Indian American Singer Maryanne J. George Makes a Statement on Grammys Red Carpet in Black Silk Sari
- She picked her first Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album With the Maverick City Music Collective.
Indian culture took center stage at last week’s Grammy Awards as Indian American singer, and songwriter Maryanne J. George made quite a statement on the red carpet in a black and gold six-yard sari. George’s raw silk printed sari, created by Indian designer Masaba Gupta’s House of Masaba, had a pink pallu with different kinds of motifs – flowers (hibiscus), parrot and a flower bud. Keeping the vibe traditional, she wore her hair up in a bun.
George is part of the Maverick City Music collective, which, along with Elevation Worship won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for “Old Church Basement.” The collective also became the first Christian or Gospel group in 20 years to perform during the live broadcast of the awards ceremony. They performed “Jireh” during the worship song written and recorded in collaboration with Elevation Worship about resting in the promises of God.
Earlier at the Oscars, Megan Thee Stallion walked the Oscars red carpet in a Gaurav Gupta label. Rapper Cardi B chose Gaurav Gupta’s couture, for her music video, a remix of the hit song “No Love.”
The daughter of Indian immigrants from Kerala, George made her solo debut in 2021 with the release of her debut extended play, “Not Just Stories,” via Tribl Records. It debuted at number twelve on the Top Christian Albums Chart and number three on the Top Gospel Albums Chart in the U.S.
The website leadworshipwell.com says the album “captures the essence of Maryanne’s journey with the Lord, featuring a collection of deep-felt worship, uplifting praise songs and extended/spontaneous versions.” The project features Maverick City Music artists, Dante Bowe, Aaron Moses, and Naomi Raine, and the Maverick City Choir.
George, who released the album in the third trimester of her first pregnancy, told the website that “it feels like I’m birthing two babies at the same time.” Adding that “it all feels so intentional, George said the album “has been a God dream of mine that I truly did not expect to be living out so early in my life. I’m so grateful for the timing of it. Couldn’t have planned it better.”
She said the album is “focused on surrender, devotion, and sacrifice: tenants of worship,” adding that her prayer is that this album “brings us back to the heart of worship.”
George grew up in “a worship-oriented home” in Long Island, New York, “where she developed a love for music over the course of her childhood,” her website says. She served at her home church in Hicksville, where she started as a choir member, and eventually became a worship director, leading a team of musicians and vocalists on a weekly basis.
George is also passionate about mental health, as she has an M.Ed in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a nationally certified clinical mental health therapist. She has led a number of seminars and workshops on the importance of maintaining mental health, and the role of worship in mental health.
She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, Jonathan. She also serves as a worship leader at both Ozark Christian Tabernacle in West Plains, Missouri, and West County Assembly of God in St. Louis.