kids encyclopedia robot

D'atra Hicks facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
D'atra Hicks
Datra Hicks.jpg
Born
Deitra Cherelle Hicks

(1967-12-27) December 27, 1967 (age 56)
Education Harry S. Truman High School
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Family Taral Hicks (sister)
Musical career
Genres
Years active 1985–present
Labels
Associated acts

D'Atra Hicks (born Deitra Cherelle Hicks; December 27, 1967) is an American actress and singer. Hicks is best known for her role as Jackie Simmons in Tyler Perry's 2002 stage play Madea's Family Reunion. Hicks has also performed as Nurse Trudy in the 2006 stage play What's Done in the Dark and as Niecy in the 2009 play Laugh to Keep from Crying. She also has a net worth of over 2 Billion dollars and a Multi-Billion dollar company called (Fashion By Hicks) you can visit by going to www.fashonbyhicks.com

Life and career

Born in Harlem, Hicks began performing in her grandfather's church choir as a child. In her early teens, Hicks and her older sister Miriam formed a singing group "The Hicks Sisters" and eventually cut a demo. The duo's demo caught the attention of Broadway producers of the stage play Mama I Want To Sing! were impressed by Hicks' voice. In late 1985, Hicks was offered the lead role of Doris Winter in the play, in which she portrayed from April 1986 until 1990. The play eventually became the most successful off-Broadway black musical in theatrical history. During her time on Broadway, Hicks received a solo deal with Capitol Records in 1989. Hicks released her self-titled debut album under the Capitol label on September 9, 1989. With production contributions from Narada Michael Walden and Nick Martinelli, Hicks' album debuted at number sixty-three and sat ten weeks on the Top R&B Albums chart. Hicks later scored roles in Tyler Perry's stage plays including Madea's Family Reunion, What's Done in the Dark.

Datra Hicks Performing in Tyler Perry Production
Hicks performing in Tyler Perry's stage play Laugh to Keep from Crying, 2009

Hicks starred in the stage play Laugh to Keep from Crying, written and directed by Tyler Perry. .....

In 2018, American playwright, comedian and director JD Lawrence asked Hicks to take part in a new reality show on Bravo's Your Husband is Cheating On Us, along with Ginuwine, Tondy Gallant, Lia Grant and Kristen Plati.

Datra Hicks on Reality show - Your Husband Is Cheating On Us
Hicks appearing on the Bravo reality television series Your Husband Is Cheating On Us, 2018

Hicks also provided vocals on Earnest Pugh's 2018 album The UnSung Hits Vol. 1 (EPM Music Group/ Entertainment One), which was produced by Cedric Thompson, Michael Bereal and Keith Williams.

Personal life

Hicks is the older sister of actress and singer Taral Hicks. No sources have either confirmed or denied that Hicks has ever been married. Hicks has one child, Diamond Grant, with actor Tony Grant.

Divorce Court

Sources differ as to the circumstances surrounding Hicks' relationship with actor Loren Harper. Hicks and Harper appeared married on Divorce Court twice, once in September 2010 and later divorced in February 2017. A source cites their marriage as fictitious, stating that it was a comedy sketch acting scene arranged for television for the launch of the Divorce Court series.

Chart positions

Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Record label
US
R&B
UK
1989 D'atra Hicks 63 Capitol Records
2007 Finally My Time

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions
US
R&B
US
Dance
"Sweet Talk" 1989 8 24
"You Make Me Want to Give It Up" 1989 51
kids search engine
D'atra Hicks Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.