The accomplishment is attributable to the creation of Motown, a company founded by the seventh-oldest sibling, Berry Gordy Jr.[2], Berry Gordy III's grandfather was the son of slave owner James Thomas Gordy.[3]. Rosie ODonnells Cutest Photos With Her 5 Kids, Fun-Filled Beach Days! Facing increasing competition from large media conglomerates, however, Gordy sold the record company in 1988. While his brothers Fuller and George were happy to work at jobs their father assigned to them in construction and printing, Berry and Robert, the younger boys, were less inclined to follow that path. He is known by his stage name, Redfoo, and is one member of the duo LMFAO (along with Skyler Gordy, see above): Berry Gordy later married Grace Eaton in 1990, but they divorced in 1993. Berry Gordy has a net worth of $400 million. "[21], Berry Gordy Square in Los Angeles was designated by the City Council at intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Argyle where the office of Motown was located. Berry Gordy reinvested the profits from his songwriting into producing. The legendary producer is the brains behind huge hits like I Want You Back and ABC by The Jackson 5. , and Rhonda is a doting mother to her son, Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick, with her husband, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Hawaii Adventures! The Miracles' hit "Shop Around" peaked at No. Recently, Ross honored her former lover on Instagram for his 91st birthday, calling the celebrant an "amazing" man in the caption, alongside a sweet photo together. The couple did, however, have several superstar guests at their 1990 Santa Barbra nuptials including Berrys late friend Michael Jackson. Esther Gordy Edwards served as head of the art department and was the head of the artist management arm at Motown during the 1960s. His publishing company, Jobete, was named after his three eldest children: Joy, Berry and Terry. Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in Motown's Jobete music catalogue. Shortly thereafter he returned to Detroit to open a record store and begin producing recordings of his own compositions. The couple, who formed a record label of their own, welcomed son William Edward Singleton Jr. and daughter Rya Singleton together. And young people, like me, can look up to her for her independence, confidence and her willingness to be her unique self. [11], After his return from Korea in 1953, he married 19-year-old Thelma Louise Coleman in Toledo, Ohio. The American songwriter, record producer Berry Gordy 's daughter Sherry Gordy was born on May 23, 1960. He convinced his sister Esther to lend him $800 from the tuition fund his father had established for him and formed Tamla Records in January of that year. Several of his, After serving in the Korean War, Berry returned home to the U.S. to marry. Gordy, who was married and divorced three times, has eight children with six different women. Berry Gordy is best known as the founder of the Motown record label and its subsidiaries, which was the highest-earning African-American business for decades [6] Iris is the daughter of Fuller Gordy. An autobiography, To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown, was published in 1994. Iris Gordy (born 1943) served as a vice president at Motown, where she helped launch the careers of DeBarge, Teena Marie, and Rick James. [11] Gordy developed his interest in music by writing songs and opening the 3-D Record Mart, a record store featuring jazz music and 3-D glasses. Berry Gordy is one of the most influential music figures of all time, thanks to his hugely successful Motown empire. Nick Young Had Multiple Affairs; Settled With His Wife Amid Cheating Rumor. Berry Gordy and his grandchildren at a Gala Benefit for Debbie Allen | Source: Getty Images. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. At the time of her death on July 24, 1965, she went by the name Loucye S. Gordy Wakefield. [citation needed], Gordy's gift for identifying and bringing together musical talent, along with the careful management of his artists' public image, made Motown a major national and then international success. Corrections? [13], In 1957, Wilson recorded "Reet Petite", a song Gordy had co-written with his sister Gwen and writer-producer Billy Davis. He was a member of the band Apollo, which released an album on Gordy Records in 1979. In 2022, he was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. Berry Gordy at the 36th Carousel of Hope Ball Honoring Diane Keaton on October 8, 2022, in California | Source: Getty Images. Grace and Berrys marriage lasted three years, and the pair did not have any children together. Edwards also served as mentor, adviser, and vice president of Motown's main offices from 1961 until 1972, when Berry moved the entire operation to Los Angeles. They began working as a duo under Rayber Music Writing Company and later fell in love. He celebrated his 91st birthday in 2020. Berry Gordy is a record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer, a television producer by profession and American by nationality. Berry was born in 1929 and has lived a full life. Though they did attend several red carpet events together during their relationship, most of the details of their marriage have remained private. Jaimy pursued a career in IT and has stayed out of the spotlight for most of his life. Berry dropped out of high school in the eleventh grade, with the hopes of becoming a professional boxer, and boxed professionally until 1950, when he was drafted by the United States Army in 1951 during the Korean War. Berrys eldest daughter, Hazel, married Jackson 5 singer Jermaine Jackson in 1973. Businesspeople, musicians, recording artists and executives within the family, Music groups formed consisting of family members, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Motown Records Kicks Off 50th Anniversary Celebration, "Berry Gordy Sells Motown Records for $61 Million", "Berry Gordy Donates $4 Million to Motown Museum", "Berry Gordy Donates $4 Million to Motown Museum Expansion Project", "Berry Gordy reinvests in Detroit, donates $4 million to Motown Museum expansion", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gordy_family&oldid=1145940519, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from March 2023, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox family with unknown parameters, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Berry "Pops" Gordy Sr./II (father) deceased, Fuller Gordy (oldest, sibling #1) deceased, This page was last edited on 21 March 2023, at 21:14. Nobody knows for a fact what precisely the reason was, but it is obvious they were not compatible with each other to last the journey of a lifetime. Through Motown, he developed the majority of the great rhythm-and-blues (R&B) performers of the 1960s and 70s, including Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. Berry pursued a boxing career in the early '50s before he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. . Motown founder Berry Gordy found major success working with superstar artists under his . KG was also Rick James' manager from 1996 until his death in 2004. His grandfather, named Berry Gordy I, was the son of James Gordy, a white plantation owner in Georgia, and a woman he enslaved. has experienced a tremendous career full of success and worked with some of the worlds most iconic artists. In 1985, he produced the cult martial arts film The Last Dragon, which starred martial artist Taimak and one of Prince's proteges, Vanity. Updates? The eldest Gordy daughter, Esther (April 25, 1920 August 24, 2011), born in Georgia, established herself early in business as a political campaigner for her husband, Detroit politician George Edwards. For example, when I was broke, I needed money, so I wrote a song called Money (Thats What I Want).. Berry Gordy and his son Redfoo who is a musician. In 1965, when she was still with The Supremes, Diana began dating Motown CEO Berry Gordy. Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)" initially appeared on Tamla and then charted on Gordy's sister's label, Anna Records, in February 1960. The singer, who earned his deal with Motown without his father's knowledge, recorded his biggest hit, 1984's "Somebody's Watching Me", which included background vocals by Michael Jackson and Jermaine Jackson. See Erin Napiers Beautiful Swimsuit Photos, Pure Sunshine! Ray died in November 2016 after battling brain cancer. Diana Ross and Berry Gordy shared a history once upon a time. He was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Motown, Shrine, Scepter. Diana Ross and Berry Gordy may no longer be in a romantic relationship, but the two remained good friends while raising their only daughter, Rhonda Suzanne, together. Denise appeared in television and theatrical productions throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Sky Blu, born in 1986, teamed up with his uncle Redfoo to form the music duo LMFAO in 2006. After 1964, Motown became one of the most successful recording labels in the business and "The Motown Sound", partially cultivated by Gordy, began to dominate popular music and pop culture. The two of them created their act in 2006 and have since released two studio albums. She said she was the only one of her siblings that did not look like a " 6-foot-tall Jewish American man. Not much is known about Berrys first marriage to Thelma. Gwen died of cancer in 1999 at the age of 72. His unique sound helped shape our Nation's story. He is now the CEO of KGIP, Inc., an intellectual property management and consulting firm, which specializes in copyright recapture, sync licensing, and brand revitalization. Berry has welcomed eight children over the years, including a daughter who did not know Berry was her biological father until she was 13. He was awarded the National Medal of Arts in 2016, and five years later he received a Kennedy Center Honor. Berry Gordy characterized the Motown sound as "rats, roaches, soul, guts, and love." Those elements came together in the Snake Pit, a studio in the basement of Motown's Detroit headquarters. His years as a child working in Mowtown's mailroom paid off as he became the CEO of an entertainment company. Because of that, they got separated. Rosie ODonnells Cutest Photos With Her 5 Kids, Fun-Filled Beach Days! Anna also co-founded a self-named music label (Anna Records) that would establish Motown's records nationally, such as Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)". Robert Louis Gordy (born July 15, 1931 October 21, 2022) is best known for playing a cameo in the Diana Ross-starring vehicle Lady Sings the Blues, playing a drug dealer named "Hawk". The couple lasted just six years as they split in 1959. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. When you think of it, Berry divorced with hissecond wife in 1964 - so he sure did move along pretty swiftly just a year later. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. In September 2019, 2 months before his 90th birthday, Gordy announced his retirement during the Motown 60th anniversary program in Detroit.[5]. Berry Gordy Jr. has appointed a veteran Hollywood attorney to oversee his day-to-day business operations. Son Sky Blu and daughter Mahogany Lox were destined for stardom. The couple divorced in 1959. Gordy's seventh child named Rhonda Suzanne was born on August 14, 1971. Diana Ross paid tribute to her daughter's father and Motown Records founder, Berry Gordy, for his 91st birthday with a sweet Instagram photo. Keep up the good work, Juliet!. In 1957, he discovered the Miracles (then known as the Matadors) and began building up a portfolio of artists. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. During her marriage to Robert, they had Tracee Ellis Ross in 1972 and Chudney Ross in 1975. Most of my early songs were written on some kind of truth of my own situation. The talented producer certainly lived a life where he had all the fun he could have hoped for. Kerry Gordy (Known as KG) is the son of Berry Gordy Jr. and his second wife, Raynoma Mayberry. According to Sherrys website, she also became a mother and a grandmother, however, the names of her children are not known to the public. Diana Ross and Berry Gordy may no longer be in a romantic relationship, but the two remained good friends while raising their only daughter, Rhonda Suzanne, together. She gained acting experience in acting classes, but after obtaining her license, Sherry chose to become a realtor. He later founded a music publishing company before opening a record company, Tamla Records. 1 on the national R&B charts in late 1960 and at No. He was a boxer, served in the Korean War, and when he returned to American shores, his musical career blossomed. Berrys grandson Jermaine Jr. is dating Shahs of Sunset alum Asa Soltan Rahmati. Impressed with her ability to arrange music, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee brought Ray into his circle to help put together a group of background vocalists. However, things soon turned pear-shaped. At first, he was in love with one female with whom he decided to spend the rest of his life, but after some years, due to some personal problem, they decided to get married, and things didn't work out between them. Ray was also a producer and songwriter who auditioned in front of Berry in the late 50s. Hazel Gordy with her and Jermaine's daughter, Autumn Jackson (via Pinterest) Autumn has become even more private than her big bro,' Jermaine Jr. Here's what we know about her: She's the second born child of Hazel and Jermaine. She is a niece of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Her legal father is Robert Ellis Silberstein. Berry Gordy and his family at the BET Awards on June 26, 2007, in California | Source: Getty Images. Another important member of Motown's growing success was Gwendolyn Gordy (November 26, 1927 November 8, 1999). The pair had one child together, son. Berry pursued a boxing career in the early 50s before he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. His first wife was named Thelma Coleman whom he married in 1953. Berry Gordy was present at the opening night. Speaking in tribute to the group, Gordy said: "Without the Miracles, Motown would not be the Motown it is today. They had one son together: With partner Jeana Jackson, Berry Gordy had one daughter: With his then-mistress Margaret Norton, Gordy also had a son who would later become known as Motown singer Rockwell, who had the hit 'Somebody's Watching Me': Gordy then had a daughter with Motown legend Diana Ross, who he had a close relationship from 1965 to 1970. He wrote or co-composed a number of classic hits including 'Shop Around' (The Miracles) 'Reet Petite' (Jackie Wilson) and 'Do You Love Me' (The Contours), and as part of The Corporation he wrote many hit songs for The Jackson 5, including 'I Want You Back' and 'ABC'. Talent runs in the Gordy familys genes because Berry is also a proud grandfather to many talented grandkids. Both Robert and Berry liked dancing and music, but Berry's greatest interest was in boxing. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Berry Gordly is the founder of Motown Records. He founded the Motown record label and its subsidiaries, which became the highest-earning African-American business for several decades. Kerry ventured into the music industry but chose the business side of it. and Rhonda is a doting mother to her son, Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick, with her husband, Rodney Kendrick. The pair welcomed three children together during their marriage: born in 1987. After serving in the Korean War, Berry returned home to the U.S. to marry his first wife, Thelma Louise Coleman, in 1953. He is also the brother of Mahogany Cheyenne Gordy (born October 4, 1994). He became known as one of his generation's greatest producers and songwriters. Berry's third release was "Bad Girl" by the Miracles, the first release on the Motown record label. Berrys rise as a legend in the music industry began in 1957 when he met soul singer Jackie Wilson. In 2013, Stefan was a judge and a mentor on "The X Factor"; in 2015, he was a competitor on "Dancing with the Stars" and partnered with Emma Slater. ", Berry Gordy and Diana Ross at the 2006 Rick Weiss Humanitarian Awards | Source: Getty Images. He later became a chaplain's assistant, driving a jeep and playing the organ at religious services at the front. She currently sits on the board of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. Ballard was also battered by a violent husband. Star Perdita Weeks' Bikini Photos, See Your Favorite Celebrity Couples in Swimsuits: Best Beach Photos, She Loves Being a Mom! , before they split in 1964. Autumn is married to her husband, Nape Singh, who . His half-brother, James (son of the elder James and his legal wife), was the grandfather of President Jimmy Carter. Berry Gordy and Stefan Kendal Redfoo Gordy at the premiere of "Straight Outta Compton" on August 10, 2015, in California | Source: Getty Images. Anna would be the site where the hit song, "Money (That's What I Want)", then a regional single for Berry's Tamla Records, would get its first national distribution. Berry and Raynoma worked together at the label before their divorce in 1964. Berry Gordy II was led to Detroit both by the job opportunities offered by the booming automotive businesses,[4] and also by worries over the atmosphere in the American South where black men were lynched "with chilling regularity by the Ku Klux Klan"; in the first twenty years of the twentieth century, 1,502 lynchings were reported, most in Southern states. In 1961, Gwen married The Moonglows' Harvey Fuqua and the two presided over the labels Harvey Records and Tri-Phi Records; the latter label represented acts such as The Spinners. Berry Gordy, the unfortunate spouse, married three women in his life and ended up divorcing them all. Two years later, Anna Records was absorbed by Motown. His publishing company Jobete was named after his three eldest children: Joy, Berry and Terry. On the other hand, Gordy looked dapper in a navy blue suit and printed tie. . He had three children with his first wife, Thelma Coleman, whom he married in 1953 (they were divorced in 1959): In the spring of 1960 he married Raynoma Mayberry Liles (they were divorced in 1964). The company began operating on January 12, 1959. In 2004, she started a charity in the hopes of helping underprivileged youth. Like Ross, Rhonda followed in the entertainment industry as a singer and actress. [6] "Come to Me" by Marv Johnson was issued as Tamla 101. During formal proceedings, Berry revealed they were living separately since April 23rd, almost 2 months before the divorce was filed. The couple divorced in 1959 and he married his second wife, Raynoma Singleton, a year later. If you are curious to learn the details of his failed marriages and his past affairs, you couldn't have arrived at a better place. By 1973, Motown had produced more than 100 top ten and number-one singles on various Billboard charts and had become the most successful black business company ever. When Ray and Berrys marriage came to an end, she moved on with her third husband, Eddie Singleton. Esther died in 2011 at the age of 91. Just a year later of his failed marriage with his first wife, the veteran producer married his second spouse named Raynoma Mayberry Liles in the spring of 1960. Berry Gordy Jr found fame and fortune as a record executive, producer, songwriter, film producer and TV producer. Two months into her pregnancy with Rhonda, she married music executive Robert Ellis Silberstein, who raised Rhonda as his own daughter. [17], In 1972, Gordy relocated to Los Angeles, where he produced the commercially successful biographical drama film on Billie Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues, starring Diana Ross (who was nominated for an Academy Award), Richard Pryor, and Billy Dee Williams (cast in a role originally for Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops). Their love stopped glowing. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. His half-brother, James (son of the older James and his wife), was the grandfather of President Jimmy Carter. Over the next decade, he signed such artists as the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin, the Contours, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Commodores, the Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5. The Grammy nominee was married three times throughout his career that has spanned more than six decades. Berry founded the iconic record label that would later be known as Mowtown with the help of his second wife and has worked with artists like Smokey Robinson and Michael Jackson. Over the years, Berry has welcomed eight children with different women, including musical legend Diana Ross. Moreover, with his then-mistress Margaret Norton, he had a son named Kennedy William (born on 15th March 1964) who would later make his name as Motown musician Rockwell. In 1957, he discovered the Miracles (originally known as the Matadors) and began building a portfolio of successful artists. The mother was Motown artist Diana Ross with whom the producer shared an intimate relationship from 1965 to 1970. The couple, who formed a record label of their own, welcomed son. He was born on November 28, 1929 in Detroit. He co-founded Siebers Style with Debbie Siebers in 2004. Wife/Spouse Name: Grace Eaton (m. 1990-1993), Ray Singleton (m. 1960-1964), Thelma Coleman (m. 1953-1959) She was already a mother to a son Cliff Liles from her first marriage. Let's find out. After a supposedly joyous marriage, the couple began to drift apart. In 2015, she joined Fifth Harmonys Reflection Tour as one of the opening acts. He never imagined the success that the label would bring him in its early days. The oldest of the diva's five children, Rhonda was. Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records in 1959. Married life is often completely different from a romantic relationship pre-marriage. Gordy sold his interests in Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures on June 28, 1988, for $61 million. Although his life is not everyone's cup of tea, we very much doubt Gordy, now nearing 90, has many regrets about his life. The record did not sell well and is now one of the rarest issues from the Motown stable. They were born to Georgia-reared parents Berry "Pops" Gordy Sr. and Bertha Fuller Gordy and raised in Detroit, where most of the siblings played a pivotal role in the international acceptance of rhythm and blues music as a crossover phenomenon in the 1960s. Keep scrolling to meet some of Berrys talented grandchildren. [citation needed], Although Motown continued to produce major hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s by artists including the Jacksons, Rick James, Commodores, Lionel Richie, and long-term signings Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, the record company was no longer the major force it had been. He was a boxer, served in the Korean War, and when he returned to American shores, his musical career blossomed. [33][34] They had one son: With Jeana Jackson, Gordy had one daughter: With his then-mistress Margaret Norton, Gordy had a son who would later become more popularly known as Motown musician Rockwell: Gordy had a daughter with Motown artist Diana Ross, with whom he had an intimate relationship from 1965 through 1970: Gordy's eighth and youngest child is a son born to Nancy Leiviska. Berry Gordy's children are eight both son and daughter. [8][9] This is considered as Gordy's most significant financial contribution to Detroit since 1972, when he relocated Motown Records to Los Angeles.[10]. In 2003, she joined Berry and her older brother, Jermaine Jr., at the 34th Songwriters Hall of Fame event in New York. Berry Gordy Getty Images Rhonda Ross and mother Diana FilmMagic Now living in Harlem, she was born in LA but grew up mostly in New York. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [8], Gordy dropped out of Northeastern High School in the eleventh grade to become a professional boxer[9][10] in hopes of becoming rich quickly; he boxed professionally until 1950, when he was drafted by the United States Army in 1951 for service in the Korean War. His eighth and youngest child was a son born to Nancy Leiviska. The Gordys have at a few times been connected to other famous musicians and other notables over the years, mainly through Berry Gordy, either through marriage or relationships: In 2019, Berry Gordy donated $4 million towards the expansion of the Motown Museum in Detroit, helping to fund the creation of a performance theatre and interactive spaces. [22], In 2021, he was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors alongside Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Justino Daz, and Lorne Michaels. The multimedia empire has since produced many of the best songs in history. Berry Gordy married Grace Eaton on July 17, 1990. Its first national release was The Miracles' "Way Over There". He suggested that "The King of Pop" was perhaps not the best description for Jackson in light of his achievements, referring to him instead as "the greatest entertainer that ever lived. This is an American record company which was founded as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959 and was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960, in Detroit, Michigan. It was The Miracles who gave the label its first million-selling hit single, with the 1960 Grammy Hall of Fame smash, "Shop Around" and this song, and its follow up hits,"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (another Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted hit), "Mickey's Monkey","What's So Good About Goodbye", and "I'll Try Something New", made The Miracles the label's first stars. Berry IV also welcomed two talented children with his wife, , who ventured into the music industry. But was he really unhappy? In an official statement, the producer cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for their split. Ray died in November 2016 after battling brain cancer. His 1984 hit "Somebody's Watching Me" with the Jackson 5 on vocals was his most successful song. They began working as a duo under, Rayber Music Writing Company and later fell in love. By the time Gordy founded Motown, he was at the apex of Detroits Black music scene and had already discovered Smokey Robinson. In her post, the "I'm Coming Out" artist shared a picture of herself seated beside Gordy as he reached out for a kiss on the cheek. When I started out, all I wanted to do was write some songs, make some money and get some girls not necessarily in that order, which was not unlike the majority of the guys in my neighborhood, the Songwriters Hall of Fames Pioneer Award winner told Billboard in June 2017. [12] The store was unsuccessful, and Gordy sought work at the Lincoln-Mercury plant, but his family connections put him in touch with Al Green (no relation to the singer Reverend Al Green), owner of the Flame Show Bar Talent Club, where he met the singer Jackie Wilson. The couple welcomed their only child together, Kerry Gordy, in 1959. He replaced Loucye Gordy as head of Jobete Music Publishing in 1965 after Loucye's death. Stefan and Skylar formed LMFAO in 2006. How many children does he have? The subsequent wedding ceremony was held in Santa Barbara, California. Berry Gordy III[citation needed] (born November 28, 1929), known professionally as Berry Gordy Jr.,[4] is an American retired record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. A tribute album, called Pops, We Love You!, and single, called "Pops, We Love You (A Tribute to Father)", were released later that year in his memory. 1 pop, Cash Box), which established Motown as an independent company worthy of notice. 2 on the Billboard magazine pop charts on January 16, 1961 (No. Their first album, Party Rock, was released in 2009 through Interscope Records. Couple, who formed a record executive, producer, a television producer by profession American... 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Gordy wrote or co-wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in history and Diana Ross at the top the! Bad Girl '' by the Miracles ( originally known as one of worlds... Benefit for Debbie Allen | Source: Getty Images increasing competition from large media conglomerates, however have! His grandchildren at a Gala Benefit for Debbie Allen | Source: Getty Images a career. Who auditioned in front of berry Gordy Jr. and daughter Mahogany Lox were destined for stardom Weeks ' Bikini,.