Eric West

Eric West (born Eric Rosa on May 18, 1982 in New York City, New York USA) is a R&B/pop singer, actor, and former male fashion model. In 1996, he made his film debut; in 2004, West hit the international model scene, while two more movies followed. West has appeared on CNN People In The News, MTV, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Scouted by New Faces in America, he has also attempted a modelling career in Europe. The Internet Movie Database named West one of Hollywood's Next Breakout stars . West is currently a model for Italian clothing line Energie, and will be wearing their clothes in public appearances. West also signed an endorsement deal with the popular American clothing line American Eagle Outfitters in 2007.

In 2006 a rumored relationship with Christina Milian appeared in tabloids around the world, however both parties denied the romance.

Biography and career

West started recording music at the age of 12 much like his uncle Grammy winner Smokey Robinson of Motown fame. Black Eyed Peas member Fergie discovered West, and invited the then 15 year old to appear on stage with the Grammy winner at a concert in New York City for Jane Magazine. In 1996 West released his debut single "End Of The World". under the name Eryk in Asia, it achieved Top 10 status on the Tokio Hot 100 chart of local radio station J-Wave . Just before he turned 15 he had finished recording a full-length album titled H20 that was never released. The single failed to hit in America. In the summer of 1998 West took his voice to radio, at age 16 he was the youngest DJ in history on FM radio in New York City , when he became a co-host of the Top 9 at 9 on WBLS with radio personality JC Jordan.

On September 21, 2000 West joined Rich Cronin of the band LFO, in Brooklyn, New York to help lead the Light The Night Walk with 12 year-old leukemia survivor Kimberly Thach, the Society's National Youth Ambassador. West, Cronin and Thach lead approximately 1,000 leukemia survivors, friends, and family members carrying illuminated balloons over the Brooklyn Bridge to commemorate lives touched by cancer.

With no record deal and an album that never got released, West decided to become homeless.

Nearly a three year break, West returned briefly in late 2002 with "Can You Help Me?" his first single in over five years, originally recorded for a motion picture, the single was serviced to the airwaves for consideration. Produced by Stay-C Hogan and written by West, it became an international radio hit topping the B-Radio Latin American radio charts for 2 weeks, rivaling songs by Justin Timberlake and Madonna for the No. 1 spot, while hitting Top 5 on numerous stations in Chile, Bolivia and Mexico (No.19 most successful Untapped Resources International Top 200 singles of 2002), rumors of an album being released floated around on the Internet, but were untrue at the time. In 2002 West got together with Grammy winning producers David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager to write a song for legendary media icon Cher for her forthcoming album, a demo version of the song "Love Don't Live Here" was leaked to the internet.

West once again disappeared until early 2004 but returned more visible than before. He appeared in ads for Artist Against Racism in America. Artist Against Racism is an organization that also includes superstars like Céline Dion, Lenny Kravitz, Sarah McLachlan, Mike Myers, Bush and Aerosmith. He made his TV debut acting a TV pilot called In My Lifetime directed by Devin Hampton and Little X who has directed music videos for Sean Paul, Usher, Alicia Keys, R. Kelly and Nelly. Eric then received a top honor from the OCTN; he was awarded the Humanitarian Award : Youth Of The Millennium. He received the award for the charity work he's done in his community over the years.

In 2004 West also appeared in his own fashion spread in Marie Claire Japan. He was featured as one of fashion's top new models and singers.

On August 28, West wore a "I Support Janet Jackson" T-shirt to the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, which was a statement in regard to Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime controversy. West told Teen People USA, "It was my way of showing Janet support after being blacklisted by so many media outlets". The T-shirt earned mentions in the New York Daily News, New York Post, Miami Herald and Los Angeles Times to name a few. Jackson and her fan club sent the singer a thank you message for his support according to reports.

As the year went on West continued to work on his album Half Life. West was scheduled to tour the UK as opening act for British artist Matt Goss famous for UK hits "When Will I Be Famous", "Try" and "I'm Coming With Ya", but the tour was canceled due to Goss' ill health at the time.

West also began working on a new song with producer and DJ, Galbis. The track is slated to debut in clubs sometime in early 2006 close to Eric's CD release.

As 2004 continued West's fame continued to rise, like most of Young Hollywood he became part of numerous Internet rumors and gossip columns, in mid-December 2004, Eric found himself once again making headlines when he announced on his official web site that he finished work on a song titled "Wires," inspired by those whose lives have been touched by HIV and AIDS.

On January 20, 2005 AOL Music announced it will premiere Eric's debut single from "Half | Life" as part of their "Breaker" artist program, he therefore became on the same promotional path that boosted such previous Breakers as Avril Lavigne, Josh Groban, 50 Cent and Jet. On West's official site, it states the LP's first single will be between "Half | Life" and a track titled "If I Only Knew", according to numerous websites the album will include songs called "Black Rose," "Wires," and "Underdog". West has said in interviews that the album is a mixture of Electropop, R&B, Rock and Hip-Hop.

Attempting to further popularize his name and image, he signed on to be a model for the hugely popular "Day Birger et Mikkelsen" line in Denmark and the UK in April 2005 and later with Guess?, LA Denim Atelier and Energie.

On 6 August, 2005 Eric co-hosted The Reign at the Gerald W. Lynch Theatre in New York City with actress/singer Christina Milian, the event was designed by a group of inner-city children in 2003 to raise funding and awareness for HIV/AIDS prevention education for men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS through the Elton John Aids Foundation, as well as working with the Fresh Air Fund to continue to help other inner-city children and family's. Both Milian and West were awarded Outstanding Achievement Awards for their humanitarian efforts. Eric also appeared on NBC's Weekend Edition to talk about hosting the event. He also appeared at Body Positive benefit, that year, the organization, dedicated to empowering people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS, had Eric on hand to honor Marj Dusay of Guiding Light, local Congressman Timothy H. Bishop.

In October, Paramount Pictures announced Eric will appear in David Fincher's 2007 film Benjamin Button with a small role along side Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt.

According to PauseandPlay.com Eric's forthcoming album will arrive summer 2006, its first single is scheduled to be released mid-May. A song called "Hurt" was leaked onto the Internet. In April 2006, Atlanta Gossip reported Eric is one of the collaborators on Mario's next album. On August 10, 2006 it was reported that West will appear in an upcoming issue of GQ, and that his album title has been changed to Mr. Eric West, and was delayed so that we can work on film projects, he was quoted saying The movies were important, you don't let these sort of opportunities pass you by.

Eric performed at Nas' MTV Awards party in New York City on August 30 2006.

According to PRWEB.com West has moved to a new label, and is working on an album of all new songs which will include songs from "Half-'Life". West was also a model during New York's Fashion Week early 2007.