7 Fun Facts Most People Don't Know About Ciara

The early aughts gave birth to a vanguard artist whose legacy continues to expand after 20 years in the music industry. That artist is Ciara. She made her debut in 2004 with Goodies, and music was never the same, in a good way. She spearheaded a shift within the R&B genre, instantly setting her apart from other established and up-and-coming artists. 

Born in 1985 in Fort Cavazos, Texas, Ciara Princess Wilson grew up on U.S. Army bases, including Nevada, California, Arizona, New York, and Germany. Her family eventually settled in Atlanta, and that is where her artistic aspirations flourished, though each place she lived inarguably influenced her unique way of expression.

Inspired by the iconic girl group Destiny's Child, Ciara decided to pursue music, and her future as a pioneering musician was cemented. Her creative path led her to Jazze Pha, a music producer, and everything changed. She signed a recording deal at LaFace Records, and her career started to gain momentum en route to stardom. She has incredibly successful hits under her belt, like "1,2 Step" featuring Missy Elliott, and her album Goodies sold over three million copies, earning it a triple platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. 

Ciara (who is married to Russell Wilson) is a singer, dancer, songwriter, and actor who doesn't let anything or anyone hold her back from achieving her goals. Whether she's at home with her family or owning the stage at an awards ceremony, she is a special kind of artist. Plus, she's preparing to drop new music. Ciara, who recently dropped a new single named "Ecstasy," has an album set to release this summer. CiCi is expected to be full of dance songs and summer anthems, set to release on July 11, 2025.

Keep scrolling to learn surprising fun facts about Ciara, including more about her kids, fashion brand, and why she doesn't like being called the Princess of Crunk-N-B. 

She Was Named After a Perfume

Ciara confirmed in a 2012 Instagram post that she was named after a perfume. Which perfume, you might ask? None other than Ciara by Revlon. The perfume, which launched in 1973, was a gift from her father to her mother before the singer was born. (In a full circle moment of sorts, Ciara was named a Revlon ambassador in 2016.)

She Was Once in a Girl Group

She discovered her passion for music and decided to pursue her calling during her teenage years, so Ciara formed an all-girl group called Hearsay with two of her best friends. They recorded a few demos, however, their differences overpowered their shared love of music, leading to the group's disbandment. It was after the fall of Hearsay that Ciara met Jazze Pha, a producer, who offered her a recording deal with his label, Sho'nuff, kickstarting an illustrious music career. 

She's Married to Russell Wilson

In 2016, Ciara married NFL player Russell Wilson. He's played for the Seattle Seahawks and was currently made quarterback for the New York Giants. The couple met in March 2015 and publicized their relationship a month later. They secretly tied the knot in an English castle in England in July 2016. Ciara has four children and shares three with Wilson: Sienna, Win, and Amora. She shares her oldest son, Future Zahir Wilburn, with her ex-fiancé and rapper Future. 

Ciara Is a Dedicated Philanthropist

Russell Wilson founded the Why Not You Foundation in 2014, and Ciara joined the board of directors in 2017. The nonprofit organization focuses on addressing poverty through the education of young individuals to become the leaders of the future by embracing all the opportunities this world has to offer. The foundation is dedicated to providing students with access to education opportunities, as well as health and food security initiatives.

She Has Proven Her Acting Talents

Ciara isn't just a singer and music producer, but the star is also an actor. Her filmography includes several pictures, icnluding All You've Got; Mama, I Want to Sing; That's My Boy; The Game; Sherman's Showcase; America's Most Musical Family; and The Color Purple. 

She Doesn't Like Some of Her Nicknames

Fans of the R&B singer were taken by surprise when she revealed in the same 2012 Instagram post that she didn't like being called the Princess or Queen of Crunk-N-B. In a 2024 interview with the Grammy team, Ciara addressed her complicated sentiments towards this title.

"I understood the love they were trying to show me, but it was really important to me to not be limited to that sound because there's more to me," she said. She didn't want a nickname or title to place any limitations on her creativity, but she felt deep pride in being the first woman to bring this genre to the forefront of music. 

She Owns a Clothing Brand

Ciara launched her own fashion company, The House of LR&C, in 2020, which is home to her fashion brand Lita, which launched in 2021. With the brand, shoppable at Nordstrom, Revolve, and more, she focuses on modern and retro fashion, combining elements from the '70s and '80s. A portion of proceeds are donated to the Why Not You Foundation.