Nikki Leonti-Edgar (born August 20, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter. Prior to her work in urban, R&B, and electronic dance music, Leonti recorded contemporary Christian music albums.
Early life
Nicole Marie Leonti was born on August 20, 1981, in Corona, California.
Her father Greg Leonti was a pastor at the Calvary Southern Baptist church.
She began singing at age five, as a church soloist in the Nondenominational Christianity church in Corona. At 13, she made her first recording on a small local label.
Career
In 1998, Leonti recorded her debut full-length album,
Shelter Me, which reached No. 179 on the Billboard 200, and No. 7 on the Contemporary Christian chart.
Her second album,
Nikki Leonti was released in 2001. Both were produced by brothers Dino and
John Elefante, and issued on the independent Christian label,
Pamplin Music. Shortly after her 18th birthday, Leonti got pregnant out of wedlock and was shunned by the CCM community with many Christian music stations pulling off broadcasting of her records.
She retired from the Christian music industry not long after.
In 2006, Leonti was hired as a backup singer for Carrie Underwood, performing on tour and on various television shows.
Nikki lent her vocals to over 100 songs during 4 seasons of the Fox hit show, Glee. She has written songs for artists, including Robin Thicke, Jessie J, Candice Glover, Rebecca Ferguson and Ivy Quainoo.
In early 2015, Nikki announced that she had founded a band called Edgar with her husband Ryan Edgar, whom she married in November 2014.
In 2018, she performed alongside Crystal Lewis, Stacie Orrico and Rachael Lampa for a special event called REUNITE CCM.
In 2019, Nikki started working full-time as a songwriter for television and film, as well as theatrical and animation. She has written music in various commercials that include; Samsung, Aerie, Ford, Victoria's Secret, and Toyota, to name a few. She's had her original music featured in hundreds of television episodes and has been a consistent song contributor for the Disney Channel.
Personal life
Leonti was married in 1999 to Ryan Gingerich, lead guitarist of the Christian band, Scarecrow & Tinmen.
They divorced in 2002, having become the parents of one daughter, Jaslyn (b. 2000). They later discovered the marriage was never legally documented. In 2004, she married Aaron Dame and gave birth to their son, Jordan (b. 2004).
She married singer-songwriter Ryan Edgar on November 6, 2014.
Discography
- Solo
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1996: Reach the World (Two Records)
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1998: Shelter Me (Pamplin)
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2000: Postcard From Mixaco: A Dance Re-MIX Fiesta (Pamplin)
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2001: Nikki Leonti (Pamplin)
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2017: Heartache Easy (FamJam)
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2019: Joybird (Position Music)
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2023: Joybird "Real Thing" (Position Music)
- Nikki & Rich
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2011: Greatest Hits... (Born Rich Inc)
- Adeline River
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2021: Adeline River... (Position Music)
Appearances on other recordings
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2000: "Everlasting Place" Apocalypse III: Tribulation (performer)
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2002: "Everytime" Left Behind II Tribulation Force: Urban Hip Hop (performer)
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2004: Rachel Lampa (background vocals for Rachel Lampa)
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2005: "Awaken" Awaken (background vocals for Natalie Grant)
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2006: "In a Little While" (new studio version)" Time Again... Amy Grant Live (background vocals for Amy Grant)
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2008: "Get Onboard" Spirit I Am (background vocals and handclapping for Eric Bibb)
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2009: "Make U Love Me" (songwriter for Robin Thicke)
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2010: "Cat and Mouse" Killers (songwriter)
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2012: Glee season 3 (background vocals)
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2012: "All You Need Is Love" Cee Lo's Magic Moment (background vocals for CeeLo Green)
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2012: "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me Now" Girl vs. Monster (songwriter for Olivia Holt)
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2013: "Campfire" Wolf (arrangement and vocals for Tyler, the Creator)
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2013: Glee season 4 (background vocals)
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2013: "Crusin' for a Bruisin" & "Coolest Cats in Town" Teen Beach Movie (songwriter)
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2013: "Heart Attack" Demi (background vocals for Demi Lovato)
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2014: "I'll Be the One" and "Single Cross Earring" (songwriter and performer)
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2014: "Time For Fun" and "My Friend" The Little Rascals Save the Day (performer)
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2014: "Burial" Wildfires (Light It Up) (songwriter for Ivy Quainoo)
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2014: Glee season 5 (background vocals)
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2014: "Same Kinda Man" Music Speaks (songwriter for Candice Glover)
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2015: "That's How We Do" Teen Beach 2 (songwriter)
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2015: "100 Grandkids" & "Perfect Circle/Godspeed" (background vocals for Mac Miller)
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2015: "Light On" Freedom (songwriter for Rebecca Ferguson)
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2015: Rod Stewart (background vocals for Rod Stewart)
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2015: "You'll Never Walk Alone" Stages (background vocals for Josh Groban)
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2015: "Zero to Hero" We Love Disney (background vocals for Ariana Grande)
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2015: "What A Girl Is" (songwriter for Dove Cameron)
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2016: (background vocals)
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2016: "My Superstar" (songwriter for Jessie J) - listed as Nicole Leonti
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2016: "123 Victory" Losing My Religion (background vocals for Kirk Franklin)
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2016: "I See A Victory" Hidden Figures (background vocals for Kim Burrell & Pharrell Williams) - listed as Nicole Leonti
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2016: "When You Held Me" The Magic of Life (with Alberto De la Rocha)
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2017: Dirty Dancing (background vocals)
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2017: (background vocals)
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2017: "Everybody Get Nuts" (songwriter for Luke Edgemon)
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2017: "You and Me" Descendants 2 (songwriter)
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2018: "Fired Up" Zombies (songwriter)
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2018: This Christmas Day (background vocals for Jessie J)
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2018: "Never Alone" Hiding Place (background vocals for Tori Kelly)
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2018: "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" The Grinch (arrangement and vocals for Tyler, the Creator)
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2018: "Buttons" (Arrangement and background vocals for Mac Miller)
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2019: Perfect Harmony (performer)
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2019: A Pentatonix Christmas (background vocals for Pentatonix)
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2019: "War Baby" Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial (arrangement and vocals for Roddy Ricch)
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2020: Kelly Clarkson Show (appeared as a background vocalist on several episodes)
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2020: Eurovision Song Contest (background vocals)
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2021: The Prom (performer)
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2021: Arlo the Alligator Boy (arrangement and background vocals)
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2022: Monarch (background vocals)
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2022: "Fired Up" Zombies 3 (songwriter)
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2022: Sneakerella (background vocals)
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2022: "Take The Chance" Together We Can (with Crystal Lewis)
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2023: Big Nate (background vocals)
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2023: Journey to Bethlehem (performer)
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2023: "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" The Hymns (with The Katinas)
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2024: American Idol (background vocals)
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2024: Met Gala (background vocals for Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande)
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2024: Lil Nas X (background vocals)
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2024: Jessie Murph (background vocals)
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2024: "Pull Me In" and "The One" Return to Love (performer)
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2024: Hot Frosty (songwriter & performer)
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2024: Irish Wish (songwriter & performer
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2026: "Gut Punch" Sunday Best (background vocals for Nick Jonas)
Filmography
| +Film and television roles
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes |
| 2013 | Californication | Band Musician | Episode: "I'll Lay My Monsters Down" |
| 2014 | | Gina Marie | Film |
| 2016 | America's Got Talent | Herself | Contestant; season 11 |
External links
