1991–1994: Ex Girlfriend

In 1991, Francis joined a female group called Ex Girlfriend. Managed by the group Full Force to be their female counterpart, the group was signed to Forceful Records; a division of Reprise Records. Ex Girlfriend released their debut album X Marks the Spot in October 1991. The first single "Why Can't You Come Home" peaked in the top-five on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The success of the single invited them to perform on various TV shows including Soul Train. In August 1994, they released their second album It's a Woman Thang. Following the poor sales and management, Ex Girlfriend broke up in 1995.

1992–2009: Broadway debut and acting career

In 1992, Francis starred in an off-Broadway musical production of Mama, I Want To Sing!. Francis portrayed the lead role of Doris Winter, a character whose life is based on American singer Doris Troy. Francis remained with the production until 1996. During her time with the production in 1995, a soundtrack (titled Mama, I Want to Sing – 1995 Original London Cast) was released which features Francis, Troy, and Chaka Khan.^[1][2]

In October 1998, Francis starred in the Broadway production of Footloose.^[3] Playing the role of "Rusty", Francis performed lead vocals on "Somebody's Eyes" and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" while also sharing lead vocals on "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Footloose (Finale)". The songs were released on the Footloose the Musical (1998 Original Broadway Cast) in 1999. In 2000, she made a guest appearance as "Val" in two episodes of the American crime drama television series Third Watch. In 2001, she played "Carrie" in the episode of "Zol Zein Gezint" for the medical drama series Strong Medicine. In the same year, she made a guest appearance as "Maureen" in the American sitcom Yes, Dear.

In 2002, Francis guest-starred in Son of the Beach, Fastlane, and movie In My Opinion. In 2003, she made a guest appearance in the American comedy sitcom Half & Half for the episode "The Big Phat Mouth Episode: Part 2" as the sarcastic receptionist "Regina". In 2004, Francis appeared as "Miss Hanks" in the first season of Phil of the Future. In 2005, she appeared as "Shelby" in the independent romance film Friends and Lovers.

2011: The X Factor

In 2011, Francis auditioned for the first season of The X Factor USA in front of judges L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell. She sang Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and received four yeses. At the beginning of bootcamp, she revealed that her father had just died.^[4] She made it through bootcamp and to judges' houses, where she was mentored by Nicole Scherzinger, who replaced Cole. She was eliminated in week 4 after ending up in the bottom 2 with Astro as Reid, Abdul and Cowell kept Astro. However, Francis received more votes than Astro meaning if Cowell sent the result to deadlock, Astro would’ve been eliminated.

2015–2017: The Stacy Francis Show and Celebrity Big Brother

In February 2015, Francis began her own talk show "The Stacy Francis Show". The episodes are uploaded via the show's YouTube account.^[5] She also joined the cast of the third season for the TVOne series R&B Divas: Los Angeles.^[6]

In January 2017, Francis became a new star housemate on Celebrity Big Brother 19 in the United Kingdom. She finished in 11th place.

2018–present: Recent activities

In 2018, Stacy signed to a global artist agency in London. She also released a single called "Into My Eyes", which featured American singer Brandy Norwood. Francis is currently working on West End in London.^[7]

Film

Television