Keshia Chanté

Early life and education

Keshia Chanté Harper was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. Her father is of Afro-Trinidadian descent while her mother is of Portuguese descent. During her childhood summers, she would often stay with her grandparents in Hinesville, Georgia, which provided a connection to her family's roots in the southern United States. As a teenager, she moved to the Greater Toronto Area to pursue her career in entertainment, settling in the Brampton area. She completed her secondary education at Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School, graduating in 2006, a period during which she was already establishing herself as a professional musician.

Music career

Keshia Chanté's music career began in 2003 with the release of her debut singles "Shook (The Answer)" and "Unpredictable", the latter being a response to Shawn Desman's song "Shook". Her self-titled debut album was released in 2004, featuring the single "Bad Boy" which had its music video directed by Director X. That same year, she won three Canadian Urban Music Awards for Best New Artist, Video of the Year for "Bad Boy", and the Fan's Choice Award, and she performed the national anthem at the CFL's Grey Cup championship game. Her second album, 2U, was released by Sony Music Canada in 2006 in both Canada and Japan, and that December her MTV special "The Diary of Keshia Chanté" aired. In 2011, she released her third studio album, Night & Day, through Universal Music Canada. The singles "Test Drive" and "Table Dancer" from that album earned Juno Award nominations for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and Dance Recording of the Year, respectively, and she performed on ET Canada's New Year's Eve show in Niagara Falls. In late 2012, "Table Dancer" charted on the Billboard Japan Hot 100 and Digital & Airplay charts, marking an international achievement.

After a period focused on television, Chanté returned to music with new singles in 2016 and 2017. BET premiered her song "The Valley" in November 2016, followed by "Red Light" premiering on Noisey and "Harmless" premiering on A.Side (AUX) in March 2017. She released the EP Unbound 01 in 2017, which received a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 2018. She followed this with the album Unbound 02 in 2018. Her musical influences include Beyoncé, Aaliyah, Brandy, and Tupac Shakur, with whom she shares a birthday. Music critics have noted her arresting voice, magnetic charisma, and driving ambition, and described her early work as having the one-two punch of melodic hooks and the voice to back them up.

Television and media career

Keshia Chanté has built a substantial career in television as a host and correspondent. From 2013 to 2014, she co-hosted the popular music video countdown show 106 & Park on BET alongside Bow Wow. She also served as an on-air correspondent for BET events during that period, including appearances at the BET Awards. In Canada, she became a familiar face as a reporter and host for Entertainment Tonight Canada. Her hosting duties expanded to include special events like the CBC Television series Battle of the Blades, which she hosted with Ron MacLean in 2020. She has also appeared on or hosted several other programs including Paramount's Peak of the Week.

Chanté has also served as a judge on the international music competition series The World's Best. She hosted the inaugural The Legacy Awards in 2022, a ceremony celebrating Black Canadian talent, for which she received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Host in 2024. In April 2023, she was listed as an International Voter for the Golden Globe Awards, a role that recognizes her standing in the global entertainment industry. In June 2025, she participated in a 25th-anniversary tribute segment for 106 & Park at the BET Awards in Los Angeles. Her work on ET Canada earned her Canadian Screen Awards in 2022 and 2023 for Best Entertainment News Program and Best Host in a web series, respectively.

Acting, entrepreneurship and endorsements

Beyond music and television, Keshia Chanté has pursued acting and business. In April 2025, she appeared in the Lifetime television film Fame: A Temptations Story, starring alongside Keri Hilson. As an entrepreneur, she founded the hair care brand KHAIR in 2022. Her work as a judge on Canada's Best Beauty Talent, alongside model Coco Rocha and Flare editor-in-chief Lisa Tant, further connected her to the beauty industry. Chanté has also been a prominent figure in fashion, described as a fashionista by national outlets. She has performed at Marchesa's first Toronto runway show and attended Chanel events during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Chanté has been a sought-after personality for brand endorsements, aligning with major companies across various industries. She has served as a brand ambassador for CANON, Pepsi, Bacardi, Nestlé, Bell, Rogers, Stila Cosmetics, MAC Cosmetics, Ecko Red, and Sony. In 2007, she became the face of Ontario Tourism, singing the theme song featured in their television commercials. In November 2010, she was named the face of the Pepsi Refresh Project campaign. These endorsements have solidified her public image as a versatile and marketable personality in Canadian media.

Philanthropy and public service

Keshia Chanté has been involved in numerous charitable and awareness campaigns throughout her career. She has supported HIV/AIDS awareness and youth initiatives both in Canada and internationally. She has worked with World Vision in the Dominican Republic and participated in an AIDS awareness fundraiser with Alicia Keys in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. In 2014, she appeared in an NBC public service announcement for Mariska Hargitay's Joyful Heart Foundation alongside Eli Manning and Hilary Swank to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Chanté has also been active in mental health advocacy and youth empowerment. She has hosted We Day events in Calgary and Ottawa, where she has spoken publicly about issues like depression and anxiety. Her community contributions were formally recognized in December 2014 when she received a star on the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame for her impact on Canadian entertainment. Her philanthropic work extends her influence beyond entertainment, focusing on causes related to health, youth, and social justice.

Awards and honours

Keshia Chanté has received significant recognition throughout her career, beginning with multiple awards in her early years as a musician. Her major awards and nominations include a comprehensive list of achievements across music and television. In 2003 she won the Canadian Urban Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single for Shook (The Answer) and two Canadian Radio Music Awards for Best New Solo Artist in the Dance/Urban/Rhythmic and CHR categories. The following year she won three Canadian Urban Music Awards for Best New Artist, Video of the Year for Bad Boy, and Fans’ Choice, a Rising Star Award for Rising Star of the Year, and a MuchMusic Video Award for Best R&B Video for Does He Love Me?.

In 2005 she won the Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and was nominated for New Artist of the Year, and also won the Canadian Urban Music Award for Video of the Year for Does He Love Me? and two MuchMusic Video Awards for People's Choice: Favourite Canadian Artist and Best Pop Video. She received Juno Award nominations in 2007 for Been Gone, in 2008 for 2U, and in 2011 for both Table Dancer in the Dance Recording category and Test Drive in the R&B/Soul Recording category. Her 2017 EP Unbound 01 earned a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 2018. Her television work brought Canadian Screen Awards, with wins in 2022 for Best Entertainment News Program or Series for ET Canada and in 2023 for Best Host, Web Program or Series for ET Canada Live, followed by nominations in 2024 for her hosting on The Legacy Awards and Entertainment Tonight Canada. In addition to these competitive awards, she was honoured with a star on the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame in 2014, a permanent tribute to her cultural contributions.

Discography and chart performance

Keshia Chanté has released several albums and EPs over her career. Her self‑titled debut album was released in 2004. Her second album, 2U, was released by Sony Music Canada in 2006 in Canada and Japan. Her third album, Night & Day, was released in 2011 by Universal Music Canada. She later released the EP Unbound 01 in 2017 and the album Unbound 02 in 2018.

Her early hit singles include Bad Boy, Does He Love Me?, Test Drive, and Table Dancer. The single Table Dancer reached the Billboard Japan charts in late 2012, including the Hot 100 and Digital & Airplay charts. This followed the earlier Japanese release of her 2006 album 2U. Singles Test Drive and Table Dancer from her 2011 album Night & Day both received Juno Award nominations.

Personal life and public image

Keshia Chanté's personal life has been a subject of public record at times. She began dating former National Hockey League goaltender Ray Emery in June 2010, who had appeared as the love interest in her music video for Test Drive. The couple became engaged in June 2016. In 2017, Chanté announced via her Instagram account that she had called off the wedding. She later sought a restraining order against Emery, who was arrested for allegedly uttering threats and assaulting her with a weapon. Chanté currently divides her time between West Hollywood, California, and Toronto, Ontario, maintaining a base for her work in both the American and Canadian entertainment industries.

Her public image in Canada is that of a multi-talented entertainer and style icon. National media outlets have frequently highlighted her fashion sense, and her participation in major fashion events has reinforced this reputation. Beyond her artistic work, her entrepreneurial venture with KHAIR and her consistent advocacy for mental health and social causes have shaped her as a public figure dedicated to both her craft and community engagement. This combination of artistic achievement, business acumen, and philanthropy defines her enduring presence in Canadian culture.

Questions about Keshia Chanté

What is Keshia Chanté's most famous song?

One of Keshia Chanté's most recognized early hits is Bad Boy from her 2004 debut album. The song's music video was directed by Director X and won the Video of the Year award at the 2004 Canadian Urban Music Awards. Later in her career, singles like Test Drive and Table Dancer from her 2011 album Night & Day also gained significant attention. Both Test Drive and Table Dancer earned Juno Award nominations, with Table Dancer later charting in Japan.

What TV shows has Keshia Chanté hosted?

Keshia Chanté has hosted several television programs. She co-hosted BET's 106 & Park from 2013 to 2014. In Canada, she has been a reporter and host for Entertainment Tonight Canada. She also hosted the inaugural The Legacy Awards in 2022 and has served as a judge on The World's Best.

Did Keshia Chanté win any Juno Awards?

Yes, Keshia Chanté won a Juno Award in 2005 for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. She has received several other Juno nominations throughout her career. These include nominations in 2007 for Been Gone, in 2008 for 2U, and in 2011 for Test Drive and Table Dancer. She also received a Juno nomination in 2018 for her EP Unbound 01 in the R&B/Soul Recording category.

What business did Keshia Chanté start?

In 2022, Keshia Chanté founded her own hair care brand called KHAIR. This entrepreneurial venture expanded her career beyond entertainment into the beauty industry. Her involvement in beauty and fashion is also reflected in her previous role as a judge on the competition series Canada's Best Beauty Talent. On that show, she judged alongside Coco Rocha and Flare editor‑in‑chief Lisa Tant.

Where does Keshia Chanté live now?

Keshia Chanté divides her time between two major cities. She maintains residences in West Hollywood, California, and Toronto, Ontario. This allows her to work on projects in both the United States and Canada. She balances her careers in music, television, acting, and business from these two locations.

How old is Keshia Chanté and where is she from?

Keshia Chanté Harper was born on June 16, 1988. She was born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario, and spent summers with her grandparents in Hinesville, Georgia. Her father is of Afro-Trinidadian descent and her mother is of Portuguese descent. As a teenager, she moved to the Greater Toronto Area and graduated from Fletcher's Meadow Secondary School in 2006. She currently divides her time between West Hollywood, California, and Toronto, Ontario.

Sources and further reading

• Keshia Chanté (Wikipedia)
• Keshia Chante's Official Website (keshiachante.com)
• Keshia Chanté | Singer | Television Personality (thespotlightagency.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-05.