Leslie Wunderman was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, and lived briefly in another borough, The Bronx, until her family moved to Long Island when she was 2 years old. She began singing professionally after graduating from high school in Baldwin, Nassau County, New York, singing in little-known rock bands such as Felony and Next. She began singing solo after finishing college and, under the name Les Lee, recorded two dance singles, "I'm The One You Want" (1985) and "Tell Me Can You Love Me" (1986), which were released on New York indie label Mega Bolt.