Jamelia confirmed as 40th person to be honoured on Birmingham Walk of Stars

Brummie music star Jamelia will become the next person to be honoured on the city’s prestigious Walk of Stars later this week.

British recording artist, actress and television presenter Jamelia – full name Jamelia Niela Davis – will receive a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars on Thursday, in a presentation to be made by Jasper Carrott at the Symphony Hall.

The Birmingham Walk of Stars was developed to recognise those who were born in Birmingham or have lived here and have put the city on the map nationally and internationally through their work.

Westside BID, who founded the initiative in 2007 with their first star for Ozzy Osbourne, have since presented the accolade to 39 public figures including Lenny Henry, Tony Iommi, Julie Walters, Noddy Holder, Frank Skinner, Harry Moseley, Beverley Knight, Malkit Singh and Toyah Wilcox.

Birmingham’s very own Jamelia, hailing from Handsworth, will be the 40th person to get a special Birmingham Walk of Star, which will feature with the others on Broad Street in the city’s entertainment district.

The multi-award winning mjusician embarked on her career as a singer-songwriter at the tender age of 15. With seven Top 10 Singles, two Gold Albums and one Double Platinum in the UK alone, Jamelia’s subsequent international success (including number 1’s in Italy, Spain, Australia & Thailand) solidified her position as one of the UK’s most successful black music artists.

Speaking about the accolade the future Walk of Star said:

“I am absolutely chuffed to be receiving this honour. I am and have always been a very proud Brummie, so to be immortalised in this way, in the very heart of my hometown has to be one of the highlights of my career so far! Thank You So Much!”

After 10 years in the music industry, Jamelia decided to try her hand at television, again achieving great success as a panelist, documentary filmmaker, presenter and talent show judge. She has also followed her passions for acting, gaining starring roles in both the small and big screen, alongside accomplished talents such as Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones and Daniel Mays.

Jamelia’s modelling career has seen her grace the covers of Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Harpers & Queen. She has fronted campaigns for Reebok, Pretty Polly, Toni & Guy and Boux Avenue.

With all of these accolades, you would think Jamelia would find it impossible to fit another string to her bow, but this one she see as the most important.

The 37-year-old is mother to three lovely daughters, 17 year old Téja, 12 year old Tiani and baby True, who she describes as her “Magic Girlz”.

Walk of Stars Chair, Jasper Carrott will be leading the presentation and Q&A during the ceremony on Thursday. He explained why he feels Jamelia is so deserving of the star:

“Jamelia is a shining example of how to come through from difficult beginnings and succeed in such a spectacular way. Her musical honesty and dedication hits the nerve, leads the way and that is why she so deserves her Walk of Stars award. Birmingham is rightly proud to call her one of our own.”

Jamelia has expressed her desire to to continue advocating for and empowering girls and women like herself.

Jamelia will be presented with her Walk of Stars tribute on Thursday 6th September at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham.