Early life and career Pacitti was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 6, 1984 to Stella and Joseph Pacitti; she is of Italian and Irish descent.[1] At the age of 5, she began singing to the customers in her father's barber shop. Her mother enrolled her in dance classes, and she began competing in local talent and dance competitions. When she was 11 years old, she was chosen to star in the 20th Anniversary revival of the musical Annie after entering a contest sponsored by the department store Macy's.

Pacitti starred in 106 performances with the National Tour, obtaining mixed reviews. Two weeks before the show was to land on Broadway, she became ill with bronchitis. She returned to find she had not been replaced by her understudy, but with one of the orphans instead. The firing became national news and generated a great deal of publicity. Some believe this was the intention of the producers in order to further promote the Broadway debut. Yet, Pacitti and her representatives also facilitated media coverage as the performer willingly appeared for interviews on ABC World News Tonight, Good Morning America, American Journal and Turning Point, and employed a public relations strategist to book publicity opportunities with publications and television shows.

She was also one of three to appear on MTV's First Year which detailed the process of obtaining various professions over the course of a year. Pacitti is seen attempting to launch a music career in the show.

Music career
At the age of 16, she was signed to a contract by A&M Records president Ron Fair, the man who discovered household names such as Christina Aguilera and Vanessa Carlton. She has appeared on some soundtracks, including Legally Blonde in 2001, Bratz: Motion Picture Soundtrack in 2007, and a five track promotional CD released with Mattel's My Scene - Chelsea Spring Break (Series 2), called "My Scene -Chelsea Mix". In 2002, the Taiwanese girl group S.H.E made a cover of her song "Watch Me Shine".

In May 2006, her first single, "Let It Slide", was released under Geffen Records and went to radio at the end of June. Her debut album, This Crazy Life was released on August 15th.

As of September 2007, she is no longer signed with Geffen Records.

Pacitti was asked if she resents that TV turns wannabes into stars in five months’ time, Pacitti said, "It’s handed to people way too easily. I’d rather have my experience than overnight success." Despite her major-label record and high-profile pals like Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, not everyone understands that in her mind, she’s arrived: "My family said, 'You should go on American Idol!'."

She sang the song "Out From Under" on the Bratz: Motion Picture Soundtrack, which Britney Spears covered on her 2008 album Circus.

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