Judith Hill is an American singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocals and work across pop, soul, R&B, and funk genres. She gained global attention after performing as a backing vocalist for artists like Michael Jackson and Prince, and notably for singing “Heal the World” at Jackson’s memorial service. Her story was also featured in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, which earned her a Grammy for Best Music Film.

Career highlights

Backup singer: Hill has provided vocals for a wide range of artists, including Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, and Elton John.

20 Feet from Stardom: Her journey as a backup singer is a central part of this documentary, which earned her a Grammy for Best Music Film.

Michael Jackson: She was chosen to be Jackson’s duet partner for his “This Is It” tour and became a global figure after performing “Heal the World” at his memorial service.

The Voice: She was a contestant on the fourth season of the show.

Solo career: After her breakthrough, Hill has released several solo albums, including Back in Time, which was co-produced by Prince, and Golden Child.

Early life and influences

Musical family: Born in Los Angeles in 1984, Hill was raised in a musical family; her mother is a pianist and her father was a bass player who played in Billy Preston’s band.

Musical training: She grew up in a religious household and went on to study classical music and earn a degree in Music Composition from Biola University.

International experience: After college, she traveled to France and performed with French singer Michel Polnareff before returning to the United States to begin her own music career.