08/20/2026
FORMER POP STAR TONYA MITCHELL TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH SULTRY NEW SINGLE “LIL DEVIL”SLATED FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 11.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.– August 14, 2026 –Tonya Mitchell, the pop sensation who burst onto the
scene in 2001 with her debut album I Represent and the Billboard Top 40 hit “Broken Promises,”
is back with a bold new chapter in her career. The former pop star turned country-pop recording
artist has released her latest single,
“Lil Devil,” a track that showcases a side of herself she has never revealed before.
For Mitchell,“Lil Devil” is more than just a song—it is a personal declaration. After years of
being known as the girl-next-door pop star, she is embracing the full spectrum of her identity.
“What made it appealing to me is that it feels like another side of myself that I’ve never really
allowed people to see,” Mitchell said.
“I’ve spent a lot of my life being the strong woman, the good woman, the one who takes care of everyone else. But there’s also a side of me that is passionate, playful, sexy, confident, and a little wild—and I don’t think I should have to hide that
part of myself just because I’m a woman.”
Mitchell is quick to clarify that the song is not about seeking attention or being objectified.
Instead, it is about empowerment and self-ownership.
“This song isn’t about being sexual for attention or allowing myself to be objectified; it’s about
owning my sexuality and deciding for myself how I want to express it,” she explained.
“The angel and the devil represent both sides of me. I can be loving, loyal, nurturing, and
bring peace to someone’s life, but I can also be the woman who makes you lose your mind. I
don’t have to choose between those sides because they’re both me.”
The track marks a significant departure from Mitchell’s earlier pop sound, but she welcomes the evolution.
“I know some fans may be shocked because this is different from anything I’ve ever done, but
maybe that’s part of the beauty of it,
” Mitchell said. “I’m at a point in my life where I’m
comfortable enough with myself to say,‘This is me too.’”
With “Lil Devil,” Mitchell hopes to inspire women to embrace their multifaceted nature without
apology.
“I hope women hear this and realize they don’t have to fit into one box or live according to what
society thinks a woman should be,” she said.
“You can be sexy and still be strong, respectable,
intelligent, loving, and confident. Ultimately, I hope this song gives women permission to
own every part of themselves and not give a damn about what anyone else thinks.”
Lil Devil was produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Gen Rubin, with whom Mitchell
has a long history of collaboration. Rubin previously worked with Mitchell on latest single “Go” and “Nobody Loves Me Like You” along with several tracks from her debut album, including
“Stay,” “I Don’t Wanna Fall In Love,” “Only One,” and “Turn Around”
“Gen is honestly a huge part of why this song came together the way it did,” Mitchell said. I feel
completely free to be myself when I’m working with him, and he has a way of bringing out sides
of me that I don’t always show. He gave me the space to be vulnerable, playful, sexy, emotional,
and completely unapologetic—and somehow he knows exactly how to turn all of those pieces of
me into music.”
Mitchell’s return to music follows a 25-year hiatus. She first rose to fame in 2001 after being
discovered by Justin Timberlake’s grandfather, Bill Bomar, while performing at a benefit for St.
Jude’s Hospital. She went on to release her debut album I Represent and opened for *NSYNC
on their Pop Odyssey Tour. After stepping away from the industry in 2002 following the death of
her father, Mitchell released her first single in over two decades,“Nobody Loves Me Like You,” in December 2025.
“Lil Devil” will be available on all major streaming platforms September 11.
About Tonya Mitchell
Tonya Mitchell is an American pop and country singer from Tennessee. She gained prominence
in 2001 with her debut single “Broken Promises” and her album I Represent. After a long hiatus,
she returned to music in 2025 and continues to evolve as an artist, blending pop sensibility with
country storytelling.
