Manika (singer)

Manika
Manika performing at Wine Amplified music festival in MGM Las Vegas.
Background information
Birth name	Manika Grace Ward
Born	1993 (age 23–24)
Origin	Las Vegas, Nevada
Genres	Pop
Occupation(s)	singer, songwriter, rapper
Years active	2010–present
Labels	Wamaframa
Website	manika-music.com

Manika Grace Ward, who performs as Manika (/məˈniːkə/ mə-NEE-kə), is an American singer.

Manika was born in Las Vegas to Wallace and Grace Ward in 1993. She described herself in 2011 interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal as "part Filipino, part Japanese, part Chinese, part Malaysian and part Spanish".

As a child, she taught herself to play the piano and guitar. Aged 17, Manika graduated as valedictorian from Henderson International School in Henderson, Nevada. At 15, she also wrote a book, The Exciting Adventures of Boo and donated proceeds to the ASPCA Animal Shelter. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 16 to pursue her music career.

Aged 17, music executive Frank DiLeo noticed her after she received several awards at New York City's National Performing Arts Festival. Under DiLeo's supervision, she released several singles. In 2009, she published "Boyz R Dumb". In 2011 she collaborated with rapper Lil Twist on "Just Can't Let You Go". Also in 2011, she worked with music coach CeCe Sammy, whom she met through a shared friend.

Her manager DiLeo died in 2011 after cardiac surgery. In 2012 she toured with One Direction across North America as their opening act. In 2012 Manika also performed at KIIS-FM's Wango Tango. In 2013, Manika published her debut album, Manika Double Album; associated singles included "Good Girls" and "My Way".