Profile Text
Hilson in 2011, Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
Birth Name: Keri Lynn Hilson
Place of Birth: Decatur, Georgia, U.S.
Date of Birth: December 5, 1982
Ethnicity: African-American
Keri Hilson is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actress. Her songs include “Energy,” “Return the Favor,” “Turnin Me On,” “Knock You Down,” “Pretty Girl Rock,” and “Bae,” and appearances on “Hey Now (Mean Muggin)” and “The Way I Are.” She was a member of songwriter collective The Clutch. Her roles include the films Think Like a Man , Riddick , Almost Christmas , For the Love of Money (2021), and Ruined ; and the made-for-tv movies Love by the 10th Date , Don’t Waste Your Pretty , Lust: A Seven Deadly Sins Story , The Hotline , A Hip Hop Family Christmas , A Hip Hop Family Christmas Wedding , and Fame: A Temptations Story .
Her parents, Christine Loraine and Gamaliel Warren Hilson, were/are both black. Her father was a developer. Her mother is from Iowa, and runs a day care center.
Keri’s paternal grandfather was Gamaliel/Gemalia Warren Hilson (the son of Jordon/Jordan Richard Hilson and Hattie Carrie Moorman). Gamaliel was born in Oconee, Georgia. Jordon was born in Georgia, the son of Green Hilson and Ella Elizabeth Smith. Green’s father was John Hilson. Hattie was born in Georgia.
Keri’s paternal grandmother was Missouri Smith (the daughter of Isaiah Smith and Augusta Annie Whatley). Missouri was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Augusta was the daughter of John Whatley and Missouri Phillips.
Sources: Keri’s paternal grandfather, Gamaliel/Gemalia Warren Hilson, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Keri’s paternal great-grandfather, Jordon/Jordan Richard Hilson, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org