{{Short description|American singer}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Shamari DeVoe | image = DeVoe 2020.jpg | caption = DeVoe in 2020 | image_upright = yes | birth_name = Shamari Fears | birth_place = Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | origin = Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | genre = | occupation = {{hlist|Singer|dancer}} | years_active = 1997–present | label = {{flatlist| * Columbia * Elektra * Darkchild}} | current_member_of = Blaque | spouse = {{marriage|Ronnie DeVoe|March 10, 2006}} }} '''Shamari DeVoe''' ({{née}} '''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 to Dawn Anderson and Raymond Fears.<ref name="Unung_Part 1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCA-NS-kXFA|title=Blaque Unsung (2024) (Part 1)|work=Unsung|date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=July 14, 2024|language=en-US|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bravotv.com/people/shamari-devoe|title=Shamari DeVoe|date=October 1, 2018|work=Bravo TV Official Site|access-date=November 29, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> Raised in Atlanta, her interest in music and performing continued after participating in talent show at age of 13.<ref name="Unung_Part 1"/> The following year, she formed her first girl group with a rotation of members, including classmate Natina Reed.<ref name="Unung_Part 1"/> In 2013, DeVoe graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor of arts degree in Sociology.<ref name=":1" />
== Career == DeVoe was discovered by American rapper Lisa Lopes, who mentored Blaque.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/get-to-know-shamari-devoe-new-real-housewife-of-atlanta-season-11|title=Here Are 5 Things You Need to Know About the New Real Housewife of Atlanta, Shamari DeVoe|date=October 8, 2018|work=Bravo TV Official Site|access-date=November 29, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/cops-confirm-natina-reed-atlanta-group-blaque-fatally-hit-car/1xADukm0eTmdE6xeJuvaHJ/|title=Cops confirm Natina Reed of Atlanta R&B group Blaque fatally hit by car|work=ajc|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref>
In 2000, DeVoe portrayed a cheerleader named Lava in the comedy film ''Bring It On.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/shamari-fears/credits/269741/|title=Shamari Fears {{!}} TV Guide|website=TVGuide.com|language=en|access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref>
Blaque went on hiatus until 2007 and eventually split in 2008. Natina Reed died after being hit by a car in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://uk.eonline.com/news/357888/natina-reed-musician-star-of-bring-it-on-dead-at-32|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130122074205/http://uk.eonline.com/news/357888/natina-reed-musician-star-of-bring-it-on-dead-at-32|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2013|title=Natina Reed, Musician & Star of Bring It On, Dead at 32 {{!}} E! Online|date=January 22, 2013|work=archive.is|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> DeVoe still performs with fellow group member Brandi Williams.<ref name=":1" />
In November 2018, DeVoe joined the cast of the Bravo reality television series ''The Real Housewives of Atlanta'' for the show's eleventh season.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/shamari-devoe-five-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-rhoa-star/|title=Shamari Devoe: Five things you need to know about the new RHOA star|date=November 4, 2018|work=Monsters and Critics|access-date=November 30, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> The duo released a single called "Love Comes Through" on December 7, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/shamaridevoe/p/Bqn9eSYj94Q/|title=Shamari DeVoe on Instagram: "As seen on #RHOA, "Love Comes Through" by ~Me & Mari——> Available on December 7th! Let the countdown begin...#MeAndMari •Video @dimeken10…"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=November 30, 2018}}</ref>
==Personal life== On March 10, 2006, she married Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe. The couple have twin boys born in 2017. DeVoe became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in December 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.essence.com/celebrity/new-edition-ronnie-devoe-shamari-expecting-first-child |title=New Edition's Ronnie DeVoe And Wife Shamari Are Expecting Their First Child Together |last=Porter |first=Lauren |date=February 22, 2017 |magazine=Essence}}</ref>
==Discography==
===Album appearances=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" ! Year !! Title !! Album |- | 2001 || ''Da Hot S*** (Aight)'' with Bell Biv DeVoe || BBD
|- |}
==Filmography==
=== Film === {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 2000 || ''Bring It On'' || Lava || |- |2003 |''Honey'' |Herself | |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" ! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes |- | 2001 || ''V.I.P.'' || Herself || Episode: "Kayus Ex Machina" |- | 2018–2019; 2025 || ''The Real Housewives of Atlanta'' || Herself || Main cast member (Season 11)<br>Guest (Season 16) |- |2019 |''Watch What Happens: Live'' |Herself |Episode(s): Kandi Burruss & Shamari DeVoe / Shamari DeVoe & Bevy Smith |- |2020 |''Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta'' |Herself |Episode: Y'all Are Trying To Please 11 Women |- |2021 |''Genius'' |Backup Singer #2 |Episode: "Young, Gifted and Black" |- |2021 |''BET Presents: The Encore'' |Herself |Main cast member (Season 1) |- |2022–23 |''VH1: Couples Retreat'' |Herself |Main cast member (Seasons 2–3) |}
===Music video appearances=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" ! Year !! Title !! Artist |- | 1997 || "Not Tonight" ||Lil' Kim |- | 2001 || "Welcome To Atlanta" ||Ludacris |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=0269915|name=Shamari Fears}} {{Blaque}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:DeVoe, Shamari}} Category:21st-century American singers Category:20th-century American singers Category:20th-century African-American women singers Category:Living people Category:American contemporary R&B singers Category:Blaque members Category:Singers from Detroit Category:20th-century American women singers Category:21st-century American women singers Category:21st-century African-American women singers Category:Alpha Kappa Alpha members Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
{{US-RnB-singer-stub}}