Jason Der

Jason Derulo’s story is a classic rags-to-riches saga about how hard work (and looks that’ll get you named as one of People’s Sexiest Men Alive) can pay off.

Born in Miramar, FL in 1989 to Haitian immigrants, Jason Desrouleaux got his start at performing arts schools and penning tracks for Diddy, Lil Wayne, and Danity Kane, among many others, while working on his own songs and routines.

He’s a true chameleon, able to blend with artists as varied as Stevie Wonder and Keith Urban, both of whom he teamed with on 2015’s ahead-of-its-time hillbilly banger, “Broke.” But it’s R&B where he truly shines: Hits like 2014’s “Wiggle” and “Talk Dirty” were daring, witty dance tracks that made him a global force, and he’s since branched out into hip-hop, funk, and even a Bond-theme-like single, the Meghan Trainor collaboration “Painkiller.” On top of more hits, like 2017’s “Tiptoe” with French Montana, and guest spots, such as the worldwide smash “1,2,3” by Sofia Reyes, he’s mastered other platforms, making millions on social media and putting his musical-theater training to work as the star of the film adaptation of Cats.