Marva Hicks passed away, age 66.

Marva Hicks Taha, an award-winning actor and singer who originally hailed from Petersburg, Virginia, passed away in New York City on September 16, 2022. A Howard University graduate, Hicks’ performing credits span 4 decades.

On July 16, 1996, she performed as a background singer for Michael Jackson in a free concert at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Bandar Seri Begawan. The concert was in celebration of the fiftieth birthday of Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei and was attended by the Brunei Royal Family. As part of the set list, Marva sang the female part of the duet “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” with Michael. She also performed as a background singer during Michael Jackson’s HIStory World Tour.

When Michael passed away in 2009, she said:
“My best memory of Michael Jackson is when my mother became very ill and was in intensive care. We were performing in Sydney, Australia. In the performance of one of the nights, I found out she was sick. Michael pulled me aside, after our prayer circle. Michael thanked me for doing the show that night, considering how worried I was about my mother. And he assured me that he would take me home as soon as possible. I left on a flight the next morning. And the next day, flowers arrived at the hospital for my mother from Michael Jackson. I am loyal to him to this day, because of his kindness.”

Her powerful, distinct and sultry voice was heard on her first album “Marva Hicks” released in 1991 with a Top 10 charting hit single “Never Been in Love Before.”

Marva, a three-time Helen Hayes Award winner, was a fixture in the theatrical community. Her Broadway credits include, “Motown,” “The Lion King,” “Caroline or Change,” and “Lena Horne, The Lady at Her Music.”  She starred in many Off-Broadway productions, canvassing the country with her most recent performance in April 2022 of “Angry, Raucous and Shamelessly Gorgeous” at the Alliance Theatre.

Hicks’ vast film and television credits include “Mad about You,” “Star Trek,” “One Life to Live,” and “LA Law,” She lent her voice and talents to many nonprofit organizations including the Ronald McDonald House. She was a very proud member of Broadway Inspirational Voices for many years.

She died in New York City on September 16, 2022, at the age of 66 and she is survived by her husband, Akwasi Taha and many family and life-long friends.