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In 2008, Nia Peeples was featured in People Magazine's hugely popular 100 Most Beautiful People in the World special edition. And it's no wonder. At age 46 the in-demand performer is stronger, happier and healthier than ever— a vibrant, dynamic role model to women of all ages. But at 46 Nia feels she's just getting started and today is proud to announce her involvement with the development of an exciting new beauty and fitness brand designed specifically for women over 40.

After decades of being asked how in the world she looks so good — especially now at 46 — Nia has finally decided to share her personal health and beauty secrets, helping to shatter the myth that 'hot' automatically means "young."

With her typically 'hands-on' approach, Nia is committed not only to building an extraordinary brand of fitness and beauty tips and products, but also to provide through example how women over age forty can build and retain a naturally sexy aura. This authentic dedication to helping women realize that 40+ is a great age to be healthy, happy, sexy and satisfied assures that the new NIA brand will successfully capture the imagination and allegiance of this rapidly growing, hugely influential demographic.

It's hard to believe when looking at her that Nia Peeples' successful career has spanned nearly three decades. Back in the 1980s she got her big break playing the beloved character of Nicole Chapman on "Fame" and shortly thereafter made her film debut in Universal's NORTH SHORE (1987). Nia has since worked steadily in film and television appearing in titles such as the award-winning CBS series "Return To Lonesome Dove," the HBO original film POODLE SPRINGS and John Landis' star-studded musical BLUES BROTHERS 2000 (1998).

Along with her acting Nia also established herself as a popular recording artist, earning numerous Billboard and Cashbox Awards and nominations including Best Vocals, Best New Artist, Best R&B and Best Video Choreography. She has topped the charts with the singles "Trouble" and "Street of Dreams" as well as hosting MTV's "Street Party," Paramount's syndicated "The Party Machine with Nia Peeples" and "Top of the Pops" on CBS.

In the 1990s Nia added another facet to her career, re-inventing herself as an action star. Performing most of her own stunts and martial arts work Nia played the 'take no nonsense' Sydney Cooke on Chuck Norris' hit series "Walker, Texas Ranger." She then took on the role of "49er Six" in Sony's HALF PAST DEAD (2002), earning the mother of two, then 40, a World Stunt Award nomination for her work as the high-kicking villainess.

Recently Nia has worked on a number of independent films, including the award winning indie films BRUISED and THE RIFF as well as directing her own award winning short film TREADING WATER and a music video for the number one soul band in Britain, "Unified Tribe." She has also maintained her singing career, performing a series of exclusive engagements for audiences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Chicago, Maui and Parma, Italy.

And as if this was not enough Nia is currently starring on TV's number one soap opera, playing Karen Taylor on CBS's "The Young and the Restless."

Yet her extraordinary, 25-year career in the entertainment business is only part of the Nia Peeples story—in 'real life' she is as fascinating as any character she's ever played.

What do you call a pop star who spends three weeks aboard a primitive Indonesian pinisi schooner performing essential relief work in remote Sumatra following the devastating 2004 earthquake/tsunami in Southeast Asia? Or fundraises and sponsors a school in Bali for the International Humanity Foundation, aiding their work in combating child trafficking? How do you describe an actress who when she's not working or on the red carpet can be found surfing epic south swells in deepest Baja, camping in the desert along the sea. Or who is as comfortable choreographing her nine year-old's school play as she is addressing the American Multi-Ethnic Association's annual convention as a keynote speaker?

How to define this remarkable actress/director/writer/singer/songwriter/dancer/martial artist/motivational speaker/ humanitarian/athlete/adventurer/mother/wife?

Simple: a woman in full.

And exactly the sort of role model for a new generation of women aged forty and beyond who, like Nia, desire to look, feel and live their best.