Christian George

From an early age, Christian George knew his place – and that's center stage. Now after spending years paying his dues as a dancer and stylist working with music's hottest acts, today George steps up as a truly commanding musical frontman. A multitalented vocalist and songwriter sporting chiseled, GQ-ready looks and a physique that gives David Beckham a run for his money, George makes his debut with the single ''Strangers,'' a percolating, sultry shot of infectious R&B pop. Adding to its instant catchiness is a delicious nod/tribute to Laura Branigan's iconic 80s hit, ''Self Control.''

Urban yet silky, ranging from seductive neo-ballads to driving dancefloor-ready anthems, George's first batch of songs (to be released on Chauncey Digital) signal the arrival of a fresh, new soulful powerhouse. Having paid his dues in front of stadium-sized crowds with the best of the best, he's more than primed for his place in the spotlight.

''I want people to know that with whatever I've done, I've done it at the top of the food chain,'' he shares. ''As a dancer, as a stylist, to moving up to the top on my own. I've always worked towards this dream, and I've learned so much working with these superstars.''

Those superstars have included Kanye West, Britney Spears, Sean ''Puffy'' Combs, Queen Latifah, and Will Smith – an impressive roster of professional company to say the least.

Yet the L.A.-based George has kept unique company since his childhood in Pittsburgh, PA. Born to an attorney father and housewife mother, the adolescent George broke away from his school-age peers and fell in with a more mature social circle. ''My circle of friends from about age 13-18 were 30-, 40-, 50-year-old adults,'' he recalls. ''They treated me as an equal, which forced me to grow up pretty quick. These guys were as sharp as they come.''

So were George's looks, which led to first modeling gigs during his teens. After graduating high school - and a de facto street education, the 18-year-old was drafted into walking the runway at a national model search. He ultimately won, and was subsequently wooed by a California-based talent agency. ''They approached my parents to take me to California, and two weeks later I went - and I haven't left since.''

Once arrived in Los Angeles, George wasted no time in finding his next step up the showbiz ladder. He enrolled in a hip-hop dancing class. Immediately impressed with George, its teacher recommended that he come along for a Brandy music video audition the next day. ''Funny thing is I ended up getting the job and he didn't,'' George laughs. ''As a result I made friends with the video's award-winning choreographer, Travis Payne, who ended up taking me under his wing.''

Many high-profile music video, live tour, and industry awards show gigs followed, including appearances on the Grammy Awards and American Music Awards to name a couple. His impeccable sense of style and fashion led to a second career in the industry, helping to dress and style celebs like Kanye West. But through it all, George's ultimate passion for singing and songwriting – and being the frontman – was what drove him.

''Dancing and styling were very good to me,'' he reflects. ''I danced in every big show and helped style people recognized as the best-dressed in the industry. But people always talk about how they danced behind somebody, and I was always knew I was going to be that somebody. Someone people want to emulate, a trendsetter, a leader.''

Citing George Michael and Elvis Presley as major influences – ''white acts doing soul music,'' he points out – George spent several years refining his musical craft in the studio. The twelve tracks on his debut CD, selected as the launch release from new label Chauncey Digital, prove well worth the time and effort. Polished, slick, and thoroughly radio-friendly with hooks to spare, these songs establish George as a brazenly original yet accessible, iPod-friendly new artist.

Although some of those songs are sexy enough to scorch your earbuds: his lyrics push that envelope off the table. ''Strangers'' is something of an anti-love song, exalting the pleasures and excitement of one-night-stands. ''There's a whole nervous energy that goes with a one-night-stand,'' he explains. ''And since you're probably not going to see the person again you're free to be who you are or just experiment and try new things because you don't have to worry about them judging you. So when I sing, ‘Let's make love like strangers,' I mean feel free to do whatever you like to me because I'm going to experiment with you a little bit.''

In the same vein, ''Strictly Sex'' is about keeping a relationship strictly between the sheets.

Conversely, the harmony-laced neo-ballad ''Bullets'' reveals an emotionally hungry, commitment-ready side of George, as does the caramel-velvety ''Friends.'' These latter two standouts rank amongst a handful of tunes inspired by a woman who managed to steal his heart - shooting it with bullets rather than traditional cupid's arrows - but ultimately left it broken.

''Half of my songs are about sleeping with somebody and the others are about heartbreak,'' he observes. ''This album is very black or white. I'm either making you scream or you're making me cry.''

Also dipping his toes into acting, George has found time to shoot roles in several films. He appeared alongside John Leguizamo in 2007's crime drama The Take, and is slated to star in an upcoming feature, Last Hurrah.

One thing's for certain: George will have a lot of hearts beating at accelerated speeds and riddled with potent pop bullets when he finally takes command of the mic and stage. ''It's a great place to be, having the confidence that what you've got is stellar,'' he smiles, ''and I truly believe that about this first record. It's about to be on.''