Jaci Velasquez

Jaci Velasquez, born Jacquelyn Davette Velasquez on October 15, 1979, in Houston, Texas, is an American actress and contemporary Christian and Latin pop singer and songwriter. She performs in both English and Spanish and has sold almost three million albums in the US. She has recorded three Platinum and three Gold albums, and her singles have frequently topped Christian radio charts.

She received a Latin Billboard Music Award in 2002 for her album "Mi Corazón," eight Dove Awards, including Best New Artist and Female Vocalist of the Year, as well as three Grammy nominations, and an American Music Award nomination in the category of "Favorite Latin Artist".

Jaci Velasquez grew up in an evangelical church where her parents were both singers and pastors. She began traveling with her father at the age of nine, singing backup and later releasing three independent records. She was discovered by a representative of Myrrh Records while on the road.

Her national debut album "Heavenly Place," released on May 13, 1996, became a platinum success with five No. 1 hits. She was distinguished as the fastest-selling solo debut recording artist in her genre and the first solo artist in Christian music history to reach gold status with a debut album.

Since her debut, she has released seven more English-language albums, two of which were certified Gold, and five Latin albums, with "Llegar A Ti" going double-platinum and "Mi Corazón" going platinum. She has produced sixteen No. 1 Christian radio hits and six other top-10 singles. She has also done ad campaigns for Pepsi, Target, Doritos, John Freida's Frizz-Ease hair products, and Helzberg Diamonds.

Jaci Velasquez has ventured into acting, appearing in films such as "The Encounter" (2010), "I'm Not Ashamed" (2016), and "Rumors of Wars" (2014). She has been married to Nic Gonzalez, lead singer of Christian/Latino Jam band Salvador, since December 17, 2006, and they have two children. Velasquez was previously married to Darren Potuck.

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