Zena McNally

Zena McNally (born 8 March 1979, Birmingham, England) was a co-presenter of the breakfast show on the BBC Radio 1Xtra alongside Trevor Nelson. She is a former member of the band Mis-Teeq, and also a solo singer. McNally is now living in the United States with her husband, Chicago Fire Soccer Club defender Cory Gibbs.

Career

McNally always loved to sing and dance and dreamt of being in the entertainment industry from a young age. She started out as a backing dancer at the age of 16 in her hometown of Birmingham, dancing for various artists who performed in the city (Busta Rhymes, Beverley Knight and Soul 4 Real). Although McNally loved to dance, her ambition was always to become a singer and entertainer.

Deciding to leave her hometown of Birmingham for London in 1999, McNally marked the beginning of her professional career. After answering an audition, she became a member of the girl group Mis-Teeq, and they later had their first hit "Why" in 2001. Shortly after the release of "Why", McNally left the group with plans to embark on a solo career, signing a recording contract with Mercury Records in 2002.

For the best part of a year, McNally was recording most of her debut album in Atlanta, Georgia. Whilst there, her album brought about a range of collaborations with some of America's hottest producers such as RedZone (who produced Mya's "Case of the Ex"), Anthony Dent (who worked on Destiny's Child's "Survivor"), Swizz Beatz, Focus, Kandi Burruss and Bobby Brown. Such liaisons also had her feature in videos for Ja Rule feat. Bobby Brown, Jazze Pha feat. Cee Lo, Jagged Edge, Ludacris and Big Boi of OutKast.

McNally released two singles from her debut album All of Me in 2003/2004 on Mercury Records, which received good reviews in the urban press. Her second single "Been Around the World" featuring Vybz Kartel and Beenie Man was a hit on urban radio stations up and down the country and the video gained heavy rotation on MTV Base, MTV Hits, Kiss TV and Channel U; but failed to cross over into the UK mainstream market.

After releasing "Been Around the World", she was approached by Avex Records in Japan, who signed and released her debut album All Of Me in Japan and Southeast Asia in 2005, supported by the third single, "All Of Me". McNally then continued to work in Japan doing promotional work for the release of "All Of Me", which included supporting Beenie Man on Tour, and a national radio tour.

In 2006, McNally presented her own entertainment show In The MIXX on Sky TV in the UK. She interviewed artists including The Game, Cassie, Ne-Yo and Akon, and actors ranging from Penélope Cruz to Denzel Washington.

After leaving In The MIXX in 2007, McNally was approached by BBC Radio 1Xtra to co-present their new early morning breakfast show alongside Trevor Nelson. The duo interviewed celebrity guests such as Mariah Carey, Kelly Rowland, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Reggie Bush, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Lopez.

She also presented on Channel 4's web show Bite from 2007 to 2008. The show was shown every Tuesday on the Channel 4 website.

Solo singles

Personal life

McNally's mother is Maltese. On 4 July 2008, McNally married the American international soccer player and current Chicago Fire Soccer Club player, Cory Gibbs, in a ceremony held in Miami, Florida. Shortly after their wedding, Gibbs was relocated to MLS Colorado Rapids soccer team, and McNally left the 1Xtra Breakfast Show and moved to the States with her husband. She is now director of GibbsWorld Realty, a property investment and real estate company, and GibbsWorld Photography.

References