Childhood Biography presents the Full Story of an American singer best known as “John Legend“.
Our version of John Legend’s Biography Facts, including his Childhood Story, brings you a full account of notable events from his boyhood days right until he became famous.
The analysis of John Legend’s Bio involves his early life, family background, life story before fame and rise to fame story.
More so, Legend’s dating history, personal life, family facts, lifestyle and other little-known facts about him.
Yes, everyone knows he is one of the gifted soul performers of his time. However, only a few consider John Legend’s Biography, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s begin.
John Legend Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For Biography starters, John Roger Stephens was born on the 28th day of December 1976 at the city of Springfield in Ohio, USA.
He is the second of two children born to his mother, Phyllis Stephens and to his father, Ronald Stephens Sr.
Thanks to being born at a geographical entity in the land of the free, Legend is a proud American national of mixed ethnicity with African-American roots.
He was raised in a middle-class family background at his birth city in Springfield and grew up alongside 3 siblings; Ronald Stephens II, Vaughn Anthony Stephens and Phyllis “Missy” Stephens.
Growing up in a musically gifted working-class family, Legend was surrounded by influences who raised him to bear witness of the truths in melodious symphonies.
His mother was the director of a church choir while his grandmother and biological father played organs and drums respectively in the same church.
It wasn’t long before Legend was inducted in the church choir and began taking piano lessons as a child.
John Legend Education:
As young Legend advanced in years, so did his interests in music and search for knowledge.
He received elementary education via homeschooling and progressed to Springfield North High School when he was aged 12.
It was at North High school that Legend’s diligence and commitment to acquiring knowledge saw him graduate as a salutatorian.
He went on to study English with emphasis on African-American literature at the University of Pennsylvania despite being offered admission to Harvard University and scholarships to Georgetown University.
The way Legend figured it, Georgetown University was far from his preferences while Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania belonged to the Ivy League. Thus, he settled for the latter which was most appealing to him.
John Legend Early Career Life:
The history of Legend’s early career in music dates back to his college days when he served as the president and music director for a musical group named ‘Counterparts’.
He went on to feature as a pianist in Lauryn Hill’s “Everything is Everything” before graduating in 1999.
Thereafter, Legend combined working as a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group with writing, recording and producing his own music.
The singing prodigy subsequently released two independent albums; his self-titled demo (2000) & Live at Jimmy’s Uptown (2001) which he sold at his shows and hoped to be discovered by a record label.
John Legend Biography – The Road To Fame Story:
Legend met his turning point to fame when he was introduced to Kanye West in 2001.
By virtue of the meeting, Legend became a contributor of vocals and served as pianist for West and artists in West’s circles including Alicia Keys, Talib Kweli, and the Black-Eyed Peas.
Fast forward to 2004, Legend was hired by West as a rap musician on his debut album “The College Dropout”.
The gig went on to help Legend secure signing to West’s label (G.O.O.D Records) whose inaugural task was to produce Legend’s debut album.
John Legend Biography – Rise To Fame Story:
Modalities put in place to ensure the success of Legend’s debut album “Get Lifted” came off swift such that the musical package was released in December 2004. “Get Lifted” was well received in the U.S and went global with significant commercial success.
What more? The album won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and earned Legend two awards for Best New Artist and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Fast forward to the time of writing, Legend is an award-winning singer and actor who proudly ranks among the best voices in the music industry.
He is also the first black man to have won the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, & Tony Awards. The rest, as they say, is history.
John Legend Relationship History:
Moving on to John Legend’s love life, he has a fuzzy dating history because he kept that part of his private life away from the press.
Notwithstanding, deep investigations reveal that Legend had three girlfriends before he got hitched to his wife Chrissy Teigen. The girlfriends include models – Jessica White and Danielle Abreu as well as Nigerian catwalk – Tayo Otiti.
Chrissy Teigen met Legend in 2007 when she starred as the artiste’s love interest in the music video for his song “Stereo”. They established a bond and dated afterwards before getting married in 2013.
Their union is blessed with two children at the time of writing. They include a daughter Luna Simone and a son Theodore.
John Legend Family Life:
Soul musicians are known to be big on family and John Legend makes no exception. We bring you facts about John Legend’s family life beginning with his parents.
About John Legend’s father:
Ronald Stephens Sr is John Legend’s dad. He was born on the 18th day of September 1949 and worked as a factory worker during Legend’s early life.
The proud and supportive dad of four who shares a striking resemblance with Legend is also a former National guard.
Although Ronald is separated from Legend’s mom, he still maintains a close relationship with the musician.
About John Legend’s mother:
Phyllis Stephens is John Legend’s mom. She is of mixed ethnicity like her ex-husband with a complex family origin.
Phyllis possesses the work experience of being a seamstress and was largely responsible for Legend’s homeschooling when he was very young. She has a close mother-son relationship with Legend and can be often spotted in loved up photos with him.
About John Legend’s siblings:
Legend has an older brother Ronald Stephens II, a younger brother Vaughn Anthony Stephens as well as a younger sister Phyllis “Missy” Stephens.
All three siblings were born of the same parents and have interests in music and creative arts. Although the siblings are rarely seen together, they haven’t grown apart and always support one another.
About John Legend’s relatives:
Away from John Legend’s immediate family life, his paternal grandparents have been identified as Arthur Benjamin Stephens and Marjorie Maxine “Maggie” Smith while his maternal grandfather and grandmother are Raymond Eugene Lloyd and Raymond Eugene Lloyd respectively.
However, not much is known about his aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as nephews and nieces.
John Legend Personal Life:
Legend possesses a likeable personality that has makings of Capricorn Zodiac sign traits. He is confident, practical, caring, detailed, organized, responsible and open to trying new things.
Added to Legend’s impressive persona is his shrewd nature of not revealing more than necessary when talking about his personal and private life.
His interests and hobbies include writing songs, shooting hoops and keeping up with college football on TV.
John Legend Lifestyle:
Moving on to how John Legend makes his money as well as his spending habit, the singer has an estimated net worth of $45 million at the time of writing.
It is general knowledge that a major proportion of Legend’s wealth takes its origin from his music endeavours.
Whatever Legend lacks in music income is made up for in his endorsement deals and investments which collectively make him realize millions of dollars annually.
Thus it is without fear and favour that Legend possesses and maintains a luxurious $14 million house at Beverly Crest neighbourhood in Los Angeles.
The 3 storey mansion sits on 8520 square feet of land and boasts of features like a large swimming pool, 8 bathrooms, five bedrooms, a billiard with bar, theatre among others.
Behind the gates of the mansion are exotic cars which speak well of Legend’s lifestyle. The rides are produced by brands like Chevrolet, Audi, among others.
John Legend Untold Facts:
Suspecting and knowing are not the same. Find below lesser-known or untold facts that wrap up our John Legend childhood story and biography.
Smoking and Drinking:
Legend is given to drinking hard drinks in moderation and smoking inhalants other than Cigarettes. However, he doesn’t succumb to the habit during tours because he has a fragile voice.
John Legend Religion:
The artiste was raised in a religious household such that he grew up singing at church choir during his early life. The singer has never strayed from such religious upbringing as he seeks to propagate Christain faith via his songs.
The reason behind his professional name:
The soul musician who was christened John Roger Stephens adopted the professional name “John Legend” because he received many remarks that he sings like an old man.
John Legend Tattoos:
Legend has matching tattoos with his wife that communicate their love. Also, appreciation for family.
On Legend’s arm is an inscription that reads “Chrissy Luna Miles”. It is in honour of his wife and two children. While that of Legends’ wife Chrissy Teigen reads “John Luna Miles.”
Awards:
Arguably one of the most awarding-winning artists. Legend has won a total of 31 awards out of 41 nominations at the time of writing.
The awards include two BET awards, ten Grammy Awards. Also, five Soul Train Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, one Golden Globe Award among others.
Movies Acted:
Legend is not just an artist but an award-winning actor. A man who has made appearances in a significant number of movies. Also, television series.
They include Sesame Street (2006). Then a Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy (2018). And Master of None television series.
FACT CHECK:
Thanks for reading our John Legend Childhood Story plus untold biography facts.
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Cole Daxton
Cole Daxton is a talented Childhood Biography Storyteller with a passion for uncovering the untold stories of some of the world's biggest celebrities. With a keen eye for detail, Cole Daxton has spent years delving into the Early Years and Success Stories of some of the most famous people in the world.
