Siedah Garrett

Siedah Garrett is an American singer, songwriter, and composer whose voice and pen have shaped some of pop music's most enduring moments. Born Deborah Christine Garrett in Los Angeles, she co-wrote Michael Jackson's global anthem "Man in the Mirror" and sang the duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with him on the 1987 album Bad. Her songwriting earned a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media with "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls, performed by Jennifer Hudson, and two Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song. Over four decades, Garrett has worked with Quincy Jones, Madonna, Donna Summer, and the Pointer Sisters, blending soul, R&B, and pop into a signature sound. She remains active as a performer and mentor, revered in music circles for her craft and humility.[edit]

Garrett grew up in a musical household in Los Angeles; her father was a jazz drummer and her mother a singer. At Locke High School, she sang in the choir alongside Patrice Rushen, a future R&B star. After graduating, she began working as a session backing vocalist, lending her voice to commercials and demos. Her first major break came when Quincy Jones hired her for his 1985 album The Dude, a gig that introduced her to Michael Jackson. Around the same time, she scored a minor solo hit with "Do You Want It Right Now" from the Fast Forward soundtrack, which reached No. 41 on the Billboard R&B chart.[edit]

In 1987, Garrett co-wrote "Man in the Mirror" with Glen Ballard for Michael Jackson's Bad. The song became a global No. 1 and earned a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year. She also sang the duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with Jackson, the album's first single. In 1990, she released her debut solo album Kiss of Life on Quincy Jones's Qwest label. After a period of session work, she returned to songwriting prominence in 2006 with "Love You I Do" for Dreamgirls, winning a Grammy and earning an Oscar nomination. In 2019, she co-wrote "Stand Up" for the film Harriet, performed by Cynthia Erivo, earning a second Oscar nomination. She continues to write and perform, including contributing to the 2023 documentary The Space Race.[edit]

Garrett is widely regarded as a "songwriter's songwriter" and a "secret weapon" of pop music. She is not a mainstream celebrity but is deeply respected in industry circles for her vocal ability and lyrical depth. Her public persona is gracious, humble, and professional. She does not have a large organized fandom, but she is celebrated by fans of 80s and 90s R&B and pop. On social media, she shares behind-the-scenes stories and mentors young songwriters.[edit]

Siedah Garrett commands a global audience defined not by chart-topping stardom but by the enduring resonance of her songwriting legacy. She remains a pivotal figure in pop history, yet she does not currently hold a placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any scope-specific ranking list. The iFANN evaluation confirms that while her influence permeates decades of music culture, she is not ranked within the published tiers at this time. Her supporters identify simply as fans of her work rather than members of an organized collective with a formal name. While digital hubs exist on social platforms to celebrate her career, there is no specific branded fandom like those attached to major pop icons. The community operates as a devoted niche, united by appreciation for her historic collaborations and Grammy-winning compositions rather than mobilized campaigns or unique rituals.[edit]

Garrett sang the demo for "Man in the Mirror," and Michael Jackson kept her vocal on the final recording, specifically the line "I'm starting with the man in the mirror." She served as a backing vocalist for Madonna on the Like a Prayer album and tour. Garrett co-wrote "The Fact of the Matter" for the 2022 documentary The Space Race and serves on the advocacy committee of the Recording Academy. Her first name Siedah is a variation of the Arabic name Saeeda, meaning "happy" or "fortunate." Legends surrounding her career often highlight the 1993 Super Bowl XXVII halftime show where she performed alongside Jackson, a moment cited as a peak of her stage presence. Fans also discuss a viral mystery from the "Don't Look Any Further" video involving Dennis Edwards; Garrett recently clarified the truth behind his behavior, turning speculation into documented lore. In 2026, news outlets reported on a lost Michael Jackson track titled "Groove," further cementing her connection to the King of Pop's vault.[edit]

Garrett was born to a jazz drummer father and a singer mother, who encouraged her musical pursuits. She has not publicly named her parents or siblings. She was married twice but has no children. As of 2026, she is single and resides in Los Angeles. She has a close relationship with her former father-in-law Quincy Jones, who remains a mentor.[edit]

Garrett is best known for her collaborations with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones. She co-wrote "Man in the Mirror" with Glen Ballard. She worked as a backing vocalist for Madonna and sang with the Pointer Sisters and Donna Summer. Her songs have been performed by Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo.[edit]

Garrett married Quincy Jones III, a music producer and filmmaker, in 1991; they divorced in 1995. She later married an unnamed second husband in 1998; that marriage ended in divorce in 2002. She has no children. As of 2026, she is single with no publicly reported romantic partners.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Siedah Garrett's net worth stands at $6 Million as of 2026. This figure reflects a steady accumulation of wealth driven primarily by songwriting royalties, anchored by the enduring global success of "Man in the Mirror." Additional revenue streams include performance royalties, session work, album sales, and placements in film and television. Unlike many contemporaries, she has not pursued major endorsement deals or diversified into separate business ventures. Her financial growth over four decades stems consistently from royalty streams generated by her extensive catalog and occasional new projects.[edit]

Garrett won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media in 2007 for "Love You I Do" from Dreamgirls. She has received multiple ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards for her songwriting.[edit]