Naturi Naughton Biography

Naturi Cora Maria Naughton-Lewis is an American actress, songwriter, and singer who is best known for being a former member of the R&B 3LW group. She is also famous for starring in TV shows and films such as the ABC series Queens, Power, The Client List, Notorious, and The Playboy Club.

Naturi Naughton Education

Maria completed her musical studies at the Newark School of the Arts before later enrolling at St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, New Jersey. While there, she attended various events in New Jersey where she sang the national anthem. After graduating from high school, she joined Seton Hall University where she learned Political Science.

Naturi Naughton Musical Career

Naughton began her professional career at the age of 15 years when she joined Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon and formed the group 3LW in 1999. The band first released their single in 2000 called “No More (Baby I’ma Do Right)”, followed by “No More” and “Playas Gon’ Play” which became successful after it was released. In December 2000, the group released their first album titled 3LW which sold 1.3 million copies in the U.S. before later the band toured with other artists like Dream and Jessica Simpson. Destiny’s Child, and Nelly.

Later on, the 3LW Group released another single called “I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)”, which featured Loon and was produced by the famous artist P. Diddy. However, before the group released its newest LP, A Girl Can Mack in August 2002 the band disbanded after Naturi left the group. After leaving the group, Maria started her solo work where she recorded five tracks for the Fame soundtrack which was released on August 2009.

Her fame increased when her cover of Fame reached No. 33 on the UK Singles Chart in 2009 as well as appeared in the Top 20 in Norway and Finland, Portugal. Following her success, Naturi went on to release her extended play called Fame Presents Naturi Naughton before later appearing on the BET talk show The Mo’Nique Show. After that, she decided to change her career path and went on to start her acting career.

Naturi Naughton Acting Career

Naughton began her acting career when she appeared in the film The Notorious B.I.G. playing as Grammy Award-winning rap artist Lil’ Kim. After that, she starred in the film called Fame where she portrayed Denise, an aspiring singer in Lionsgate. In August 2010, Maria appeared as a Toni Charles in the AMC drama television series Mad Men as well as starred in the comedy film Lottery Ticket. Besides this, Naturi was cast as Brenda in another television series pilot The Playboy Club and after a few months she was featured in the sitcom It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia film.

In December 2011, Naturi starred opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt in the Lifetime drama television series The Client List before later appearing in the BET original film Let The Church Say Amen in 2012. Her breakthrough came when she was cast as Tasha St. Patrick, in the Starz drama Power which won her the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. In September 2020, she reprised her role as Tasha in the spin-off series Power Book II: Ghost.

On top of this, Naughton also starred opposite Eve and Brandy in the American Broadcasting Company’s music series Queens, where she released her first promo single “Nasty Girl” in October 2021. Following their first release, the band went on to release their second rap song called “The Introduction”, which was co-written by Nas.

Naturi Naughton Age

Naughton is 39 years old as of 2024. She was born on May 2, 1984, in East Orange, New Jersey, United States and she celebrates her birthday on May 2 every year.

Naturi Naughton Height

Naughton stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 0 inches (1.52 m) tall.

Naturi Naughton Family

Naughton was born and brought up in East Orange, New Jersey, to her parents Ezra Naughton, a retired accountant, and Brenda Naughton a part-time paralegal. Her mother is s originally from Raleigh, North Carolina while her father is from Raleigh, North Carolina. Her passion for music was revealed at the age of five when she participated in the church choir at New Hope Baptist Church. There she was inspired by Whitney Houston and knew that she wanted to become a performer as she grew up.

Naturi Naughton Husband

Naughton is happily married to Xavier “Two” Lewis, who is the owner of a serial entrepreneur, entertainment manager, and motivational speaker. The pair first met in 2019 and engaged in December 2020 before tieing the knot in April 2022, in a blissful wedding ceremony which was held in Atlanta. The couple welcomed their first son, Tru Xavier Naughton Lewis in June 2023.

Lewis is an American businessman and entertainment manager who is the founder of various businesses such as CreditRich, On Track Georgia, and Family Ties Logistics. He was born on August 24, 1985, in Atlanta, United States and he is 38 years old as of 2024. Two is the son of Rosa Lewis and the late Alex Crittle JR who died on January 10, 2021, due to suffering from Covid-19.

He completed his studies in Columbia High School before he later attended Florida State University where he participated in a football game playing as a corner-back. After that, Xavier enrolled at the Georgia Institute of Technology before finishing his studies at Kyungpook National University in Daegu.

Naturi Naughton First Husband

Before Maria got married to Lewis, she was in a relationship with her boyfriend Ben whom they shared a daughter Zuri who was born on July 19, 2017. The couple parted ways in 2017 three months after their daughter’s birth however, due to shame, Naturi hid her separation for almost two years.

Naturi Naughton kids

Naughton is a mother of two adorable children namely Tru Xavier Naughton Lewis and Zuri. Her daughter, Zuri was born on July 19, 2017, followed by her son Tru who was born in June 2023.

Naturi Naughton Net Worth

Naughton has an estimated net worth of between $800 thousand and $ 1 million which she has accumulated from her hard work as an actress and singer.

Naturi Naughton Movies and TV Shows

• Cash Rules ( 2008)
• Notorious ( 2009)
• Fame ( 2009)
• Highland Park ( 2010)
• Let the Church Say Amen (2013))
• Step Sisters( 2018)
• The Night Before Christmas ( 2022)
• Call Her King ( 2013)
• Becoming Presents: Wannabe ( 2001)
• Mad Men ( 2010)
• The Client List ( 2012)
• Let’s Stay Together ( 2013)
• Doc McStuffins ( 2015-2019)
• Power Book II: Ghost ( 2020-2023)
• Queens ( 2021-2022)

Naturi Naughton lottery ticket

Naughton plays the character role of Stacey in the comedy film Lottery Ticket which was directed by Erik White. The comedy tells the story of a young man who wins a $370 million lottery and shortly realizes that his friends and neighbors are not his true benefactor but they are all after his money. At some point, Stacey tells Kevin the truth about Nikki who he considers to be her girlfriend. But in the end, she is only there for the money.

Naturi Naughton Call Her King

In 2023, Naturi was cast as Jaeda King in one of Wes Mille’s films called Call her King. Jaeda who is a judge and the wife of Gerald King found herself in a difficult position after the courthouse was hijacked by Black Caesar. Black is the brother of Sean Samuels, whom Judge Jaeda had imprisoned in jail. In that situation, Jaeda has to try her best to rescue the hostages and take over the sit

Adrienne Bailon and Naturi Naughton

Adrienne Bailon is an American singer and TV personality who is best known for appearing in the film The Cheetah Girls and former member of 3LW Group. During her interviews with the former’s daytime talk show The Real, Bailon and Naturi stated that they have reconciled their difference that happened 20 years ago causing the band to disband. The two seem to have a plan of reviving the band as they stated on their social media account.

Naturi Naughton’s The Night Before Christmas

Naughton plays the role of Journee an estranged mother who decides to go on a Christmas Eve journey where they are caught in a snowstorm and forced to take refuge inside a church. While in the church, Jornee and Nia her daughter met the music teacher and handsome pastor who motivated the two to reconnect and reconcile their difference. Aside from the pastor, other members of the church are also in the church. Nia and her mother band together and help the church celebrate their traditional holiday where they perform and sing despite the raging storm outside.