(BlackTree TV - Los Angeles) Jamaal Finkley sits down with Hollywood Power Couple David and Tamela Mann a.k.a "DaviLa" or "Tamelid", and talks about the rigors of being married and working across the screen from each other. We also discussed their long relationship with each other and Tyler Perry.
DAVID MANN (Brown). A native of the "Bible belt" state of Texas, David masterfully showcases his God-given talents in today's most dynamic and distinguished genre.
Accentuating his already natural gift of making people laugh as a youth, David set his sights on acting. As a free-spirited adolescent, the self-possessed 15 year-old discovered a way to employ his unsuspecting antics by involving himself in various high school activities including contemporary drama where he permeated the stage world by becoming a budding thespian. Finding his natural element, David was commonly cast as the production's funnyman where his infectious comedic flair was visibly realized and fittingly unleashed. From high school to local community theater, David's accomplished performances quickly gained notable recognition advancing his diversified image into public notice.
In short order David joined forces with one of America's funniest actors and critically acclaimed playwrights, Tyler Perry. The illustrious multi hyphenate had written, directed, and produced numerous plays including the stage play hit "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" where David remarkably immortalized the intrusively nosey, wisecracking, ashy-kneed and outrageously funny neighbor, 'Mr. Brown.' As was apropos, David's bravo performance led the way for "Mr. Brown" to become a principal character in many of Perry's other hilarious stage and film comedies, including the play and motion picture, "Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns," in which David reprised the role of 'Mr. Brown' for mass audiences. Both properties were sure-fire hits, playing to packed theaters and grossing millions.
David Mann's musical and theatrical talents brilliantly epitomize ingenuity at its best. When David is not shooting "Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns," he brings his live comedy show to venues around the country playing to sold-out crowds and is a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association. When David is not on tour, he enjoys the restful company of his devoted wife Tamela Mann, and their fun-loving children.
Starring as 'Cora Simmons,' the loving and churchgoing "but woe to those who cross me" daughter of beloved 'Deacon Leroy Brown' and the iconic 'Madea Simmons' on the hit TBS comedy "Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns," TAMELA MANN (Cora) makes millions laugh every week while she enjoys a unique, personal, double blessing. Continuing the role she originated in Perry's 2004 play and 2008 film of the same name, this sassy, high spirited multi-talented singer and actress is able to work on set every day with David Mann, her husband of 22 years.
Growing up, Tamela was an impoverished child in Texas where money was scarce, and struggles were ever-present. God and the sweet gospel sounds of Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, Andrae Crouch and the Clark Sisters were there to encourage her. Music was her solace from the beginning, and she began attending choir rehearsals with her siblings when she was eight.
By 12, she was performing in the "singing choir" at the Holy Tabernacle. In her late teens, she attended an after school chorus class, where she first heard high school friends David Mann, Kirk Franklin and Darrell Blair sing; in those days, they were known as the "Humble Hearts." Tamela went on to a different high school, but impressed them with her voice. She and David became best friends and eventually began singing with Franklin and then the larger ensemble Franklin created, The Family.
Tamela's extraordinary career began in the early 90s when she joined future gospel superstar Franklin as a member of his platinum selling gospel music group, The Family. After collaborating with him, she went on to join the cast of the stage play, "He Say...She Say...But What Does God Say?"
On the heels of her highly lauded stage debut, her acting career took off as she was tapped by Tyler Perry to appear in his stage play "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." Tamela enthralled audiences with her comedic acting over the years as 'Cora' in many of Perry's other hit plays ("Madea's Family Reunion," "Madea's Class Reunion") and films ("Diary of a Mad Black Woman," "Madea Goes To Jail"). In fact, Mann's explosive songs "Father Can You Hear Me" and "Take It to Jesus" can even be heard in the movie and on the soundtrack album of "Diary of a Mad Black Woman."
Tamela then went on to star in the play and motion picture, "Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns," in which she charmed fans as Mr. Brown's daughter, 'Cora.' Both properties were sure-fire hits, playing to packed theaters and grossing millions.
Talent: Jamaal Finkley
Associate Producer: Theryn C. Bond
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