{{Short description|Tanzanian singer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
'''Marianne Namshali ''' (born June 21, 1992) popularly known by her stage name '''Mimi Mars''' is a Tanzanian singer, actress and media personality.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-28 |title=TANZANIAN MEDIA PERSONALITY MIMI MARS LAUNCHES MUSIC CAREER WITH "SHUGA" |url=https://anyiko-pr.com/press-release-tanzanian-media-personality-mimi-mars-launches-music-career-shuga/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Anyiko - Public Relations |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Otengo |first=Victor |date=2021-12-19 |title=Vanessa Mdee proud of sister Mimi Mars after big win at film festival |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/437574-vanessa-mdee-celebrates-sister-mimi-mars-scooped-best-actress-award-tanzania-film-festival/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shantel |first=Denzel |date=2019-02-20 |title=Meet Tanzania's fast rising music star Mimi Mars {{!}} Showbizuganda |url=https://www.showbizuganda.com/meet-tanzanias-fast-rising-music-star-mimi-mars/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Showbizuganda {{!}} Uganda's Leading Showbiz and Entertainment Website. |language=en-US}}</ref>
{{Infobox musical artist | name = Mimi Mars | birth_name = Marianne Namshali | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|06|21}} | birth_place = Paris, France | origin = Dar Es Salaam | genre = Bongo Flava Afrobeats | occupation = Singer Songwriter | instrument = Vocals | years_active = 2017-present | label = Mdee Music }}
==Biography==
Mars was born on June 21, 1980, in Paris, France. She is the daughter of a former Tanzanian ambassador in France, Sammy Mdee, and Sophia Mdee.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sammy Mdee (CDA) {{!}} Tanzania Foreign Ministry Official List |url=https://www.tzembassy.go.tz/ambassadors/view/sammy-mdee-cda |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=www.tzembassy.go.tz}}</ref> She is the young sister of Tanzanian television presenter and singer, Vanessa Mdee<ref>{{Cite web |last=Otengo |first=Victor |date=2021-10-24 |title=Vanessa Mdee, sister Mimi Mars finally reunite in US after 2 years apart |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/430775-vanessa-mdees-sister-mimi-mars-visits-us-its-2-years/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. |language=en}}</ref> who is married to an American actor, Rotimi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=queen-of-goss |title=Mimi Mars reveals when Vanessa and Rotimi's baby will visit Tanzania |url=https://mpasho.co.ke/entertainment/2021-12-15-mimi-mars-reveals-when-vanessa-and-rotimis-baby-will-visit-tanzania/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Mpasho |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
Mars holds a LL.B from Kampala International University in Tanzania.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nyambs |title=My parents wanted me to study law – Mimi Mars |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/sasa/word-is/2019-04-08-my-parents-wanted-me-to-study-law--mimi-mars/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}</ref>
==Career== ===Music career=== Mars started her music career in 2017 with the release of her smash hit titled ''Shuga''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=VANESSA MDEE'S SISTER MIMI MARS LAUNCHES MUSIC CAREER – Buzz Central |url=https://buzzcentral.co.ke/2017/02/vanessa-mdees-sister-mimi-mars-launches-music-career/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |language=en-GB}}</ref> In late 2018, Mars released her first ever extended playlist called, 'The Road' that had six tracks. With the EP, Mimi Mars became the first Tanzanian female artist to drop an EP
In 2019 she was a part of Coke Studio Africa as an upcoming artist. She has since worked with RJ The DJ, Barnaba Classic, AY, Dogo Janja, Marioo, Nandy, Darassa and other notable names in the Eastern African Music.
===Acting career=== Mars debuted as an actress in 2019 when she played Sophia' in "You Again", a film directed and starred in by Kenyan actor Nick Mutuma.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ochieng |first=Jennifer |date=2019-09-23 |title='You Again' Is A Labour Of Love: Nick Mutuma Overcomes Challenges To Direct His First Film |url=https://www.kenyanvibe.com/you-again-is-a-labour-of-love-nick-mutuma-overcomes-challenges-to-direct-his-first-film/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=KenyanVibe |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2021, she played Maria in 'Jua Kali', a drama series that aired on DStv's Maisha Magic Bongo alongside TID, RJ The DJ, Godliver Gordian, Beatrice Taisamo, Van Vicker, Patience Ozokwor and Sho Madjozi.
== Awards == In 2019 she was nominated in the Best Actress category at the Kalasha Awards in Kenya <ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-12 |title=Mimi Mars kuwania tuzo za filamu Kenya |url=https://www.mwananchi.co.tz/mw/michezo/burudani/mimi-mars-kuwania-tuzo-za-filamu-kenya-2994740 |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Mwananchi |language=en}}</ref>
In 2021, Mimi Mars won the Best Actress category at the prestigious Tanzania Film Awards <ref>{{Cite web |last=Otengo |first=Victor |date=2021-12-19 |title=Vanessa Mdee proud of sister Mimi Mars after big win at film festival |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/entertainment/celebrities/437574-vanessa-mdee-celebrates-sister-mimi-mars-scooped-best-actress-award-tanzania-film-festival/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. |language=en}}</ref>
==Filmography== *'''Movies''' {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; background: #f9f9f0" |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- |2019 |'''You again'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Latestnigeriannews |title=Watch Trailer for You Again starring Mimi Mars, Nick Mutuma, Amalie Chopetta |url=http://www.latestnigeriannews.com/news/7628673/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Latest Nigerian News |language=English}}</ref> |Sophia |Film was directed by Nick Mutuma who also starred alongside Eva Chemngorem and Amalie Chopetta |- |} *'''Television''' {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; background: #f9f9f0" |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Series ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes |- |2021-2024 |'''Jua Kali'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=TZA |first=Edwin |title=Mastaa Quick Rocka, Mimi Mars, Lulu Diva na TID kwenye tamthilia moja, mtayarishaji kafunguka |url=https://millardayo.com/mastaa-quick-rocka-mimi-mars-lulu-diva-na-tid-kwenye-tamthilia-moja-mtayarishaji-kafunguka/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=Millard Ayo |language=en-US}}</ref> |Maria |rowspan=2|Airing on Maisha Majic Bongo on DStv |- |2024 | Jiya |Nashipai | |}
==Discography== ===Extended playlist=== *2018:The Road<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gichovi |first=Murugi |date=2019-04-05 |title=Tanzanian songstress Mimi Mars taking over Kenya with her latest EP |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/thesauce/tanzanian-songstress-mimi-mars-taking-over-kenya-with-her-latest-ep/ |access-date=2023-01-03 |website=The Sauce |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=anyiko |date=2019-01-03 |title=Mimi Mars Releases Debut EP: The Road |url=https://notjustok.com/eastafrica/ep/mimi-mars-releases-debut-ep-the-road/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=Latest East African & Bongo Flava Music, Songs & Video - Notjustok |language=en-US}}</ref> *Christmas With Mimi Mars <ref>{{Citation |title=Christmas With Mimi Mars - EP by Mimi Mars on Apple Music |date=2021-12-14 |url=https://music.apple.com/tz/album/christmas-with-mimi-mars-ep/1600551724 |access-date=2024-01-04 |language=en-GB}}</ref> '''Singles''' #Niguse #One Night ft Kagwe Mungai #Ringtone #Mua #Niache #Mdogo mdogo ft Nikki wa Pili.
===Single releases=== *Lala ft Marioo *Una ft Young Lunya & Marioo *Ohoo ft Baddest 47 *Mi Casa Su Casa *Maua *Wenge *Ex ft Mwana FA *Sitamani *Haima maana *Kondoo *Papara *Ex *Dede *Shuga *One night ft Kagwe Mungai *Mdogo mdogo ft Nikki wa Pili
'''Collaboration''' *Christmas EP (with Vanessa mdee & Tommy Flavour)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christmas with Vee Money, Tommy Flavour & Mimi Mars (EP) – Bongo5.com |url=https://bongo5.com/exclusive-christmas-with-vee-money-tommy-flavour-mimi-mars-ep-12-2016/ |access-date=2023-01-04 |website=bongo5.com}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|12488619|Mimi Mars}} {{Portal|Biography|Tanzania}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mars, Mimi}} Category:1992 births Category:Tanzanian Christians Category:Living people Category:21st-century Tanzanian actresses Category:People from Arusha Region Category:Swahili-language Tanzanian singers Category:Tanzanian musicians Category:Tanzanian Bongo Flava musicians Category:Kampala International University alumni Category:Tanzanian film actresses Category:21st-century Tanzanian women singers