MoZella

Maureen Anne McDonald (born May 13, 1981), better known as Mozella, is an American songwriter and singer. Along with her album releases, Mozella co-wrote Miley Cyrus' 2013 single "Wrecking Ball", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100. She has also co-written Charlie Puth's 2015 single "One Call Away", as well as One Direction's "Perfect" that same year.

Some of Mozella's other co-writes include the songs, "I Believe", "Strangers", "Every Single Time, and "Don't Throw It Away" for the Jonas Brothers' album Happiness Begins (2019), "Drop Top" and "Horses" on Keith Urban's Graffiti U album, Pink’s "Cover Me In Sunshine", Kelly Clarkson's 2017 single "Love So Soft", "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth, "Fool's Gold" and "Perfect" by One Direction, "Bright" by Echosmith, Ellie Goulding's "Don't Panic", "Holding on for Life", and "We Can't Move to This" from Goulding's album Delirium (co-wrote with Goulding and Greg Kurstin), "Feels Like Vegas" with Tinashe, and "Take You High" off Kelly Clarkson's 2015 album, Piece by Piece. Madonna and Mozella co-wrote eleven of the nineteen tracks on the album Rebel Heart, including the single "Living for Love" with Diplo, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Toby Gad. Her song "Love Is Something" was used in the 2015 McDonald's "Archenemies" television campaign. Beginning April 2015, Chase Bank used her song "Can't Get Enough" for their new commercials in the US. Some of the brands that have used Mozella's music in their branding include Chrysler, Verizon, Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz, and JC Penney.

Mozella has released three full-length albums, I Will (Warner/Maverick, 2006), Belle Isle (Universal/Motown, 2009), and The Brian Holland Sessions (Belle Isle Records, 2012), as well as three EPs, Mozella (Warner/Maverick, 2005), The Straits (Universal/Motown, 2009) and The Love (Universal/Motown, 2010).

Early life Mozella was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where she got her start as a performer booking her own gigs in coffee houses at age 15. Early on, she collaborated with artists such as Warren G, and in 2002 was invited to England to write and record with Tim Saul, producer for Portishead. Upon her return to Los Angeles, she signed with Maverick Records to record her first EP and album.

Music career Warner/Maverick Records Mozella signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records in July 2003. In 2004, when Maverick was absorbed into Warner Bros. Records Mozella survived the merger. In July 2005, she released her self-titled debut EP on Warner/Maverick Records. Then, in November 2006, she released her full-length debut, I Will,

Universal/Motown Records Upon signing to Universal/Motown Records in July 2008, Mozella recruited multiple producers and writers for her second album, Belle Isle, including Marty James, Jimmy Harry, Tony Kanal, Sunny Levine, and Smidi. The album was released on October 20, 2009, but prior to that The Straits EP came out July 7, 2009 on this label. "Brian Holland's soul pours out of him in melody everywhere he goes. He is a conduit," she told Rolling Stone about working with the songwriter on her album.

Mozella performed "You Don't Love Anyone But Yourself" from The Brian Holland Sessions on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on July 26, 2012.

Touring Following her Warner/Maverick debut in 2006, Mozella toured the U.S. with Tyler Hilton, Dave Matthews Band, Lifehouse, Five for Fighting, Daniel Powter, Michelle Branch, and Colbie Caillat. As she moved away from creating her own album releases, Mozella stopped touring.

Film and TV placement Mozella's songs have been featured in movies, trailers, and television series' including Fringe, The Closer, The City, Castle, The Hills, Bones, One Tree Hill, The Biggest Loser, American Idol, etc. She's also had two song syncs in Grey's Anatomy in 2011.

She has written and recorded numerous songs for commercials including "Amazed" for Mercedes-Benz, "Thank You" and "Let's Stop Calling It Love" for Nivea, "This is Love" and "Glow" were used in the 2011 and 2013 JC Penney holiday TV advertisements. In 2012, Mozella's cover of "Some Like It Hot" (made famous by Marilyn Monroe) was used for the Carl's Jr./Hardee's "Drive-In" ad, that featured model Kate Upton.REF Later, her songs have been sync'd by Special K, REF Nestle, REF Tesco, McDonald's, Verizon, and more.

Discography Mozella EP (2005) I Will (2006) The Straits EP (2009) Belle Isle (2009) The Love EP (2010) The Brian Holland Sessions (2012)

Songwriting credits

Songs written Discography Artist Album Song Co-written withA Great Big WorldWhen The Morning Comes (2015)"Oasis"Ian Axel, Chad KingJacob BanksVillage (2018)"Prosecco"Jeff "Gitty" Gitelman, StintAaron CarpenterTBD (2019)"Next"Aaron Carpenter, Sam Homaee, Jon WiennerTessanne ChinCount on My Love (2014)"Tumbling Down"Ryan Tedder, Noel Zancanella, Peter SvenssonKelly ClarksonPiece by Piece (2015)"Take You High"Jesse ShatkinMeaning of Life (2017)"Love So Soft"Priscilla Renea, Jesse Shatkin"Don't You Pretend"Kelly Clarkson, Jesse Shatkin"Go High"Kelly Clarkson, Jesse ShatkinChemistry (2024)"Down to You"Kelly Clarkson, Jesse ShatkinShontelleNo Gravity (2010)"Kiss You Up"Jimmy Harry, Tony KanalMiley CyrusBangerz (2013)"Wrecking Ball"Lukasz Gottwald, Stephan Moccio, Sacha Skarbek, Kiyanu Kim, Henry Walter"FU" (feat. French Montana)Miley Cyrus, Rami Samir Afuni, Karim Kharbouch"Someone Else"Miley Cyrus, Michael L. Willams II, Pierre Ramon Slaughter, Timothy Thomas, Theron ThomasEchosmithTalking Dreams (2014)"Bright"Echosmith, Jeffery DavidLonely Generation (2020)"Everyone Cries"Echosmith Jeffrey DavidEllipso"Raw" Ellipso, Fransisca Hall, Michael SchulzEvie EriePessimist EP (2020)"Worst Enemy"Evie Erie, Greg KurstinFergieThe Great Gatsby soundtrack (2013)"A Little Party Never Killed Nobody"Fergie, Q-Tip, GoonRockFletcherThe S(ex) Tapes (2020)"If I Hated You"Cari Fletcher, James Ryan HoEllie GouldingDelirium (2015)"Don't Panic"Ellie Goulding, Greg Kurstin"We Can't Move To This"N/A"Holding On For Life"Ellie Goulding, Greg Kurstin Christina Grimmie With Love (2013) "Get Yourself Together" Rune Westberg, Haley ReinhartMickey GuytonRemember Her Name (2021)"Indigo"Mickey Guyton, Jimmy Robbins, Laura VeltzNiall HoranHeartbreak Weather (2020)"New Angel"Niall Horan, Amy Allen, Greg KurstinBenjamin IngrossoIdentification (2018)"I’ll Be Fine Somehow"Benjamin Ingrosso, AxidentDinah JaneTBD (2020)"Missed a Spot"Dinah Jane, Kamila Hansen, Lisa Scinta, JR RotemJonas BrothersHappiness Begins (2019)"I Believe"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Strangers"Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Every Single Time"Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Don't Throw It Away"Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Greg KurstinNick JonasSpaceman (2021)"Spaceman"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"This Is Heaven"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Don't Give Up on Us"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Heights"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"2drunk"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Delicious"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Sexual"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Deeper Love"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin, Mick Jones"If I Fall"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Death Do Us Part"Nick Jonas, Greg Kurstin"Nervous"Nick Jonas, Greg KurstinMary LambertHeart On My Sleeve (2014)"Secrets"Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette"Heart On My Sleeve"Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette"Sum of Our Parts"Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny Cassette"Monochromatic"Mary Lambert"Wounded Animal"Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse"So Far Away"Mary Lambert, Eric Rosse, Benny CassetteMadonnaRebel Heart (2015)"Living for Love"Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid "Unapologetic Bitch"Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid"Illuminati"Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin, Jr., Mike Dean"Bitch I'm Madonna" Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid"Hold Tight"Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Uzoechi Emenike"Joan of Arc"Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr."Iconic" Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr., Chancellor Bennett, Dacoury Natche, Michael Tucker"Body Shop"Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr., Dacoury Natche, Michael TuckerRebel Heart - Deluxe Edition (2015) "Best Night"Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid"Veni Vidi Vici" Madonna, Thomas Wesley Pentz, Toby Gad, Ariel Rechtshaid"S.E.X." Madonna, Toby Gad, Larry Griffin Jr., Lea MichelePlaces (2017)"Anything's Possible"Tim MyersOne DirectionFour (2014)"Fool's Gold"Jamie Scott, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam PayneMade in the A.M. (2015)"Perfect"J Kash, John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Jesse Shatkin, Harry Styles, Louis TomlinsonRachel PlattenWildfire (2016)"Speechless"Rachel Platten, Nolan LambrozaPinkTrustfall (2023)"Long Way to Go" Alecia Moore, John Suddth, Jesse Shatkin, Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah FraitesCharlie PuthNine Track Mind (2015)"One Call Away"Charlie Puth, DJ Frank E, Shy Carter, Breyon Isaac, Matthew PrimeHaley ReinhartListen Up! (2012)"Oh My!" (feat. B.o.B)Haley Reinhart, Rob Kleiner, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr."Undone" Haley Reinhart, Rune WestbergRihannaHome soundtrack (2015)"Dancing In The Dark"Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Ester Dean Robin SchulzUncovered (2017)"OK" Robin Schulz, Steve Mac, James BluntShontelleNo Gravity (2010)"Kiss You Up"Jimmy Harry, Tony KanalShura Nothing's Real (2016)"What's It Gonna Be?"Aleksndra Yakunina-Denton, Greg Kurstin, Joel Pott"Tongue Tied"Aleksndra Yakunina-Denton, Greg KurstinLennon StellaLove, Me EP (2018)"Fortress"Lennon Stella, Greg KurstinLindsey StirlingArtemis (2019)"The Upside" (feat. Elle King)Lindsey Stirling, Taylor Bird, Peter Hanna, Maize Jane OlingerMartina StoesselTini (2016)"Still Standing" / "Sigo adelante"Lindy Robbins, Jason EviganTinasheAquarius (2014)"Feels Like Vegas"Tinashe, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Jeffrey Johnson Jr.Tove StyrkeSway (2018)"Sway"Tove Styrke, Joe JaniakKeith UrbanGraffiti U (2018)"Drop Top" Jimmy Robbins, Josh Osborne"Horses" Matt Rad, Jamie ScottRoséRosie (2024)"Dance All Night"Chae Young Park, Greg Kurstin