leave, she thought she would be met by a SWAT team when she left the building.

Her paranoia was at an all-time high, but no one was waiting for her outside. At that moment, she felt like a guardian angel was sending her a sign not to throw away her talent because of drugs. Fergie didn’t want to live her life like that anymore.

Road to Recovery

As Fergie put it, her drug abuse was “the hardest boyfriend I ever had to break up with.” She moved back in with her mom and began taking hypnotherapy sessions. Fergie went off drugs cold turkey, but the effects took a long time to shake.

It took about a year for the effects of the drugs to wear off and the chemicals in her brain to settle. Fergie had hallucinations of a bee or bunny for a while after she got sober. She is thankful it happened because it made her stronger.

When Worlds Collide

While finishing up her last round of commitments for Wild Orchid, Fergie appeared on a radio show in Minneapolis. The show also featured the Black-Eyed Peas, whom she had long admired. After the show, Fergie talked to Will.I.Am, and they formed a friendship.

After the Black-Eyed Peas’ backup singer, Kim Hill, left the band, Will brought in Fergie to provide vocals whenever they were needed. Eventually, Interscope Records CEO, Jimmy Iovine, suggested that Fergie become a full-time member of the Black-Eyed Peas. They wanted to lock her down.

NSYNC With JT

While Fergie was still in Wild Orchid, she met Justin Timberlake when her group opened for NSYNC. Things got hot and heavy between them, and the two reportedly dated for a short period. She said he was 16 while she was 23.

Although not much is known about their relationship, they didn’t have hard feelings when they broke up. Fergie and JT are still good friends. Timberlake even provided his vocals for the chorus of “Where Is the Love,” which made the Black-Eyed Peas famous overnight.

Style Change-Up

When the Black-Eyed Peas welcomed Fergie, they gave up their pursuit of backpack-rapper cred and started recording futuristic songs. The aesthetic commitment extended beyond their bold wardrobe choices. However, the band wasn’t the only thing needing a style upgrade.

Fergie said that in 2002, her uniform of choice was a pair of dickies and cheap white tank tops. When she joined the Black-Eyed Peas, she said the guys told her she needed to change her style. Fergie hadn’t worn a skirt in three years when they told her she should put one on.

Success With the Black Eyed Peas

Although the group had been around since 1995, the Black-Eyed Peas didn’t become famous until Fergie joined them for their third album, Elephunk, in 2003. Many of their songs ranked high on the top 100 charts. Their next album, Monkey Business, did even better.

With hits like “Don’t Phunk With My Heart,” “My Humps,” and “Don’t Lie,” the group achieved commercial success. They toured with Gwen Stefani and later headlined the Honda Civic Tour in 2006. Fergie was the fan-favorite of the group, so she decided to go solo.

The “Dutchess”

Although she hadn’t left the group, Fergie decided to release her first solo album in 2006. She worked on the songs for a while and wrote about her personal struggles. Will produced the album and said, “It’s her singing for young girls to be strong.”

The album is iconic because it contained songs like “Fergalicious,” “Glamorous,” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.” Fergie had five consecutive top-five hits in the U.S. from this album, and Blender named her their woman of the year. She was riding the high of her success.

Leaving Him Speechless

When the Black-Eyed Peas appeared on Josh Duhamel’s Las Vegas show in 2004, Fergie made him nervous. The first words he said to her were, “You’re hot.” She knew Duhamel had a little crush on her, and he couldn’t think of anything else to say.

The two stars hit it off quickly and started dating. They were one of the hottest couples in Hollywood and looked in love on every red carpet. They were infatuated with each other, and Fergie always gushed about Duhamel in interviews.

Who Is Fergie Married to?

After three years of dating, Fergie and Duhamel got engaged in 2007. The couple was engaged for almost two years before they tied the knot in a Roman Catholic ceremony in Malibu. Shortly after their wedding, rumors surfaced that he had cheated, but they denied it.

Although they stayed together and had one child after the cheating rumors, Fergie and Duhamel separated in 2017. After eight years of marriage, the two grew apart. The couple has officially been divorced since 2019, but Fergie hasn’t remarried or been in a public relationship.

Welcoming a Baby Boy

A few years after Fergie and Duhamel got married, they welcomed their son Axl Jack Duhamel in August 2013. At the time, it seemed like the couple couldn’t have been happier with their growing family. They even planned to have more children.

Fergie revealed that she and Duhamel agreed on having two children. He wanted five, but that was too much for her. It was their plan from the beginning, but Axl ended up being their only child. Although they are not married, the two share equal custody of their son.

She Didn’t Want a Divorce

A month after Fergie and Duhamel announced their separation, she appeared on The Wendy Williams Show. She emotionally shared that she never wanted to get divorced because she still loved Duhamel. The singer wanted to stay married forever, but that wasn’t the case.

Fergie said, “It wasn’t my plan. I wanted to stay married forever. I love Josh. He’s the father of my child. We forever have that project together, and we’re doing the best we can.” It took her a while to heal from the divorce.

H Is for Hesitation

The saddest part about Fergie and Duhamel’s divorce is that neither of them wanted to end their marriage. Initially, they separated in 2017 and dragged out the divorce process for two years. They didn’t even file the divorce papers till 2019.

Their lawyers had to intervene to speed up the process because everyone wanted them to move on. Once they filed the divorce papers, they quickly finalized everything, and there was no arguing. Fergie and Duhamel even agreed to share custody of their son without child support payments.

Why Did Fergie Leave the Black-Eyed Peas?

In 2017, Fergie’s bandmates revealed that she was taking a break from the group. Fans became alarmed when the Black-Eyed Peas released their seventh album without Fergie the following year. While promoting the album online, Will hinted at a rift between the band and Fergie.

The group also announced that they were now a trio and could produce good music without Fergie. Although she never publicly commented on it, the Black-Eyed Peas said she left because she wanted to focus on her solo career and being a good mom.

The Performance That Almost Broke Her

Shortly after separating from Duhamel, Fergie was asked to perform the National Anthem at the 2018 NBA All-Stars game. There are high expectations for artists who perform the National Anthem, and it can make or break someone’s career. It almost broke Fergie’s career.

Unfortunately, Fergie’s slow-paced, jazz-infused rendition missed the mark, and people criticized the performance. Many people said her career would never recover, and she “brought shame to the country.” Since then, Fergie’s career has slowed down, and she hasn’t made many public appearances.

Josh Duhamel Stood Up for Her

Regardless of what happened between them, Fergie and Duhamel have remained friends. He even came to Fergie’s defense after the National Anthem fiasco. He went on Ellen and spoke about his ex-wife’s rendition. Duhamel wanted to show the world it wasn’t that bad.

Duhamel told Ellen DeGeneres, “I think that she would probably admit that it was not her best work. But the girl’s crazy talented, she really is. And she’s an amazing woman, an amazing human being… Trust me, she’s fine. She is about as resilient as they come.”

Proud to Be a MILF

After leaving the Black Eye Peas, Fergie released her catchy song “M.I.L.F. $,” and the making of the music video was featured on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Fergie asked her pal Kim Kardashian to be part of the music video and designed Kim’s costume with designer Venus Prototype.

Fergie wrote the song because she believes that MILF is an empowering word. To her, it means being a strong woman who can multitask, being a mother, a successful working professional, and a wife, all while looking hot and trying to change the world.

Before the Other Guys

Before she became a star, Fergie dated Mario Lopez briefly in 1984. They starred on Kids Incorporated together and were just kids at the time. Lopez told People magazine that Fergie was his first kiss. He bought her perfume, and Fergie was his first girlfriend.

While their childhood romance came to an end, Lopez and Fergie have remained good friends throughout the years. He said, “I’m happy to say Stacy has stayed just as sweet as when we were kids. I’m happy for all of her success.”

Go, Team!

Aside from making music, Fergie diversified her assets and is a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins. In 2009, NFL owners voted and approved her as a celebrity minority investor in the franchise. She wasn’t the only celebrity investor for the Dolphins.

When Fergie became a minority owner, Marc Anthony, Venus and Serena Williams, Jimmy Buffett, and Gloria Estefan also became investors for the Dolphins. They all bought several small portions of the team and agreed to make appearances at the stadium to attract a more diverse crowd.

Lights, Camera, Action

While she is best known for her music career, Fergie has also dabbled in the acting world since she became famous. She already had acting experience from her childhood, so it was only natural for her to get back in front of the camera when people started to know her name.

Fergie has lent her voice for projects like Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa and The Cleveland Show. She was also in films like Poseidon, Grindhouse, and Nine. She showed off her acting chops and received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Where Is Fergie From?

Although Fergie was born in California, her ancestors came from a few different countries. She has English, Irish, Mexican, and Scottish ancestry. Fergie has a bit of an exotic look, which makes her even more stunning. She has also barely aged.

At 46, Fergie looks just as young as she did when she joined the Black-Eyed Peas. She takes good care of her skin with lots of moisturizers and regular facial treatments. Fergie is also adamant about eating a healthy diet and working out regularly to stay in shape.

World’s Best Mom

Fergie has mainly stayed out of the public eye in recent years, but we know she is spending a lot of time with her son. She stepped away from the Black-Eyed Peas to focus on being a mom, and she has a special bond with Axl. He is regularly featured on her social media pages.

After having her son in 2013, Fergie’s years have been filled with many milestones, including his first steps, first words, first days of school, and lots of family fun. She and her sister Dana were pregnant around the same time, and their children are very close.

Don’t “Wine” About It

Fergie has gone into many other business ventures besides music throughout her career. Most recently, she has focused on her wine brand called Ferguson Crest. The wine label is located in Santa Ynez Valley, California, and it is named for her family.

She went into the business with her father in 2006, and it helped them form a closer bond. They make everything from white and red wines to wine flights. She regularly posts about it on her Instagram, and it’s been an important project because she got to work with her dad.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Fergie has been through many ups and downs throughout her career. She has had many accolades with the Black-Eyed Peas and her solo career. Fans look up to her for everything she has overcome in her parenting, style, and personality. And she has been awarded for it.

In 2016, the Young Entertainer Awards honored Fergie with a Lifetime Achievement Award. She has also won 61 awards, including nine American Music Awards and eight Grammys. We think it’s about time that Fergie received the Video Vanguard award at the VMAs.

A Heartbreaking Loss

After the National Anthem debacle, Fergie hasn’t had an easy time in the past few years. However, none of that seemed important when her father passed away in August 2021. She shared a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram page, and it was evident that they had a close bond.

Not only did they go into business together in 2006, but Fergie’s father inspired her to be competitive and ambitious. He was a big part of her life, and she is still grieving the loss. Our hearts go out to her and her family.

Daddy’s Girl

If you look at Fergie’s social media, her father’s influence on her life is evident. She’s shared many pictures of them over the years, and he was a big part of her career. In her tribute, Fergie wrote, “You were a coach who fired me up to be ambitious and competitive.”

He taught her how to stay calm while working hard to achieve her dreams. Fergie added that her father was the epitome of living in the present. He was a pillar of positivity and shaped her into the woman she is today.

No More “Mom Shaming”

One thing that Fergie hates is when people “mom shame” others. Fergie wanted to empower other moms when she wrote her song “M.I.L.F. $.” The song’s music video also featured famous women who are moms, including Chrissy Teigen, Kim Kardashian, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Ciara.

She hates when people think she can’t be a good mom and have a career. Fergie came to Teigen’s defense when people shamed Teigen for going out to dinner with her husband after having a baby. Fergie said, “The woman has to eat! Leave her alone!”

Her Ex Moved On

While Fergie is focused on being a mom, her ex moved on shortly after their divorce. Duhamel stepped out with model Audra Mari, and they are still going strong. It seemed like he didn’t need much time to get over his divorce from Fergie.

Duhamel barely let the ink dry on the divorce papers when he showed off his younger girlfriend to the world. He and Fergie were together for 13 years, and she seems to be taking her time to find new love. We hope she finds love again.

Launching a Music Label

In the same year that Fergie left Interscope Records and the Black-Eyed Peas to focus on her solo music, she launched Dutchess Music. The record label was an obvious nod to album titles, and she partnered with BMG Entertainment to release her second album.

Under Dutchess Music, Fergie released her second album, Double Dutchess, redefining her as an artist. BMG Entertainment was excited to work with Fergie because her second album was promising and seemed like a great venture for both the record label and Fergie.

Hosting Duties

For many years, Fergie hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve on ABC for the pre-taped Hollywood segments. However, her most recent hosting duties were in 2018 for Fox’s singing competition, The Four: Battle for Stardom. She joined Sean Combs, DJ Khaled, Meghan Trainor, and Charlie Walk.

The competition show featured talented singers competing to win a recording contract with Republic Records and Universal Music Group. The show only lasted for two seasons, but Fergie looked absolutely stunning on every episode. At least she got to show off her style.

From Band Member to Fan

The rumors that Fergie left the Black-Eyed Peas because of tension between her and the other members are false. All of them have said that Fergie will always be their sister. They supported her decision to leave, and she has supported their new music.

It has been challenging for Fergie and the band to stay in touch with their busy schedules, but she makes sure to reach out whenever she has free time. The Black-Eyed Peas found a new female backup singer, but Fergie will always be known as the one who made them famous.

Iconic Nickname

Most people only know her as Fergie, but her legal name is Stacy Ann Ferguson. Her stage name was derived from her last name. When Fergie married Duhamel, she legally changed her name to Fergie Duhamel but filed to reverse that when they got divorced.

While it might be a shortened version of her last name, Fergie is also a reference to the notoriously hard-partying Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. The duchess made herself a fixture in British tabloids for her not so royal ways. They both use the nickname Fergie.

How Tall Is Fergie?

Although she may appear much taller on TV with her sky-high stilettos, Fergie is only 5’3”. Fergie likes to show off her toned legs whenever she makes a red-carpet appearance, which makes her look much taller. However, she used to struggle with her fashion.

In the early 2000s, Fergie was a big fan of tiny crop tops and low-rise miniskirts. She had the toned abs to rock the look, but the style always made her torso look longer, making her appear shorter. Fergie eventually figured out the styles that look best on her petite frame.

Fergalicious Footwear

Fergie is always finding new ventures, like her shoe lines. She created Fergalicious by Fergie and Fergie Footwear in the mid-2000s, and she is still working on them today. Fergie loves shoes and thinks they are a metaphor because “you’re walking your path” in life.

Since her poor performance of the National Anthem, Fergie has focused on designing her shoe line. She said she wants women who wear her shoes to feel like they can stomp out their fears and silence their inner critics. Her shoes look like they would inspire confidence.

Controversial Opinion

During the long feud between Taylor Swift and Kanye West, Fergie stepped in to share her opinion. Some celebrities have been torn to shreds for sticking up for Swift, but Fergie thought the whole situation was part of a big master plan between Swift and Kanye.

As Kim Kardashian’s longtime friend, Fergie wasn’t going to take sides with Swift. She believed Swift and Kanye would come together at a future VMA ceremony to reveal it was all fake. Fergie also respected Kardashian for sticking up for her husband.

A Star-Spangled Children’s Book

While we are sure Fergie would prefer to put her 2018 National Anthem performance behind her and move forward, it keeps coming back to haunt her. In early November 2021, a tweet by Rob Anderson went viral for a book he wrote about Fergie.

He shared a video of a children’s book he wrote titled The Fergamerican National Anthem. The book has illustrations with the lyrics of the National Anthem. The twist is that the words are changed to what they sounded like when she sang them.

What Is Next for Fergie?

Lately, Fergie has been lying low and hasn’t posted on social media in over a month. She is still getting over her father’s death and focusing on her family. Fergie hasn’t released new music since 2017, but we don’t know if her music career is over.

Between her family’s loss, the backlash from her National Anthem performance, and her divorce, Fergie has a lot of material to write music about, so we hope she is working on something. Meanwhile, she has her son, and being the best mom is her top priority.