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{{short description|Singer and fashion model}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Nona Gaye
| birth_name = Nona Aisha Gaye
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|9|4}}
| birth_place = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| nationality = American
| father = [[Marvin Gaye]]
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|fashion model|actress}}
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| genre = {{hlist|[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]{{Citation needed |date=April 2021}} |[[Soul music|soul]]|[[Pop music|pop]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]}}
| associated_acts = [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
}}
| yearsactive = 1989–2009 (Actress) 1992-present (Singer)
| known_for = Zee in ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''<br>''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]''
| relatives = [[Slim Gaillard]] (maternal grandfather)<br>{{nowrap|[[Marvin Gay Sr.]] (paternal grandfather)}}<br>[[Alberta Gay]] (paternal grandmother)<br>[[Frankie Gaye]] (paternal uncle)
| website =
| children = 1
}}

'''Nona Aisha Gaye'''<ref name=BK>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=83s6mwmjXBcC |title=Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye |author=Michael Eric Dyson|date= |publisher=Hachette |isbn=9780786722471 }}</ref><ref name=BBO>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BxFgf1T-5WIC |title=Marvin Gaye, My Brother |author=Frankie Gaye, Fred E. Basten, Frankie Gaye |date= April 2003|publisher= Hal Leonard Corporation. |isbn=9781617744983 }}</ref> (born September 4, 1974)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/nona-gaye-57803556/ |title=Nona Gaye | Biography and Filmography | 1974 |access-date=2017-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107014822/http://www.hollywood.com/celebrities/nona-gaye-57803556/ |archive-date=2017-11-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/112745-Nona-Gaye|title=Nona Gaye|website=Discogs.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/c62ba11f-0628-4349-82ee-32467a5100ac|title=Nona Gaye - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music|website=BBC|access-date=April 10, 2020}}</ref> is an American singer, former fashion model, and retired actress. The daughter of singer [[Marvin Gaye]] and maternal granddaughter of [[jazz]] musician [[Slim Gaillard]], Gaye began her career as a vocalist in the early 1990s. As an actress, Gaye is best known for her portrayal of [[Zee (The Matrix)|Zee]] in the 2003 science-fiction films ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]'' and ''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]''.

==Early life==
Gaye was born in [[Washington, D.C.]], spending the first three weeks of her life in the capital of the United States.<ref name="harrington">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/style/1992/11/08/whats-going-on-with-nona-gaye-marvins-daughter-makers-her-rb-debut/e1d7303e-1adc-4497-b905-a8f981bc938b/|title=WHAT'S GOING ON WITH NONA GAYE? MARVIN'S DAUGHTER MAKERS HER RB DEBUT|last=Harrington|first=Richard|date=November 8, 1992|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> She is the daughter of [[Marvin Gaye]], a [[Motown]] singer,<ref name="harrington"/> and Janis Hunter, who managed her daughter's music career.<ref name="bowles"/> She was raised in [[Redondo Beach, California]].<ref name="bowles">{{cite newspaper|last=Bowles|first=Jennifer|date=May 21, 1993|title=Gaye finds dad's legend a challenge to follow|page=7B|newspaper=[[Kentucky New Era]]}}</ref>

After Marvin Gaye divorced [[Anna Gordy]], Nona's parents wed in 1977 before ending their marriage four years later.<ref name="harrington"/> Her father [[Killing of Marvin Gaye|was killed]] in 1984 when Nona was 9 years old.<ref name="bowles"/>

As a child, Gaye had several aspirations, including ballet and gymnastics, but ultimately decided on a career in music during her teenage years.<ref name="harrington"/>
==Career==
===Music===
Gaye credits [[Billie Holiday]], [[Paul Simon]], [[Stevie Wonder]] and [[The Red Hot Chili Peppers]] as having influenced her music.<ref name="wilsoncombs">{{cite web|url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2005/10/11/acting-singing-the-gospel-truth-for-nona-gaye/|title=Acting, singing the 'Gospel' truth for Nona Gaye|last=Wilson-Combs|first=Lana K.|date=October 11, 2005|website=[[East Bay Times]]|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> Her debut album ''Love for the Future''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-for-the-future-mw0000087088|title=Love for the Future - Nona Gaye | Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=April 10, 2020}}</ref> was released on [[Atlantic Records]] in October 1992, a month after her eighteenth birthday. It featured the top-20 hit "I'm Overjoyed,"<ref name="bowles"/> as well as the single "The Things That We All Do for Love." "I'm Overjoyed" reached number 17 on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hot R&B Singles chart]] by November of that year.<ref>{{cite newspaper|date=November 23, 1992|title=the hit list|page=C-7|newspaper=[[Observer-Reporter]]}}</ref> In 1993, Gaye was named one of ''[[People (magazine)|People Magazine]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 50 Most Beautiful People.<ref>{{cite newspaper|date=April 26, 1993|title=Gibson, Pfeiffer make beauty list|page=2A|newspaper=[[The Albany Herald]]}}</ref> She signed to [[Ford Models|Ford Modeling Agency]] in 1994, and became the new face of [[Giorgio Armani|Armani]].<ref name="bowles"/> In 1995, Gaye sang the title track on a tribute album of her father, ''[[Inner City Blues: The Music of Marvin Gaye]]''.<ref>{{cite newspaper|last=Nicewonger|first=Kirk|date=October 19, 1995|title='ER' not likely to help 'Murder One'|page=3E|newspaper=[[Ocala Star-Banner]]}}</ref>

For three years, Gaye both collaborated with and dated singer-songwriter [[Prince (musician)|Prince]].<ref name="ely"/> During this time, she recorded at least four songs with him. A duet, "1000 Hugs and Kisses" and solo track, "Snowman," are thus far officially unreleased, but have managed to make their way into circulation amongst fans. Another duet, "[[Love Sign]]," was released on the ''[[1-800-NEW-FUNK]]'' compilation album in 1994, along with another track with no Prince contribution, "A Woman's Gotta Have It." Gaye provided backing vocals on "We March" for Prince's 1995 album ''[[The Gold Experience]]'', and on the [[Girl 6 (song)|title track]] to the ''[[Girl 6 (album)|Girl 6]]'' soundtrack, released in 1996.

Gaye has candidly admitted that during this time she had experienced a long, personal battle with drug abuse, which she successfully overcame in 1996.<ref name="ely">{{cite web|url=http://www.usaweekend.com/05_issues/050424/050424nona_gaye.html|title=Nona Gaye: What's going on|date=April 24, 2005|author=Ely, Suzanne|publisher=USA Weekend}}</ref> In addition to these projects, she starred in a Prince-produced European TV special called ''The Beautiful Experience'', consisting of a loose storyline to promote new material from Prince (most of which would be released throughout the next few years).

She sang alongside other artists to re-record and release her father's single "[[What's Going On (song)|What's Going On]]" to benefit [[AIDS]] research in 2001. She appeared with several celebrities in the music video for [[Luther Vandross]]' 2003 song "[[Dance with My Father (song)|Dance with My Father]]", collectively filling in for Vandross who had suffered a stroke at the time.<ref>{{cite newspaper|date=July 25, 2003|title='Bad Boys II' soundtrack adds to movie's success|page=D2|newspaper=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]]}}</ref>

At one point, she worked with [[R. Kelly]] on two as-yet-unreleased singles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20050930/features/nonagaye.shtml|last=Morales|first=Wilson|date=October 2005|title=The Gospel: An Interview with Nona Gaye|website=Blackfilm|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> "Work It" and "Just Because," which interpolates [[the Gap Band]]'s "[[Oops Up Side Your Head]]." In 2008, three tracks by Gaye appeared for sale at [[Amie Street|AmieStreet.com]] in EP form. Titled ''Language of Love'', it contains the tracks "Quarter to Three" and "Midas Lover," along with the title track.
===Acting===
She began her acting career in 2001, debuting in [[Michael Mann (film director)|Michael Mann]]'s ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]'' as [[Khalilah Ali|Belinda Ali]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywood.com/general/ali-nona-gaye-interview-57163378|title="Ali": Nona Gaye Interview|date=December 26, 2001|website=[[Hollywood.com]]|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> A film reviewer described Gaye as "startlingly good" in the role.<ref>{{cite newspaper|last=Rickey|first=Carrie|date=December 27, 2001|title=Smith's performance as 'Ali' commendable|page=12|newspaper=The Cedartown Standard}}</ref> Another viewed her as the best of the actresses who portrayed Ali's wives.<ref>{{cite newspaper|last=Paredes|first=Andrew|date=March 7, 2002|title=No thrilla in Manila|page=20|newspaper=[[Manila Standard]]}}</ref>

The following year, Gaye replaced [[Aaliyah]], who died in a plane crash shortly after the filming of ''[[The Matrix (franchise)|The Matrix]]'' sequels began, for the role of [[Zee (The Matrix)|Zee]], the wife of [[Harold Perrineau]]'s character [[Link (The Matrix)|Link]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/nona-gaye-to-fill-in-for-aaliyah/|title=Nona Gaye to Fill in for Aaliyah|last=Silverman|first=Stephen M.|date=April 11, 2002|website=[[People (magazine)|People]]|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> Gaye was nominated for an [[NAACP Image Award]] for portraying Zee in ''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/01/08/beyonce-soul-food-lead-naacp-noms/|title=Beyonce, ''Soul Food'' lead NAACP noms|last=Susman|first=Gary|date=January 8, 2004|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref>

She also provided the voice of the unnamed Hero Girl in 2004's ''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Movies/11/10/review.polar.express/|title=Review: 'Polar Express' a creepy ride|last=Clinton|first=Paul|date=November 10, 2004|website=[[CNN]]|access-date=November 14, 2022}}</ref> Gaye portrayed preacher's wife Charlene Frank in ''[[The Gospel (film)|The Gospel]]'' (2005).<ref name="wilsoncombs"/> She appeared in ''[[Crash (2004 film)|Crash]]'' (2004)<ref name="ely"/> and portrayed Lola, an ex-girlfriend of [[Ice Cube]]'s character, in ''[[XXX: State of the Union]]'' (2005).<ref>{{cite newspaper|last=Torre|first=Nestor U.|date=April 5, 2005|title=Young comers in three new films|page=A21|newspaper=[[Philippine Daily Inquirer]]}}</ref>

In July 2006, Gaye was added to the cast of ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'' as a replacement for [[Courtney B. Vance]] as the new Assistant District Attorney.<ref>{{cite newspaper|date=July 24, 2006|title=Channel surfing|page=D8|newspaper=[[Toledo Blade]]}}</ref> However, just as the series began production for its sixth season,{{Citation needed |date=December 2020}} she left the show, citing "creative differences." Gaye was replaced by [[Theresa Randle]], who left after filming only two episodes.
==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Harlem Nights]]''
| Patron
|
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]''
| [[Khalilah Ali|Belinda Ali]]
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[The Matrix Reloaded]]''
| rowspan="2"| [[List of minor characters in the Matrix series#Zee|Zee]]
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]''
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Crash (2004 film)|Crash]]''
| Karen
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[The Polar Express (film)|The Polar Express]]''
| Hero Girl (voice)
| Also [[motion-capture]]
|-
| 2005
| ''[[XXX: State of the Union]]''
| Lola Jackson
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The Gospel (film)|The Gospel]]''
| Charlene Taylor Frank
|
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Blood and Bone]]''
| Tamara
| Direct-to-video
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| ''[[The Polar Express (video game)|The Polar Express]]''
| Hero Girl
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The Matrix Online]]''
| rowspan="2"| Zee
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[The Matrix: Path of Neo]]''
| Archive footage only
|}

==Awards/nominations==
*[[Black Reel Awards]]
**2002, Best Supporting Actress: ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]'' (Winner)
**2006, Best Actress: ''[[The Gospel (film)|The Gospel]]'' (Nominated)
*[[Image Awards]]
**2004, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: ''[[The Matrix Revolutions]]'' (Nominated)

==Discography==

===Albums===
*''Love for the Future'' ([[Michael Douglas#In the media|Third Stone]]/[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], 1992)
*''Language of Love'' (AmieStreet.com, 2008)

===Singles===
*[["I'm Overjoyed"]] (Third Stone/Atlantic, 1992)
*"The Things That We All Do for Love" (Third Stone/Atlantic, 1993)
*"[[Love Sign]]" (duet with [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]) (NPG, 1994)
*"A Woman has to have it" (1-800-NEW-FUNK) (NPG, 1994)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|id=0310850|name=Nona Gaye}}
*{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p22801|label=Nona Gaye}}

{{Marvin Gaye (navbox)}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaye, Nona}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:African-American women singers]]
[[Category:Female models from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:Actresses from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:American video game actresses]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Gaye family|Nona]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
[[Category:African-American actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]

Nona Gaye - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article