53: Brandy – Powerful Women of 2013

Since the very beginning, Brandy has always had to balance her acting and music careers simultaneously. It all started when she began making her self-titled debut LP. At the time, she was cast on the short-lived ABC sitcom, 'Thea.' After the show ended, she was able to put all her energy into 'Brandy,' which released in 1994, and went on to sell six million copies internationally.

Not only did it do well on the charts, it also earned her four Soul Train Music Awards and two Billboard Awards. Although she was enjoying the music side of things, producers soon came to her with a new sitcom, 'Moesha.' She took on the project and filmed for six seasons till it was cancelled. She then focused on her second album, 'Never Say Never,' which spawned the global hit, 'The Boy Is Mine,' her duet with fellow R&B singer, Monica. Not only did it spend weeks at the top of the charts, it also earned both songstresses a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

After the success of 'Never Say Never,' Brandy played the balancing act throughout the rest of her career till now -- releasing four more LPs including the most recent, 'Two Eleven' in 2012, as well as starring in her own reality show with her brother Ray J, judging 'America's Got Talent and having recurring roles in 'Drop Dead Diva' on Lifetime and BET's 'The Game.'

'Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor,' a Tyler Perry film released in March, was one of her latest projects. She also recently performed at the 6th annual BET Honors.