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The stunning, dynamic and talented Mathis is music’s next leading lady – making her mark as one of the most sought after artists and songwriters in the industry. With her current resume ranging from singing and performing on stages across the country to showcasing her considerable talent belting out moving renditions of the National Anthem for hometown NFL heroes, the New Orleans Saints, to headlining a Presidential Inauguration, Mathis has the world taking notice. She credits artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Patsy Cline, Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston for being touchstones and showing her how a true artist can affect so many by stretching the notion of genres.
Although she hails from the South, Mathis is far from your typical “Southern Girl.” This New Orleanian powerhouse with Lebanese ancestry was forced to find her voice through a series of struggles with self-image. Growing up overweight, Mathis feeling like an outcast, was faced with extreme adversity; she was compelled to find her place to shine and the arts were instrumental in doing so. Mathis took 4 years of dance training, but where her “voice” truly came through was singing. In her senior year of high school, Mathis was pulled out of English class by the Principal with exciting news that someone sitting on the Inauguration Committee for President George Bush, remembered her incredible voice from 3 years prior, and put her name in contention for a part in the star-studded Inauguration Ceremonies. Mathis sent her demo to Washington, D.C. and prayed for her big break. A day later, Mathis was offered the part, and she was booked for the prayer service, the Inaugural Ball and the Gala Opening Ceremonies. She had the opportunity to share the stage with amazing artists like, Jessica Simpson, Brooks & Dunn, Charlotte Church, Ricky Martin, Wayne Newton and many others on national television. After her performance she was offered other opportunities that provided her national exposure, including fundraising events for the Mayor of New Orleans, traveling the country with the Louisiana Hayride and Cavalcade Tour, a (televised) 4th of July premiere of “Red, White and Boom,” and shows for Minor League Baseball Games, Arena Football, the National Black Broadcasting Association – even a return engagement at a game for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. |
Her first exposure to the music business consisted of recording demo tapes at a studio in hopes of landing a record deal, but a promise to her family to attend college prompted Mathis’ decision to get her degree at TCU in Texas.
After graduation, Mathis’s family, realizing her talent and determination, made the trip to Los Angeles with her to meet with various powerbrokers in the music business. Mathis caught the attention of her current manager, Lindsay Rielly, who then made introductions to Grammy-winning songwriters and producers, and was at the time planning to launch a new label. Lindsay influenced her to come out to the West Coast and pursue her music career. This is when Mathis packed up and moved to Los Angeles, CA. Lindsay signed Mathis to “12th Hour Music,” and a career was born; however, not without her fair share of adversity. Literally a week after making her way to LA, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and ravaged the homes of Mathis’ family and loved ones. Unable to reach them for days, Mathis was forced to face her biggest fear – quite possibly losing all she held dearest. Mathis turned to what has always been her lifeline – music – and began writing. Within hours, Mathis had etched from her soul a riveting song; dedicated to her beloved hometown and the bravery of fellow New Orleanians who she watched band together in their darkest hour. Soon after, Mathis was tapped by Ted Tunes, a division of United Airlines, to record her original Katrina tribute produced by Grammy-winning songwriter & producer Tina Clark, for their in-flight music services and retail. In 2009, Mathis is continuing her touring nationwide and exclusive dates internationally and has even shown off some acting chops in theatrical roles and commercials. This recent exposure led to Mathis being cast in a new docu-follow reality show, which chronicles the lives of 5 young, driven LA women making it happen in the city of dreams. Mathis has also been hard at work recording new songs that reflect her unique sound - an incredible mix of Pop Country fused with authentic sounds of New Orleans. Whatever she sets her sights on, you can be sure it will meet with a great deal of success. Most recently Mathis headlined a star studded event for the launch of Dancing with the Stars, pro Karina Smirnoff’s non profit Dance Intervention and was tapped to sing the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America at a televised Dodgers game. Mathis currently resides in West Hollywood, Los Angeles. |
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