R&B and pop singer Alexis Jordan kicked off her career at the age of 14 when she became a contestant on the 2006 season of America's Got Talent. The South Carolina native earned a spot in the semifinals of the nationally televised talent competition along with some positive reviews from the show's producer, Simon Cowell. Her big payoff came in 2008 when the songwriting and production team Stargate (Rihanna's "Take a Bow," Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent") brought her to the attention of Jay-Z, who signed the singer to his family of labels. Her debut single "Happiness" became a hit in Europe, and her self-titled album charted around the world. ~ David Jeffries