Maria Howell- Talks About How Being A Featured Extra In 'The Color Purple' Launch Her Acting & Singing Career

Mere  words can only capture the refrain of her awesome talent. She is the  ballad of beauty and elegance. The melodies flowing from the petite  vocalist are truly amazing. While casting a spellbinding smile, she  mesmerizes her captive audience with incredible harmonies and rhythms. AS AN ACTOR, she has appeared in hit TV shows such as Lifetime's, “Army Wives”, and Marc Cherry's, "Devious Maids". Eric Kripke and J.J. Abrams' apocalyptic, “Revolution”, and “Aquarius", starring X-Files' David Duchuvny, both on NBC, and “Criminal Minds”, alongside Joe Mantegna. Theatrical credits include, “The Blind Side”, “Addicted”, starring Sharon Leal and Boris Kodjoe, “Hunger Games: Catching Fire”,  as Seeder, and "Christmas Wedding Baby”, by Award-Winning Writer/Director Kiara C. Jones. She also stars in Writer/Director, Shea Sizemore's "The Next Day."  In addition, she recurs in Bounce TV's, "Saints & Sinners" as Lt. Hawkins, and as Ms. Sumner is the Oscar nominated film, “Hidden Figures”. A SONG STYLIST in  her own right, Maria has shared the musical stage with such legendary  artists as Nancy Wilson, George Benson, Ray Charles and Earl Klugh, and  Ronnie Laws. After a very successful 6 year stint in Asia, Maria  relocated back to the U.S. and performed at Sambuca Jazz Café for 9  consecutive years. She and pianist Bill Wilson (son of legendary jazz  pianist Teddy Wilson), held the distinction of being the longest running  act at the Atlanta, GA location. As of 2017, Maria hosts her live  Hollywood music series called #DUETS, featuring “songs to soothe your  soul.” Maria is not only a song stylist and actor, but a very devoted supporter of her charity of choice, Students Without Mothers, where she has served as a board member for over 8 years.