Born: Avril Ramona Lavigne on Sept. 27, 1984, in Belleville, Ontario, and grew up in Napanee.

First break: She won a competition in 1998 that put her on a stage in Ottawa with idol Shania Twain to sing "What Made You Say That."

Second break: Former manager Cliff Fabri discovered her doing country karaoke covers in a bookstore when she was 15. He said soon after, "All she had experienced, all she knew was country. She didn't know Blink-182 from Madonna."

Third break: She started earning her folk cred when Canadian singer Steve Medd saw her at a community theater performance and had her sing on two of his albums. She also baby-sat for his kids. He said she was their favorite.

Signed: To Arista in 2001 at 16.

First hits: "Complicated" went to No. 2 on the U.S. charts in 2002, and to No. 1 in Australia, Canada and other countries. "Sk8er Boi" went to No. 10, sending the album "Let Go" to worldwide sales of more than 16 million.

Early nods: After "Let Go," she was nominated for eight Grammys, including Best New Artist. Norah Jones won that. But Lavigne did win Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Back for seconds: The darker sophomore effort, "Under My Skin," found her working with Chantel Kreviazuk, Ben Moody and Butch Walker. It debuted at No. 1 in May 2004, and while it produced only one top 10 U.S. hit, "My Happy Ending," it sold more than 8 million worldwide.

Third time: "The Best Damn Thing" went to No. 1 in April 2007. It features production from her husband, Deryck Whibley of Sum 41, and drums by Travis Barker of Blink-182.

No faking: After Ashlee Simpson was busted for lip-synching in 2005, Lavigne scolded her with, "If you are up there at that level and lip-synching, then you don't deserve to be there."

Covers: Lavigne did a version of "Imagine" for the John Lennon tribute, "Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur," and has also covered Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris," Green Day's "Basket Case" and Coldplay's "The Scientist."

Songwriter flap: In addition to the Rubinoos accusation, Kreviazuk accused Lavigne of stealing one of her songs last year in Performing Songwriter magazine. Lavigne shot back with a vehement denial in an open letter to her fans. Kreviazuk later apologized, saying, "It was not my intention to call Avril's songwriting ability or ethics into question."

In Pittsburgh: She's only performed one concert in Pittsburgh -- April 16, 2003, at the Petersen Events Center. The PG review said she was outplayed by her opening acts Gob and Simple Plan.

Big screen: Lavigne did a voice for the animated film "Over the Hedge," turned up as an activist on "Fast Food Nation" and also shot "The Flock" with Richard Gere in 2007.

Marriage: Whibley proposed to her in Venice, Italy, in the summer of 2005, and they were married July 15, 2006, in Montecito, Calif. She has a pink heart-shaped tattoo with the letter "D" on her right wrist.

Fitness: Lavigne skateboards and plays hockey. As a kid, she was an MVP at right wing and claims to have once beaten up a goalie. She stays in shape with push-ups and sit-ups.

Cash flow: Forbes magazine estimates that she makes $12 million annually.

Spends it on: We're certain she has a nice house, but she also has a vast collection of Converse sneakers we'd love to see.

-- Scott Mervis