Biography
Jamia's life and accomplishments thus far
With a bold voice and signature delivery that belies her twelve years, Jamia Simone Nash, known simply as "JAMIA," is definitely a superstar on the rise. Since the ripe 'old' age of two, Jamia has been singing with incredible conviction and building a notable career as a successful multi-hyphenate -- singer, stage performer and actor -- rivaling pros with many more years of experience under their belts.

Jamia owned the stage on February 24, 2008, at the 80th Annual Academy Awards ceremony when she performed the Oscar-nominated original song "Raise It Up" from the Warner Brothers' feature "August Rush," a movie for which she received critical acclaim in her feature film debut as "Hope." In the role, Jamia befriends star Freddie Highmore's character, a musically-gifted, adopted boy searching for his real parents. Her inspiring lead performance of "Raise It Up" with the Impact Repertory Theater of Harlem not only won Jamia rave reviews, but secured her place in the history books as the youngest African-American to perform on the prestigious worldwide telecast to date.

The song didn't win a statue, but the night still belonged to Jamia, whose performance was widely regarded by critics as a highlight of the show. And her comedic Nintendo Wii tennis match skit with host Jon Stewart also drew a big laugh. The Los Angeles Times' Ann Powers called her "predictably dazzling," while Cynthia R. Fagen of the New York Post wrote that she "stole the show" and "knocked the socks off the star-studded audience with her powerful, honeyed voice." Jamia's hometown newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, chronicled her Academy-Awards experience with a series of articles, blogs and photo galleries, including a page one feature on show day calling Jamia "Oscar's Little Big Girl." AJC movie critic Bob Longino had perhaps the most ringing endorsement of Jamia's onstage acumen, stating "She came. She sang. She conquered… after the performance host Jon Stewart dubbed her 'unbelievable.'"

In the wake of her Oscar-night triumph, Jamia was recently recognized alongside Academy Award-winner Forrest Whitaker by the Southern Christian Leadership Committee (S.C.L.C.) during its 2008 W.O.M.E.N. Drum Major for Justice Award ceremony commemorating the historic 40th anniversary of Dr. King's assassination.

Long before Jamia's worldwide Oscar debut, she wowed national audiences with multiple appearances on shows such as the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Good Morning America," and "The CBS Early Show," among others.

Onstage, she's performed live for such luminaries as Aretha Franklin, John Travolta, Oprah Winfrey, the King of Jordan and the President of the United States, who dubbed Jamia 'the definition of the future;' sang the National Anthem during 2003 NBA All-Star Game festivities; and commonly shares the stage with such superstars as Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban and John Mayer, to name a few. Jamia got her first big break at age five when her rendition of the Michael Jackson classic "Who's Loving You?" on "Showtime at the Apollo" brought the legendarily tough crowd - known for booing performers off the stage - to its feet with admiration and rousing applause.

In addition to making a name as a sought-after performer, Jamia has been generating buzz in Hollywood for her budding acting career. Her breakout performance in 2006 as a 10-year-old Fantasia Barrino (2004 American Idol winner) in the hit Lifetime television movie "Life Is Not A Fairytale" drew the attention of television critics, including the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Melanie McFarland.

"The young Fantasia (the charismatic Jamia Simone Nash) has a commanding talent that becomes the center of attention whenever the family band performs together," she wrote of Jamia's scene-stealing turn.

Other notable appearances include the UPN series "Half and Half," two appearances on ABC's "My Wife and Kids," the WB's "7th Heaven" and "Steve Harvey's Big Time." Behind the scenes, the Osbourne Middle School student has also lent her signature vocals to the character "Uniqua" on the popular Nickelodeon animated series The Backyardigan's.

During her summer break, Jamia is appearing on CBS' "Young and the Restless," the #1 daytime soap opera on television. Cast as "Ana," her recurring character plays opposite America's Next Top Model cycle 3 winner Eva Marcelle as Ana's mom. The first episode featuring Jamia premiered on Wednesday, June 25.

On June 21, Jamia appeared at Atlanta's Phillips Arena in a star studded, two-hour musical event called "Songs of Soul and Inspiration" directed by Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony award-winning producer and choreographer Debbie Allen as part of AARP's 50th anniversary celebration. Jamia was featured in a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of female vocalists, including Queen Latifah, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Yolanda Adams, Patti Austin, Shirley Caesar, CeCe Winans, Ann Nesby and Paris Bennett.

Jamia's father and manager, James Nash, CEO of The Popular Entertainment Group, recently announced a partnership with star-maker Jeff Kwatinetz at The Firm to co-manage her skyrocketing career. Jamia is also represented by Nick Styne and Kim Hodgert of Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

The Nash family, who reside in Los Angeles County, also includes mom Charlene and eight-year-old sister Olivia, who aspires to follow in Jamia's footsteps with a career in entertainment.

For more information about Jamia contact: THE POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

(678) 687-8123

Please visit: http://www.thepopularentertainmentgroup.com or www.jamianashfans.com
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