An American soul singer, songwriter, and actress Andra Day is the daughter of Navy Master Chief Joe Batie and children’s book author Delia Batie.
Key Takeaways
- Andra Day is the daughter of the retired Navy master chief and author.
- Day has three siblings: One Elder sister and two younger brothers.
- Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington are her most significant influences.
Navy master chief Joe Batie and Delia, a.k.a. Missy’s green-eyed daughter, Cassandra Monique Batie, also known as Andra Day, was born on December 30, 1984, in Spokane, Washington.
Her parents later moved to Southeast San Diego, where most of the city’s Black population resides. Andra grew up there with her three siblings: older sister Nadea Guillory and younger brothers Jaxon and Joshua.
Andra describes her siblings with distinct personalities: Nadea, her older sister, earned the nickname “The Gangster” in high school for being fiercely loyal and unafraid to stand up for herself, even if it meant throwing a punch.
Jaxon, on the other hand, is the family’s tattletale, while Joshua is the well-behaved, quiet one who prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
Andra holds her father, Joe, in high regard, describing him as the funniest, her best friend, and a family-oriented man. Her mother, Delia, is her inspiration for singing; she has a beautiful voice but is shy and incredibly loving.
Sadly, Andra’s parents separated when she was 17 years old, and they got divorced later.
Her mother, Delia Batie, is now a retired facilities manager and has written children’s books under the name D. A. Batie.
Her father started a backyard grill-building business in Las Vegas, and her older sister launched three businesses that work with children in Seattle.
Andra’s brother, Jaxon Dallas Batie, is involved in music. In March 2024, he produced a song called “About It” for his sister, Andra Day.
Musical and Acting Journey of Andra Day
She pursued her passion for music at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, where she was exposed to the work of jazz legends like Billie Holiday and Nina Simone.
After graduating in 2003, she worked various jobs until she caught the attention of Kai Millard Morris, Stevie Wonder’s wife.
She was introduced to Stevie Wonder, who connected her with producer Adrian Gurvitz. This collaboration led to the release of her debut album, “Cheers to the Fall,” in 2015.
Andra gained recognition for her unplugged covers and mashups on her YouTube channel, many of which were filmed in her sister’s bedroom in San Diego.
Notable covers include songs by Eminem, Jessie J, and Muse. In 2024, she performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the Super Bowl LVIII pregame show, produced and arranged by Adam Blackstone.
She made her acting debut by portraying her icon, Billie Holiday, in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday,” earning her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture—Drama and an Academy Award nomination.
Her upcoming movie, “The Deliverance,” is set to be released on August 30, 2024, followed by “Exhibiting Forgiveness” on October 18, 2024.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Day was honored with the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
- Day became an honorary member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
- Andra Day’s biggest hit song is Rise Up.
