D. Woods Explained

D. Woods
Birth Name:Wanita Denise Woodgett
Alias:D. Woods
Birth Date:6 July 1985
Birth Place:Anaheim, California, U.S.
Origin:Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation:Singer, actress
Years Active:2005–present
Label:Bad Boy Records (2005–2008),Woodgrane Entertainment (2009–present)
Past Member Of:Danity Kane

Wanita Denise Woodgett (born July 6, 1985[1]), better known by her nickname D. Woods, is an American singer and actress. Woods is the founder and CEO of Woodgrane Entertainment, but best known for her efforts on MTV's "Making The Band 3" as a finalist on season two. She is also a member of pop girl group Danity Kane.

Career

Before joining Danity Kane, Woods toured with several major recording artists such as Bow Wow, Lloyd, Avant, Snoop Dogg and Letoya Luckett as a background dancer, performed in theater festivals such as the National Black Theater Festival and Windybrow Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa off-Broadway theater productions, and interned with Spike Lee's 40 Acres and a Mule Production Company. She was hand-picked by director Chris Robinson to appear in the video "Change Clothes" by Jay-Z, where she was one of the models. D. Woods auditioned in 2005 on the second season of the MTV reality television program Making the Band 3 by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Danity Kane's first album debuted August 22, 2006, at No. 1.[2] Danity Kane, along with the Pussycat Dolls, toured as the opening act for Christina Aguilera.[3]

In December 2006, Woods was the lead girl in Lloyd's video "You". In 2007, she made an appearance in Gorilla Zoe's album Welcome to the Zoo, on the track "You Don't Know Me". She was also featured in the film Stomp the Yard that same year. Her writing credits include multiple tracks on the platinum-selling Danity Kane album Welcome to the Dollhouse.

On October 14, 2008, Combs declared Woods no longer a member of Danity Kane, as well as bandmate and then-best friend Aubrey O'Day, following a heated discussion with Combs.[4] MTV News gauged fan reactions to the dismissals of Woods and O'Day. Fans left impassioned, long and detailed comments on the MTV News site about their discontent at the group's breakup. They cited what they felt was a lack of individuality and excitement left within the group.[5] New members were expected to be chosen for Danity Kane as "replacements" for Woods and O'Day,[6] but the group broke up completely early 2009 when it was reported Woods and O'Day, along with group member Shannon Bex, declined the offer to return to the series and the group.[7] O'Day stated that she was unsure if Woods was asked back, but that she herself was not asked to return.[8] Although Woods was fired in 2008, she was "officially" released from her Bad Boy Records contract by Combs February 26, 2009 before the final episode of Making the Band the following April.[9] Despite this, in the April 23, 2009, finale of the series, Combs stated that all five original members would be returning if he ever decided to reunite the group.[10] Woods said she was going to release a full-length album later in the year, in addition to a single that will be released early summer 2009.[10]

In an interview conducted after the finale show, Woods spoke with BE Entertained Magazine journalist Phonz L. Thomas.[11] Woods was asked about an alleged rivalry between her and ex-Danity Kane member Dawn Richard. Woods replied, "I don't know if she has a problem with me . I don't know why she would have a problem. I was very disappointed by a lot of the things that she did say in the media and her different interviews. People are kind of aware of her comments and then also of course on the show, those comments were definitely going to get back to me. I was really disappointed and I don't know why she would go that route. And if it was to depict her as the victim and everybody else is the bad guy… I don't really know where all that stems from, but to me it's like she has her situation. And as you guys saw, I congratulated her as I was walking out the door! So it was like I don't have a problem and I don't know why she would have a problem… but she might, I'm not sure."[11] Woods went on during this interview to comment, "I don't have any animosity towards any of the girls. Like things happen for a reason, it's time to move on you know, chapter ends. People are in each other's lives for a reason and a season, as they say! So there's no reason to hold any grudges. Um, however – the way that you present yourself, the actions you take, the comments that you make can lend themselves to having a 'beef' or having animosity."[11]

Woods has had two photo spreads with King Magazine.[12] She recorded songs for a possible solo album that can be heard via her MySpace, and appeared in Ludacris's music video "One More Drink". She appeared in Lil Wayne's new video "Prom Queen" and Young Money video "Every Girl". She also is working on film/television projects. She filmed a music video for her single "Legalize Me". It was later revealed that "On My Side" is the lead single with her filming the video in Los Angeles in June 2009.[13] However, "Legalize Me" is released as a digital single, along with a music video, under Woods' own label Woodgrane Entertainment on iTunes. Woods was a featuring artist for Canadian rapper DY (Die Young) for his second single "That's My Spot", which a music video was filmed right before Dy disappeared in Mexico in early September 2010, and was confirmed as missing as of November 18, 2010. On November 20, 2010, Woods took to her Twitter account after learning about the disappearance of Schab: "I'm so hurt and worried learning about DY. This news effects me no matter how long I knew him. I'm praying for DY." She went on to say...,"Last time I saw DY we were joking on set of his video (That's My Spot). The director said it's a wrap and we said our 'see ya later' to each other."

In 2011, D. Woods was featured on Ray Garrison's single "Forever Gone", alongside Kyle Lucas.[14] Later that year, she also released a "part 2" version of her song "Lady in the Street" on iTunes.[15] The Gray Area EP that was supposed to come out in 2009 is now coming out on July 12, 2011, digitally on iTunes.[16] In April 2012, D. Woods released a new single called "2 The Bottom". She also released the My Favorite Color EP, Volume 1 in December 2012.

Discography

See also: Danity Kane discography.

See main article: D. Woods discography.

Mixtapes:

EPs:

Acting

Film

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
2014BlackbirdLeslie CrandallFilm nominated for the Black Reel Awards
2017We Are FamilyBroweenaIndependent comedy film directed by Trey Haley
2022Don't Be DesperateAliyah StanbeckShort film
  • Official selection, Detroit Black Film Festival

Television

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
2005Making the Band 3Herself/Contestant1/5 selected winner for group 'Danity Kane'
2007-2009Making the Band 4Herself/Celebrity11 episodes (disbanded by P. Diddy, Woods independently exited after given ultimatum)
2015Life Goes OnRobin BrownTelevision movie
For the Love of RuthChloeTV One original movie
2017StarChantal3 episodes
2020-2021Stuck With YouMoraUMC/ALLBLK original series, Daytime Emmy nominated (writing)
2022A Mother's LoveRae2014 live musical stage production recording (re-released on BET+)
2023HarlemKarlaGuest appearance (season 2)
Immortal City RecordsSapphireTubi original movie

Theater

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
2013-2015A Mother's LoveRaeUS Tour Musical production Produced by Kandi Burrus & Todd Tucker[17] [18] [19]
2015Jar the FloorVenneOff-Broadway (regional), Southwest Arts Center Theater, Atlanta[20] [21]
2016ILLA: Hip-Hop MusicalMorgan, Ensemble castCobbs County Center for Excellent in the Performing Arts, Atlanta[22]
2017Let's Make a SlavePerformer/Contemporary choreographerproduction contributor for Emory University Theater
Holler If Ya Hear MeCorinneOff-Broadway (regional), Southwest Arts Center Theater, Atlanta[23]
2022Lady in YellowOff-Broadway Revival nominated for 7 Tony Awards[24] [25] [26] [27]
2023Black OdysseyNella P. LincolnOff-Broadway production, Classic Stage Company, NYC (Playwright, Marcus Gardley)[28] [29] [30]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: D. WOODS. D.WOODS. MissDWoods.com. May 21, 2017.
  2. Web site: Danity Kane – Danity Kane – Music Charts . Acharts.us . June 5, 2014.
  3. News: Christina Aguilera's Heading Back On Tour For 41 North American Dates . . October 9, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081220125552/http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1542894/20061011/kane__danity.jhtml . December 20, 2008 .
  4. News: Aubrey O'Day And D. Woods Kicked Out Of Danity Kane, Diddy Announces. Dismissal announced during the live season-three finale of 'Making the Band 4.'. Jocelyn. Vena. MTV. October 15, 2008. October 15, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081017121749/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597082/20081015/kane__danity.jhtml. dead. October 17, 2008.
  5. News: Jocelyn . Vena. Danity Kane Fans React To Aubrey O'Day, D. Woods' Dismissals. One says downsized group 'needs personality,' while another pledges support 'as long as the music is good.'. MTV. October 17, 2008. October 18, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081018161349/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1597343/20081017/kane__danity.jhtml. dead. October 18, 2008.
  6. Why Aubrey O'Day Was Kicked Out of Danity Kane . . October 15, 2008 . October 16, 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081016143610/http://www.usmagazine.com/news/why-aubrey-o-day-was-kicked-out-of-danity-kane . October 16, 2008 .
  7. News: Jocelyn. Vena. Danity Kane Have Split Up, Dawn Richard Says. 'It's devastating for me,' Richard says of the 'Making the Band' group's dissolution. MTV. January 28, 2009. January 29, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090201065816/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1603737/20090128/kane__danity.jhtml. dead. February 1, 2009.
  8. News: Jocelyn. Vena. Aubrey O'Day 'Would Never Say No' To Danity Kane Reunion'Danity Kane was a wonderful group, and like all things, nothing is forever,' she says.. MTV. February 25, 2009. February 28, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090228014945/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1605775/20090224/kane__danity.jhtml. dead. February 28, 2009.
  9. Making the Band, MTV (April 16, 2009). Retrieved 16 April 2009.
  10. Making the Band, MTV (April 23, 2009). Retrieved 23 April 2009.
  11. Web site: Real Talk: From Danity Kane to Solo Fame . BE Entertained Magazine . May 19, 2009 . June 6, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110910051339/http://www.be-entertainedmag.com/be/be-featured/d-woods . September 10, 2011 .
  12. Making the Band/The Rise and Fall of Danity Kane, MTV (April 30, 2009). Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  13. Web site: D.WOODS PREPS NEW VIDEO . Concreteloop . Angel . May 15, 2009 . May 16, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090520151956/http://concreteloop.com/2009/05/music-news-letoya-preps-new-single-dwoods-preps-new-video-for-debut-keke-palmer-working-on-new-album . May 20, 2009 .
  14. Web site: Verbinden met de iTunes Store . iTunes Store . June 5, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141218073737/https://itunes.apple.com/nl/album/forever-gone-feat.-d.-woods/id439758255 . December 18, 2014 .
  15. Web site: iTunes Store . iTunes Store . June 5, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141218073748/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lady-in-the-street-pt-2-single/id440242275 . December 18, 2014 .
  16. Web site: D. Woods (YaGirlDWoods) on Twitter. wayback.vefsafn.is. May 21, 2017. bot: unknown. http://wayback.vefsafn.is/wayback/20110318105639/http://www.twitter.com/yagirldwoods. March 18, 2011.
  17. Web site: Thomas . Asia . 2013-10-16 . D.Woods, Eddie Levert, Q.Parker to Star in Kandi Burrus' Musical, 'A Mother's Love' . 2023-03-03 . Rated R&B . en-US.
  18. Web site: 2014-08-21 . D. Woods reprises role for 'A Mother's Love's' 29-city tour this fall - Rolling Out . 2023-03-03 . rollingout.com . en-US.
  19. Web site: thejasminebrand . 2014-08-23 . Look! D.Woods Releases New Photo Shoot, Preps For 'A Mother's Love' . 2023-03-03 . theJasmineBRAND . en-US.
  20. Web site: 2015-09-22 . Rivablue talks with Jar The Floor Cast Member D. Woods . 2023-03-03 . WCLK The Jazz of The City . en.
  21. Web site: Cast of 5 will 'Jar the Floor' — Encore Atlanta . 2023-03-03 . encoreatlanta.com.
  22. Web site: iLLA! A Hip Hop Musical in Atlanta at Cobb County Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts 2016 . 2023-03-03 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  23. News: Smith . Kelundra . 2017-08-31 . A Tupac Musical Gets a Second Chance . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-03 . 0362-4331.
  24. Web site: Ex-Danity Kane singer D. Woods to make Broadway debut in 'for colored girls' revival . 2023-03-03 . New York Daily News. February 28, 2022 .
  25. Web site: 2022-03-02 . D. Woods Is Returning The To Stage, Set To Star In Broadway 'For Colored Girls' Revival . 2023-03-03 . MadameNoire.
  26. Web site: George . Rachel . 2022-04-28 . 'It Feels Like a Moment': Camille A. Brown Discusses Black Women's Experiences in 'For Colored Girls,' D. Woods, On Her Broadway Debut . 2023-03-03 . Atlanta Black Star . en-US.
  27. Web site: Editor . D. Kevin McNeir-Senior . 2022-05-25 . 'For Colored Girls' Returns to Broadway in Critically Acclaimed Revival . 2023-03-03 . The Washington Informer . en-US.
  28. News: Phillips . Maya . 2023-02-26 . Review: 'Black Odyssey' Sails Through Black Past and Present . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-03-03 . 0362-4331.
  29. Web site: Russo . Gillian . 2023-01-05 . 'black odyssey' sets full Off-Broadway cast, including D. Woods . 2023-03-03 . New York Theatre Guide . en.
  30. Web site: Rabinowitz . Chloe . Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of BLACK ODYSSEY at Classic Stage Company . 2023-03-03 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.