Tinashe Jorgenson Kachingwe (born February 6, 1993), known professionally as Tinashe, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, actress and former model. Tinashe Kachingwe, the eldest child of college professors Michael and Aimie Kachingwe. Her father is a professor who teaches acting at California State Polytechnic University and a first generation immigrant from the Shona people of Zimbabwe, while her mother is of Danish, Norwegian, and Irish descent who teaches physical therapy at California State University, Northridge. Her parents met each other on a blind date during their time as undergrads at at the University of Iowa. Tinashe's name means "We are with God" in the Shona language. She has two younger brothers, Thulani and Kudzai. Kudzai is still enrolled in high school while Thulani attends college at San Diego State University. She and her family moved to Los Angeles, California when she was eight years old. She attended Crescenta Valley High School for a year before finishing early to pursue a career in music full-time. She began studying ballet, tap, and jazz dancing at the age of 4, and continued to compete in various styles as a part of a dance company until she was 18.

She began her entertainment career at the age of 3 when she began modeling and acting. In 2012, Tinashe released two critically acclaimed mixtapes, In Case We Die and Reverie, which she created in her home studio. After the release of the mixtapes, Tinashe signed with RCA Records. She later released her third mixtape, Black Water (2013). Her debut single, "2 On", reached number one on the Rhythmic airplay chart, and peaked at number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Her debut studio album Aquarius, released in 2014, was noted by music critics as one of the most "solid" debuts by a new female artist in years.

She made her acting debut in the television film Cora Unashamed in 2000. In 2004, Tinashe appeared in box-office hit The Polar Express alongside actor Tom Hanks, providing the motion capture for the female protagonist. From 2008 to 2009, Tinashe had a recurring role in the American sitcom Two and a Half Men as Celeste, Jake's girlfriend.