Anastacia Lyn Newkirk is an American singer-songwriter, producer and former dancer.
Anastacia is best known for her eclectic pop music of the early 2000s which had a significant impact in Europe and Oceania. Her first two albums Not That Kind (2000) and Freak of Nature (2001) were released in quick succession to major success. Spurred on by the multi-platinum, global smash "I'm Outta Love", Anastacia was awarded as the 'World's Best-Selling New Female Pop Artist' in 2001. Her commercial appeal continued with international hits such as "Paid My Dues", "One Day In Your Life" and the official song of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, "Boom". After recovering from cancer, she returned with 2004's Anastacia which deviated from previous albums into pop-rock. Peaking at number one in 11 countries, it became Europe's second biggest selling album of the year. Its lead "Left Outside Alone" remained at number one on the European Billboard chart for 15 weeks and helped Anastacia launch the most successful European tour by a solo artist that same year. In 2005, the multi-platinum compilation project Pieces of a Dream was released which spawned the chart topping duet with Eros Ramazzotti, "I Belong to You (Il Ritmo della Passione)". Anastacia established herself as one of the top selling international female pop-singers of the 2000s before taking a hiatus in late 2006.
She has sold over 52 million records worldwide and has topped the U.S. dance chart on two separate occasions.
In 2014, Anastacia made a comeback with her sixth studio album Resurrection, which reached the top ten in the Italian, Netherlands, Switzerland, German and the UK charts. Her Ultimate Collection was released in 2015 and peaked in the top ten of the UK charts, giving the singer her 6th top ten album in Britain.
Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice and her small stature of 5 feet 2 inches (157 cm), she has been dubbed "the little lady with the big voice". Also famed for her trademark glasses; she underwent corrective lasic surgery in August 2005, although frequently still wears them.
During her life Anastacia has battled many health problems. She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at age 13, breast cancer at age 34, and supraventricular tachycardia at age 39. In 2013 Anastacia was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time. On October 1, 2013 to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Anastacia informed the media that she had undergone a double mastectomy.
In recognition of her decade-long charitable efforts in breast cancer awareness, Anastacia became only the second woman to be presented with the Humanitarian Award at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in 2013
