Bio
Born Tamara Nathalie Atzeni to an Italian father and South African mother, Tamara was born in Knokke Heist, Belgium and grew up in Centurion, Pretoria.
She did her primary schooling at Irene Primary School and finished high school at Lyttelton Manor High School after which she completed a 3 year Musical Theatre Diploma at Pretoria Tech.
In 2000 she made her musical debut when she was discovered by DJ Pepsi who introduced her to Bruce Sebitlo and Oscar Mdlongwa (DJ Oscar of YFM radio) of Brothers of Peace.
Together they collaborated to create the track Thathi ‘Mphahlayakho which officially launched Tamara’s career.
In 2001 Tamara launched her debut album entitled The First Lady which featured collaborations with musicians Thembi, Lebo Mathosa & Tandiswa Mazwai.
In 2002 she received 3 South African Music Award nominations for the album in the categories Best Pop Album, Best Dance Album and Best Newcomer.
She also started work on her second album The First Lady And The Boys which she recorded in between continuing to promote her first. This second album, a mix of jazz, pop, rock, funk and Kwaito influences, was released in 2003.
In the same year the Egyptian Embassy, in collaboration with the South African government, invited her to Egypt to perform in a televised tour of the country.
In 2004 the second single from The First Lady And The Boys reached No 1 on South African radio and the album was nominated for a Best Dance Album SAMA. In the same year she was the opening act for Latin singer Enrique Iglesias's South African tour.
In 2005 Tamara created the dance outfit Flash Republic with her partners DJs Ryan Dent & Craig Massiv. Tamara is the lead singer and Ryan and Craig the two main members of the band. The band toured Europe in 2005 and released their debut album Time Is Now when they returned.
The first single Emergency went to Number 1 on 5FM and the group enjoyed a Top 10 with their second single Robot.
Tamara, who's music has been described as "the unofficial language that celebrates the heart and soul of South Africa," is currently performing live with Flash as they release their third single and working on her next solo album in between.
In 2011 she was one of the featured celebrities interviewed by Nicky Greenwall in The Close Up, which aired on e.tv and DStv's eNews channel.
Tamara with her partner Brandon Eilers inStrictly Come Dancing (Season 2)