Shaddaii Charly'mayne Harris was born in Lubbock, Texas to Charlene Hooker and Alvin Harris Sr. Her mother of African American and Indian descent and a father of African American, Indian, and Asian heritage. She was born in an economically impoverished neighborhood and raised by a single mother. Shaddaii, had a name people often struggled to pronounce, she started to go by "Dai", which simply means enough. Dai often refrained from watching television and would read all day if her mother allowed her to. Due to Dai's love for books, writing and reading, at an early age, her mother enrolled her in magnet schools, and she participated in theatre, ballet, tap, jazz, played the violin, and piano.During high school Dai enrolled in theatre classes, and wrote poems often. She felt music, journaling and theatre arts were her escapes, and her way to express her thoughts, opinions, ideas, and emotions. Dai's teachers often said she had a gift of writing, and encouraged her to take up journalism in college. After graduating from Lamar High School in Arlington, Texas, Dai attended The University of North Texas. She studied sociology, law, and public affairs. College professors often commended Dai on her peculiar writing style; presenting her finished works to the class as an example. Dai's professors would often tell Dai she wrote at a master's graduate level. After receiving her Bachelor's of Arts degree she worked for K104 radio station in Grand Prairie, Texas. A few months later, she was offered a temporary position at ESPN in Houston, Texas.Dai began her stardom as a UNT college student when appeared on American Idol XIII, not knowing her performance would be broadcasted. She was labeled as the horrible singer, her television appearance went viral within an hour, reaching over 1 million views. After taking a break, Dai decided to pursue an entertainment career once more. USC approved Dai for an audition to be accepted into the Dramatic Arts program. A few months later, Dai interviewed Grammy Award singer Lala Hathaway while competing to host Born to Shine, a Time Warner production. Dai held the title Miss Grand Prairie USA 2013, and competed in Miss Texas USA 2013. . She's appeared on NBC's salvation with Ashley Judd, TNT's Dallas (2012-2014) and in The Carter High Movie.Dai is a daughter, sister, auntie, writer, and an aspiring film director. Most of all, she's an advocate for young women. She established her purpose to uplift and motivate millennials to make wise choices, live out their dreams, never throw in the towel and live a life of purpose, on purpose no matter what it looks like. Dai's life is a representation of self-determination, ambition, and self-love. Show less «