Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she performed in various theatre plays and musicals as a teenager.
[3] Following her exit from the group at the end of 1990, she released her debut solo album, Perseverance (1991), which contained hits "Through" and "Bright Lights".
Wilson-James has also appeared in various theatre musicals including The Wiz (2001), Purlie (2004), and Lush Life (2005).
[4] In March 1991, the album's lead single "Through" was released and peaked at number 22 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
[8][9][10] In 2001, she played the role of "Glinda", the good witch of the South, in the UK production of The Wiz.
[11] In 2001, she appeared on Superchumbo's single "The Revolution", which peaked at number 43 on the Dance Club Songs chart.
In 2004, Wilson-James starred as "Greta" in the film Road to Damascus, directed by Chris Munro.
[14] In early 2005, Wilson-James starred in the theatre musical Lush Life, where she play the role of Ella Fitzgerald and the Cop.
[16][17][18] In June 2005, she collaborated with Ralph Falcon on the song "Swim" for the compilation album Café Mambo Ibiza 2005.
In 2005, Wilson-James created a musical duo called Avitas, with musician Kinan Atassi.
In March 2007, she released a two-disc compilation album titled Indestructible, which spawned the single "Yo' Freek".
The album spawned the singles "Never Stop", "Deep in Vogue", "Say It Ain't So", and "Red Lipstick".