D'atra Hicks

D'atra Hicks
Born Deitra Hicks
(1968-02-20) February 20, 1968
New York City, U.S.
Education Harry S. Truman High School
Occupation
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s)
Loren Harper
(m. 2004–2010)
Children 1
Family Taral Hicks (sister)
Musical career
Genres
Labels
Digital Jukebox Records
Associated acts Cheryl Pepsii Riley
Website www.datrahicks.net

D'Atra Hicks (born Deitra Hicks; February 20, 1968) is an American actress and singer. Hicks is best known for her role as Jackie Simmons in Tyler Perry's 2002 stage play Madea's Family Reunion. Hicks has also performed as Nurse Trudy in the 2006 stage play What's Done in the Dark and as Niecy in the 2009 play Laugh to Keep from Crying.

Life and career

Born in Harlem, Hicks began performing in her grandfather's church choir as a child. In her early teens, Hicks and her older sister Miriam formed a singing group "The Hicks Sisters" and eventually cut a demo. The duo's demo caught the attention of Broadway producers of the stage play Mama I Want To Sing! were impressed by Hicks' voice. In late 1985, Hicks was offered the lead role of Doris Winter in the play, in which she portrayed from April 1986 until 1990.[1] The play eventually became the most successful off-Broadway black musical in theatrical history.

During her time on Broadway, Hicks received a solo deal with Capitol Records in 1989. Hicks released her self-titled debut album under the Capitol label on September 9, 1989. With production contributions from Narada Michael Walden and Nick Martinelli, Hicks' album debuted at number sixty-three and sat ten weeks on the Top R&B Albums chart. Hicks later scored roles in Tyler Perry's stage plays including Madea's Family Reunion, What's Done in the Dark.

Chart Positions

Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
US UK
1989 D'atra Hicks 63 –

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions
US UK US
R&B
"Sweet Talk"[2] 1989 ——8
"You Make Me Want to Give It Up" 1989 ——51

Personal life

Hicks is the older sister of actress and singer Taral Hicks. Hicks has one child, Diamond Grant. Hicks was married to actor Loren Harper from 2004 to 2010. Hicks has appeared on Divorce Court twice, once in September 2010[3] during her divorce proceedings with Harper and February 2017.

References

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