Nicknames: Missy Lou, Lucky

theOscarSite Bio: Born in Leavenworth, KA. Etheridge has released ten albums (plus a "Greatest Hits" compilation) since signing her first major recording contract in 1987. Three of them have gone multi-platinum: "Melissa Etheridge" (1988), "Yes I Am" (1993) and "Your Little Secret" (1995). Two others went platinum, and two more gold. She has won the Grammy^® Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance twice in her career; for the songs "Ain't It Heavy" in 1992, and "Come to My Window" in 1994.

In October 2004, Etheridge was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the 2005 Grammy^® Awards, she made a return to the stage and, although bald from chemotherapy, performed in tribute to Janis Joplin with the song "Piece of My Heart".

Etheridge is also famous as a gay rights activist, having publicly come out as a lesbian during President Bill Clinton's first inauguration in January 1993. She had a long-term partnership with Julie Cypher, with whom she had two children via sperm donor David Crosby. Cypher made headlines for her love affair with Etheridge, yet in 2000, Cypher began to reconsider her sexuality. In September, 2000, Etheridge and Cypher announced they were separating.

In 2001, Etheridge documented her breakup with Cypher and other experiences in her memoir The Truth Is... My Life in Love and Music. After splitting from Cypher, Etherdige went on to exchange vows in a 2003 commitment ceremony with actress Tammy Lynn Michaels. In April 2006, the couple announced that Michaels was pregnant with twins via an anonymous sperm donor. Michaels gave birth to a son, Miller Steven, and a daughter, Johnnie Rose, on October 17, 2006.

· Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) 2006: "I Need to Wake Up" - Music & Lyric - from AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH