You Oughta Know : Ingrid Michaelson

Before Ingrid Michaelson could become a successful singer, she had to realize she was a bad actress. On the road with a children's production of "A Christmas Carol" after graduating from college, she began writing charm-filled relationship anthems. When fellow cast members expressed their enthusiasm, she made the leap to singing full time. "From one ego-crushing profession to another," laughs the 31-year-old chanteuse. It's a good thing she did - millions would have otherwise been deprived of her quirky indie pop: Michaelson's delicate piano ballad "Keep Breathing" played during the season finale of "Grey's Anatomy," and her crawling calypso number "The Way I Am" rocked the charts following its use in an Old Navy commercial - an impressive feat for a singer wh... Moreğ

Before Ingrid Michaelson could become a successful singer, she had to realize she was a bad actress. On the road with a children's production of "A Christmas Carol" after graduating from college, she began writing charm-filled relationship anthems. When fellow cast members expressed their enthusiasm, she made the leap to singing full time. "From one ego-crushing profession to another," laughs the 31-year-old chanteuse. It's a good thing she did - millions would have otherwise been deprived of her quirky indie pop: Michaelson's delicate piano ballad "Keep Breathing" played during the season finale of "Grey's Anatomy," and her crawling calypso number "The Way I Am" rocked the charts following its use in an Old Navy commercial - an impressive feat for a singer who released her GIRLS AND BOYS disc without a label, and does most of her own promotion through MySpace. We're lucky to have the former actress back on-screen.ĞLess