Tamela Jean Mann (née Johnson) (born June 9, 1966) is an American gospel singer, and actress.
Mann began her career as a singer with the gospel group Kirk Franklin and the Family. She was a featured soloist on several tracks while with Franklin's group, including "Don't Take Your Joy Away", "Now Behold the Lamb", and "Lean on Me", the latter of which also included Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, R. Kelly, and Bono. She released her debut studio album in 2005. Her third studio album, Best Days was certified Gold by the RIAA, and lead single "Take Me to the King" was huge commercial success, and well as received Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance nomination.
Mann is known for her role as Cora in Tyler Perry's plays, including I Can Do Bad All By Myself, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion, Madea's Class Reunion, Meet the Browns, and What's Done in the Dark. Mann has appeared in movies including Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Big Happy Family. She recorded some songs on the soundtrack for Diary of a Mad Black Woman, including participating in the song "Father (Can You Hear Me)".
Mann is married to David Mann. They starred on the TBS sitcom Meet the Browns from 2009 to 2011. In 2015, they began starring on the Bounce TV sitcom Mann & Wife.
Early life
Mann was born Tamela Jean Johnson in Fort Worth, Texas, the youngest of 14 children. She and her siblings grew up in a very spiritual home grounded in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). They were reared by their mother, "Mother Eppe," who believed in and exercised solid biblical principles.
By the age of 12, Mann was singing in the church’s adult choir and was often selected to sing solos. Although she was bashful, she blossomed in the local church and high school choirs.
Career
Kirk Franklin and the Family
Tamela’s musical career began when she joined the multi-Grammy Award-winning and double platinum gospel phenomenon Kirk Franklin and the Family. She has also enjoyed collaborating and performing with artists such as Yolanda Adams, Excell Amos, Mary J. Blige, Al Green, Celine Dion, Bono, R. Kelly and Fred Hammond. She went on to join the gospel musical cast of David E. Talbert as he directed the stage play He Say... She Say... But What Does God Say?
Mann began acting in 1999 when she was discovered by Tyler Perry. She debuted in the stage play I Can Do Bad All By Myself.
She went on to act in Meet the Browns, Madea's Family Reunion, Madea's Class Reunion, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and What's Done in the Dark. She has appeared on television shows including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, BET Soundstage, the 1999 Grammy Awards, the Dove Awards, the United States of America World Olympics, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns, in which she portrays Mr. Brown's daughter.
She has appeared in movies, including the 2001 comedy Kingdom Come, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Meet The Browns. She also had a role in 2009's Tyler Perry movie Madea Goes to Jail. Mann appeared in the 2012 film Sparkle, a remake of the 1976 film of the same name, alongside Whitney Houston and American Idol winner and R&B singer Jordin Sparks, making her film debut.
She is currently filming a new cooking show with her husband David, Hanging with the Manns. Also their show on BET "It's a Mann's World"
Solo musical career
In 2005, Mann and her husband David created their own label, Tillymann Music Group, which they have released several projects through. In 2005 her solo album, Gotta Keep Movin', was released. In 2007 she released her first live album, The Live Experience. Mann’s explosive songs "Father Can You hear Me" and "Take It To Jesus" can be heard in the movie and on the soundtrack album of Diary of a Mad Black Woman.
In 2009 her second studio album, The Master Plan, was released. It peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Gospel Album Chart, and peaked at number 97 on the Billboard 200.
Mann's third studio album, Best Days, was released on August 14, 2012. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, and #14 on the Billboard 200.
Tamela Mann won Stellar Award's "Best Female Gospel Artist of the Year" in 2014, as well as Best Gospel Artist at the 2014 BET Awards.
Personal life
Tamela is the wife of actor David Mann, known for his role as Deacon Leroy Brown in some of Tyler Perry’s plays. In the Madea TV shows and movies, she plays Mr. Brown's daughter, Cora. They have always worked together professionally.
David and Tamela renewed their 25th wedding vows in the spring of 2013. They raised four children together: David's daughters Porcia and Tiffany, from a previous relationship; their children together, David Jr and Tia; and Tamela's niece, Sonya, whom the couple raised. David and Tamela also have eight grandchildren.
In January 2015 a reality show about their family, It’s A Mann’s World, premiered on BET. David and Tamela are devout Christians, and in this program are able to show how they have a fun-loving, balanced family, centered in godly principles and coping with real-life obstacles.
Films
Sparkle (2012) as Sarah Waters
Madea's Big Happy Family (2011) as Cora Simmons
Madea Goes to Jail (2009) as Cora Simmons
Meet the Browns (2008) as Cora Simmons
Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) as member of church choir
Kingdom Come (2001) as Lady #2
Television
Mann and Wife as Toni Mann (30 episodes 2015-2017)
In the Meantime as Minnie (TV Film 2013)
Meet the Browns as Cora Simmons (82 episodes 2008–2011)
Tyler Perry's House of Payne as Cora Simmons (4 episodes 2007, 2008)
Down Home with the Neelys as Tamela Mann (1 episode 2010)
New York Undercover, "A Time of Faith" Part 1 & 2 (1996) as part of the church choir with Kirk Franklin and the Family
It's a Mann's World as Tamela Mann (2015–present)
The Manns as Tamela Mann (2017–present)
Plays
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
Awards/nominations
Stellar Awards nominations:2006: Gospel Album of the Year – Gotta Keep Movin'
2008: Female Vocalist of the Year – The Live Experience
2008: Contemporary Female Artist of The Year – The Live ExperienceDove Awards nominations:
Traditional Gospel Record Song of the Year – The Master Plan
Traditional Gospel Album of the Year – The Master Plan: winner
2013 Traditional Gospel Album of the Year Best Days: winner2013 NAACP Image Awards nominations:
Gospel Album of the Year – The Master Plan2017 Grammy Awards nominations:
2017 Best Gospel Song/Performance - God Provides: winner2013 Grammy Awards nominations:
2013 Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance – "Take Me to the King"2014 Stellar Awards nominations:
Praise and Worship CD of the Year: winner
Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year: winner
CD of the Year: winner
Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year: winner
CD of the Year Award: winner2014 BET Awards nominations:
Best Gospel Artist: winner
Discography
Studio albums
Live albums
Soundtracks
Diary of a Mad Black Woman
Meet The Browns
Singles
"Speak Lord" (2006) #4 Gospel Songs
"The Master Plan" (2010) #13 Gospel Songs
"Joy Of The Lord" (2010) #12 Gospel Songs
"Step Aside" (2010) #30 Gospel Songs
"Take Me to the King" (2012) #1 Gospel Songs, #125 US Bubbling Under
"Change Me" (2017) #12 Gospel Songs
References
External links
Official website
Tamela Mann on IMDb
