Elizabeth Wolfgramm

Elizabeth Wolfgramm (born August 19, 1972, in Salt Lake City) is an American singer and was a member of the family group The Jets, composed of siblings: Eddie, Eugene, Elizabeth, Haini, Kathi, Leroy, Moana, and Rudy Wolfgramm. Some of her later work has appeared under her married name, Elizabeth Atuaia.

Biography

She left the group in the early 1990s to pursue other projects, and later married Hawaii-born, Samoan football star Mark Atuaia. Mark's parents were from Samoa and named him after an American Mormon missionary they knew. He was raised in Hawaii where he made the record of the top high school football rusher.[1] He then played football at Brigham Young University (BYU) as well as serving a mission in the Arizona Tucson Mission. After completing his time at BYU, he considered professional football options. About this time Elizabeth, who he was then dating, developed breast cancer so he decided to remain close to her. After her recovery, they were married in the Laie Hawaii Temple. Mark did not complete his degree at BYU, but in 2004 completed a degree in political science at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. In the fall of 2005, he began study as a law student at the J. Reuben Clark Law School of BYU.

The couple has 6 children: daughters Anessa, Alema, and Abi; and sons Tai, Teanekuma and Ropati. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In 1990, she recorded the song entitled "Yourself Myself" featured in Tatsuro Song from L.A. (1990), Universal Music. Later, alongside sister Moana, she wrote a few songs for the compilation Return with Honor: 1995 EFY (Especially for Youth) released by Embryo Records. She reunited with Moana in 1997 to record the song "Do" (also featuring younger sister Jennifer) featured in the Be a Builder songbook and companion CD (Vol. 3) Sticks & Stones for the Utah Prevention/Dimension (PK-12) Prevention Program.

In 2002, she recorded the song "Faithful" featured on Love Is a Journey: Reflections on Marriage (2002) released by Shadow Mountain. In 2006, she, along with her sisters Kathi, Moana, Jennifer and Hinalei, released a gospel-themed album entitled My Sisters.

Her rendition of "Never a Better Hero" has also been recorded on CD for distribution.[2]

Early career

Wolfgramm was only 11 years old when her family band was signed to MCA Records. She was the lead singer of group. She is the face of "The Jets" and quickly became a fan favorite. She recorded their hit song "You Got It All" when she was only 12 years old. The song hit number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts and #3 on the Pop Charts. In 1995, Wolfgramm teamed up with Marie Osmond's husband, Record Producer Brian Blosil to record a solo album through Treble V, though the album was never released.

Breast cancer survivor

Elizabeth was only 22 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. She eventually had her breast removed and has been in remission since. She was told by doctors at the time she would not be able to bear children, yet has now borne six healthy children. She credits her strong Mormon faith with her survival and blessings of her children.

Notes

  1. Star-Bulletin article on Atuaia
  2. LDS Music listing of CD including a song by Elizabeth
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