Brandy Norwood is finally telling her story in her own words. According to ew.com, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter has released her memoir, Phases, a vividly told account of her journey from a Mississippi church choir to becoming a global R&B icon. Written with journalist Gerrick Kennedy, the book pulls back the curtain on the exhaustion and self-doubt that plagued the “Vocal Bible” during her rise to fame.
One of the most significant revelations involves her relationship with Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris. While Morris has long denied the rumours, Brandy confirms their romance began when she was just 16 and he was 22. She describes Morris as a mentor who eventually “weaponised” her admiration, noting that their connection was kept secret to avoid scandal. Brandy recalls the heartbreak of the relationship ending after Morris confessed to multiple infidelities, leaving the teenage star feeling “played.”
The memoir also details a harrowing period in 1999 when Brandy entered an abusive relationship with one of her tour dancers. Referred to as “The Dreamer,” she claims he became verbally abusive and jealous of her success once they returned to Los Angeles. She admits to “dimming her own glow” to appease his ego, only finding the strength to leave after her mother intervened with literature on verbal abuse.
Addressing the legendary industry rivalry with Monica, Brandy clarifies that their 1998 hit “The Boy Is Mine” was initially a solo project. Despite warnings from her family and label executives that a duet would “fan the flames” of a rumoured feud, Brandy insisted on the collaboration. While the recording session was smooth, industry politics and promotional mishaps, such as Brandy performing the song alone on The Tonight Show, created a genuine rift that took years to repair.
The singer also shares the poignant details of her final conversation with her mentor, Whitney Houston. Brandy describes seeing a “dishevelled” Houston the day before her death in 2012, appearing to be under the influence. However, they later shared a three-hour phone call filled with laughter and prayer. Brandy recalls Houston’s final promise to her: “I’m gonna be better… This is just a season, not the whole story.”
Brandy’s personal struggles led her to the brink of a mental breakdown, prompting a search for enlightenment that nearly saw her convert to Scientology. Drawn to the idea of the “Purification Rundown” to cleanse her spirit, she studied the religion’s texts before a “quiet voice of caution” eventually led her away from the organisation.
The book further explores her creative clashes with Kanye West during the production of her Afrodisiac album. Brandy alleges her label forced the collaboration to lure West to their roster, leading to a power struggle over the final mix of their tracks. She describes feeling stripped of her agency on a deeply personal project, though she remains proud of the final music.
Finally, Brandy addresses the “spiritual marriage” to producer Robert “Big Bert” Smith. Under immense pressure to maintain her “good girl” image, she admits to fabricating a marriage when she became pregnant in 2002. The lie eventually collapsed during a public fallout after their separation, leading to the loss of major endorsements like CoverGirl. Despite the professional damage, Brandy concludes that the experience provided her with a newfound freedom to exist “exactly as I was, perfectly human.”
•Featured image: Brandy Norwood in 2024/Prince Williams/WireImage
