Asia Cruise
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Asia Cruise
| caption = Kovacs performing on MTV's Total Request Live in 2008.
| image = Asia Cruise on MTV's Total Request Live in March 2008.png
| birth_name = Asia Nalani Vernimo{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/asianalani|title=Asia Vernimo (@asianalani) | Twitter|website=Twitter.com|accessdate=2020-03-06}}
| birth_place = Jacksonville, Florida,
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|2|11}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2008-03-30-five-young-artists_N.htm#asia|title=Five young R&B artists to watch|date=2008-03-31|work=USA Today|accessdate=2009-02-02 | first=Steve | last=Jones}}
| origin = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| occupation = Singer
| years_active = 2006-2019
| label = Hitz Committee/Jive
| website = [https://www.myspace.com/asiahitz www.myspace.com/asiahitz]
}}
Asia Nalani Vernimo-Kovacs (née Vernimo; born February 11, 1990), known professionally as Asia Cruise, is an American R&B singer. In 2008, she became the first artist of Asian descent to be signed to Hitz Committee/Jive Records and was discovered by the Vice President of A&R at Jive Records, Mickey "MeMpHiTz" Wright.
Early life and education
Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Asia Cruise is of Filipino, Caucasian, and Native American descent.{{Cite web|url=https://myspace.com/asiahitz|title=Asia Cruise | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos|website=Myspace.com|accessdate=2020-03-06}} She is the daughter of Cecilia "Cissy" Cenizal Vernimo (died 2023)https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jacksonville-fl/cecilia-vernimo-11124825 and Arlen Vernimo. She has two younger siblings, Max (born in 1991) and Alyssa (born in 1998).{{Cite web|url=https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/jacksonville-fl/cecilia-vernimo-11124825|title=Cecilia Arias Vernimo
|website=Dignity Memorial|accessdate=2024-08-21}} She had earned a degree in English at University of Florida.
Career
Signed to Jive Records in 2007, Cruise released her debut single "Selfish" in 2008 by revealing her face only after the music video premiered on BET's 106 & Park. "Selfish" became a modest hit in the United States; peaking at number 33 on the Rhythmic Songs airplay, it spent nine weeks on the chart. Cruise also appeared in the music videos for Huey’s single “Pop, Lock & Drop It”, apl.de.ap's charity single "We Be Workin", Huey’s single "Tell Me This (G-5) Remix" featuring MempHitz and T-Pain, and Huey’s single featuring Lloyd, "When I Hustle ".{{cite web|title=Who Is Asia Cruise? by 24 Hour Hip Hop|url=http://24hourhiphop.com/next-in-line/who-is-asia-cruise/|accessdate=23 December 2014|date=2008}}
Personal life
She now lives with her husband, 2 sons, and daughter, in Jacksonville, Florida. {{Cite web|title=Asia Cruise - Who Is Asia Cruise?|url=https://www.albumoftheyear.org/user/musicalmarvell/album/386988-who-is-asia-cruise/|accessdate= 17 August 2024}}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable" |
| align=center|Year
!align=center|Title |
|---|
| align=center|2008
|align=left|Who Is Asia Cruise?
|
=Singles=
| class="wikitable" |
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Year
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Title ! style="text-align:center;"|Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|Album |
|---|
| style="text-align:center; width:40px;"|U.S. Rhythmic |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|2008
|align=left|"Selfish" |align=center|33 | style="text-align:left;" rowspan="2"|Who Is Asia Cruise? |
| align=left|"Boyfriend"
|align=center |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cruise, Asia}}
Category:American contemporary R&B singers
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:American musicians of Filipino descent