Shamari DeVoe ( Fears) is an American singer. DeVoe gained notice in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the girl group Blaque. DeVoe portrayed Lava in the comedy film ''Bring It On'' (2000). She has also appeared on the Bravo reality television series '' The Real Housewives of Atlanta'' for its eleventh season; and the VH1 series ''Couples Retreat'' (2022–2023) alongside her husband R&B singer Ronnie DeVoe.

Early life

DeVoe was born in

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

to Dawn Anderson and Raymond Fears. Raised in

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

, her interest in music and performing continued after participating in talent show at age of 13. The following year, she formed her first girl group with a rotation of members, including classmate Natina Reed. In 2013, DeVoe graduated from

Georgia State University Georgia State University (Georgia State, State, or GSU) is a Public university, public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1913, it is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities. It is al ...

with a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology.

Career

DeVoe was discovered by American rapper Lisa Lopes, who mentored Blaque. She formed Blaque with Brandi Williams and Reed. The group made their first appearance in 1997, in the music video for Lil' Kim's " Not Tonight". Their debut album ''Blaque'' (1999) sold more than 1.5 million copies and was certified Platinum. '' Billboard'' named Blaque as the fourth "Best New Artist" in 1999. In 2000, DeVoe portrayed a cheerleader named Lava in the comedy film '' Bring It On.'' Blaque went on hiatus until 2007 and eventually split in 2008. Natina Reed died after being hit by a car in 2012. DeVoe still performs with fellow group member Brandi Williams. In November 2018, DeVoe joined the cast of the Bravo reality television series '' The Real Housewives of Atlanta'' for the show's eleventh season. On September 26, 2019, it was announced that DeVoe would not be returning for the twelfth season. She is working on a collaboration with her husband Ronnie DeVoe called Me & Mari. The duo released a single called "Love Comes Through" on December 7, 2018.

Personal life

On March 10, 2006, she married Ronnie DeVoe of

New Edition New Edition is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B/Pop music, pop group from the Roxbury, Boston, Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by singer/rapper Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson ...

and Bell Biv DeVoe. The couple have twin boys, Ronald and Roman, who were born in 2017. DeVoe became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in December 2014.

Discography

Album appearances

Filmography

Film

Television

Music video appearances

References

External links

* 1980 births 21st-century American singers 20th-century American singers 20th-century African-American women singers Living people American contemporary R&B singers Blaque members Singers from Detroit 20th-century American women singers 21st-century American women singers 21st-century African-American women singers {{US-RnB-singer-stub Alpha Kappa Alpha members