Mills, Stephanie (1957–)

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Mills, Stephanie (1957–)

African-American musician. Born Mar 22, 1957, in New York, NY; m. Jeffrey Daniels (singer for band, Shalamar), 1980 (div.); m. 3rd husband Mike Saunders (radio station program director).

At 9, won talent competition at Harlem's Apollo Theater, which led to album with Paramount Records, role in Broadway play, Maggie Flynn, and appearances with Isley Brothers, and Spinners; played Dorothy in smash-hit all-black stage production of The Wizard of Oz (1975); released unsuccessful debut album, For the First Time (1976), on Motown; signed with 20th Century Records, released 1st hit, "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin"' (1979); had several hits, including "Sweet Sensation" (1980), "Two Hearts" (1981) and "I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love" (1986); other albums include Stephanie (1981), Home (1989), and gospel album, Personal Inspirations (1995); appeared in musical theater productions of Black Nativity (1995) and Ragtime (1999).