It happens every year. Journalists pour over the recordings that they've received as they create their Top 10 albums of the year. Award show voters tick off boxes that represent their favorites and fans scrutinize these selections and spend time talking about their favorites with friends. And sometimes, on that rare occasion, there is that one album that transcends explanation. The music is riveting, infectious or even groundbreaking of course, but the heartfelt and moving sentiments that possess a window to an artist's soul is what sets it apart. It is clear that journalists, award-show voters and fans alike can feel the sweat, the determination and the passion that must have been exhausted and one wonders if this is the recording. If this is that seminal piece of work that defines an artist and his or her legacy.
In 2000, Anastacia released her debut recording, which exploded throughout Europe and placed her in the industry's elite. Her 2002 release only served to add to this growing phenomenon and over the course of the past 4 years she has amassed in excess of 10 million in worldwide sales and has won countless international awards. She connected to her audience and quickly earned a reputation as the little one with the big voice. She was loud, tough, brash and in your face, but she was in fact grounded, passionate and true.
In January of 2003, Anastacia confirmed to the world that she had breast cancer and for a brief moment it all stopped. But true to herself and to those around her, she showed that she would not be deterred from doing what she loved. Prior to her surgery, in February 2003, Anastacia appeared on a closed set in New York, for the filming of "Love Is A Crime" for the Chicago Soundtrack and plowed through the 2-day taping even though the strains of illness were showing themselves to all around her. For the months following, Anastacia cried, she laughed, she fought, she sang and&she wrote. She remained true to her words to her fans that "her resolve to fight was strong" and most of all Anastacia lived.
source: www.anastacia.com