Kristinia DeBarge ( born March 8, 1990) is an American singer-songwriter. Born in Pasadena, California, DeBarge is the daughter of James DeBarge, the founder of the music group DeBarge. She first appeared on national television in 2003 as a contestant on the American Idol spin-off, American Juniors. In 2009, DeBarge signed a contract with the Def Jam Records department Sodapop, releasing her debut album Exposed in July the same year. The album debuted at number twenty three on the Billboard 200.


DeBarge began singing when she was 3 years old, but did not begin to take it seriously until she was 12. When she was 12, her father took her into the recording studio. They worked until 4 a.m. recording a duet. This was when DeBarge proved to her father that she was serious about a singing career. DeBarge is of African American,, Mexican, and French descent.
[edit] 2003-2009: American Juniors and discovery

At 13, she was first introduced to the nation. During the summer of 2003 she was a contestant on the American Idol spin-off, American Juniors. DeBarge progressed to the semifinal round of twenty contestants. She was featured in the first group of ten semifinalists and sang the song "Reflection" from the Disney movie Mulan. However, she was not one of the five to progress from that group into the final ten.

At 14, DeBarge was introduced to Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. She worked with him for five years and, on the day before her 19th birthday, signed to a new division of Island Def Jam Records founded by Edmonds and Jeff Burroughs called Sodapop Records. DeBarge's musical influences include: Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Nancy Wilson, Minnie Ripperton, Aaliyah, and DeBarge.
[edit] 2009-present: Exposed

DeBarge began work on her debut album in March, 2009, and finished in May, 2009. Her debut single, "Goodbye", produced by Dsap, was released on April 7, 2009 for digital download and was released for airplay on April 28, 2009. The single has peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming a top 20 hit.

DeBarge announced on July 15, 2009 that she would be releasing the song "Sabotage" as the second single from the album on July 21, 2009, despite rumors that the Varsity Fanclub cover, "Future Love", would be the second single. On July 20, 2009, it was confirmed that "Sabotage" and "Future Love" would be released together on July 21, 2009 as the second single in the form of a double A-side release. "Sabotage" was released to Rhythm/Urban Crossover Radio and "Future Love" was released to Pop radio on July 21, and although both were expected to receive international releases, official releases and music videos in August, 2009, "Sabotage" was the only single to receive an official release on August 18, 2009 and a music video in the same month. "Sabotage" was later confirmed as the second international single from her album and "Future Love" will be the second UK single.

Her debut album, Exposed was released on July 28, 2009 to positive reviews. DeBarge will also promote her album by performing as the opening act for the Britney Spears tour, The Circus Starring: Britney Spears in August and September 2009