Biografia
With a powerful voice and distinctive style far beyond her thirteen years, Jamia Simone Nash, known simply as "Jamia," is undeniably a rising superstar. From the young age of two, Jamia has been singing with remarkable passion, forging a remarkable career as a versatile talent—a singer, stage performer, and actor—competing with veterans boasting many more years of experience.
On February 24, 2008, Jamia captivated audiences at the 80th Annual Academy Awards® by performing the Oscar-nominated original song "Raise It Up" from Warner Brothers' film "August Rush." In her critically acclaimed feature film debut as "Hope," she portrayed a character who befriends Freddie Highmore’s musically gifted, adopted youth searching for his biological parents. Jamia’s moving rendition of "Raise It Up" alongside Harlem’s Impact Repertory Theater not only earned her widespread praise but also made her the youngest African-American ever to perform on this prestigious global broadcast.
Although the song did not win an Oscar, Jamia’s performance was hailed as a standout moment of the evening. Following her Oscar night success, she was honored with the W.O.M.E.N. Drum Major for Justice Youth Award by the Southern Christian Leadership Committee (S.C.L.C.). Prior to her global TV debut, Jamia impressed national audiences with appearances on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Good Morning America," and "The CBS Early Show," among others. She has performed live for luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey, the King of Jordan, and the President of the United States, who called her "the definition of the future." Jamia also sang the National Anthem at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game and shared stages with superstars like Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, and John Mayer. At just five years old, her breakthrough came with a stirring rendition of Michael Jackson’s "Who's Loving You?" on "Showtime at the Apollo," where she won over the famously tough audience with a standing ovation.
Beyond her musical achievements, Jamia is gaining recognition in Hollywood for her acting talents. Her breakout role came in 2006, portraying a young Fantasia Barrino, the 2004 American Idol winner, in the Lifetime movie "Life Is Not A Fairytale," earning critical acclaim, including praise from Seattle Post-Intelligencer critic Melanie McFarland. Her other television credits include UPN’s "Half and Half," two appearances on ABC’s "My Wife and Kids," WB’s "7th Heaven," and "Steve Harvey’s Big Time." Off-screen, Jamia has contributed her vocals to the character "Uniqua" on Nickelodeon’s popular animated series "The Backyardigans." On June 21, 2008, she performed at Atlanta’s Phillips Arena in "Songs of Soul and Inspiration," a star-studded two-hour musical event directed by award-winning producer and choreographer Debbie Allen, celebrating AARP’s 50th anniversary. Jamia shared the stage with renowned female vocalists including Queen Latifah, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams, Patti Austin, Shirley Caesar, CeCe Winans, Ann Nesby, and Paris Bennett.
Jamia currently appears on CBS’s top-rated daytime soap opera "The Young and the Restless," playing the recurring role of "Ana Hamilton," opposite Eva Marcille, winner of America's Next Top Model cycle 3, who portrays her mother.
Her career is managed by her father, James Nash, CEO of The Popular Entertainment Group.
