Tamela Mann facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tamela Mann
Mann in 2017
Born	Tamela Jean Johnson (1966-06-09) June 9, 1966 (age 59) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, actress
Spouse(s)	David Mann Sr. ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	4
Musical career
Genres	Urban contemporary gospel Gospel Contemporary R&B
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Tilly Mann Music Group

Tamela Mann (born June 9, 1966) is a talented American gospel singer and actress. She is known for her powerful voice and for playing the role of Cora Simmons in many Tyler Perry movies and TV shows.

Tamela started her music journey singing with the famous gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. She sang lead on popular songs like "Now Behold the Lamb" and "Lean on Me". Later, she began her solo music career. Her albums Best Days and One Way both reached number one on the Billboard Gospel charts. Her song "God Provides" even won her a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song in 2017!

Besides music, Tamela is a well-known actress. She has appeared in many films and TV shows, often working with Tyler Perry. She also starred in the TV shows Meet the Browns and Mann & Wife. Tamela has won many awards for her work, including NAACP Image Awards and a Billboard Music Award. In 2022, she was honored by being added to the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Tamela Mann was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the youngest of 14 children! She grew up in a very spiritual home with her many brothers and sisters. Her mother, "Mother Eppe," taught them strong values based on the Bible.

By the time she was 12, Tamela was already singing solos in her church's adult choir. Even though she was a bit shy, she became a confident singer in both her church and high school choirs.

Singing with Kirk Franklin

Tamela's professional music career started when she joined the popular group Kirk Franklin and the Family. She also had the chance to sing with many other famous artists like Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige, and Celine Dion. She also performed in stage plays, including He Say... She Say... But What Does God Say?.

Tamela Mann in 2017

Her Solo Music Career

In 2005, Tamela and her husband, David, started their own music company called Tillymann Music Group. Through this company, she released her first solo album, Gotta Keep Movin'. The song "Speak Lord" from this album became a top 5 hit on the US Gospel chart. Her songs "Father Can You Hear Me" and "Take It To Jesus" were even featured in the movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Her second album, The Master Plan, came out in 2009. It mixed gospel with a more modern R&B sound. This album reached number 2 on the Billboard Gospel Album Chart.

Tamela's third album, Best Days, was released in 2012. It quickly went to number 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. This album was so popular that it was certified Gold, meaning it sold over 500,000 copies! The main song from the album, "Take Me to the King", was a huge success and was certified Platinum. Billboard magazine even named Best Days the Gospel Album of the Decade in 2019.

Tamela has won many awards for her music. In 2014, she won the Stellar Award for "Best Female Gospel Artist of the Year" and the BET Award for "Best Gospel Artist". In 2017, she won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song for her song "God Provides".

In 2018, Tamela released a special album with her husband called Us Against the World: The Love Project. In 2021, she released her sixth album, Overcomer, which was well-received by critics.

Tamela's Clothing Line

Beyond music and acting, Tamela also has her own clothing line! In 2019, she launched the Tamela Mann Collection. This brand offers comfortable and stylish athletic wear for women with curves.

Acting Career

Tamela and David Mann in 2018

Tamela started acting in 1999 after being discovered by Tyler Perry. She first appeared in his stage play I Can Do Bad All By Myself in 2000. She then acted in many more of Perry's plays, including Meet the Browns and Diary of a Mad Black Woman. She has also appeared on popular TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

In 2005, Tamela appeared in the movie Diary of a Mad Black Woman, playing the role of Cora Simmons. She continued playing Cora in the 2008 film Meet The Browns. From 2009 to 2011, she starred as Cora in the TV show Meet the Browns on TBS. She also appeared in other Madea movies like Madea Goes to Jail (2009) and Madea's Big Happy Family (2011).

In 2012, Tamela was in the musical film Sparkle, which also starred Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks. From 2015 to 2017, she starred in and produced the comedy series Mann & Wife on Bounce TV. In 2020, she returned to her role as Cora Simmons in the BET sitcom Tyler Perry's Assisted Living. She also appeared in the Netflix movie A Madea Homecoming in 2022 and was cast in the film The Color Purple.

Personal Life

Tamela is married to actor David Mann. You might know him as Deacon Leroy Brown from Tyler Perry's plays and movies. In the Madea shows, Tamela plays Cora, who is Mr. Brown's daughter. Tamela and David have worked together professionally for a long time.

They renewed their wedding vows in 2013 to celebrate 25 years of marriage. Together, they have raised five children: David's daughters Porcia and Tiffany, Tamela’s niece Sonya, and their two children, David Jr. and Tia. They also have eight grandchildren!

In 2015, a reality show about their family, It's A Mann's World, started on BET. David and Tamela are strong Christians, and their show shares how they have a fun, balanced family life based on their faith, while dealing with everyday challenges. In 2019, Tamela became an ambassador for WW International (Weight Watchers) to help others with their weight loss journey. She had double knee surgery in 2019 and recovered quickly, losing 100 pounds by January 2020.

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage Plays

• Madea's Farewell (2019) as Cora Simmons
• What's Done in the Dark (2007) as Cora Simmons
• Meet the Browns (2004) as Cora Simmons
• Madea's Class Reunion (2003) as Cora Simmons
• Madea's Family Reunion (2002) as Cora Simmons
• Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2001) as Myrtle Simmons
• I Can Do Bad All By Myself (2000) as Cora Simmons

Discography

Tamela Mann has released several successful albums and singles throughout her career. Her albums Best Days and One Way both reached number one on the Billboard Gospel Albums chart. Her hit song "Take Me to the King" was certified 2x Platinum, meaning it sold over 2 million copies!

Studio Albums

• Gotta Keep Movin' (2005)
• The Master Plan (2009)
• Best Days (2012) - Certified Gold
• One Way (2016)
• Us Against the World: The Love Project (2018) - with David Mann
• Overcomer (2021)
• Live, Breathe, Fight (2024)

Live Albums

• The Live Experience (2007)

Soundtracks

• Diary of a Mad Black Woman
• Meet The Browns

Popular Singles

• "Speak Lord" (2006)
• "The Master Plan" (2010)
• "Take Me to the King" (2012) - Certified 2x Platinum
• "I Can Only Imagine" (2014)
• "God Provides" (2016)
• "Change Me" (2017)
• "Touch from You" (2020)

Awards and Honors

Tamela Mann has received many awards and nominations for her amazing work in music and acting.

• Grammy Awards:

* Won: Best Gospel Performance/Song for "God Provides" (2017) * Nominated: Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance for "Take Me to the King" (2013)

• Stellar Awards: She has won multiple Stellar Awards, including Praise and Worship CD of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and CD of the Year.
• Dove Awards:

* Won: Traditional Gospel Album of the Year for The Master Plan and Best Days

• NAACP Image Awards: Nominated for Gospel Album of the Year for Best Days
• BET Awards: Won Best Gospel Artist (2014)
• American Music Awards: Won Favorite Gospel Artist (2022)
• Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame: Inducted in 2022