Anastacia Newkirk, whose full name is Anastacia Lyn Newkirk, was born on September 17, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Known professionally as Anastacia, she is an American singer and songwriter whose music combines pop, soul, rock, and R&B. She began her career as a dancer and backing vocalist before attracting the attention of record companies in the late 1990s. Her debut album, Not That Kind (2000), introduced her to international audiences through the single I'm Outta Love. She followed it with Freak of Nature (2001) and Anastacia (2004), which produced songs including Paid My Dues, One Day in Your Life, and Left Outside Alone. She continued recording and performing despite being diagnosed with Crohn's disease during adolescence and breast cancer in 2003 and 2013. Her later albums include Resurrection (2014), Evolution (2017), and Our Songs (2023). In 2025, she toured Europe and the United Kingdom to mark the 25th anniversary of her debut album.

Early Life and Family

Anastacia Newkirk was born on September 17, 1968, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Robert Newkirk, was a nightclub singer, while her mother, Diane Hurley, worked as an actress in Broadway musical productions.

After her parents separated, Anastacia moved with her mother and siblings to New York City. She grew up in an environment where music, dancing, and theatrical performance were familiar parts of family life.

She attended the Professional Children's School in Manhattan, an institution serving young people involved in the performing arts.

Her early musical interests included recordings by Barbra Streisand and Elton John. She also became interested in dance and house music through her older sister, who frequently attended New York nightclubs.

Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease

At the age of 13, Anastacia Newkirk was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive system.

Her illness required medical treatment and affected her life during adolescence. She later discussed the physical and emotional difficulties associated with the condition in interviews.

Although the diagnosis created challenges, she continued pursuing her interests in singing and dancing. Her later songwriting and public interviews frequently addressed personal experiences, health, and self-acceptance.

Early Career as a Dancer and Singer

Before beginning her recording career, Anastacia Newkirk worked as a professional dancer. She appeared on Club MTV and participated in music videos, including Everybody Get Up and Twist and Shout by the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, she became involved in New York's dance music scene. She developed an interest in freestyle and house music, which influenced her rhythmic vocal delivery.

She also worked as a backing vocalist and collaborated with other performers while developing material for her own career.

In 1998, she participated in The Cut, a talent competition broadcast by MTV and hosted by Lisa Lopes of TLC. Although she did not win, her performances attracted attention from music industry representatives.

She subsequently signed a recording agreement with Epic Records, part of Sony Music.

Not That Kind and International Breakthrough

In 2000, Anastacia Newkirk released her debut studio album, Not That Kind, through Epic Records. The album was issued internationally before its United States release in March 2001.

Its lead single, I'm Outta Love, became a commercial success in Europe and Australia. Other tracks included Not That Kind, Cowboys & Kisses, and Made for Lovin' You.

The album combined contemporary R&B, dance-pop, and soul influences. Her recording sessions brought together musicians including Eric Kupper, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Luis Conte, and BeBe Winans.

Production was handled by Ric Wake, Louis Biancaniello, Sam Watters, Evan Rogers, and Carl Sturken, among others.

Not That Kind reached the upper positions of album charts in several European countries and Australia. Its success established Anastacia's international recording career, particularly outside the United States.

Freak of Nature and Continued Success

In November 2001, Anastacia Newkirk released her second studio album, Freak of Nature, which received a wider United States release in June 2002.

The album included Paid My Dues, One Day in Your Life, Why'd You Lie to Me, You'll Never Be Alone, and Secrets.

She worked again with producers Ric Wake, Sam Watters, and Louis Biancaniello, alongside songwriters including Billy Mann, Damon Sharpe, and Greg Lawson.

In May 2002, she appeared at VH1 Divas Las Vegas, performing alongside artists including Celine Dion, Cher, Mary J. Blige, and Shakira].

She also recorded Boom, the official song of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan.

In 2003, her recording Love Is a Crime appeared on the soundtrack of the musical film Chicago, directed by Rob Marshall and starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Anastacia Album

In January 2003, Anastacia Newkirk was diagnosed with breast cancer after a medical examination. She underwent surgery and radiation treatment and temporarily reduced her professional commitments.

Following treatment, she returned to the recording studio and worked on her third album, Anastacia, released in March 2004.

The album included Left Outside Alone, Sick and Tired, Welcome to My Truth, and Heavy on My Heart. Its music incorporated stronger rock influences alongside pop and soul.

Left Outside Alone became one of her most widely recognized singles, reaching high chart positions across Europe.

She subsequently toured internationally and continued raising public awareness of breast cancer through interviews and charity activities.

Albums and Tours from 2005 to 2012

In 2005, Anastacia Newkirk released Pieces of a Dream, a compilation featuring earlier recordings and new material, including Everything Burns, a collaboration with Ben Moody recorded for the film Fantastic Four.

Her fourth studio album, Heavy Rotation, followed in 2008. It included the singles I Can Feel You and Absolutely Positively.

In 2012, she released It's a Man's World, an album featuring covers of rock songs originally recorded by male performers and groups, including Queen, U2, and Foo Fighters.

During these years, she continued performing in Europe and other international markets.

Second Cancer Diagnosis and Resurrection

In February 2013, Anastacia Newkirk announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. She canceled planned tour dates and underwent a double mastectomy as part of her treatment.

She returned to recording and released Resurrection in May 2014. The album included Stupid Little Things, Staring at the Sun, and Lifeline.

The songs addressed relationships, recovery, and personal experiences. Among her collaborators was songwriter and producer Jamie Hartman.

In November 2015, she released the compilation Ultimate Collection, which featured several of her earlier singles alongside new recordings such as Take This Chance.

She followed it with an international concert tour during 2016 and 2017.

Evolution and Musical Theater

In September 2017, Anastacia Newkirk released Evolution, her seventh studio album. It included the singles Caught in the Middle and My Everything.

She toured Europe in support of the album during 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, she made her musical theater debut as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You, the stage musical built around songs by Queen and written by Ben Elton.

Our Songs and Recent Career

In September 2023, Anastacia Newkirk released her eighth studio album, Our Songs. The project featured English-language versions of songs originally associated with German artists.

Among the recordings was Just You, based on So bist du by Peter Maffay. The two artists recorded a duet version of the song.

Our Songs reached number two on the German Albums Chart and entered the top ten in Austria and Switzerland.

In June 2024, she released Our Songs (Gold Deluxe Edition), featuring additional recordings based on songs by Nico Santos, Michael Schulte, and Zoe Wees.

She also joined Peter Maffay as a guest performer during his farewell tour in Germany in 2024.

In 2025, Anastacia performed across Europe and the United Kingdom on the Not That Kind 25th Anniversary Tour, marking twenty-five years since the international release of her debut album.

In 2026, she released the concert album #NTK25 Anastacia Live in Concert. She also announced Symphonic Revolution, a project featuring orchestral arrangements of her songs, scheduled for release in November 2026.

Personal Life

Anastacia Newkirk married her former bodyguard Wayne Newton in April 2007. The couple divorced in 2010.

She has spoken publicly about Crohn's disease, breast cancer, and the medical treatment she received following her diagnoses.

She has a tattoo of an *ankh*, an ancient Egyptian symbol associated with life, on her lower back. Butterflies have also appeared in her clothing, artwork, and song imagery.

Her professional name, Anastacia, derives from a Greek name associated with resurrection.

Awards and Recognition

2001 – World Music Awards – World's Best Selling New Female Pop Artist
2001 – MTV Europe Music Awards – Best Pop
2002 – Bambi Awards – International Pop Artist
2002 – Edison Awards – Best International Female Singer
2002 – Comet Awards – Best International Act

Studio Albums

2000 – Not That Kind
2001 – Freak of Nature
2004 – Anastacia
2008 – Heavy Rotation
2012 – It's a Man's World
2014 – Resurrection
2017 – Evolution
2023 – Our Songs

Selected Compilation and Live Albums

2005 – Pieces of a Dream
2015 – Ultimate Collection
2024 – Our Songs (Gold Deluxe Edition)
2026 – #NTK25 Anastacia Live in Concert

Selected Songs

2000 – I'm Outta Love
2000 – Not That Kind
2000 – Cowboys & Kisses
2001 – Paid My Dues
2002 – One Day in Your Life
2002 – Boom
2002 – Why'd You Lie to Me
2003 – Love Is a Crime
2004 – Left Outside Alone
2004 – Sick and Tired
2004 – Welcome to My Truth
2005 – Everything Burns – With Ben Moody
2008 – I Can Feel You
2014 – Stupid Little Things
2015 – Take This Chance
2017 – Caught in the Middle
2023 – Best Days
2023 – Just You – With Peter Maffay

Source: Biyografiler.com