Paris grew up singing in her grandparents' church, and by her mid-teens was making regular appearances with The Spirit of Watts gospel choir (with whom she featured on the 1985 EP "Gospel Joy"). At the age of 17, she became a backing vocalist with the UK band Hollywood Beyond. Paris appeared on their album, "If" (1985). In 1988, she released her debut, platinum-selling album "So Good" with 4th & Broadway when she was 19 years old. "My One Temptation" was the lead single. This led to a collaboration with American soul singer Will Downing on a cover version of a classic "Where Is the Love", made famous by Donny Hathaway and Roberta Flack in the early 1970s.