Oakland, California-born singer Sunny Hawkins was performing almost from the time she could work, beginning at age 2 at Love Center Ministries in Oakland, California with her godparents, gospel legends Walter and Tramaine Hawkins. She continued performing through her teen years, ultimately singing around the country in various venues. As a young adult, she landed a lead role in the Broadway musical Rent with *NSYNC's Joey Fatone, and backing vocal gigs with Chaka Khan, Deborah Cox, Ray Charles, Patti LaBelle and Luther Vandross.