Jamelia
Artist and Song Writer
Thursday 2nd March 2017
Women at the top – Letter to my 15 year old self (Teenage Girls Masterclass) – Private event
House of Commons
Jamelia signed her record deal with EMI records in the UK at the tender age of 15. Jamelia went on to write, record & release 3 albums, 2 of which achieved gold certifications (Drama & Walk With Me) and the other went double-platinum (Thank You). These albums collectively produced 10 top 40 singles (7 of which were Top 10’s) in her native country, England.
The success of Jamelia’s albums in the UK was repeated internationally and took her all over the world, She has travelled to and performed on every continent, achieving number 1’s as far flung as Australia & Thailand. Jamelia has also toured with Destiny’s Child, Usher & Justin Timberlake on their stadium tours.
“If anyone is likely to beat the world-conquering stars of American R&B at their own game, it’s Jamelia” – Daily Telegraph
Award Winner
Jamelia has been the recipient of many prestigious awards, including; 4 Mobo awards, An Ivor Novello, A Cosmopolitan award, A ‘Q’ Award and an Elle Magazine Style Award to name a few.
Television Presenter
After 10 years in the music industry, Jamelia decided to embark on a new career path, in television. She began by making appearances on panel shows such as CH4’s ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ & the BBC’s ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ & ‘Would i Lie to you?’. Jamelia enjoyed the freedom television gave her, in particular, the freedom to allow her personality to shine. In the years to come she would continue to work in television in various capacities. Presenting documentaries as diverse as “Whose Hair is It Anyway” which tackled the realities behind the human hair extension industry to “Shame About Single Mums” Which explored the history in the UK of the shame associated single motherhood, a subject close to her heart as she was raised by a single mother and is one herself.
In 2015 Jamelia starred in Bear Grylls adventure show ‘Mission Survive’ on ITV1. She also joined the line up of celebrities in the BBC’s ever-popular ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ getting to week 10 at the grand Blackpool Tower with her dance partner Tristan McManus.
Jamelia has also participated in shows which required her to draw upon her musical roots. Shows such as Move like Michael Jackson, where dancers competed to perform at a Michael Jackson tribute concert. I love my Country in which the producers created a part especially for Jamelia, she also took on the role of coach for two seasons of The Voice of Ireland with both of her acts making it to the final, one of them going on to win the show.
Jamelia joined the panel on ITV’s daytime show Loose Women in 2013, and continues to be a regular panellist. Jamelia also presents pieces for Loose Women’s sister show, This Morning.
Actress
Another string to Jamelia’s bow, is acting, in 2009 she had played herself alongside Daniel Mays in the CH4 comedy Plus One, In 2012 she starred in an episode of the improvised ITV show Crime Stories, and in 2013 played Aimee in the BBC’s very popular, Death In Paradise. Jamelia starred in a feature film by Hungarian director Robert Koltai along with movie legends, Tamer Hassan, Vinnie Jones & Michael Madsen. In 2016 Jamelia played the role of Helena Wales in an episode of the BBC’s Doctors, and her latest project is the short film by Fredi Nwaka, The Diary in which she plays the lead character, Detective Anisa Powell.
Model
Jamelia became the first black woman to front a campaign for the hosiery giants Pretty Polly in 2004. Jamelia has also modelled in high profile campaigns for Reebok, Peta, Boux Avenue and fronted Toni & Guy’s Model:Me Haircare Range alongside supermodels, Helena Christensen and Erin O’Connor. Jamelia has walked Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief catwalk several times and graced the covers of Cosmopolitan, Elle, Company, Time Out & Harpers & Queen magazines to name a few.
…and Her Most Important Job?
Jamelia’s penultimate role is being a Mum to her two wonderful girls, Téja (15) and Tiani (11). Most of the accolades above took place after becoming a mother. Jamelia cites her children as her constant source of inspiration, motivation and reason for it all. She describes her daughters as her best friends – spend an hour with them, and you’ll see that the feeling is mutual from her gorgeous girls!
