DaniLeigh

Danielle Leigh Curiel (born December 20, 1994), known professionally as DaniLeigh, is an American singer and songwriter. Initially appearing as a backup dancer, Curiel began her career by posting covers of popular songs on YouTube before moving to Los Angeles, California, where she began choreographing for other artists and dancing. She made a career breakthrough after working with Prince on the music video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait". DaniLeigh was signed to Def Jam Recordings in 2017, releasing mixtapes and singles starting that year.

Early life
Danielle Leigh Curiel was born on December 20, 1994, in Miami, Florida. Her mother, Vicky Curiel, and her father, Vladimir Curiel, are from the Dominican Republic. She was deeply interested in music during her youth, and cites Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Drake, and Rihanna as influences. She started dancing at the age of 12 and singing at the age of 14, though she was initially too shy to sing in front of others until she received positive feedback. Though she started posting vocal covers of songs such as Musiq Soulchild's "SoBeautiful" on YouTube, her career did not officially start until she moved to Los Angeles, California, where she made connections and started off as a backup dancer to artists such as Pharrell Williams and Nelly Furtado. She also was part of the pop duo Curly Fryz, which she formed with her sister.

Career
Curiel was asked by Prince to direct the video for his single "Breakfast Can Wait" when she was 18 years old. Following the video's success, Prince continued mentoring DaniLeigh until his death in 2016. She released her first single "D.O.S.E" in 2015, but her first successful single was "Play", released in 2017. The single is an empowerment song for women and Latinos, and features Mexican-American rapper Kap G.

After signing with Def Jam Recordings, she released her first EP, Summer with Friends, in 2017, followed up by The Plan in 2018. The latter features appearances by rappers YG, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and YBN Nahmir. She later released a few more singles such as "Lil Bebe", which was remixed featuring vocals from Lil Baby, and "Easy", which was remixed featuring vocals from singer Chris Brown. She has also made a cameo appearance in the music video for Megan Thee Stallion's "Hot Girl Summer". In late 2019, she choreographed for DaBaby's music video "BOP on Broadway".

In January 2021, the singer issued an apology after posting part of a song called "Yellow Bone" on social media, which was criticized for promoting colorism.

Musical style
DaniLeigh incorporates elements of hip hop and Latin music into her primarily R&B-style music.

Personal life
Curiel's older brother is a rapper who goes by Brandon Bills.

Curiel was in a previous relationship with rapper DaBaby that ended in November of 2021. That year on July 17, she announced her pregnancy with their child in an Instagram post. Curiel gave birth to a girl, Velour, on August 11, 2021.

Legal issues
On November 15, 2021, Curiel was charged with two counts of assault by then-boyfriend DaBaby. The latter then posted a statement on Instagram moments following the incident, confirming that he just wanted Curiel to be "peacefully removed" from his home. Shortly after, Curiel posted a story on Instagram in response, claiming that she refused to leave because she and her child were staying in Charlotte, North Carolina and had no friends or family living nearby who could support her. Curiel stated: "[I’ll] learn and [I’ll] grow…And I’m sorry to my baby that her father is kicking her out her home at 3 months."

On May 30, 2023, Curiel was arrested in Miami Beach on a felony hit-and-run charge after she allegedly hit a moped rider with her car while driving drunk.

Studio albums

 * Summer with Friends (2017)
 * The Plan (2018)
 * My Present (2019)
 * Movie (2020)
 * In My Feelings (2020)

Extended plays

 * Summer with Friends (2017)
 * My Present (2019)
 * My Side (2022)