Pre-Debut

Before debut, Ailee had a Youtube channel named aileemusic. She was also popular in New Jersey performing with Johnny Phlo who is also in Korea and other names such as Decipher and Brian Joo from Fly to the Sky. Ailee has also performed in singing competitions like NY Kollaboration 2006 winning Best Vocals.
During her trainee days under YMC Entertainment, she was featured in Wheesung's "They Are Coming" song released on October 9, 2011. Ailee featured in Decipher's song "Catch Me If You Can".
On September 13, 2011 Ailee with Wheesung held a performance on the MBC's Chuseok special episode of "Singer and Trainee". At the beginning of "My Boo," Ailee gave a nice rap with an easy going expression. Following Ailee's solo performance of "Halo" by Beyonce, judge BMK expressed, "Wherever she goes, she has the potential to be a big star. She definitely has the voice".After the judges had graded everyone, Ailee won first place.
On January 30, 2012 Ailee made her acting debut in Dream High Season 2 as Ailee, one of the member of the K-pop group HerShe.

2012 : Debut

On February 6, 2012, the music video teaser for Ailee's debut song, Heaven, was released. Ailee released the song and the music video for her song, "Heaven", on February 9, 2012.The music video for "Heaven" featured Beast's Gi Kwang.
Ailee made her debut stage performance of "Heaven" on M.net M! Countdown on February 9, 2012[10] and on SBS Inkigayo on February 11.
On February 22, 2012 she released her OST song "Superstar" for KBS's Dream High 2 together with Hyorin & Ji Yeon.
On March 16, Ailee reached the #2 position on KBS Music Bank K-Chart (Losing to BIGBANG), a significant accomplishment for a rookie.