Jamelia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Jamelia in 2019 | |
| Born | Jamelia Niela Davis (1981-01-11)11 January 1981 (age 44) Handsworth,Birmingham, England |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1999–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4[1] |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | |
| Website | jamelia |
Musical artist | |
Jamelia Niela Davis (born 11 January 1981) is a British singer, actress and television personality. Her three studio albums each peaked inside the Top 40 and they spawned eight top-10 singles.[5] In addition, Jamelia has won four MOBO Awards, aQ Award and has received nineBRIT Award nominations.[6]
Jamelia's professional music career began in 1999, when she released her debut single, "So High", followed by a more successful single, "I Do". She then released her debut full-length studio album,Drama, in June 2000. Jamelia went on to release further successful singles, including "Superstar" which charted at number three on theUK Singles Chart and number one in Australia, where it became platinum certified. She went on to release the albumsThank You (2003) andWalk with Me (2006), before leaving her labelParlophone.
Jamelia appeared as a judge onMove Like Michael Jackson in 2009.[7] Her filmography includes her own television documentaries, such asJamelia: Whose Hair Is It Anyway (2008), her own edition of the popularChannel 4 show,The House That Made Me and, in 2011,BBC Three documentaryJamelia: Shame About Single Mums. In 2010, Jamelia signed a new record deal withAll Around the World Productions.
Jamelia was a panellist on the ITV magazine showLoose Women from 2013 to 2016.
Jamelia was born inHandsworth, Birmingham, to single mother Paulette Davis. Both her parents areJamaican; her father is fromSpanish Town and her mother is fromWestmoreland.[8] She grew up in nearbyHockley[9] and attended a local primary school, Brookfields Primary School and then later attended theCTC Kingshurst Academy, formerly known as the City Technology College.[10]
Jamelia was signed toCapitol Records at 15 after record producers heard recordings of her self-writtena cappella songs that she had made on akaraoke machine.[11] In late 1999, Jamelia recorded the single "So High", a collaboration with fellow R&B vocalist Rosita Lynch. The single failed to chart in both the UK and mainland Europe, and did not appear on any of Jamelia's subsequent albums. Following the poor sales of the single, Jamelia left Capitol Records, but was quickly signed up with record companyParlophone, a branch ofEMI.
Taking some time to record her debutstudio album,Drama (2000), Jamelia returned to the music scene in 1999 with the single "I Do", which became her first commercially successful single in the UK and mainland Europe, making the UK Top 40 and holding Top 20 positions in France and Sweden. The single's mediocre chart success, however, led to the delay of the release ofMoney. Jamelia's third single, "Money" (featuring dancehall artistBeenie Man and co-written by UKThe X Factor finalist Daniel De Bourg), was released in February 2000. The single was the singer's breakthrough in the UK, peaking at number five and spending nine weeks in the UK Top 75; it later won aMOBO Award for Best Video in 2000. Despite the success ofMoney,Drama did not make a major chart impression in the UK, where it peaked at number 39. The third single from the album, "Call Me", reached number 11, and the fourth single, "Boy Next Door", peaked at number 42. Recognition for the singer's early success came in late 2000 and 2001 at theBRIT Awards. Jamelia was nominated for Best British Newcomer, Best British Video and Best British Female.[6]
Jamelia recorded her second studio album,Thank You, in 2002 and early 2003 following the birth of her daughter Teja in 2001. The first single lifted fromThank You was the R&B-influenced "Bout", on which she collaborated with American rap starRah Digga; it debuted at number 37 in the UK. The second single, the much poppier "Superstar", became Jamelia's highest peaking at the time when it peaked at number three, and earned the spot of the 26th best-selling of 2003 in the UK. It remains Jamelia's only single to receive a BPI certification.[12] Parent albumThank You, released shortly after "Superstar", was widely expected to replicate the single's success, but entered the UK chart at number 65. Subsequently, a number of record producers worked with Jamelia on a re-release of the album that featured new artwork and track listing, including two new songs: her collaboration withColdplay'sChris Martin and DJ K Staveley, "See It in a Boy's Eyes", and "DJ".
Promoting the re-release, title track "Thank You" was issued shortly before. Known to be Jamelia's favourite of her releases, the song became her highest-charting single to date in the UK, where it peaked at number two and received the 2004 MOBO Award for Best Single and aBRIT Award nomination in the same category. The fourth single "See it in a Boy's Eyes" was released in mid-2004 and became Jamelia's third consecutive top five hit, winning a MOBO Award for Best Video and aQ Award for Best Single. The success ofThank You resulted in fiveBRIT Award nominations for Jamelia in 2004 and 2005 for Best British Female, Best British Single, Best Female Solo Act, and Best British Urban Act.[6] The album became the 36th best-selling of 2004[13] and was certified double platinum by theBPI in recognition of 600,000 copies shipped to retailers.[12] Jamelia also contributed a cover version ofKool and the Gang's "Straight Ahead" for their remix/covers albumThe Hits: Reloaded.
In mid-2004, Jamelia collaborated with Italian singerTiziano Ferro on "Universal Prayer" for the2004 Olympic Games soundtrack. It became her first Number 1 single in Italy and Spain and was added to non-UK editions ofThank You. In late 2004, Jamelia was asked to contribute to theBand Aid 20 charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?", on which she sang withWill Young. The single topped the UK Singles Chart and was certified platinum. Around the same time, Jamelia released the lead single from the soundtrack of the filmBridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, a cover ofSam Brown's 1988 single "Stop!"; it was released as double A-side in the UK with the aforementioned "DJ", and peaked at number nine.
On 9 November 2006, Jamelia joinedFeeder on stage for the encore of Feeder's WAR Child gig at 'The Coronet' in London. They performed a cover ofREM's "Everybody Hurts" as well as "Beware of the Dog".
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Following the birth of her second daughter, Tiani, in 2005, Jamelia began recording her third album,Walk with Me. Its lead single, "Something About You", was released in late 2006 and described as "less R&B, more experimental", withPopjustice hailing it as "an incredible pop single".[14] The single became Jamelia's first to enter the charts solely on download sales alone, debuting at number 28, rising to number nine almost a month later following the physical release.Walk with Me was released shortly after and drew critical praise, with many critics claiming that it marked a significant turn in the singer's career as she moved from R&B to pop/rock.
The album did not emulate the chart success ofThank You, managing to début only at number 20 on the UK Albums Chart. The second single, "Beware of the Dog", features a sample fromDepeche Mode's 1989 song "Personal Jesus" and was heavily praised as being Jamelia's best single to date, withBBC Radio 1's "Chart Blog" stating that it "might just be one of the best pop songs ever made" and "the best pop song of the year", receiving a five-star rating.[15] The single became the second consecutive Top 10 effort from the singer's third album, reaching number 10 in the UK. The final single to be released from the album was "No More", which samples The Stranglers' 1981 single "Golden Brown". It made the A-list onBBC Radio 2, but failed to garner much sales success, debuting at number 43.
Walk with Me became Jamelia's second album to receive a BPI certification. After four months of release, it sold more than 100,000 copies and was awarded a Gold disk.[12] However, despite producing two Top 10 singles and garnering mostly positive reviews,Walk With Me had disappointing sales compared to her second album,Thank You, which went on to become certified double platinum.
In an interview withDigital Spy in December 2009, Jamelia said that she wasn't surprised that the album did not sell well. "I probably wasn't in the right frame of mind withWalk With Me... I love all the songs individually, but I don't feel it flows very well as an album, which makes it harder to relate to. It sold well over 100,000 copies – but I want double-platinum every time!"[16]
In late 2007, the singer released a singles collection titledSuperstar - The Hits. The compilation album features 11 of her 14 releases, omitting the 1999 single "So High",Drama singles "I Do" and "Boy Next Door" and the non-UK 2004 release "Universal Prayer". The collection, which only managed to début at number 55 on the UK Album Charts, was criticised for its hastiness, brevity and lack of new tracks or artwork.[17] This proved to be her final album for Parlophone, which she left weeks after the collection's release amid rumours that the sales performance ofWalk With Me had been a factor in the decision of the artist and label to part ways, and to release the singles collection.[18]
In an interview with entertainment websiteDigital Spy in December 2009, Jamelia commented on being a rumoured replacement forKeisha Buchanan, in the girl-groupSugababes and spoke about work with her ongoing album, which was going "absolutely amazing". She stated that she was working with producers who have previously worked withLady Gaga andBeyoncé, and that the album returned her sound to 2004'sThank You. She also vowed to come back with a "really exciting" album.[16] On 26 July 2010, Jamelia signed a record deal with an unknown label live onvideo streaming websiteUstream.tv.[19] Ultimately, nothing was released
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In 2013 and 2014, Jamelia appeared on two series ofThe Voice of Ireland as a coach.[20]
In February 2013, Jamelia appeared in an episode of theBBC drama seriesDeath in Paradise, portraying a singer.[21] In 2014, Jamelia modelled a new swimwear range forBoux Avenue. In August 2013, Jamelia was part of a house band on every episode of theBBC One panel showI Love My Country. On 27 November 2013, Jamelia joined the panel of the ITV chat showLoose Women. As of 16 August 2016, she had made 162 appearances. However, she was axed from the show following new contracts being drawn up on 17 August 2016, and did not return for series 21.[22]
In May 2014, she appeared in a TV advertisement for Boux Avenue and sang a cover version of "I Only Want to Be with You", with the chorus changed to "I only want to be with Boux".[23] In 2015, Jamelia took part inBear Grylls: Mission Survive on ITV.[24] In 2015, Jamelia participated onthirteenth series ofStrictly Come Dancing.[25] She was partnered with professional dancerTristan MacManus. The pair survived four dance-offs, but lost their fifth dance off in week 9, being voted out by 3 out of 4 judges againstPeter Andre andJanette Manrara. In 2016, she returned to acting to appear in an episode of the BBC soap operaDoctors asHelena Wales. Following her appearance, she stated that she wants to return toDoctors.[21]
In 2023, Jamelia joined the cast ofHollyoaks, asSharon Bailey.[26] She had previously appeared as herself in 2003, and as Bailey for one episode in 2021.[27][28] In 2024, she appeared on the thirteenth series of theE4 seriesCelebs Go Dating.[29]In April 2025, BBC comedy dramaJust Act Normal aired; Jamelia portrays Jackie.[30][31]
In 2025 Jamelia confirmed working on a new album.[32] Citing family ecouragment, as a reason to return to the studio, Jamelia says her new music will reflect a more "mature perspective" and that she intends to bring “wisdom and life experience” to her new music.[33] In October 2025, Jamelia performed a live acoustic performance at AURA Skypool inDubai where she debuted two unreleased tracks "Flowers" and "Pieces" from her upcoming album.[34]
In spring 2004, Jamelia was signed by the agency ICM. A week later she was signed as the face and legs ofPretty Polly in a high-profile advertising campaign and shortly afterwards was featured in a poster campaign forReebok. Since pursuing work in modelling, Jamelia has also endorsedListerineSoftmint Sensation,Jaguar Cars andBMW, was the brand ambassador for the maternity wear lineSeraphine, has appeared in print advertising forOxfam and on the front cover of magazines such asCosmopolitan,Company,Elle andHarpers & Queen.
In January 2007, Jamelia launched a new fragrance as part of a campaign to increase awareness of HIV and AIDS. Proceeds from the sale of every bottle ofThe Body Shop'sRougeberry were donated toMTV's Staying Alive Foundation. On 4 March 2007, Jamelia appeared on an episode ofTop Gear, whereRichard Hammond drove her toEarl's Court Exhibition Centre for aBrit Awards show in his homemadestretch limousine. On 27 May 2007, Jamelia had signed a £100,000 contract to launch a new range of products forBoots. On 31 July 2007, Jamelia,Erin O'Connor andHelena Christensen, had teamed up with hairdressing/hair product companyToni & Guy to promoteModel.Me – a hair product created for women with ethnic hair. Jamelia said, "I think it's about time that there was a haircare range specifically designed for ethnic hair available on every high street."
On 18 September 2007, Jamelia co-hosted theMOBO Awards withShaggy and on 20 September, she was on thecatwalk inNaomi Campbell'sFashion for Relief event at theNatural History Museum in London. Jamelia appeared on ITV'sSaturday Night Divas to mark the end ofBreast Cancer Awareness Month. She shared the stage withJennifer Lopez,Girls Aloud,Celine Dion andAlicia Keys, amongst others and performed a cover version ofOutkast's hit singleHey Ya!. On 1 December 2007, Jamelia was invited to perform on stage forNelson Mandela'sWorld Aids Day concert. She performed the hit singles "Something About You", "See It in a Boy's Eyes" and "Superstar". On 19 December 2007, she playedCinderella inChannel 4'sThe Paul O'Grady Show's ChristmasPantomime.
In January 2008, Jamelia signed a book publishing deal with Orion. Her autobiography,Stronger has yet to be published. In February 2008, Jamelia announced in a podcast on her personal website that she had "completed her first official acting role".[35] It was also mentioned that she had landed a TV presenting job. In July 2008 she appeared in a documentary about the internationalHair extensions tradeJamelia: Whose Hair is it Anyway? forBBC Three travelling to India and Russia withTatiana Karelina and guest presented a week of episodes ofBig Brother's Big Mouth forE4.
On 7 September 2008, Jamelia guest presented an episode ofSomething for the Weekend withTim Lovejoy. A more recent project isThe Really Good School Dinner. Jamelia is supporting the initiative which will see children and young people in England pledging to have a school meal and make a donation to provide some of the world's poorest children with a nutritious meal.[36]
Jamelia starred in an episode ofGordon Ramsay'sThe F Word, where she and Gordon took part in a cook off competition. She was a guest judge forBBC'sLet's Dance for Comic Relief, and she has appeared on the Disney channel showUnder Cover Coach, in which she coached a girl called Amy in singing. Jamelia presentsThe National Lottery some Wednesday evenings, which she has been doing since April 2008. Jamelia featured in aChannel 4 documentary series, produced byNutopia, in 2010, calledThe House That Made Me, which took her back to her childhood home, and reintroduced her to the people she had known in her youth.
Jamelia has walked thecatwalk every year since 2007 for her UK model counterpart,Naomi Campbell, and her Fashion for Relief show. Jamelia is also active in working with ActionAid, Princes Trust and the Food Aid branch of the UN, the World Food programme which has seen her visit Kenya, Uganda and India. In 2008, Jamelia earned the role of appearing alongsideHelena Christensen and Erin O'Conor, fronting her own ethnic haircare range 'Model Me', in conjunction with 'Toni and Guy', and was stocked nationwide inBoots stores. 2009 saw Jamelia take on various TV roles including authoring her own documentary forBBC Three on ethical hair extensions, which saw her travel to Russia and India. Plus she was one of the judges on BBC Three'sMove Like Michael Jackson. Jamelia has metNelson Mandela and performed for him for both his 46664 concert in Johannesburg and his 90th birthday celebrations in Hyde Park.[37] In 2012, she took part in thePreston Passion to mark Preston's 2012 Guild. ThePreston Passion was a retelling of the Easter story and involved singing, dancing and three dramas, where she sang acover version of "You Got the Love". She has been a frequent guest on the satirical music panel showNever Mind the Buzzcocks and was a celebrity contestant onVernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon.
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Jamelia revealed that she grew up without her father, due to the fact he was often in and out of prison, and he later rejected her invitation to her wedding.[38]
Jamelia has four daughters. Her first was born in 2001, from a relationship with music manager Terry Wallen, who Jamelia claims was abusive and inspired her song "Thank You".[38][39] In August 2007, Jamelia split from boyfriendDarren Byfield; the couple have a daughter (born 21 October 2005).[40] They were reconciled a couple of months later, and in October 2007 announced their engagement.[41] On 15 June 2008, it was reported the couple had married on the previous day in West Sussex. On 3 November 2009, it was announced that they were filing for divorce.[42] In August 2022, Jamelia announced she was expecting her fourth child.[43]
In March 2024, Jamelia decided to move with her family from Birmingham to Dubai. Among the reasons she listed the desire to live a more balanced life and focusing on her children[44] and opening a new chapter and exploring new opportunities.[45] On a podcast with Kubi Springer, Jamelia mentioned she wanted to change many things in her life and that "I just knew that where I was, the environment in which I was existing, I just knew it’s not going to happen there"[46] adding that "life is a lot more simpler now".[46]
In 2018, Jamelia blamed TV projects being "taken away" from her on the coverage of her stepbrother, Tafarwa Beckford, who was convicted of a gang-related murder.[47]
In November 2019, Jamelia endorsed theLabour Party in the2019 UK general election.[48]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–2009 | Never Mind the Buzzcocks | Herself - Panellist | 5 episodes |
| 2003 | Hollyoaks | Herself | Episode: "#1.1044" |
| 2007 | Gameshow Marathon | Herself - Contestant | Series 2, 6 episodes |
| 2008 | Jamelia: Whose Hair Is It Anyway? | Herself - Presenter | TV film documentary |
| 2008–2013 | 8 Out of 10 Cats | Herself - Panellist | 8 episodes |
| 2009 | Would I Lie to You? | Episode: "#3.3" | |
| Move Like Michael Jackson | Herself - Judge | 4 episodes (as Jamelia Davis) | |
| Let's Dance for Sport Relief | Episode: "#1.2" | ||
| 2011 | Jamelia: Shame About Single Mums | Herself - Presenter[49] | TV film documentary |
| 2012 | The Diamond Heist | Cherry Valentine | Film (Original title:Magic Boys)[7] |
| Crime Stories | Alice Dixon | Episode: "#1.17" (as Jamelia Davis) | |
| Celebrity Chase | Herself - Contestant | Series 2, Episode 7: "Text Santa Special" | |
| 2013 | Big Star's Little Star | Episode: "#1.1" | |
| Death in Paradise | Aimee Fredericks | Series 2, Episode 5: "Death Onboard" | |
| I Love My Country | Herself - House band singer | 8 episodes | |
| 2013–2014 | The Voice of Ireland | Herself - Coach / Judge | Series 2 & 3 |
| 2013–2016 | Loose Women | Herself - Regular panellist | Series 18–20 |
| 2014 | Tipping Point: Lucky Stars | Herself - Contestant | Episode: "#2.7"[50] |
| 2015 | All Star Family Fortunes | Episode: "Sam Bailey vs. Jamelia" | |
| Strictly Come Dancing | Series 13, 21 episodes[51] | ||
| Bear Grylls: Mission Survive | Herself - Participant | 6 episodes[52] | |
| 2016 | Doctors | Helena Wales | Episode: "Waste of Shame" |
| The Diary | Detective Inspective Anisa Powell | Short film | |
| 2018 | Pointless Celebrities | Herself - Contestant | Series 11, Episode: "Christmas Special" |
| 2020 | Richard Osman's House of Games | Series 3, 5 episodes | |
| 2021, 2023–2024 | Hollyoaks | Sharon Bailey | Series regular, 47 episodes |
| 2022 | Little Darlings | Kate Williams | Mini-series, 4 episodes |
| On Tour: Little Darlings | Mini-series, 2 episodes: "Birthday" and "Lucky Charm" | ||
| Little Darlings: Songs | Mini-series, 2 episodes: "Little Darlings" and "Just a Little" | ||
| The Hit List | Herself - Contestant | Series 5, Episode 9: "Celebrity Special" withLemar | |
| 2023 | Celebrity Masterchef | Series 18, 6 episodes | |
| 2024 | Drama Queens | Herself | Upcoming series[53] |
| 2024 | Celebs Go Dating | Herself | Cast member; series 13[29] |
| 2025 | Just Act Normal | Fake Jackie | Upcoming[3] |
| Year | Institution | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Won | ||
| 2000 | MOBO Awards | Best Video – "Money" |
| 2004 | TMF Awards (Belgium) | Meest Belovend |
| 2004 | Q Awards | Best Single – "See It in a Boy's Eyes" |
| 2004 | MOBO Awards | Best British Female |
| 2004 | MOBO Awards | Best Single – "Thank You" |
| 2004 | MOBO Awards | Best Video – "See It in a Boy's Eyes" |
| 2004 | Q Awards | Best Single – "See It in a Boy's Eyes" |
| 2005 | Urban Music Awards | Best R&B Act |
| 2007 | Eska Awards | Best Foreign Singer |
| 2007 | Urban Music Awards | Best R&B Act |
| Nominated | ||
| 2001 | Brit Awards | Best British Video – "Money" |
| 2001 | Brit Awards | Best British Female |
| 2004 | Brit Awards | Best British Female |
| 2004 | Brit Awards | Best British Single – "Superstar" |
| 2004 | Mercury Music Prize | Thank You |
| 2004 | Smash Hits Poll Winners Party | Best R&B Act[58] |
| 2004 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New Act[59] |
| 2004 | MTV Europe Music Awards | Best UK & Ireland Act |
| 2005 | Brit Awards | Best British Female |
| 2005 | Brit Awards | Best British Urban Act |
| 2005 | Brit Awards | Best British Single – "Thank You" |
| 2005 | Ivor Novello Awards | Most Performed Work - "Thank You"[60] |
| 2007 | Brit Awards | Best British Female |
| 2005 | NRJ Music Awards | International New Artist of the Year |
| 2007 | Popjustice £20 Music Prize | "Beware of the Dog" |
| 2007 | MOBO Awards | Best British Female |
Jamelia has also been the opening act for artists such asDestiny's Child,Justin Timberlake andUsher as well as her own sold-out tour.
Birmingham R&B singer Jamelia has come under severe scrutiny - for defending her killer brother live on TV.
Jamelia has always been one step ahead of her competition thanks to her winning mix of mix of R&B, hip hop, and pop and finely tuned eye for a great song
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