Omarion, the R&B vocalist and actor who first rose to fame as part of the chart-topping boyband B2K, has built an impressive career both on stage and screen. Born Omari Ishmael Grandberry in Inglewood, CA, back in 1985, Omarion was the eldest of seven siblings and started performing at just five years old. By the time he linked up with Lil’ Fizz, J-Boog, and Raz-B on the eve of the new millennium, he’d already gained experience through appearances in TV commercials and music videos—early signs of the star power that would soon define his journey.
It didn’t take long for Omarion to make waves. As the frontman of B2K, he helped the group capture the hearts of teen audiences nationwide. Their self-titled debut album in 2002 soared to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, and their collaboration with P. Diddy on “Bump, Bump, Bump” landed them a number one spot on the US Hot 100. But things took a turn after the surprise success of You Got Served in 2003, where Omarion played the charismatic leader of a dance crew. The film’s box-office performance only heightened tensions within the group, and they eventually disbanded amid claims that manager Chris Stokes was showing favoritism.
Still, Omarion wasn’t slowing down. He stepped into acting with roles like school bully Reggie in the 2004 live-action Fat Albert and lent his voice to the character 15 Cent in The Proud Family Movie two years later. Then came his big solo breakthrough: the album O, which not only topped the US charts but also earned him a Grammy nomination. It was clear that Omarion had more than lived up to the faith Stokes had placed in him.
With hits like the Timbaland-produced “Ice Box,” which cracked the Top 20, Omarion’s sophomore effort 21 also hit number one in 2006. He kept the momentum going with Face Off, a successful collaborative LP alongside Bow Wow in 2007. That same year, Omarion returned to acting, taking on lead roles as Rob, an aspiring reggaeton artist, in Feel the Noise, and as college student Darryl Jennings in the horror flick Somebody Help Me.
In 2010, Omarion released his third studio album, Ollusion, under his own label, StarrWorld Entertainment—a move that showed his growing independence as an artist. Later that year, he took on a new role as a judge on the fifth season of America’s Best Dance Crew, replacing Shane Sparks, and appeared in the action-packed Wrong Side of Town.
Fast forward to 2014, and Omarion made headlines again—not just musically, but personally—by joining his then-girlfriend Apryl Jones on the reality series Love and Hip-Hop: Hollywood. That same year, he re-entered the US Top 20 with “Post to Be,” a sultry collaboration with Chris Brown and Jhene Aiko, featured on his long-awaited fourth album, Sex Playlist. Through every phase of his career, Omarion has consistently proven himself as a multi-talented force in entertainment—always evolving, yet unmistakably himself.
When it comes to Omarion’s acting career, one film that really stands out is Fat Albert from 2004—it’s definitely considered his highest rated movie so far. Fans and critics alike seemed to really connect with the role, and it’s often mentioned when talking about Omarion’s achievements outside of music. On the other hand, Feel the Noise, released in 2007, tends to be viewed as his lowest rated film. While Omarion brought energy and charisma to the screen, the overall reception wasn’t as strong. Still, both films mark important moments in Omarion’s journey as a performer, showing his versatility across different roles. Overall, Omarion has made a noticeable impact in the world of entertainment, with Fat Albert shining as a highlight in his filmography.