Vanessa Williams and Ciara Added to 2015 U.S. Open Entertainment Lineup
The USTA has announced the entertainment lineup for the 2015 U.S. Open, and in addition to the previously announced Josh Groban, who will headline this year’s Opening Night Ceremonies, noted performers Vanessa Williams, Ciara and Aloe Blacc have now been added to perform the National Anthem or other patriotic songs on Opening Night and Finals Weekend.
Multi-platinum recording artist, and star of TV, film and the Broadway stage, Vanessa Williams will perform the National Anthem on Opening Night of the U.S. Open. Williams has sold more than seven million records worldwide and is one of just a few artists to score number one and Top 10 hits on Billboard's Album and Singles charts in the combined areas of Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary, Holiday, Latin, Gospel and Jazz. Her critically acclaimed work in film, television, recordings and Broadway has been recognized with every major industry award affiliation including four Emmy nominations, 17 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, and seven NAACP Image Awards.
Ciara is a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/actress who has sold more than 10 million albums and 20 million singles worldwide. She has 27 charted singles including “Goodies,” “Ride,” “Oh,” “1 2 Step,” “Body Party", and "I Bet" from her current album, Jackie on Epic Records (her sixth studio release). The current single “Dance Like We're Making Love" has over 25 million views on VEVO since its July 19, 2015 premiere. Ciara has appeared on both television and in films. Her credits include: NBC's "I Can Do That" (2015), "The Game” on BET (2013), the films “That’s My Boy,” “Mamma I Want To Sing,” (2012) and “All You’ve Got” (2006). She is currently the 2015/2016 face of Roberto Cavalli and the newly-announced US Ambassador of the UK retailer, Topshop.
American rapper, songwriter, singer, actor, record producer, businessman and musician Aloe Blacc will perform “America the Beautiful” before the Men’s Final of the 2015 U.S. Open. His affecting voice, perceptive lyrics, and dapper sartorial flair are familiar to music lovers around the world. He is best known for writing and performing vocals on Avicii’s international hit single “Wake Me Up," which charted at number one in 22 countries.
The Women’s and Men’s Final Ceremonies each will include the traditional unfurling of a giant American Flag across the court by members of the United States Marine Corps, and the Men’s Final will include a military flyover by the United States Air Force.
The Opening Night Ceremony will be carried live by ESPN 2 on Monday, Aug. 31 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Women’s Final Ceremony will be carried live by ESPN on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The Men’s Final Ceremony will be carried live by ESPN on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
