Tucker was born and raised in Anaheim, California[1] by her mother Eleanor, a customer service supervisor with Pacific Life, and her father Stan, an attorney.

[1] At age 11, Tucker played the role of young Nala for nine months in a Pantages Theatre production of The Lion King musical.

[2][3][4][1] Resident director of The Lion King, Frank Lombardi, wrote about Tucker: "Her talent is extraordinary.

So much so that upon realizing her skills as a singer, one of our composers added a complex vocal arrangement to one of the original songs.

"[citation needed] When Tucker was 13, she was a finalist on Star Search and then released her first LP, Please Come Home for Christmas.

At the age of 16, she auditioned for the fifth season of American Idol in Denver, Colorado with One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston where she amazed the judges, with Simon Cowell declaring, "Wow.

[citation needed] Tucker was invited to tour the U.S. Air Force bases in Europe to promote the kickoff of the annual USAFE Services Xtreme Summer Program.

In August 2007, Tucker was featured on the reality TV show "Dr. 90210" as the singing instructor for Dr. Rey's children.