Michel’le Biography: Net Worth, Movies, Age, Husband, Parents, Children, Songs, Height

Biography

Michel’le (born Michel’le Denise Toussant on December 5, 1967, in Compton, California) is an American R&B singer and songwriter renowned for her distinctive high-pitched, childlike speaking voice that contrasts sharply with her powerful, soulful singing vocals.

She rose to prominence in the late 1980s, first as a featured vocalist on World Class Wreckin’ Cru‘s 1987 single “Turn Off the Lights.” Signed to Eazy-E‘s Ruthless Records, she released her self-titled debut album in 1989, produced entirely by her then-boyfriend Dr. Dre.

The album achieved gold certification and spawned major hits like “No More Lies” (which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100), “Nicety,” and “Something in My Heart.” After a long hiatus, she released her second album, Hung Jury, on Death Row Records in 1998.

She also contributed vocals to tracks by artists like 2Pac and Tha Dogg Pound. Michel’le later appeared on the TV One reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles (2013–2015) and was the subject of the 2016 Lifetime biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le, which detailed her experiences in the music industry and personal challenges.

American singer
Michel’le
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Michel’le Denise Toussaint
Stage Name:	Michel’le
Born:	5 December 1967 (age 58 years old)
Place of Birth:	Los Angeles, California, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	N/A
Height:	160 cm
Parents:	Robert Toussaint, Evelyn Toussaint
Siblings:	1
Spouse:	Suge Knight (m. 1999-2005)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Dr. Dre (1987-1996), Robert Stewart (2020)
Children:	Marcel Young
Occupation:	Singer • Songwriter
Net Worth:	$250,000 (USD)

Early Life & Education

Michel’le Denise Toussaint was born on December 5, 1970, in Compton, California (often associated with South Central Los Angeles), into a family of Louisiana Creole descent.

This heritage, blending French, African, and other influences common among Creole communities, shaped her cultural roots and identity amid the challenges of her urban environment. Raised in a tough Compton neighborhood marked by hardship and exposure to the emerging West Coast hip-hop scene, Michel’le grew up under difficult circumstances, including an abusive household with her alcoholic mother.

Her father, Robert Toussaint, worked various jobs to support the family, while her mother, Evelyn Toussaint, managed the home despite personal struggles. Michel’le has occasionally referenced a close-knit but strained family dynamic, with at least one sibling—a brother—who shared in the household experiences during lean times, including extended stays with their grandmother.

A devout Catholic, reflecting the strong Catholic traditions prevalent in many Louisiana Creole families, Michel’le found solace and structure in her faith during her formative years. This religious foundation complemented her upbringing and later influenced her resilience through personal challenges.

For her education, Michel’le initially attended schools in the Compton area but later benefited from attending a school in the more affluent Woodland Hills neighborhood, commuting by bus daily—a distance of about 30 miles.

She has spoken gratefully about how this opportunity broadened her perspective, exposing her to a wider world beyond her immediate surroundings and helping shape her outlook on life and parenting.

Career

Michel’le Denise Toussaint began her music career in the late 1980s and quickly stood out in West Coast R&B. Her high-pitched speaking voice was a sharp contrast to her strong, soulful singing. In 1987, she got her big break when she was asked at the last minute to sing on World Class Wreckin’ Cru‘s single “Turn Off the Lights” because the original singer was unavailable.

This opportunity led her to sign with Eazy-E‘s Ruthless Records, where she released her debut album in 1989. Produced entirely by Dr. Dre, who was her boyfriend at the time, the album mixed hip-hop and R&B and became a hit.

It earned gold certification in the US, selling over 500,000 copies, and estimates put its worldwide sales at up to 1.3 million. The album featured hits like “No More Lies,” which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart, as well as “Nicety” and “Something in My Heart,” another R&B No. 1.

Michel’le also sang on the Grammy-nominated 1990 single “We’re All in the Same Gang” with the West Coast All-Stars, joining artists such as N.W.A, MC Hammer, and Ice-T.

After conflicts at Ruthless Records, she moved to Death Row Records in the early 1990s. There, she provided guest vocals on songs like Tha Dogg Pound‘s “Let’s Play House” from their 1995 album Dogg Food and 2Pac‘s “Run tha Streets” from All Eyez on Me in 1996.

Her second album, Hung Jury, was released in 1998 on Death Row but received little promotion and failed to produce major hits, selling fewer than 200,000 copies worldwide.

After a long break due to personal struggles, Michel’le returned in the 2010s. She appeared on the TV One reality show R&B Divas: Los Angeles from 2013 to 2015, sharing her story and performing. In 2016, Lifetime aired the biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le, which told her story in the music industry, including her time at Ruthless and Death Row.

Rhyon Nicole Brown played Michel’le in the film, highlighting her role in that era, which had been left out of the 2015 movie Straight Outta Compton. Outside of music, Michel’le also acted in stage plays, including Do You Trust Your Best Friend? in 2012 and Love Jones: The Musical, in which she played herself. She has also performed at events such as Tom Joyner‘s Fantastic Voyage cruise.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Michel’le
• Instagram: Michel’le (@michellemuzic)
• Twitter: Michel’le (@Michellemuzic) / X

Personal Life

Michel’le Denise Toussaint, born on December 5, 1970, in Compton, California, is 58 years old. She stands at approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall, with her petite frame often noted alongside her powerful vocal presence and distinctive high-pitched speaking voice.

Michel’le‘s most prominent romantic relationships and family life have been tied to high-profile figures in the hip-hop industry, marked by both long-term partnerships and significant personal challenges. Her longest and most publicized early relationship was with producer and rapper Dr. Dre (Andre Young), whom she dated from around 1987 to 1996.

The relationship was tumultuous, involving allegations of domestic abuse that Michel’le later detailed publicly, including in her 2016 Lifetime biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le. Together, they welcomed a son, Marcel Young (born February 1991), who has occasionally appeared in discussions of her family life.

In 1999, while Suge Knight was incarcerated, Michel’le married Suge Knight (Marion Hugh Knight Jr.), the co-founder and CEO of Death Row Records. The marriage lasted until around 2005–2007 (sources vary slightly on the exact end date), when she filed for divorce.

During proceedings, Michel’le discovered the marriage was invalid because Knight remained legally married to his previous wife, Sharitha Golden. Despite this, the pair had a daughter together, Bailei Knight (born 2002), whom Michel’le has primarily raised as a single mother, especially given Knight‘s long-term incarceration.

Michel’le has not been publicly married since the invalid union with Knight. She has been described as single in recent years, with occasional mentions of dating, such as a relationship with chef Robert Stewart around 2020 (when they appeared together on Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition), though no long-term partnerships have been confirmed recently.

Michel’le has focused on raising her children, sharing her story through media appearances, and maintaining a private personal life outside of her music and reality TV stints.

Net Worth

Michel’le Denise Toussaint‘s net worth is estimated at approximately $250,000 (with some older or less consistent sources ranging from $250,000 to $500,000).

Her wealth primarily stems from her music career, including royalties from her 1989 platinum-selling debut album Michel’le (featuring hits like “No More Lies” and “Something in My Heart“), guest features on tracks by artists such as 2Pac and Tha Dogg Pound, and earnings from her 1998 album Hung Jury.

Additional income has come from her appearances on the TV One reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles (2013–2015), the 2016 Lifetime biopic Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le (where she served as narrator and subject), stage plays, live performances, and occasional media interviews.

Financial challenges, including prolonged hiatuses from music, legal battles over unpaid child support from Suge Knight, and the impacts of personal struggles documented in her public story, have limited her ability to accumulate wealth compared to some contemporaries from the era.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Michel’le (1989, Ruthless Records/Atco/Atlantic) – Her platinum-certified debut (over 1 million copies sold worldwide), produced by Dr. Dre. It spawned major hits including “No More Lies” (Billboard Hot 100 #7), “Nicety,” “Something in My Heart” (R&B #1), “If?,” and “Keep Watchin’.”
• Hung Jury (1998, Death Row Records) – Her second and final full-length album, featuring the single “Hang Tyme” (also known as “Hang Time”). It received limited promotion and chart success.

Notable Singles and Features (Selected)

• “Turn Off the Lights” (1987) – Featured vocals on World Class Wreckin’ Cru’s single (her breakthrough appearance).
• “We’re All in the Same Gang” (1990) – Part of the West Coast Rap All-Stars supergroup track.
• “Let’s Play House” (1995) – Guest vocals on Tha Dogg Pound’s Dogg Food.
• “Run tha Streets” (1996) – Guest vocals on 2Pac’s All Eyez on Me.
• Later singles: “Freedom to Love” (2011) and “It Still Hurts” (2014) – Independent releases indicating ongoing work on new material.

Filmography

Television and Film Appearances

• R&B Divas: Los Angeles (TV One, 2013–2015) – Main cast member across multiple seasons, sharing her personal and professional story.
• Surviving Compton: Dre, Suge & Michel’le (Lifetime, 2016) – Narrator and subject of the biographical film depicting her life and experiences in the industry.
• Guest spots on shows including UnSung, The Wendy Williams Show, The Real, RuPaul’s Drag Race (as a guest judge/appearance), Insecure, Soul Train, and others for interviews and performances.

Other Contributions

• Soundtrack appearances (e.g., Dysfunktional Family in 2003).
• Stage plays and live performances (e.g., Do You Trust Your Best Friend? in 2012, Love Jones: The Musical, various concerts and events like Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage).
• Music videos for her major singles from the 1989 album and select later tracks.

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