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- British actress Naomie Harris was born in London, England, the only child of television scriptwriter Lisselle Kayla. Her father is from Trinidad and her mother is from Jamaica. They separated before she was born, and Harris was raised by her mother and has no relationship with her father. She showed an interest in acting from an early age and attended the prestigious Anna Scher Theatre School. From here, Harris won roles in various projects, such as Simon and the Witch (1987) and The Tomorrow People (1992). She went on to study social and political sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge University, an experience Harris did not enjoy.
After graduating from the University, Harris trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Acting success soon followed and her breakthrough film role came in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later (2002). Other notable projects include Miami Vice (2006) and Small Island (2009) (for which she was named best female actor by the Royal Television Society). Harris also won fans for her role as voodoo witch Tia Dalma in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007), and further international attention came her way when she played field agent Eve Moneypenny in the James Bond film Skyfall (2012).
Naomie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the drama Moonlight (2016), which won the Best Picture Oscar that year.
Naomie Harris was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2017 New Years Honours for her services to drama. - Actress
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Madeleine Mantock is a British actress. She is known for her television work on the AMC series Into the Badlands and The CW revival of The Tomorrow People, as well as her film work on Edge of Tomorrow. Madeleine attended Arts Educational Schools, London where she obtained her BA in Musical Theater.
Mantock primarily works in television, starring as main character Scarlett Conway in Casualty, before she graduated drama school. She was part of the series for 36 episodes starting from 2011 till 2012. She then appeared on Lee Nelson's Well Funny People in 2013, before coming to the United States to be a main character, Astrid, on The Tomorrow People, though it was canceled after one season.
Mantock then played the small role of Julie in the film, Edge of Tomorrow, before she was cast as the main character, Veil, on AMC's Into the Badlands. Her character for 'Into the Badlands' has received positive response.
Mantock then had a role in the 2017 film, Breaking Brooklyn, and is filming her main role in the series Age Before Beauty.
In March 2018, Mantock was cast in the lead role of Macy in The CW's upcoming pilot of Charmed, a reboot of the 1998 series of the same name. The reboot centers on three sisters in a college town who discover they are witches.- Actress
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- Meagan Tandy was born on 3 May 1985 in Fremont, California, USA. She is an actress, known for Piranha 3DD (2012), Unstoppable (2010) and Teen Wolf (2011).
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Rhoda Jordan was born on 3 August 1979 in San Jose, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Rule of 3 (2008), Tightser and Galaxy Hunter (2004).- Shvona Lavette Chung was born in the USA. She is an actress, known for Westworld (2016), Insecure (2016) and Snowfall (2017). She has been married to Ted Chung since 1 November 2008.
- Sundy Carter is a Philadelphia native in her early 20s, who began her acting career in 1997. She studied at the prestigious Freedom Theatre and also attended Temple University where she majored in drama. Sundy's credits include numerous community projects, music videos with Method Man/Red Man, Tamar Braxton, Musiq Soulchild and Busta Rhymes. Sundy has also appeared on two episodes of the Jamie Foxx show and will be featured on _Mothers Day (2002)_ on Lifetime TV with 'Latanya Richardson'. She is also costarring alongside Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z and Damon Dash in _State Property (2002)_. Sundy has modeled in several issues of Solid Gold magazine and Style Q.
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Jessica Marie Alba was born on April 28, 1981, in Pomona, CA, to Catherine (Jensen) and Mark David Alba, who served in the US Air Force. Her father is of Mexican descent (including Spanish and Indigenous Mexican roots), and her mother has Danish, Welsh, English, and French ancestry. Her family moved to Biloxi, MS, when she was an infant. Three years later her father's career brought the family back to California, then to Del Rio, TX, before finally settling in Southern California when Jessica was nine. In love with the idea of becoming an actress from the age of five, she was 12 before she took her first acting class. Nine months later she was signed by an agent. She studied at the Atlantic Theatre Company with founders William H. Macy and David Mamet.
A gifted young actress, Jessica has played a variety of roles ranging from light comedy to gritty drama since beginning her career. She made her feature film debut in 1993 in Hollywood Pictures' comedy Camp Nowhere (1994). Originally hired for two weeks, she got her break when an actress in a principal role suddenly dropped out. Jessica cheerfully admits it wasn't her prodigious talent or charm that inspired the director to tap her to take over the part--it was her hair, which matched the original performer's. The two-week job stretched to two months, and Jessica ended the film with an impressive first credit. Two national TV commercials for Nintendo and J.C. Penney quickly followed before Jessica was featured in several independent films. She branched out into TV in 1994 with a recurring role in Nickelodeon's popular comedy series The Secret World of Alex Mack (1994). She played an insufferable young snob, devoted to making life miserable for the the title character, played by Larisa Oleynik. That same year, she won the role of "Maya" in Flipper (1995) and filmed the pilot for the series. She spent 1995 shooting the first season's episodes in Australia. An avid swimmer and PADI-certified SCUBA diver, Jessica was delighted to be doing a show that allowed her to play with dolphins. The show's success guaranteed it a second season, which she also starred in. Her involvement in the show lasted from 1995 to 1997.
In 1996 she appeared in Venus Rising (1995) as "Young Eve." The next year she appeared on The Dini Petty Show (1989), a Canadian talk show, and spoke about her role in "Flipper" and her general acting career. She began working on P.U.N.K.S. (1999), featuring Randy Quaid, in 1998. In early 1998 she appeared in Brooklyn South (1997) as "Melissa." That same year she was in two episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as "Leanne" and in two episodes of Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998).
She appeared in "Teen Magazine" in 1995 and various European magazines over the following years. More importantly, she was featured in the February 1999 issue of "Vanity Fair" magazine. She also had major roles in two movies that year: Never Been Kissed (1999) and Idle Hands (1999). In 2000 she had roles in Paranoid (2000) and starred in the sci-fi TV series Dark Angel (2000), gaining worldwide recognition.
Her first starring role in a major studio film was the Honey (2003), Universal Pictures' contemporary urban drama that grossed over $60 million worldwide. She has since made over 25 feature films that have earned a combined box-office total of over $800 million, including comedies and dramas, from gritty independents to major studio blockbusters. In 2005 she starred opposite Bruce Willis and an all-star cast in the provocative and critically acclaimed Sin City (2005), directed by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller. She next starred as Sue Storm--"The Invisible Girl"--in Marvel's action-franchise blockbuster Fantastic Four (2005), which was released by 20th Century-Fox in July 2005 and became a worldwide box-office success with over $300 million in revenue.
Jessica was part of Garry Marshall's all-star ensemble romantic comedy, Valentine's Day (2010), which broke box-office records with the largest opening on a four-day President's Day weekend in history. She starred opposite Casey Affleck and Kate Hudson in director Michael Winterbottom's controversial screen adaptation of The Killer Inside Me (2010), based on Jim Thompson's novel, as well as Robert Rodriquez's Machete (2010). She co-starred in the third installment of the hit "Meet the Parents" franchise Little Fockers (2010), as well as the 4D family adventure Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World (2011), marking her third of five collaborations with Robert Rodriguez. Jessica was part of an all-star voice cast for The Weinstein Company's animated adventure, Escape from Planet Earth (2012), also featuring Sarah Jessica Parker, Brendan Fraser and James Gandolfini.
She appeared in the comedy A.C.O.D. (2013), which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and starred Adam Scott, Jane Lynch and Amy Poehler. She made a cameo appearance in Machete Kills (2013) and co-starred in Robert Rodriquez's highly-anticipated, star-studded sequel Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014). That year she had a full slate of acting projects, including the period drama Dear Eleanor (2016), The Englishman opposite Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek; the IFC parody mini-series The Spoils of Babylon (2014), produced by Funny or Die, with a stellar cast including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, Tobey Maguire, Michael Sheen and Tim Robbins; and Stretch (2014), co-starring Patrick Wilson, Chris Pine, Ray Liotta, Ed Helms and Brooklyn Decker.
Jessica has received Golden Globe and People's Choice Award nominations, was voted TV Guide readers' Breakout Star of the Year, and won Favorite TV Actress at the 2001 Teen Choice Awards for "Dark Angel." She won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Female Actress for her performance in "Fantastic Four" and an MTV Movie Award for Sexiest Performance in "Sin City." She received another Teen Choice Award for Choice Movie Actress in a Horror/Thriller for The Eye (2008) and was honored by the Young Hollywood Awards as Superstar of Tomorrow in 2005. She has received ALMA Awards for her performances in "Dark Angel" and "Machete," as well as a Fashion Icon in 2009.- Actress
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Margot Elise Robbie was born on July 2, 1990 in Dalby, Queensland, Australia to Scottish parents. Her mother, Sarie Kessler, is a physiotherapist, and her father, is Doug Robbie. She comes from a family of four children, having two brothers and one sister. She graduated from Somerset College in Mudgeeraba, Queensland, Australia, a suburb in the Gold Coast hinterland of South East Queensland, where she and her siblings were raised by their mother and spent much of her time at the farm belonging to her grandparents. In her late teens, she moved to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia to pursue an acting career.
From 2008-2010, Robbie played the character of Donna Freedman in the long-running Australian soap opera, Neighbours (1985), for which she was nominated for two Logie Awards. She set off to pursue Hollywood opportunities, quickly landing the role of Laura Cameron on the short-lived ABC series, Pan Am (2011). She made her big screen debut in the film, About Time (2013).
Robbie rose to fame co-starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, portraying the role of Naomi Lapaglia in Martin Scorsese's Oscar nominated film, The Wolf of Wall Street (2013). She was nominated for a Breakthrough Performance MTV Movie Award, and numerous other awards.
In 2014, Robbie founded her own production company, LuckyChap Entertainment. She also appeared in the World War II romantic-drama film, Suite Française (2014). She starred in Focus (2015) and Z for Zachariah (2015), and made a cameo in The Big Short (2015).
In 2016, she married Tom Ackerley in Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia.
She starred as Jane Porter in The Legend of Tarzan (2016), Tanya Vanderpoel in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) and as DC comics villain Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad (2016), for which she was nominated for a Teen Choice Award, and many other awards.
She portrayed figure skater Tonya Harding in the biographical film I, Tonya (2017), receiving critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress - Motion Picture Comedy or Musical.- Talani Rabb-Diggs began modeling doing fashion shows and acting on-stage in musicals at the age of 10. She signed with the Ford Model Agency at the age of 16. Talani has traveled the world, modeling, gracing magazines from Europe to Africa. Today she is married to The RZA of Wu-Tang Clan. Talani works with her husband and is the mother of their son and step-children.
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Actress and singer Selena Gomez was born on July 22, 1992 in Grand Prairie, Texas. She is the daughter of Mandy Teefey and Ricardo Gomez. Her mother is of part Italian ancestry, and her father is of Mexican descent. She was named after Tejano singer Selena, who died in 1995.
Her first acting role was as "Gianna" in the popular '90s children's television show Barney & Friends (1992), alongside Demi Lovato from 2002-2004. Gomez also had roles in Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003), Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial by Fire (2005), and House Broken (2006).
Gomez moved to Los Angeles, California when she booked the lead role of "Alex Russo" and rose to fame in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007). She then starred in Another Cinderella Story (2008) on ABC Family, had her first voice-role in the animated film Horton Hears a Who! (2008), and co-starred with childhood friend, Demi Lovato, in Princess Protection Program (2009).
In 2009, Gomez released her first album with her band called "Selena Gomez & the Scene," which ranked #9 on the Billboard 200 album charts. Gomez later released two other albums with her band and starred in Monte Carlo (2011), Spring Breakers (2012), and Hotel Transylvania (2012).
In 2013, she released her first solo album "Stars Dance" and the lead single "Come & Get It" from the album, became Gomez's first top ten entry on the Billboard Hot 100 list. She starred in Getaway (2013), Rudderless (2014), and Behaving Badly (2014).
In 2015, she released her second solo album "Revival," which debuted #1 on the Billboard 200 list, and starred in Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), The Fundamentals of Caring (2016), In Dubious Battle (2016), and Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016). She made her third solo album "Rare" in 2020.- Actress
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Stunning pop culture icon, Hollywood leading lady and three-time NAACP award winner Nia Long returns to the big screen this fall in the highly anticipated Universal Pictures sequel The Best Man Holiday (in theaters November 15th) where she reunites with original castmates Taye Diggs ("Private Practice"), Terrence Howard (Hustle & flow), Morris Chestnut (The brothers) and Harold Perrineau ("Lost"). Additionally in Spring 2014, Long will star in Tyler Perry's Single mom's club alongside Wendi McLendon- Covey (Bridesmaids), Tyler Perry (Madea) and Amy Smart (Crank).
Early this year, Long joined the all-star cast of Showtime's "House of Lies" alongside Golden Globe Award winner Don Cheadle & Kristen Bell as "Tamara," a business school classmate and former flame of Marty's (Don Cheadle) who has been hired by the same consulting firm Galweather Stearn after taking time off to raise a family.
Long made her film debut in the poignant film portraying the social problems in inner-city Los Angeles, Boyz n the hood , and continued on to star in Friday, alongside Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, as well as Love Jones, which won the prestigious Audience Award at Sundance. Other notable film roles include Soul Food, Alfie opposite Jude Law, The Best man, Are We There Yet?, Big Momma's House 1 & 2 opposite Martin Lawrence, Stigmata, the Broken Hearts Club and Made in America.
On the small screen, Long's portrayal of "Officer Sasha Monroe" on NBC's hit crime drama "Third Watch" awarded her two NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actress in a Drama series. Long's other TV accomplishments include "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Boston Legal," "Judging Amy," and "Big Shots." Long also voiced "Roberta" in the first season of the Fox hit "the Cleveland Show."
Making her directorial debut on Ashanti's music video "Baby" and Yolanda Adam's "This Too Shall Pass," Nia continues her work behind the camera and is developing a feature film that centers on renowned world champion boxer and trainer Ann Wolfe.
In addition to her film and TV work, Long's passion lies in serving her community. With her family roots planted in Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados, Long's long term goals are to connect women in the US to those of the islands and to mentor young girls to regain their self-esteem. Additionally, Long lends her support to Black Girls Rock, an organization that promotes the arts for young women of color and encourages dialogue on the ways women of color are portrayed in the media. In 2012 she was named an official surrogate to the Barack Obama reelection campaign.
Nia was born in Brooklyn, to Talita (Gillman), a teacher and printmaker, and Doughtry Long, a high school teacher and poet. She now calls Los Angeles home where she lives with her 12 year old son, Massai, 14 month old son, Kez and partner Ime Udoka, an Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs. Long loves to cook organic farmers market fresh meals adding a twist of her Trinidadian heritage. When she's not juggling between her career and motherhood, she enjoys staying active by doing pilates, boxing, hiking, and horseback riding. Long also finds pleasure in traveling and experiencing different cultures throughout the world. One of her favorite locations to visit is Jamaica, a place she calls her second home where she can reflect and refuel.- Actress
Her father is African American and her mother is half Korean and African American. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia but grew up in Los Angeles, California. Her mother is the owner of "The Red Bag Boutique" with daughter in Los Angeles. She helps local communities in Los Angeles and New York.- Actress
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Lea Michele Sarfati was born in the Bronx, New York to Edith Thomasina (Porcelli), a nurse, and Mark David Sarfati, a delicatessen owner-turned-real estate agent. Her mother is of Italian descent (from Rome and Naples), and her father is of Sephardi Jewish ancestry (from Turkey and Greece). Lea was raised Catholic in Tenafly, New Jersey and graduated from Tenafly High School.
At age eight, Lea went with a friend to an open casting call for an up-and-coming musical. After spontaneously deciding to audition, she was offered the role and, two weeks later, she was starring on Broadway. She made her Broadway debut in 1995 as a replacement for the role of Young Cosette in "Les Misérables". She was then cast in the role of Tateh's daughter, the Little Girl, in the 1998 original Broadway cast of "Ragtime", and in 2004 she portrayed Shprintze and understudied the role of Chava in the Broadway revival of the musical "Fiddler on the Roof".
When she was 14, Lea was given the role of Wendla Bergmann in Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical version of "Spring Awakening". She starred in early workshops, off-Broadway, and finally originated the role in the Broadway production at age 20. Around the same time that the show was set to go to Broadway, Lea was offered the role of Éponine Thénardier in the Broadway revival of "Les Misérables". She chose to remain with "Spring Awakening", which debuted on Broadway in December 2006. She was later nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. After two years of starring in "Spring Awakening", Lea left the show with co-star Jonathan Groff, to pursue other opportunities.
In late 2008, Lea won the role of Rachel Berry on the comedy-drama series Glee (2009), and since the show's premiere on May 19, 2009, has received worldwide critical acclaim for her performance. She received the 2009 Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Series - Comedy or Musical, and later won three People's Choice Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Along with her award wins, Lea also received Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations.- Actress
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It was inevitable that Nona Gaye would become a singer - she is the granddaughter of Cuban jazz great Slim Gaillard, the niece of R&B singer/songwriter Frankie Gaye and the daughter of soul legend Marvin Gaye. Signed to Third/Stone Atlantic at 14, Nona released "Love for the Future" in 1992, which included the top 20 hit "I'm Overjoyed". But it was acting that give Nona a name of her own. With no acting experience and her agents warning her not to get her hopes up, she won the role of Khalilah Camacho Ali in Ali (2001)opposite Academy Award-nominee Will Smith. Nona went on to play Zee in the "Matrix" sequels, replacing singer Aaliyah after her sudden death in a plane crash. In 2004, Nona provided the voice for Hero Girl in The Polar Express (2004), which also starred Tom Hanks. Nona has plans to return to the music studio as well as the silver screen. "My music will always reflect upon my family's legacy or people's expectations," Nona told Interview Magazine in 2001. "But acting's all mine."- Bianca DeGroat was born on 31 October 1976 in Massachusetts, USA. She is an actress, known for House (2004), Cyberchase (2002) and Princess Rap Battle (2014).
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Dania is a Latin American actress born in the Dominican Republic. She grew up, living with her grandmother, in a poor household. Her parents left for the United States, when she was 6-months old, and she finally joined them in New York when she was age 10.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to act. She was discovered by a model scout and cast in a soda commercial. She attended the Actor's workshop in New York City and moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career.
Her first job was Jay-Z's girlfriend in his music video, Streets Is Watching (1998). She went on to appear in high profile TV shows The Sopranos (1999), Entourage (2004) and Heroes (2006). She has also appeared in films and, in 2012, she was cast in American Reunion (2012). She is currently starring on Lifetime's Devious Maids (2013) as 'Rosie Falta'.- Actress
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This stunning and resourceful actress has been primarily a film player thus far. Only recently has she been opening herself up more to doing television (the series Gemini Division (2008), which she executive-produced), and animated voice-overs. Dawson's powerhouse talent stands out the most in edgy, urban filming that dates back to 1995 when she was only sixteen.
A rags-to-riches article entitled "Rosario Dawson: From Tenement to Tinseltown" probably says it all. Rosario was born on May 9, 1979 in New York City. Her mother, Isabel Celeste, of Puerto Rican and Afro-Cuban descent, is a singer, and her stepfather, who raised her, Greg Dawson, of Irish descent, is a construction laborer. Her parents, who married when both were teenagers, eventually divorced. Rosario and her younger brother, Clay Dawson, had it hard while growing up, and were cared for by family members, most of whom were poverty-stricken, and some of whom were HIV-positive.
Her career actually started as a child when she made a minor showing on the children's show, Sesame Street (1969). As the story goes, she was "discovered" as an adolescent on her front porch step by two photographers. One of them, Harmony Korine, was an aspiring screenwriter who thought the inexperienced sixteen-year-old was ideal for the controversial cult film Kids (1995), in which she would portray a sexually active adolescent. It took time for Rosario's film career to kick in after that, but by the late 1990s, she had nabbed several independent films. Since then, she has moved into main-stream hits (and misses) and has surprised viewers with her earthy, provocative, uninhibited approach to her roles.
Reflecting New York's tougher, tawdrier side as assorted streetwalkers, homeless mothers, drug addicts, etc., her film highlights have included Light It Up (1999), Edward Burns' Sidewalks of New York (2001), Spike Lee's 25th Hour (2002) and Shattered Glass (2003). For Oliver Stone, she portrayed the duped bride of Colin Farrell's famed B.C. Macedonian warrior, Alexander (2004) (as in "...the Great"), which featured a notoriously violent-tinged nude/sex scene.
Expanding her horizons beyond film, she has always expressed interest in singing. She hooked up with Prince for the re-release of his 1980s hit "1999" and appeared in The Chemical Brothers' video for the song "Out of Control" from the album "Surrender". She is also featured on the Outkast track, "She Lives in My Lap". On stage, she co-starred as Julia in a revival of "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Public Theater's "Shakespeare in the Park" and appeared in "The Vagina Monologues".
She lucked into and got to show off her singing chops in the film adaptation of the hit New York musical Rent (2005), when Daphne Rubin-Vega, the original Mimi, became pregnant and was unable to reprise her exotic dancer role. Rosario also appeared as a prostitute in the adaptation of the graphic novel Sin City (2005). Of late, she has turned to producing. One of those, Descent (2007), had her playing a college coed who is brutally attacked and raped by a fellow student. Her more popular ventures have thus far included the role of Valerie Brown in the live-action version of the comic strip Josie and the Pussycats (2001), the Will Smith starrer Men in Black II (2002), Eagle Eye (2008) with Shia LaBeouf and Seven Pounds (2008), again with Smith, in which she offered one of her more tender-hearted performances as a woman with a potentially fatal heart condition.
More recent millennium films opposite some of Hollywood's top leading movie men include the tense actioneer Unstoppable (2010) with Denzel Washington and Chris Pine; the comedy/fantasy Zookeeper (2011) opposite Dalekmania (1995); romantic dramedy 10 Years (2011) with Channing Tatum; crime drama Fire with Fire (2012) with Bruce Willis; romantic comedy Top Five (2014) with Chris Rock; and action adventure Zombieland: Double Tap (2019) with Woody Harrelson. She has also top-lined independent films with her own feisty characters such as the thriller Unforgettable (2017) and the title role in the dramedy Krystal (2017).
Focusing also on TV projects, Rosario has graced such action series/mini-series as Daredevil (2015), Iron Fist (2017) and The Defenders (2017), as well as the comedy Jane the Virgin (2014) and animated cartoon series The Last Kids on Earth (2019).
Off-camera, the still-single Dawson is highly active in political, social and environmental causes and has been involved with such organizations/charities/campaigns as the Lower East Side Girls Club, Global Cool, the O.N.E. Campaign, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, Control Arms, International Rescue Committee, Voto Latino (which she founded), Conservation International, Doctors Without Borders, National Geographic Society, The Nature Conservancy and Save the Children. In October 2008, she lent her voice to the RESPECT! Campaign, a movement aimed at preventing domestic violence.- Actress
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Shraddha Kapoor is an Indian film actress. Prior to making her cinematic debut, she took up theatre studies at Boston University, but dropped out after her first year to begin her acting career. She made her screen debut in the 2010 drama fictional Teen Patti for which she earned a nomination for the Filmfare Best Female Debut. The following year, she received appreciation and the Stardust Searchlight Best Actress Award for her role in the teen drama Luv Ka The End. She rose to prominence for her portrayal as Arohi Keshav Shirke in the 2013 romantic musical Aashiqui 2, which emerged as her first commercial success venture in which she gained positive acclaims and numerous nominations including the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.- Music Artist
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Demi Lovato is a GRAMMY-nominated and award-winning musician, actor, advocate and New York Times best-selling author. She was first known for her onscreen talents, and soon after became a musical phenomenon for her remarkable vocal ability. With an audience of over 266 million on social media, Demi has established herself as a global sensation.
With nearly 49 billion streams earned worldwide, Demi has captivated audiences with her renowned powerhouse vocals and illustrious songwriting. From the resilient ballad "Skyscraper," to the unapologetic earworm "Sorry Not Sorry" and her enduring queer anthem "Cool for the Summer," Demi's discography showcases her musicality knows no bounds, with a genre-blending approach that has infused pop, R&B, rock, soul and more. Through several sold-out tours, Demi has brought her undeniable stage presence to venues across the globe, while live performances such as her rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl LIV and the powerful debut of her single "Anyone" at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards have garnered universal acclaim.
Demi has released eight studio albums, all of which debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and four which boast over one billion streams on Spotify. Her most recent album, HOLY FVCK, is a sonic journey grounded in Demi's rock and pop-punk roots that illustrates an earnest yet tongue-in-cheek retrospective of her life experiences and opened to widespread acclaim from both critics and fans. The album was hailed as "the best we've heard from Lovato to date" (Variety) and was described as "fiery album filled with passion, thoughtful reflection, and a dash of good ol' fashioned rage" (Vogue), with Demi receiving praise as a vocal "powerhouse" (Pitchfork). HOLY FVCK debuted at #1 on several Billboard charts including the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, the Top Rock Albums chart, and the Top Alternative Albums chart. The album also marked Demi's eighth consecutive Top 10 album on the Billboard 200 and landed in the Top 5 of the Top Album Sales chart. The single "29" resonated with listeners worldwide and was deemed "the best song on the album" (TIME), with critics commending Demi's emotional delivery that reflects a "new, clear-eyed perspective" (Recording Academy).
Most recently, Demi released her album REVAMPED featuring rock versions of her hit songs on September 15, 2023, which hit the top 10 of Billboard's Top New Albums Chart in line with Demi's previous releases. With all new vocals and production, the 10-track album REVAMPED sees Demi reimagine her career-defining songs with a fresh perspective that reflects her current artistic vision. The re-recorded music serves as another showcase of Demi's artistic growth and versatility, as she seamlessly evolves her songs from pop to rock while maintaining her signature powerhouse vocals.
Demi has been lauded by fans and peers alike for her authenticity and vulnerability, demonstrating her transformative growth across two celebrated documentaries, 2017's Simply Complicated and 2021's Dancing with the Devil. As an advocate, Demi serves as Global Citizen's official ambassador for mental health, with a special focus on vulnerable communities around the world.
Lovato has been honored with numerous awards and accolades over her career, including an MTV Video Music Award, 14 Teen Choice Awards, five People's Choice Awards, an ALMA Award, two Latin American Music Award and a GLAAD Vanguard Award for her services to LGBTQ+ activism. She has also received two GRAMMY Award nominations, four Billboard Music Awards nominations and three Brit Award nominations for her work.
A native of Dallas, Demi resides in Los Angeles.- Actress
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Taylor Russell was born on 18 July 1994 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She is an actress and director, known for Bones and All (2022), Waves (2019) and The Heart Still Hums (2020).- Drayton graduated from the Arts Educational School in Chiswick (London, England).
In 2013 Drayton performed in the 2013 Downton Abbey Christmas special, as the character Madeleine Allsopp alongside Paul Giamatti.
The following year Drayton was cast as Amberle Elessedil, one of the lead roles in the MTV fantasy drama series The Shannara Chronicles; the series premiered on 5 January 2016.
Drayton has also done stage work, appearing in The Green Bay Tree at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London in 2014 and as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at the Stafford Shakespeare Festival in 2012. - Kimberly Jeppson was born on 8 October 1985 in California, USA. She is an actress, known for Days of Our Lives (1965), The Big Bang Theory (2007) and Mostly Ghostly (2007).
- Actress, writer, artist, designer, and TV personality, Tracey Cherelle Jones is the epitome of a contemporary renaissance woman. Tracey began acting at the tender age of 8 years old after nailing her very first audition, a national McDonald's commercial. This inspired her, and she went on to do several more commercials and print work. Working as a child instilled in her a supreme confidence that has carried into adulthood.
After graduating from college with a degree in Pan African Studies, Tracey landed the leading female role in the smash hit "Don't be a Menace to Society While Drinking Your Gin and Juice in the Hood", also starring Shawn and Marlon Wayan's, directed by Paris Barclay. Following the success of Don't be a Menace...", Tracey also starred in "The Players Club", directed by Ice Cube, "Baby Boy", directed by John Singleton, and several other studio films. Her TV credits include the series regular role of Cassie Coleman on "Good News", a recurring role on "Men, Women, and Dogs", and countless guest starring roles on hit shows such as "Family Matters", "The Wayan's Bros.", and "The Jaimie Foxx Show".
After studying with some of the best in the business, and feeling a lack of opportunity for diverse roles for minority actors, Tracey decided to write the stories and create the characters she would like to see on the big and small screen. She has penned two pilots and a feature length film. She also produced and hosted a pilot titled "Living Large", which is a contemporary, urban version of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous".
Tracey has always been a student of art, and has a passion for Design and all things beautiful. She started Designing spaces and dressing rooms for friends in the entertainment industry for fun. After years of Designing as a hobby, she wanted to become a professional Designer which lead to her current enrollment in Grad school studying for a second Bachelors Degree in Interior Design. She has designed homes, offices, and even a school for her many celebrity friends, family and referrals. She is in the process of forming a non profit company that will address "Aging Design" for the "Baby Boomer" generation who may have fallen on hard times, and can't afford to have their residences upgraded to accommodate their various health concerns. Tracey has a soft place in her heart for the disabled, aging and elderly, and has made it a goal to beautify and make their spaces comfortable.
Tracey's drive, tenacity, and strong work ethic has allowed her to become a power house in all that she does. Through her creativity, education, and experience she continues to make her goals a reality. She is an inspiration and a true renaissance woman! - Actress
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Nathalie Emmanuel is an English actress, known for her role as Missandei on the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones (2011) and Ramsey in Furious 7 (2015).
Nathalie was born in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, to a father of Saint Lucian and English descent and a mother of Dominican origin. Nathalie credits her mother for the initial motivation to become an actress. At the age of 10, she played Young Nala in the West End production of The Lion King. In 2006, she made her television break by starring as Sasha Valentine in the teen soap opera Hollyoaks (1995). Emmanuel appeared on the show until 2010, her character's story-lines included prostitution, and heroin addiction.
Nathalie presented BBC Three's Web-sex: What's the Harm?, investigating the online sexual habits of 16-24 year-old in the UK. Later in the same year she made her film debut in the thriller Twenty8. The following year, she was cast as Missandei, Daenerys Targaryen's translator, in HBO's fantasy drama series Game of Thrones (2011). In 2015, Emmanuel was promoted to a regular cast member on the show. In the same year, she played computer hacker Ramsey in the action film Furious 7 (2015) and Harriet in the sci-fi sequel Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015).
FHM magazine ranked Emmanuel as 99th in their 100 Sexiest Women of 2013. In 2015, she appeared in the April issues of InStyle and GQ magazines.- Actress
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- Raised in Plano, Texas, Candice continued her childhood dream of becoming an actress by attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.F.A in Theatre. It was here that she was scouted by The Young and the Restless for a CBS Soap Star Contest and flew out to Los Angeles to briefly join the cast. Candice finished her college education at SMU and moved to Los Angeles shortly after.
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The CEO of Branching Out Media, Jeanette grew up in Queens, N.Y. She has worked in the Film Industry for over 20 years. As an actress, she held recurring roles on Starz: Power Book 2 Ghost and on TNT Claws. She has studied with Ivannah Chubbuck in L.A., UCB in New York, and The City Academy in the UK. As a writer, she has a natural ability to tell compelling and relatable stories and shines when writing projects about strong leading women. That's due to the fact she is one herself. Jeanette has been a Professional Stunt Woman for over 15 years and is a 2 x SAG Award Nominee for her stunt work. She has worked on notable franchise films including Marvel's Captain America, The Fast and Furious, and The Hunger Games Franchises. She has covered stunts for Niecy Nash, Mindy Kaling, Angela Bassett, and many more. Continuing her evolution she executive produced a female lead boxing film (Lola) and its sequel (Lola 2). Also (Intercept) is a film that focuses on mental health and suicide prevention.- Actress
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Ella A Thomas was born to an Eritrean mother and a US Air Force Officer who was stationed in the country at the time. Her parents moved to Germany while Ella was still an infant yet continued to return to Asmara frequently to visit family until the civil war made it unsafe for them to travel. The family lived off base in small town called Kindsbach, where Ella was enrolled in a German school, learning to speak both German and French fluently while her mother continued to teach her Tigrinya and English at home. Kindsbach was where she first discovered her love for performing, partaking in local theater and school productions. It wasn't until she was a teenager that her mother made a decision to move the family to the United States. By this time her younger sister Angela had been born and her parents had divorced. They settled in Connecticut where Ella attended both High School and College earning a BA in Biology. While a junior in High School a local modeling scout discovered Ella. She spent the next two summers traveling to New York and Paris but waited until graduation to pursue her career full time. She was represented by Elite and had been steadily working for a year when a severe accident forced her to reconsider her long-term goals. Ella opted to take a break and finish her degree. Three years later she moved back to New York and returned to the modeling world where Ella appeared in numerous international print ads for the Gap, L'Oreal, Tiffany & Co, and in editorials for magazines such as Elle, Glamour and Vogue and is still now represented by Wilhelmina Models. During this time she continued to travel back and forth to Los Angeles for print as well as commercial work. It was on one of these trips that she auditioned and booked her first role in the Artist View Film Disturbance. During this same trip she met Brenda Hampton, creator of 7th Heaven, at a charity event who at the time was looking for an East African actress for an upcoming episode. She booked Ella for a guest star spot off of family pictures with her in traditional Zuriya. She has found continued success in both film and television since then and has built a strong body of work with numerous roles ranging from starring opposite Zoe Saldana in Nina , Kyra Sedgewick on ABC's Ten Days in The Valley to Antoine Fuqua's drama series Ice, NCIS LA, Mistresses, 911 and many more. In 2023 she will star opposite Garrett Hedlund in "Desperation Road" directed by Nadine Crocker as well as the Marielle Heller directed "Nightbitch" helmed by Amy Adams.- Actress
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Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo was born in Kensington, London, England, to a Nigerian father and a Scottish mother. Her television career began in the United Kingdom in the early 1990s, where she presented the children's series Saturday Disney (1990). Subsequently, she has had an acting career in the United States. She has appeared in Metro (1997) with Eddie Murphy, What's the Worst That Could Happen? (2001) with Martin Lawrence, and Love's Labour's Lost (2000) with Kenneth Branagh, among other films, and also presented "The Carmen Ejogo Video Show" - her own video show on BSB's Power Station channel. She starred as Thomas Jefferson's slave concubine in the television drama Sally Hemings: An American Scandal (2000) as Sally Hemings and also as Sister Anderson in the remake version of the cult classic original film Sparkle (2012).
Ejogo is also a vocalist, having collaborated with several artists in the 1990s. She wrote and sang lead vocals on the song "Candles" by English drum 'n' bass DJ Alex Reece - she appeared in the music video and is listed in the production credits as 'Carmen'. She also sang vocals and duets with British artist Tricky on a song called "Slowly". Aside from "Candles", Ejogo appears on four songs of the Sparkle (2012) original soundtrack album from the movie of the same name, singing lead on "Yes I Do" (as a solo), and co-lead vocals with Jordin Sparks and Tika Sumpter on "Jump", "Hooked on Your Love" and "Something He Can Feel". She is also a member of Mensa International, the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world.- Ponti's, father was a T/Sgt in Air Force, her Mother a High School Counselor After an actual baby mix up. Her Grandmother demanded a unusual, name was necessary. She was named after Ottawa Indian Chief, Pontiac. Her Mother encouraged her writing. She has written several projects. Her family's comment when asked about her is "She's a character!!!
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Cassandra Freeman was born on 1 October 1978 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Inside Man (2006), Luke Cage (2016) and Atlanta (2016). She is married to Tom Paul. They have one child.- Actress
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Sharisse Jackson was born on August 31, 1976 in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Costa Mesa, California. Jackson is of African American and Cherokee descent on her mother's side and Puerto Rican and Mexican descent on her father's. Shar has been acting since she was three and enrolled in the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble. While she attended private school, Jackson began modeling with the Ubiquitous, John Robert Powers, and Barbizon agencies and studied acting with Bob Feldman; at 11 she decided to focus solely on acting. Through the Al Fann Theatrical Ensemble, she was quickly cast in several national commercials and landed guest-starring roles on such series as Roc (1991), My So-Called Life (1994), Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992), and The Steve Harvey Show (1996). On the big screen, she has been featured in Good Burger (1997), Boom Box (1990), Grand Avenue (1996), and CB4 (1993). However, she is best known for playing "Niecy Jackson" on Moesha (1996).- Actress
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Xosha Roquemore was born on 11 December 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Precious (2009), G.B.F. (2013) and The Disaster Artist (2017).- Actress
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Writer/Actress/Humanitarian, IMANI HAKIM is most recognized for portraying Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas in Lifetime's award winning TV movie, THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY. In addition to her series regular role of Tonya, sister to Tyler James Williams Chris Rock in the acclaimed series EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS. Some of Imani's film credits include the Sundance Film Festival BURNING SANDS which was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize, Syfy's mega TV movie SHARKNADO 4, and a lead role in Blumhouse's CAM a Netflix original. Imani is a series regular on MYTHIC QUEST, a comedy series for Apple from Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz which was picked up for a second season prior to the 2020 series launch.
As well as her film and TV work, Imani is passionate in serving her community. She was awarded "Youth Entertainer of The Year" for her dedication as a youth actor by the U.S. House of Representatives, United States Senate, The City of Los Angeles, The Los Angeles Police Department, and The Sheriff's Department."- Actress
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Tiara Parker-Ragland is an actress, entrepreneur and producer who has spent the last decade creating short films and reality television series. As the cofounder and Executive Producer of Ragland Reign, a production company for branded content, film and tv, her projects have appeared on Amazon Prime, Roku, YouTube, and various film festivals.
Most recently, Tiara produced a 10-episode course in Marketing and Distribution for MediaU, an online career accelerator for content creators and entertainment professionals. In addition, she has spent the last three years producing several creative reality shows; CoCoCozy Design House, a home furnishings design series that was acquired by Amazon Prime, as well as Find & Design, a DIY-home interior series now on Tubi. Previously she co-founded the former music video production company HustleCake, where she produced music videos for Pop singer Katelyn Jae Brown, social-media influencer Jacob Sartorius, and R&B singer Natalie Imani, among others.
Tiara launched her production career with the buzzy festival hit, Unknown, a horror short film. What was originally a fun, passion-fueled approach to filmmaking turned into an unbelievable project embraced by multiple film festivals. As both a film and television actress, she is featured in movies such as Drive, Crazy Stupid Love and Alvin and the Chipmunks; for television, Tiara can be seen in How I Met Your Mother, CSI NY, Desperate Housewives and several other costarring roles.
Originally a New Jersey native, after graduating from Washburn University Tiara ultimately relocated to Los Angeles. Positioning herself to grasp the television and entertainment industries by the reins, her unbridled talent and business acumen are leading her incredible journey.- Actress
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Morena Baccarin was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to actress Vera Setta and journalist Fernando Baccarin. Her uncle was actor Ivan Setta. She is of Italian as well as Lebanese and Portuguese/Brazilian descent. She moved to New York at the age of 10, when her father was transferred there. She attended the LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts and then the Juilliard School.
Staying in New York she worked in the theater, notably in the Central Park production of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" where she was also Natalie Portman's understudy, and also appeared in several movies. After making Roger Dodger (2002), she moved to Los Angeles where she came to the attention of Joss Whedon, who cast her in his short-lived cult sci-fi show Firefly (2002). Since then she has rarely been off our TV screens.- Actress
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Laila Odom was born in New Jersey, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Salt-N-Pepa (2021), The Bobby DeBarge Story (2019) and Game Shakers (2015).- Actress
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A multi faceted artist, Vicky captivates audiences from thousands in a theater to the theaters with a big screen. A native of Philadelphia, Vicky began dancing the age of three. While attending the North Carolina School of the Arts, she saw the " Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre" perform for the first time. She decided to rent a car with three friends and drove to New York to audition. It was there that she performed throughout the world and was recognized as the first female African American to be crowned the Princess Grace of Monaco Award. Vicky eventually transitioned from the company with an urge to expand and she has extended her career as an actress and choreographer. Her easeful shift of skill and ability makes her a formidable artist in front of and behind the screen.- Actress
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Sanaa Lathan is an actor, director, producer, and activist, well-known for starring in such hit films as LOVE & BASKETBALL, THE BEST MAN and BEST MAN HOLIDAY, BROWN SUGAR, ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, and NAPPILY EVER AFTER.
She recently made her feature directorial debut for Paramount Pictures' ON THE COME UP, based on the New York Times best-selling novel of the same name. Premiering at the Toronto film festival to stellar reviews. Currently streaming on Paramount Plus.
Coming soon: MACRO Films' YOUNG WILD AND FREE which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
She is currently starring in the 3rd season of the Emmy Award-winning HBO series Succession. For which she was nominated for an Emmy award.
Lathan can be seen starring in REPLAY, an episode of the Jordan Peele's remake of The Twilight Zoneon CBS All Access. She also stars in Showtime's The Affair and Fox's Shots Fired created by Gina Prince- Bythewood, and Rashid Johnson's Native Son on HBO.
Lathan is the voice of 'Donna Tubbs' on Fox's animated series Family Guy and The Cleveland Show, as well as the voice of 'Catwoman' in the DC animated series Harley Quinn.
On stage, Lathan was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance on Broadway in A RAISIN IN THE SUN and starred as 'Maggie the Cat' opposite James Earl Jones in the Olivier award winning revival of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at the Novello Theatre in London's West end.
Lathan made her directorial debut with the short film LEAP for Maven Pictures, which she shot during lock down, about a Zoom therapist who suffers from OCD and panic disorder. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.
She also stars in Peacock's MAN: FINAL CHAPTERS limited series with the original cast for which she was nominated for an image award.
Later this year she will be starring in the Fox Searchlight film: SUPREMES AT EARL'S ALL YOU CAN EAT based on the book of the same name.
Her lengthy list of credits also includes Steven Soderbergh's CONTAGION, NOW YOU SEE ME 2, AMERICAN ASSASSIN and Focus feature's SOMETHING NEW.- Theatrically trained actress Ninja N. Devoe has played challenging roles in some of the biggest film and television projects of the past few years. Highlights include fan favorite Aisha Axton, a street-smart Harlem girl in Marvel's LUKE CAGE, opposite Mike Colter and Emmy Award-winning Ron Cephas Jones, Roberta, the sassy fun-loving waitress in Ava DuVernay's television series QUEEN SUGAR, and most recently the endearing and inspirational motivator opposite Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen in Universal Pictures 2018 critics' darling GREEN BOOK.
Ms. Devoe began her professional career in New York City, training at the award-winning non-profit Tada! youth theater, and HB Studios. Next, she went on to study in Los Angeles with celebrity coaches Aaron Speiser, Amy Lyndon, and Doug Warhit, along with attending several workshops, seminars and improv programs.
Directed by Peter Farrelly in GREEN BOOK, Ninja also appears as Debbie, supporting lead and protective best friend, in David Moscow's thriller DESOLATION, streaming on Hulu. Other recent roles include Betty, the prideful slave, on WGN's critically acclaimed series UNDERGROUND and Zayven in the Lionsgate/You-Tube Red series STEP-UP: HIGHWATER from producer Channing Tatum. Ninja can next be seen in the 2019 Will Packer feature film JACOBS LADDER as Nurse Tonya, opposite Michael Ealy.
The bilingual Afro-Latina actress looks forward to playing many other equally compelling characters in everything from action films, where she can spotlight her combat and boxing skills, to period pieces and love stories. The versatile Bronx native and swiftly rising star Ninja N. Devoe has a bright and busy future ahead! - Actress
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LeToya Nicole Luckett-Walker (née Luckett; born March 11, 1981) is a two-time Grammy Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter and entrepreneur. She is an original member of the R&B group, Destiny's Child, and has since pursued a successful solo career, topped the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
Luckett was born in Houston, Texas and grew up singing in her local church, Brentwood Baptist Church. Her father, a singer, spread the word of his daughter's talent. Luckett had the opportunity to sing her first church solo at the age of five. "The lady just gave me the mic one Sunday and I sang", she recalls. Shortly thereafter, she joined the children's choir and began performing in plays at her elementary school, where she met Beyoncé.
In 1993, Luckett joined the group, Destiny's Child alongside Knowles, Kelly Rowland and LaTavia Roberson. Graduating from the Houston club scene, the group began opening for such acts as Dru Hill, SWV and Immature. Columbia Records signed Destiny's Child in 1997.
In 1998, Destiny's Child released their self-titled debut album, "Destiny's Child", which included the singles "No, No, No" featuring Wyclef Jean and "With Me". They were also featured on the "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" soundtrack with the song, "Get on the Bus", featuring Timbaland (aka Timbaland), which was released as a single in Europe. "Destiny's Child" toured as an opening act on TLC's "Fanmail Tour" and Christina Aguilera's debut tour.
In 1999, "Destiny's Child" released their sophomore album, "The Writing's on the Wall". It became one of the biggest selling albums released by a female group and was certified eight-times platinum in the U.S. The album included four hit singles, "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Bug a Boo", "Say My Name" and "Jumpin' Jumpin'".
During 2000, in the midst of the success of "The Writing's on the Wall", Luckett and fellow member LaTavia Roberson tried to make a break with their manager by writing a letter stating "they wanted an additional business manager since they felt they were losing communication with Mathew Knowles (Beyoncé' father)". The pair said at the time they were only looking to secure outside management, but they soon found themselves on the outs with the Knowles family. When the "Say My Name" music video debuted in February 2000, they were shocked to find themselves replaced by two new members, Michelle Williams and Farrah Franklin.
After several months of media speculation, LeToya and LaTavia Roberson began auditioning young women for a new female R&B quartet. Naty Quinones and Tiffany Beaudoin made the cut. The group, "Anjel", recorded a 22-song demo in Atlanta. The production company which handled the group fell through and all the members of "Anjel" went their separate ways.
In 2003, Luckett decided to pursue a solo career and signed with Capitol Records. She immediately began working on her debut solo album and, in 2004, she released her first track, "You Got What I Need", a promo single available exclusively on vinyl.
Her self-titled debut album, "LeToya", was released on July 25, 2006.
On the issue dated August 12, 2006, Luckett's debut album, "LeToya", debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. As of December 2006, the album had been certified platinum, having shipped over 1,000,000 copies.
Her official first single, "Torn", was a ballad produced by Teddy Bishop. The song has reached number two on Billboard magazine's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, number thirty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number one on BET's 106 & Park countdown, and also number one on Urban Mediabase. Her second single, "She Don't", premiered on BET's "Access Granted" in July 2006 and was a moderate success reaching number seventeen on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.- Actress
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...storyteller, dreamer, doer.
Shelli Boone has been working in Hollywood for over fifteen years, and she is currently recurring on CW's hit show "All American" and CBS' second season of "Why Women Kill". She has guest starred on popular shows such as "SWAT", "NCIS:LA", "Dear White People", "Entourage", "Castle", "Grey's Anatomy", "Private Practice", "Mr. Box Office" and Tyler Perry's "House of Payne." She was also a series regular on FOX's prime time drama soap "Saints and Sinners".
A regular on the film festival circuit, she played twins in the Lionsgate horror release "Holla", garnering her a Best Actress nom in the Chicago Film Festival. She was also proud to have starred in the short film "Wedlocked", focused on gay marriage rights, featured in over fifty festivals around the globe.
A lover of comedy, Shelli starred alongside Kevin Hart in the underground cult classic "Something Like a Business" and played Stacey Dash's bestie in "House Arrest". She recently appeared on Netflix's sketch comedy show "I Think You Should Leave Now", putting her improvisation skills to good use. She played a hilarious version of Nicole Richie in the parody "A Week in London" and also won a Best Actress award in the LAWebFest for her lead role in the series "Sistah Did What".
Shelli is also an accomplished singer, and she was nominated for an NAACP Best Actress Award for her stage portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge in "Dorothy and Otto". She also embodied the vivacious Josephine Baker in "When Divas Were Divas" which toured both nationally and in Europe. She has produced her own stage productions, "Out West: Women of the Plains" and "The Cell Block Seven", which premiered in Washington, DC and went on to earn another NAACP nomination for Best Ensemble.
Shelli has appeared in over twenty national and international commercials and modeled in print campaigns for Anheuser-Busch and Milkbone. She has voiced radio spots McDonald's, HBO and Chevrolet.
She has expanded her love of the craft by coaching actors herself - her clients have landed major roles in features and television. Shelli is also the Artistic Director of the Willie Agee Playhouse in Inglewood, bringing quality programming to a community that might otherwise be under served. She is proud of the productions and workshops she has developed right in her own backyard. Her faith, family and friends are her biggest sources of inspiration to continue to thrive as an entertainer and creator.- Actress
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Baltimore native, Noree Victoria, is a writer, actor, and filmmaker. Driven by curiosity and story, Noree wrote her first book at the age of 7, won two national poetry writing competitions in middle school, and bypassed her senior year of high school to enter college at 16. Noree subsequently earned Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Creative Writing, Biology, and African Studies, and a Master of Science degree in Applied Information Technology, graduating with a 4.0 GPA.
After a year teaching Biology in Baltimore's public school system and a tenure as the youngest financial analyst at a fortune 500 corporation, Noree entered the film industry to re-imagine humanity through creativity. As a multi-hyphenate creator, she won the Best Actress award at AMTC Shine and was awarded a scholarship to study at the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts. While working on-camera, Noree continued her training at the British American Drama Academy in Oxford, England; and when the pandemic slowed Los Angeles film and TV production, Noree completed a certificate at New York Film Academy for filmmaking. She has appeared in various award-winning film & TV productions and recently directed her first feature film, 'An Arrangement', written by Helen Shang (Lord of the Rings, Hannibal, 13 Reasons Why).
In 2023, Noree completed a Master Certificate in screenwriting, a program from which her first penned television pilot, 'Neighborhood H', was optioned. Noree has also served two terms as the first Black female Vice-Chair of New Filmmakers Los Angeles, voted one of the top 25 film festivals in the world.
In cherished spare time, Noree finds purpose in her family, social advocacy, fitness and wellness, roller skating, gardening, and outdoor adventures with a tight-knit circle of friends.- Actress
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Lupita Amondi Nyong'o was born March 1, 1983 in Mexico City, Mexico, to Kenyan parents, Dorothy Ogada Buyu and Peter Anyang' Nyong'o. Her father, a senator, was then a visiting lecturer in political science. She was raised in Kenya. At age 16, her parents sent her back to Mexico for seven months to learn Spanish. She read film studies at Hampshire College, Massachusetts and, after working as a production assistant on several films, graduated from the Yale School of Drama's acting program. In 2013, she impressed cinema audiences in her film debut, as brutalized slave Patsey in acclaimed director Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave (2013). She was also the lead in MTV's award-winning drama series, Shuga (2009), appeared in the thriller Non-Stop (2014) and had roles in the big-budget films Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) and The Jungle Book (2016).
Lupita's stage credits include playing "Perdita" in "The Winter's Tale", (Yale Repertory Theater), "Sonya" in "Uncle Vanya", "Katherine" in "The Taming of the Shrew", as well as being in the original production of Michael Mitnick's "Elijah".
Lupita played the female lead, Nakia, in the 2018 superhero film Black Panther (2018).- Actress
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China Anne McClain comes from an artistic family. Her father, Michael McClain, is a music producer, vocalist, writer and sound engineer. His first production was on Beyonce's younger sister, Solange Knowles (Solo Star CD - track no.16 entitled Sky Away). China Anne's mother, Shontell, is also a vocalist and songwriter. China Anne and her two sisters, Sierra and Lauryn, formed a singing group they lovingly call "3mcclaingirls". They have completed their first song, "Silly Games". The music was produced by their father's production company, Gabesworld Music and co-produced by Larry Nix. The song was also written and co-produced by their mother. China Anne's younger brother, Gabriel (age 4) also acts, sings, dances and does handstands with ease! The family's music production company, GabesWorld Music is named after Gabriel.
Ian Burke, a family friend, was over for dinner and China Anne performed a song from Spy Kids 2. Ian made a phone call to a director named Rob Hardy who was searching for a young girl who could sing and act to play Alexis in his upcoming film, The Gospel. China Anne had her 1st audition with Rob Hardy and discovered months later that she was chosen to play the character, Alexis. China Anne's sisters, Sierra Aylina McClain and Lauryn Alisa McClain, also appear in the Children's Gospel Choir scene of the movie.
Since filming The Gospel, China Anne has continued to audition for casting directors in Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois and California. She appears in a park scene playing with a dog and in an after school scene of the upcoming film, Madea's Family Reunion. She was also recently interviewed by Jacque Reid at BET on the red carpet at The Gospel premiere in Atlanta, Georgia.
China Anne is also an active member of Screen Actors Guild. She is funny, talented, extremely disciplined and has mature self-control. Her favorite part about filming movies is the time she spends in hair and make-up. Her performance and genuine, kind spirit garnered her rave reviews from her fellow actors, cast and crew. Their on-going support inspires China Anne to continue to perform and learn more about her passion - Acting.
China Anne's hobbies are singing, dancing, drawing elaborate greeting cards and going to church with her family. She enjoys memorizing the lines of various Disney movies and loves to audition. China Anne is an exceptional student and reads chapter books with ease. She is an expert with a hula-hoop and just learned to roller-blade this past summer. Her dream is to someday write and direct her own films and to go on the road performing with her sisters.- Antoinette Kalaj was born and raised in the Bronx, New York, the eldest of four children to Albanian immigrant parents.
At 11 years old, her dad's construction business moved the family to Detroit, Michigan, where she first discovered her passion for performing. She was classically trained in Opera, and also has a strong passion for music.
Antoinette began modeling as a teen before starting college in the studies of law and medicine. She landed her first modeling campaign at the age of 17 for "The Limited" Clothing brand and numerous campaigns followed. With her love of acting, and performing tugging at her heartstrings, Kalaj soon traded higher education in favor of pursuing her dreams of becoming an actress.
When enticing film incentives started in Michigan, she scored the lead in a big budget Sci-Fi thriller. She also became both a skilled marksman and proficient in Krav Maga self-defense, which she mastered in seven months while training with The Detroit SWAT team to prepare for the lead role. Although the production shut down because of the film incentives being cut. Kalaj was hooked and continued her training in Martial Arts and Acting and made her way to Los Angeles.
In addition to her thriving acting career, Kalaj had an affinity for custom cars. As a previous owner of Auto Body Customs Shops in Detroit. She spent countless hours modifying cars for players from the Detroit Pistons, Detroit Lions and other local celebrities. Some of her designs have been profiled in the esteemed DUB Shows and Auto Shows across the US.
Antoinette's role as a mermaid in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides", essentially got her noticed by talent management company Innovative Artists and upon signing with them, she then moved to L.A. permanently in February 2012 to pursue acting full time.
She quickly booked her first acting role in Los Angeles for the hit CW show, "Gossip Girl" as a co-star alongside Elizabeth Hurley, Chace Crawford and Blake Lively. Soon after she booked national commercials for M&M's, Carl's Jr., Progressive, WSOP, Miller Lite, and many more. She has also booked national Modeling campaigns for Gillette, Coors Light, Crocs, Sports Illustrated for Dodge Laramie, Bare Minerals, Carl's Jr., and Ray Ban, to name a few.
In 2013, she landed her next role in the highly anticipated film "Don Jon" with Joseph Gordon Levitt and "Riddick" starring Vin Diesel. In 2014, Kalaj played the lead alongside Billy Zane in the Indie-Film "Mining for Ruby", and then landed an action packed role in "Ninja Apocalypse", in which she performed the majority of her own stunts. Not long after, she booked the lead in the Indie-Film La Migra alongside Michael Copon, and Marco Rodriguez.
Antoinette's latest projects include the new "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2" starring Megan Fox and Tyler Perry, and "Chronically Metropolitan" starring Shiloh Fernandez, Ashley Benson, and Chris Noth. - Zuleyka Silver was born in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. She is an actress, known for 9-1-1 (2018) and Too Old to Die Young (2019).
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Genelia D'Souza is an Indian actress, model, and host. She has appeared in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. After gaining wide attention in a Parker Pen commercial with Amitabh Bachchan, D'Souza began her acting career with Tujhe Meri Kasam in 2003. She was recognized for her role in Boys the same year, and later established herself in Telugu cinema by acting in several Telugu films during 2003-2005. D'Souza received her first Filmfare Award in 2006 for her performance in the Telugu romantic film, Bommarillu, which earned her critical acclaim. In 2008, she gave critically acclaimed performances in Santosh Subramaniam, a Tamil remake of Bommarillu, and the Bollywood movie Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. Having acted in several commercially successful movies in Telugu and Tamil, D'Souza has established herself as one of the leading actresses of the South Indian film industry.In addition to movie acting, D'Souza has hosted the television show Big Switch, and is the brand ambassador of Fanta, Virgin Mobile India, Fastrack, LG Mobiles, Garnier Light, Margo, and Perk in India- Actress
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Sonequa Martin-Green (born March 21, 1985) is an American actress and producer. She is best known for her television role as Sasha Williams on The Walking Dead, a role she played from 2012 to 2017. Before that, she had starred in several independent films before gaining her first recurring role as Courtney Wells on The Good Wife. Later, she had recurring roles as Tamara in Once Upon a Time and Rhonda in New Girl. She plays the lead role as Michael Burnham in the television series Star Trek: Discovery.
Martin-Green was born in Russellville, Alabama. She has one sister and three older half-sisters. She had initially planned to become a psychologist before deciding to pursue a career in acting when she was in the tenth grade. On her decision to become an actor, she said, "I didn't know I was going to be an actor until I was 16. I thought I was going to be a psychologist, which is interesting because it's very similar to acting. I was fascinated with human behaviour and why people do what they do. I was in the middle of rehearsal in 10th grade when I had this epiphany. And so I got my theatre degree from the University of Alabama."
After graduating from the University of Alabama in 2007 with a degree in theatre, she relocated to New York City where she and her husband, Kenric, lived for five years before moving to California.
While known primarily for her television roles, Sonequa Martin-Green made her debut in film with various film roles since 2005. In 2009, she played the lead role of Tosha Spinner in Toe to Toe opposite Louisa Krause, the fiercely determined scholarship student who seeks to build a brighter future outside of Anacostia and away from one of Washington's poorest neighborhoods. The film focuses on her friendship and rivalry with Jessie (Louisa Krause), a privileged girl from Bethesda whose promiscuous tendencies threaten to become her undoing. They both strive to gain a better understanding of one another's plight as society threatens to drive them ever farther apart. The film received generally positive reviews, with Martin-Green's performance receiving critical acclaim, even from the film's detractors.
Martin-Green has had various guest and recurring roles in TV shows. She made her television debut in 2008, appearing on NBC's Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Kiana Richmond. She then gained her first recurring role on Army Wives as Kanessa Jones the following year. In 2009, she received the role of Courtney Wells on The Good Wife, her first recurring role playing an adult character as opposed to playing a teenager with her previous roles in both film and television. She appeared on the show for two years before making two more appearances in Gossip Girl and NYC 22 in 2011.
In 2012, Sonequa Martin-Green was cast in a recurring role on The Walking Dead as Sasha, the sister of Tyreese (Chad Coleman), an original character, exclusive to the television series. Martin-Green auditioned for the role of Michonne albeit with a pseudonym due to the secrecy of the auditioning process. When Danai Gurira, whom Martin-Green said was "the perfect choice", was cast, former showrunner Glen Mazzara still wanted Martin-Green to be a part of the show and decided to create a role specifically for her instead. Martin-Green explained: "[Sasha] was supposed to be a recurring character and as we kept going forward, they picked up my option to be a regular. It's very rare and I'm still quite dumbfounded about it but Glen and I hit it off and I still appreciate him. He wanted to work with me and wrote Sasha for me." She was promoted to a series regular for season 4 with Emily Kinney and Coleman.
After auditioning for the role of Michonne, she read the first three volumes of the graphic novels in preparation for the television series. Knowing they were different, she chose not to continue reading the comic book series to avoid being aware of future storylines that may occur on the television series. Martin-Green's performance as Sasha, particularly in the fifth season and seventh season, has received favorable reviews.
After filming for the third season of The Walking Dead ended, Martin-Green was cast in the second season of Once Upon a Time playing the recurring role of Tamara, a woman determined to rid the world of magic. She returned briefly in the third season before returning to her regular role as Sasha on The Walking Dead. As of the first episode of sixth season, Martin-Green's name appears in the opening credits.
In December 2016, her role as the lead actor of Star Trek: Discovery as a lieutenant commander of the USS Discovery was made public. She debuted as First Officer Michael Burnham in "The Vulcan Hello" on September 24, 2017.
Martin-Green has been married to fellow actor Kenric Green since December 4, 2010. They met while acting together in the play, Fetch Clay, Make Man, at the McCarter Theater in Princeton, New Jersey. In 2015, in Los Angeles, Martin-Green gave birth to a boy named Kenric Justin Green II after his father. Martin-Green was pregnant during filming of the fifth season of The Walking Dead, which she covered up using thick layers and using larger guns. She and her husband are vegans.
Since April 2016, she has been an ambassador for Stand Up to Cancer, encouraging clinical trials, having a three-time cancer surviving mother and a sister with breast cancer.- Actress
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Angela Grovey was born on 3 March 1981 in Houston, Texas, USA. She is an actress, known for Joyful Noise (2012), 30 Rock (2006) and The Blacklist (2013).- Freema Agyeman is a British actress who is known for playing Martha Jones in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who (2007-2010), Alesha Phillips in crime procedural drama Law & Order: UK (2009-2011), Amanita Caplan in the Netflix science fiction drama Sense8 (2015-2018), and Dr. Helen Sharpe in the NBC medical procedural series New Amsterdam (2018-2022).
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China Shavers was born on 16 June 1977. She is an actress and producer, known for Not Another Teen Movie (2001), The Glass House (2001) and Beginners (2010).- Actress
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Danay Garcia is an actress, writer and producer. She is currently a series regular in the AMC hit television show "Fear the Walking Dead" and recently costarred in two feature films. Garcia has been working steadily in film and television since arriving in the United States from Cuba in 2003.
Television audiences first got to know Garcia as a co-star of the popular Fox series "Prison Break," which ran for four seasons beginning in 2006. Garcia played the lead role of Sofia Lugo during the final two seasons and achieved instant fame, appearing in hundreds of magazines around the world. Garcia has also appeared in episodes of "Hawaii Five-0," "Supernatural," "CSI: Miami" and "CSI: New York."
In AMC's "Fear the Walking Dead," currently one of the highest rated series on cable, Garcia stars as "Luciana," the fearless yet compassionate leader who shows unwavering courage in the dangerous post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies and humans who will do anything to survive.
Garcia recently wrote, directed and produced "La Cura," a short film about a small town in Mexico feeling the effects of an unknown disease that forces the local pastor to make an ethical decision that will impact the lives of everyone in his village.
Other film credits include "Avenge the Crows" (2017), an independent thriller which Garcia also produced costarring Lou Diamond Phillips, Steven Bauer, Emilio Rivera and Danny Trejo; "Sniper: Ultimate Kill" (2017), an action film produced by Sony and Mandalay Pictures; "Liz in September" (2014), by acclaimed director Fina Torres; "Eternal Ashes" (2011), which opened to critical acclaim at the Montreal Film Festival; "Rehab" (2011); "Peep World" (2010); "From Mexico With Love" (2009); and "Danika" (2006), a psychological thriller co-starring Marisa Tomei.
A highly sought-after model, Garcia has been featured in print ads for brands including Mercedes-Benz and Macy's, and has appeared in countless U.S. and international fashion magazines. Garcia is also classically trained in ballet.- Producer
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Chrissy Teigen was born on 30 November 1985 in Delta, Utah, USA. She is a producer and actress, known for Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018), Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019) and The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021). She has been married to John Legend since 14 September 2013. They have four children.- Tiffany Johnson has been married to Aaron Johnson since 20 May 2016.
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Beyoncé Giselle Knowles was born on September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas. Her mom, Tina Knowles designs their glittering costumes & her dad, Mathew Knowles manages Destiny's Child. Solange, her sister (they're 4 years apart) has released her debut album. She dances with her big sister during DC-3 concerts. Beyoncé's of Louisiana Creole & African descent.
She and her group were discovered by Whitney Houston. One of her favorite songs is "Lovefool" by The Cardigans. Her favorite item of clothing is a pair of path work metallic boots. She writes & produces many of the group's songs, including smash hits "Jumpin Jumpin", "Bootylicious", "Nasty Girl", "Independent Women", "Happy Face" and "Apple Pie a la mode".- Actress
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Shanola Hampton was born May 27 in Long Island, NY to a Pastor and an IRS agent. She was raised in Summerville, South Carolina with her three sisters. In college she earned a degree in Theater, with emphasis in Performance from Winthrop University along with a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from University of Illinois. She moved to Los Angeles in 2001, and began appearing in commercials. Later, she made her first guest appearance in Ryan Murphy's "Popular." Her hobbies include, traveling back to South Carolina to spend time with family, Pilates, and swimming. Her hope is to one day open a Performing Arts School.- Actress
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Eiza González Reyna is a Mexican actress and singer. She was born on January 30, 1990 in Mexico City, Mexico, to Carlos González and Glenda Reyna. Her mother is a yesteryear Mexican model. She has one elder brother, Yulen. She lost her father in a motorcycle accident when she was just 12. Later in September 2015, she revealed that due to this trauma, she suffered from compulsive overeating and depression from 15 to 20 years of age.
Eiza studied at the 'American School Foundation' and at the 'Edron Academy', both in Mexico City. In 2003, Eiza joined Mexico City based acting school 'M & M Studio', run by renowned actress Patricia Reyes Spíndola. She attended the school till 2004. She was then allowed to take up a three years course at the renowned entertainment educational institution of Televisa, 'Centro de Educación Artística', in Mexico City, when she was 14. It was there that she got noticed by producer-director Pedro Damián.
Her real breakthrough came with an adaptation of Floricienta (2004) titled Lola: Érase una vez (2007), a Televisa produced teen-oriented Mexican melodrama telenovela. Lola: Érase una vez (2007), that premiered in Mexico on February 26, 2007, and ran for two seasons till January 11, 2008, saw her essaying the starring role of Dolores "Lola" Valente, the lead female protagonist. As a result of the huge popularity of the show, it was shown in many other countries across Latin America and the US. In spring 2008, she went to New York City with her mother to take up a three months acting course at the 'Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute' and returned to Mexico City upon its completion. That year, cosmetic brand Avon in Mexico selected her as the new face of 'Color Trend de Avon'. EMI Televisa signed a deal with her in late 2008 that led her to release her debut album 'Contracorriente' on November 24, 2009 in Mexico/Latin America through EMI Televisa Music and on January 26, 2010 in the US through Capitol Latin. The album climbed at #13 on the Mexico Top 100 Albums chart. Meanwhile, she shared screen space with Mexican actress Susana González in April 2009 in the episode Tere, desconfiada (2009) from the popular Mexican drama and psychological thriller television series Mujeres asesinas (2008). She essayed the role of Gaby, a teenage antagonist.
She then landed up with dual roles in the musical tween telenovela Sueña conmigo (2010), as the lead protagonist Clara and her alter-ego Roxy Pop. For filming of the series, she had to stay in Buenos Aires for a year since April 2010, visiting Mexico only during breaks. Produced by Televisa, Illusion Studios and Nickelodeon Latin America, Sueña conmigo (2010) aired on Nickelodeon Latin America from July 20, 2010 to April 1, 2011 covering Mexico, Argentina and other Latin American nations. The popularity of the series led the cast to perform concerts across Argentina between March and July 2011. Her second album 'Te Acordarás de Mí' released digitally on June 5, 2012. It debuted at # 66 on the México Top 100 Albums charts and peaked at #14 on the US Billboard Latin Pop Album chart. The comedy drama flick Almost Thirty (2014) that premiered at different film festivals in 2013 marked her debut on big-screen. The film however released in Mexico much later on 22nd August 2014.
Her next big role on TV was that of Nikki Brizz Balvanera, a female protagonist, in the Mexican telenovela Amores verdaderos (2012) that aired on Canal de las Estrellas from September 3, 2012 to May 12, 2013.
She then went on to play Sheila "Jetta" Burns in the 2015 film Jem and the Holograms (2015). Since 2014 she features in the American horror TV series From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series (2014) essaying the character of Santanico Pandemonium played by Salma Hayek in the original flick. The series that airs on the El Rey network marks her first English-speaking part. In February 2015, Neutrogena announced her as the newest ambassador of their skincare line. She can be seen playing the role of Darling in the action film Baby Driver (2017), released in June 2017.- Jacqueline Fernandez is a Sri Lankan actress from Manama, Bahrain and was raised in a multi-ethnic family. Jacqueline's father Elroy Fernandez is from Sri Lanka (Sinhalese - Catholic)and her mother Kim is a Malaysian. She has two brothers and an older sister. Her parents moved to Bahrain in 1980s due to the Lankan civil unrest and hence she was born and raised in Bahrain.
After her schooling in Bahrain, she was awarded a Scholarship to study at the University of Sydney, where she pursued a degree in Media and Communications in Sydney, Australia. Having a passion for cultures and languages she also joined the Berlitz school of languages, where she learned to speak Spanish and improve her French and Arabic.
In 2006, she was crowned the Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Universe 2006 in March, 2006 and also competed in Miss Universe 2006. After winning Miss Sri Lanka title in 2006, she entered the world of television and anchored a show on Sri Lanka's business called Lanka Business Report.
She came to Mumbai on a modeling contract and landed a role in Bollywood movie Aladin (2009) directed by Sujoy Ghosh along with well known Indian stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, and Riteish Deshmukh. After the success of her first film, she got signed on by Milap Zaveri for his directorial debut movie Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai (2010) in which she plays the part of an alien who comes to earth in search of love. Her co-star from her first movie, Riteish Deshmukh was her leading-man again. The director recommended her to well-known director Farah Khan who guest-starred in this movie. She made a cameo appearance (in a song) in the movie Housefull (2010) which was directed by Farah Khan's younger brother, Sajid Khan - Actress
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Maria Menounos was born on 8 June 1978 in Medford, Massachusetts, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Fantastic Four (2005), Entourage (2015) and Kickin' It Old Skool (2007). She has been married to Keven Undergaro since 31 December 2017. They have one child.- Producer
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Tatiana von Fürstenberg was born on 16 February 1971 in New York City, New York, USA. She is a producer and actress, known for Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), Tanner Hall (2009) and Tyrolean Riviera (2010). She was previously married to Russell Steinberg.- Actress
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Lauren London first appeared in the film, ATL, opposite actor and recording artist, Tip "TI" Harris. Due to London's breakout success in ATL, she received an offer to star in the film, This Christmas, with Loretta Devine, Idris Elba and Regina King. Her next film role was in the teen romantic comedy, I Love You, Beth Cooper, opposite Hayden Panettiere. London made her television debut on Everybody Hates Chris. Her other television credits include a recurring guest star role on HBO's Entourage, a recurring guest star role on CW's 90210 and a special guest star role in the VH1 series, Singles Ladies, executive produced by Queen Latifah. London's next feature film is Madea's Big Happy Family, directed by Tyler Perry. She is a Los Angeles native.- Actress
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Lauren Keyana "Keke" Palmer was born on August 26, 1993 in Harvey, Illinois and raised in Robbins, Illinois to Sharon and Larry Palmer, both former actors. Palmer showed vocal promise as a five-year-old, when she belted out "Jesus Loves Me" in her church choir. A year later the singer-actress had a solo in her kindergarten play but, to her mom's dismay, the mike had not been adjusted to suit her daughter's height. Without missing a beat, Palmer lowered the mike and moved the crowd with her heavenly voice. At that very moment, her family knew there was something special about Keke (a nickname given to her by her sister).
Although music was still her passion, Palmer's first big break came via her acting skills, making her big-screen debut in Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004) as Queen Latifah's niece. Immediately recognizing her star potential, the film's producers encouraged her parents to take their daughter to California to explore other acting opportunities. Relocating required that Palmer's parents leave behind the security of their jobs, a newly purchased home and uproot their other three children. However, it didn't diminish the family's support of Palmer's aspirations.
Once settled on the West Coast, Palmer did not waste any time. Within six weeks she had booked an episode of the critically acclaimed CBS series Cold Case (2003), a national K-Mart commercial and was chosen from a nationwide search to play opposite William H. Macy in a TNT movie, The Wool Cap (2004). Her performance was so amazing that it earned her a Screen Actors Guild nomination--to date, she is the youngest actress (then at age ten) ever to receive a nomination in a Lead Actress Category.
In 2006 Palmer appeared as the lead character "Akeelah Anderson" in the critically acclaimed, award-winning film Akeelah and the Bee (2006). The film, about a young South Los Angeles girl who attempts to win a national spelling bee, won the hearts of audiences everywhere. Her breakthrough performance has received praise from many film critics and organizations. Among the list of nominations received, "Akeelah and the Bee" was listed as one of NBR's 2006 Top Independent Films of the Year, as well as four nominations from the NAACP Image Awards. Palmer, alone, won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture, as well as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture by the Black Movie Awards. She has also received nominations for Most Promising Newcomer by the Chicago Film Critics, Best Actress by the Black Reel Awards, and Best Young Actress by the Broadcast Film Critics Association. Keke held her own in scenes with veteran co-stars Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.
That very same year, Palmer appeared in Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion (2006), which was #1 at the box office for two consecutive weeks. Palmer went on to win a 2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her breakout role in "Akeelah and the Bee". She also received a ShoWest Award for Rising Star of the Year. Shortly after, Palmer lit up the small screen starring in the Disney Channel's hit movie, Jump in! (2007). This one-two punch of big-screen success coupled with small screen ratings power made Keke Palmer a household name in Hollywood.
Palmer contributed her first recording, which was featured on the "Akeelah and the Bee" soundtrack, titled "All My Girlz", and followed it up with the ever popular "My Turn Now" on the "Jump In!" soundtrack. As if two soundtracks were not enough, she was also asked to sing "Tonight", an end title song from the smash-hit Ben Stiller movie, Night at the Museum (2006). Her Atlantic Records debut album, "So Uncool", is jammed with up-tempo R&B tracks, inspirational moments, and love songs. In 2008, Palmer starred in the Weinstein Co. feature, The Longshots (2008). The film was based on the true story of a young female quarterback, played by Palmer, that makes Pop Warner history; she starred opposite Ice Cube, for first time director and Limp Bizkit front man, Fred Durst.
Palmer also starred as the title character in the hit Nickelodeon series, True Jackson, VP (2008), for 68 episodes. She played a high-school student who becomes the head of a major fashion label. In the fall of 2008, "True Jackson" bowed with over 4.8 million viewers, setting a record for Nickelodeon's largest audience for a live-action premiere. She has received four NAACP Awards for Best Actress in Children's Television for her role as "True Jackson". In 2011, Keke joined the voice cast of Nickelodeon's Winx Club (2004). She played Aisha, the Fairy of Waves. For her voice work on Winx Club, she received another NAACP Award nomination, this time for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special.
Keke starred in the movie, Abducted: The Carlina White Story (2012), for the Lifetime Network. She had a voice role in the 20th Century Fox animated film, Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), as the character "Peaches". Her co-stars include Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Jennifer Lopez and Queen Latifah.
Palmer was seen on the big screen in the Alcon/Warner Bros movie, Joyful Noise (2012), singing alongside legendary Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, however, it was Palmer who the critics singled out for her "young and inspiring" rendition of the Michael Jackson song, "Man in the Mirror".
Palmer resides in Los Angeles, CA.- Actress
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Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi is best known for her work as a Victoria's Secret lingerie model and a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model. She appeared in six Victoria's Secret Fashion shows in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. She appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue four times from 2005 to 2008.
Onweagba has modeled on the runway for Christian Dior, Chanel, Giorgio Armani, John Galliano among others. She has been in campaigns for Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Express, Gap, Gianfranco Ferré, Victoria's Secret and others. Onweagba appeared on the cover or been featured in many international fashion magazines including Elle, Arise, Pop Vogue, Vanity Fair, V and W Marie Claire, Allure among others. She has the distinction of being one of the first faces of Africa in the modeling industry and being one of the tallest at 6'0". She started her own modeling agency in South Africa in 2008 and is the host/head judge of Africa's Next Top Model.
She was born on August 1, 1980 in Lagos, Nigeria. She was discovered when she won the inaugural Face of Africa competition in 1998, entering at the urging of a family friend. She was married in August 2005 to fashion designer Luca Orlandi, with whom she has a son, Ugochukwu.- Producer
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Iman was born on 25 July 1955 in Mogadishu, Somalia. She is a producer and actress, known for Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), L.A. Story (1991) and No Way Out (1987). She was previously married to David Bowie, Spencer Haywood and Hassan ?.- Actress
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Naomi Campbell was born on 22 May 1970 in Streatham, London, England, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Zoolander 2 (2016), I Feel Pretty (2018) and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995).- Actress
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Selina Kaye was born and raised in Buffalo NY. The petite 5'2" actress first started in the entertainment industry in Buffalo, at Western New York's #1 Hip-Hop and R&B radio station. Since then she made the jump to Los Angeles in the summer of 2012, leaving Buffalo behind for Hollywood.
In 2011 she was awarded by Capital Change Changemakers for WNY's Power 30 Under 30.- Judith Shekoni has been in the industry for over 20 years. Her career started with EastEnders (1985) (BBC) and Hallmark series, The Hidden City (2002). This helped her break the US market where she has appeared on every major US network. Mike & Molly (2010) (with Melissa McCarthy, CBS), Backstrom (2015) (with Rainn Wilson, Fox), NCIS (2003) & NCIS: Los Angeles (2009) (CBS), Brothers & Sisters (2006) (ABC), Damages (2006) (FOX), The King of Queens (1998) (CBS), All of Us (2003) (CW), major streaming networks and huge studio and independent films.
She worked with Oscar-winning director Bill Condon on the immensely successful Twilight franchise, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 (2012), as Zafrina, the leader of the Amazonian Vampires. She played a leading role in Heroes Reborn (2015) (opposite Zachary Levi); it premiered at the Toronto Film festival 2015, and then had a two hour US network premiere on NBC-TV. In the UK, she was seen on the BBC drama series Ordinary Lies (2015) (written by BAFTA winner Daniel Brocklehurst). She recently finished two seasons of the 10 part drama series Ice (2016) opposite Donald Sutherland and Ray Winston. She then returned to the big screen for Disney as Shriek in Maleficient 2 opposite Angelina Jolie and can currently (2023) be seen in the Apple TV Series Foundation. - Actress
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Born in San Diego, California, Betsy Russell is best known for her starring role as "Jill Tuck," the ex-wife of the Jigsaw Killer in the "Saw" film series. Russell was born into a family of educators--her father, iconic economist Richard Russell, wrote a news letter about the stock market for over 50 years called "Dow Theory Letters," and her grandfather, Max Lerner, was an author and syndicated columnist, said to be one of the great minds of our time. Russell seemed to be destined for greatness and decided to set the bar high for herself when making career moves and setting goals. At 16 years of age she landed her first real gig in the business, a Pepsi commercial in her hometown of San Diego, California. This sparked a fire within her, and she immediately made the move to Los Angeles to pursue acting full time.
Russell landed her first TV role on the series The Powers of Matthew Star (1982) with one line. After that TV roles began to pour in, until she landed an audition for a film that would change her career: the cult classic Private School (1983). She booked the role on the spot, being cast as "Jordon Leigh-Jensen," playing opposite her idol Phoebe Cates. The film launched Russell into Hollywood stardom, and she quickly became known as the "it-girl". Her scene riding a horse topless in slow motion made her an '80s icon. She continued to work steadily in film, starring in such films as Tomboy (1985), Avenging Angel (1985) and Cheerleader Camp (1988), and did guest-starring roles in such top-rated television series as The A-Team (1983), T.J. Hooker (1982) and Family Ties (1982). At the height of her career she met actor and tennis star Vincent Van Patten at The Playboy Mansion, where she visited frequently as her grandfather was a close friend of Hugh Hefner. Van Patten and Russell married in 1989 and had two beautiful boys. She decided to take a hiatus from acting, to focus on her family and raising her children.
Van Patten and Russell divorced in 2001, and she decided to move to Malibu, California, to continue raising her family. Soon after her divorce she received a call from "Saw" producer Mark Burg about an upcoming role in the series. Russell jumped at the opportunity to work in one of the biggest horror franchises in the history of film, and returned to the screen starring as "Jill Tuck" in Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures' Saw III (2006), Saw IV (2007), Saw V (2008), Saw VI (2009) and Saw 3D (2010).
Russell is an avid writer, has a huge passion for various charities, she holds a real-estate license and is a certified hypnotist. While she continues to love acting, she considers "Spiritual Psychology" and life coaching her other passion. She completed a three-year Masters program at The University of Santa Monica in this field, with an emphasis on consciousness health and healing, and hopes to help others with healing their issues and learning communication skills and has begun teaching workshops to actors on this subject.- Actress
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Nicole Beharie is an American actress.
Her critically acclaimed film debut was in the film American Violet (2008) alongside Alfre Woodard, Tim Blake Nelson and Will Patton. Beharie also played Ernie Davis' girlfriend in the movie The Express (2008). Her upcoming projects include My Last Day Without You (2011) and Steve McQueen's Shame (2011) opposite Michael Fassbender.
Beharie developed a passion for acting and performing as a child. She attended South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities in Greenville, SC. She was the first student from the Governor's school to be accepted into Juilliard Drama School in NYC.- Actress
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Pearl Mackie was born on 29 May 1987 in Brixton, London, England, UK. She is an actress and producer, known for Doctor Who (2005), Horizon Line (2020) and The Real Charlie Chaplin (2021).- Actress
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Marsha Thomason is a British television and film actress who is known for playing Sara Evers in Disney's The Haunted Mansion, Naomi Dorrit on the ABC series Lost, FBI agent Diana Berrigan on the USA Network series White Collar, Francine Bridge on Sky's Cobra and DS Jenn Townsend in ITV crime series The Bay.- Actress
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Tempestt Bledsoe was born on 1 August 1973 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for The Cosby Show (1984), ParaNorman (2012) and N-Secure (2010).- Producer
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Kelley Robins Hicks was born in Houston, Texas, USA. She is a producer and actress, known for Random Acts of Flyness (2018), How to Tell You're a Douchebag (2016) and Queen of Glory (2021). She has been married to Broderick Kyle Hicks since 17 March 2007.- Actress
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Alesha Reneé has appeared on Girl Code (2013), Guy Code (2011), "E! News", "HotWyred", "The 5ive" and 106 and Park. As an actress/TV personality, Alesha Renee has also been tapped by several brands to be the face and voice behind multiple campaigns, including Proctor & Gamble's "My Black is Beautiful" campaign and tour. She has been host and spokesperson for McDonald's "Men of McCafe", a national community action initiative encouraging young men to be active in their community.
Alesha Reneé has been a longtime advocate for women's empowerment, sitting on various boards such as WEEN and Hip Hop Sisters, two organizations purposed in providing positive opportunities for women in the media as well as provide scholarship money for the pursuit of higher education. Alesha has contributed her time and money to advocate for women In domestically violent relationships and children of sexual abuse due to her own past experiences with both.
Putting her comedic talents to good use, Alesha Reneé has studied at some of the best schools, including UCB in NY and Aaron Spiser Acting Studio, and Susan Batson, just to name a few. Having honed her skills with some of the best, Alesha Renee landed her first role as an actress in a PBS documentary, titled Slavery by Another Name (2012), proving she can do both comedy and drama.- Actress
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Slim, shapely, and luscious stunner Nicole Narain was born on July 28, 1974 in Aurora, Illinois. Her mother is Afro-Guyanese and her father is half Indo-Guyanese and half Chinese-Guyanese. She has a brother named Mike and a sister named Mimi. Nicole ran track in high school and was homecoming queen two years in a row. She has been modeling on and off ever since she was twelve. After graduating from high school, Narain moved to Chicago. She was discovered by "Playboy" senior editor Kevin Kaster at a local nightspot called Circus. Nicole was featured in the pictorial "Girls of Mardi Gras" in the March, 2000 issue of "Playboy." Narain was the Playmate of the Month in the January, 2002 issue of the famous men's magazine. Nicole has been featured in a bunch of "Playboy" videos and has appeared as herself on "Fear Factor" and "Howard Stern." Moreover, she has made guest appearances on episodes of the TV shows "One on One," "MADtv," "Entourage," and "American Heiress." In addition, Narain has appeared in the music videos for "Got Me a Model" by R.L., "Luv You Better" by LL Cool J, "I Don't Wanna Know" by Mario Winans, and "Baby" by Fabolous. Nicole achieved considerable notoriety when a sex tape she did with Colin Farrell became readily available on the Internet despite Farrell filing a restraining order against Narain to prevent the display or distribution of said tape. The lawsuit was later amicably resolved. More recently Narain has appeared on "Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew" seeking treatment for her sex addiction.- Stephanie Pratt was born on 11 April 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is an actress, known for Drunk History: UK (2015), Party On (2013) and Made in Chelsea: LA (2015).
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Christian Marie Serratos (born September 21, 1990) is an American actress who plays Rosita Espinosa in AMC's The Walking Dead TV series, based on the comic book of the same name. She is also known for playing Suzie Crabgrass in the Nickelodeon series Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide and Angela Weber in The Twilight Saga series.
Serratos was born in Pasadena, California and raised in Burbank, California. Her mother is a jewelry designer, and public relations and marketing agent at ACSPR and is of Mexican descent. Her father is a set construction worker of Italian descent. She began figure skating when she was 3 and continued competitively, saying, "My coaches were talking about the Olympics and it was really crazy. Now, I just do it for fun." At the age of 7, she signed with the Ford Modeling Agency.
Serratos played Suzie Crabgrass in the Nickelodeon series Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, which debuted in 2004 and ended in 2007 after three seasons.
Serratos' role as Angela Weber in Twilight won her the "Young Supporting Actress" award in the Best Performance in a Feature Film category at the 30th Young Artist Awards. Serratos reprized the role in Twilight's sequels The Twilight Saga: New Moon and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. In 2011, she appeared in The Black Keys video for their song "Howlin' for You".
She played the recurring character of Rosita Espinosa in the fourth season of AMC's series The Walking Dead, making her first appearance at the end of the tenth episode, "Inmates". For her character Rosita, she was upped to series regular in the fifth season, and was added to the series' main credits in the seventh season.
She ranked at No. 65 on Maxim's "Hot 100" list for 2010. In the March 2015 issue of Playboy magazine, Serratos was featured in the "After Hours" section.
Serratos is an animal activist. She has posed for a number of PETA campaigns promoting a vegan lifestyle. In March 2017, Serratos revealed that she is expecting her first child with her longtime boyfriend, New Politics singer David Boyd. On Mother's Day 2017, Serratos announced that she'd welcomed her first child, a baby girl, whose name she later revealed to be Wolfgang Serratos Boyd.- Actress
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- Writer
Kat Graham is an actress, singer, dancer and producer. Working across a variety of genres in film, television and music, she is one of most accomplished and versatile young talents working today.
Graham was recently seen in the 70s period crime thriller "The Poison Rose" opposite Morgan Freeman and John Travolta. Graham plays Freeman's daughter, a club owner and singer suspected of murder, while Travolta plays a hard-drinking L.A. private eye who takes the case. Previously she starred in Netflix's "How It Ends" as Samantha. The film, follows a man (Theo James) and his estranged father-in-law's (Forest Whitaker) desperate race to save his pregnant wife, Samantha, after a mysterious apocalypse. Graham made history lending her voice to Nickelodeon's animated television show, "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" as the first African-American April O'Neil.
Graham can be seen as the female lead in RZA's "Cut Throat City" starring Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, Terrence Howard, and Eiza Gonzalez scheduled for release summer 2020. The film tells the story of a heist set in New Orleans' lower ninth ward after Hurricane Katrina. Graham who stars in Mark Amin's period drama "Emperor" with Dayo Okeniyi, Bruce Dern and James Cromwell following the true tale of Shields Green, a runaway slave who helped spark the civil war, is scheduled for release August 2020. Graham also stars in Netflix's "Operation: Christmas Drop" with Alexander Ludwig. The film, scheduled for release November 2020, follows a congressional aid played by Graham, on a mission to shut down the Christmas Drop mission. Operation Christmas Drop is a real life air force mission that started in 1952 that serves as training for the U.S. Air Force. It has since become the longest-running U.S. Department of Defense mission in full operation, and the longest-running humanitarian airlift in the world. In addition to the "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" series and accompanying Netflix 2021 film, Graham's 2020 animation releases will also include Dreamwork's and Hulu's "Trolls", as well as "Robot Chicken".
Graham starred as Jada Pinkett in the highly anticipated Tupac Shakur biopic "All Eyez on Me," released by Lionsgate. She has also starred in Lionsgate's "Where's the Money?" a comedy about a guy who must pledge a fraternity to recover a stash of stolen money, both released in 2017. Graham can also be seen as the lead in Netflix's holiday hit film "The Holiday Calendar" with Quincy Brown. Graham made her television debut in 2002 on Disney Channel's popular teen comedy "Lizzie McGuire." She starred as Bonnie Bennett, considered to be her breakout role, in the CW's "The Vampire Diaries." The show premiered in 2009 and her award winning performances throughout the series received praise from fans and critics alike. The supernatural drama ran for eight seasons. She also appeared on a number of hit television shows for Disney, Fox, CBS and ABC. Other notable film credits include "17 Again", "The Roommate," "Addicted", and the starring role in "Honey 2."
Graham has also produced and sold multiple film and television projects including the series "Breaking the Record" with Disney's Maker Studios. She is set to star in and produce a biopic about iconic Motown singer Tammi Terrell produced with Brad Krevoy. She is currently producing "The Consciousness Collective", a doc series and podcast presented by Deepak Chopra, slated for 2020.
A talented singer and music producer, Graham released her second album, "Love Music, Funk Magic," in 2017 which she worked on with Babyface and Prince. She released her debut EP "Against the Wall" in May 2012 after signing with A&M/Octone/Interscope records, and her first single, "Put Your Graffiti On Me", reached over 7 million views on VEVO and hit #5 on the Billboard Dance Chart. She has had multiple Billboard/Chart top fives including "Sometimes", and the Prince penned "If Eye Could Get UR Attention". Her debut album "Roxbury Drive," which included her single "Secrets" featuring Babyface, was released in 2015. Graham, who has a degree in recording engineering, produced the 90s-inspired album with Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet and co-wrote the entire album with Babyface.
A trained dancer, Graham has appeared in music videos for a myriad of artists including Grammy winners Pharrell, Missy Elliot, John Legend, Nelly, Diddy and Usher. She has also performed on tracks with Snoop Dogg and Will.I.Am, and toured with the Black Eyed Peas on their 2007 world tour as Will.I.Am's artist.
Graham has served as the face of many campaigns and endorsements for brands such as Wet 'N Wild, Degree, Samsung, Avon, Bing, Ford, Aquafina, Abercrombie, Nivea, Armani Exchange and Fanta. Graham is currently a L'Oreal Ambassador, the face of Foster Grant and the new Dior campaign.
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, Graham is a strong advocate for human rights. Her PSA short film for Black Lives Matter landed her an Emmy nomination for best PSA short. Graham is particularly passionate about the plight of refugees worldwide. As such, Graham became a High Profile Supporter of the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees) in 2013. In 2019, she also became a Goodwill Ambassador for Rotary International, another organization providing key support and services on the global stage. In addition to her work with refugees, Graham is a council member for GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), Governor for the Recording Academy's Atlanta Chapter, as well as co-founder of the Modern Nirvana Wellness Group.- Producer
- Actress
Gabrielle Christina Victoria "Gabby" Douglas (born December 31, 1995) is an American artistic gymnast. She was a member of the United States women's national gymnastics team, dubbed the Fierce Five by the media, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she won gold medals in the individual all-around and team competitions. She was also a member of the gold-winning American team at the 2011 and the 2015 World Championships, and the all-around silver medalist at the 2015 World Championships. She was part of the Final Five at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where she won gold in the team competition.
Douglas is the first African-American woman in Olympic history to become the individual all-around champion, and the first American gymnast to win gold in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympics. She and Simone Biles are the only two American all-around champions to win multiple gold medals in a single Olympic Games. Douglas is the first female reigning Olympic all-around champion to return to the World Championships and medal in the all-around since Elena Davydova in 1981. Gabby Douglas is also the reigning AT&T American Cup all-around champion.
As a public figure, Douglas' gymnastics successes have led to her life story adaptation in the 2014 Lifetime biopic film, The Gabby Douglas Story, as well the acquisition of her own reality television series, Douglas Family Gold.- Music Artist
- Producer
- Actress
Jennifer Kate Hudson was born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois to Darnell Donerson (née Hudson) & Samuel Simpson. She is an Academy Award-winning actress, Grammy Award-winning recording artist and best-selling author. This bright, beautiful and booming-voiced talent is a perfect example of how NOT winning the title of American Idol (2002) can still be a superstar boon to your career and not the disappointment of a life time.
She earned minor attention as one of the twelve finalists on the third season of the FOX TV series in 2004, but finished an underwhelming sixth runner-up. Hudson grew up singing in gospel choirs, acting in community theater productions, singing on cruise ships and touring for in Disney's "Hercules: The Musical." With no formal musical training, her raw vocal power initially pleased the panel of Idol judges and she, Fantasia Barrino and La Toya London were initially promoted as the show's very own "Dreamgirls" and were expected to be the final three standing at the end of the competition. Surprisingly, all three were midway placed in the bottom group at one point, and Jennifer was cut from the pack. Fantasia eventually won the competition and, seemingly, all the glory and the fame.
Hudson appeared with the "American Idol" summer tour and performed on the road in concerts over the next two years. When it was time to audition for the coveted role of "Effie Melody White" in the long-awaited film version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls (2006), among Jennifer's competition would be Fantasia herself. This time Jennifer was the winner and earned the right to play the coveted role. Immediately ordered to gain weight for the role, the film was loosely based on the real-life pursuits of The Supremes, with the character of Effie taking on the tragic form of the group's ill-fated co-founder Florence Ballard (1943-1976), but with a far less tragic ending.
Jennifer's performance became the most triumphant musical film debut since Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl (1968). Making the role her own, she delivered the same heart-breaking, gut-wrenching one-two punch that made Jennifer Holliday, who originated the role on stage, the toast of the Broadway scene in 1981. It was no easy task to outshine both Beyoncé and Eddie Murphy in one movie, but Jennifer was the movie's heart and soul and easily won over the critics. She went on to win not only the Oscar, Golden Globe, British Film, New York Film Critics and National Board of Review awards for "Best Supporting Actress," she picked up nearly every film critic's award there was to be had!
Hudson's meteoric rise made quite an impact in the world of music with the successful release of both her Sony/Arista Records albums. Her 2008 debut, self-titled record debuted at #2 on the "Billboard Hot 100" and won a Grammy Award for "Best R & B Album, and her sophomore album, "I Remember Me," also debuted at #2 and went on to win three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards including "Best Album." Her third album, 2014's "JHUD," released by RCA, was a highly successful throwback to 70's inspired R&B.
Continuing to distinguish herself on the large screen, Jennifer began things off featured in the film version of Sex and the City (2008) with Sarah Jessica Parker. She then played the concerned daughter of compulsive gambler Forest Whitaker in the drama Winged Creatures (2008); earned a NAACP Image Award nomination for her moving effort in the tender drama The Secret Life of Bees (2008); portrayed Winnie Mandela opposite Terrence Howard's Nelson in the biopic Winnie Mandela (2011); co-starred with Whitaker again and Angela Bassett in the family Christmas drama Black Nativity (2013); co-starred as an amateur singer taken in by talent agent Adam Sandler in the romantic comedy Sandy Wexler (2017); appeared as Grizabella in the film version of the hit musical Cats (2019); and was given the opportunity to play the "Queen of Soul" herself, Aretha Franklin, in the biopic Respect (2021). Back in 2013, she was honored, at such a young stage, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On TV, Jennifer has played the recurring roles of Veronica Moore in the musical series Smash (2012) and Michelle White in the dramatic series Empire (2015). She also was given the distinction of playing and singing the role of Motormouth Maybelle in the live TV movie Hairspray Live! (2016).
As for other special live performances over the years, Jennifer was invited to sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl XLVIII in Tampa, Florida on February 1, 2009. It would be her first live performance since the October 24, 2008 family tragedy of losing mother Darnell and older brother Jason in a domestic shooting incident. In January of 2013, she was asked to perform at the Obama Presidential Inaugural Ball and in 2019, was invited to sing the nominated song "I'll Fight" from the movie RBG (2018), a documentary chronicling the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Honored at VH1's Do Something Awards for her charitable work and also the recipient of the Samsung Galaxy Impact Award at Variety's Power of Women luncheon with the Samsung Galaxy Impact Award, Jennifer, along with her sister Julia Hudson, founded The Julian D. King Gift Foundation in 2009, as a catalyst for change in children's health, education and welfare. The Foundation exists to provide stability, support and positive experiences for children of all backgrounds so that they will become productive, confident and happy adults.
Expanding her talents in the arts, Hudson added author to her list of accomplishments in January 2012 with the release her New York Times best-selling memoir, "I Got This: How I Changed My Ways, Found Myself and Lost Everything that Weighed Me Down."- Actress
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Bai Ling is recognized for unbridled freedom and creativity, Bai Ling has become undoubtedly one of the world's most diverse and captivating actresses! Born in the city of Cheng Du in southern China, Bai Ling began her career at age of 14. She enlisted In the Chinese People's Liberation Army, where she spent three years in a performance troupe entertaining soldiers stationed in Tibet. She first gained the attention of audiences and critics alike when she won the coveted lead role opposite Richard Gere in Jon Avnet's Red Corner (1997). She received numerous accolades including the prestigious Breakthrough Performance Award from the National Board of Review. She also garnered the Discovery Star awarded by the Hollywood Women's Press Club for their Golden Apple Awards. While developing her remarkable facility with the English language, she has worked with such prestigious filmmakers as Oliver Stone in Nixon (1995), George Lucas in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005), Barry Sonnenfeld in Wild Wild West (1999), Spike Lee in She Hate Me (2004), Andy Tennant in Anna and the King (1999), Ang Lee in The Wedding Banquet (1993), Alex Proyas in The Crow (1994) and Luc Besson' in )Taxi 3 (2003)_, in which she spoke French. She also starred in Terrence Malick's Broadway production of "Sansho the Bailiff". She dazzled audiences with her portrayal of the sexy, mysterious Achara in the hit TV series Lost (2004), and intrigued viewers with her seductive yet exhilarating role in HBO's Entourage (2004).
Bai Ling was awarded the Asian Oscar for her brilliant performance in her first Hong Kong film Three... Extremes (2004). It also earned her an additional three major awards in the Far East. She received the Spirit Diversity Award by The Hollywood Motion Picture Association. Her film Southland Tales (2006), directed by Richard Kelly was in competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Bai starred in and executive-produced Shanghai Baby (2007). She has worked with Taylor Hackford in Love Ranch (2010), co-starring with Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci, and had a leading role in the Jason Statham action comedy Crank: High Voltage (2009) with costar with Jason Statham.- Actress
- Stunts
Brittini London is an American actress known for both her film and television work. Brittini has worked on films such as, Some Kind of Beautiful (2014), A Night to Regret (Lifetime), and Marvel's Spiderman. Television credits include, Black-ish (2016), The Kominsky Method (2018), Jane the Virgin (2019), The Rookie (2020), along with other credits to date.- Actress
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Aisha Tyler is an award-winning director, actor, comedian, New York Times bestselling author, podcaster and activist. She is an Emmy-winning television host and multiple award-winning voice actor for Archer (2009).
Aisha's feature directorial debut, Axis (2017), was shot in just seven days on location in Los Angeles in 2015 on a crowdfunded budget. It won Outstanding Achievement in Feature Filmmaking at the 2017 Newport Beach Film Festival and was chosen "Best of the Fest" at the Sarasota Film Festival. Scene Magazine said of AXIS, "the directorial debut of Aisha Tyler is a revelation... brilliant in every way." And Paste Magazine wrote: "to make a film this experimental, this compelling, your first time out as a director is just extraordinary." AXIS was released wide in 2018 and is available everywhere on multiple VOD platforms.
Aisha has directed several episodes of television, including Fear the Walking Dead (2015), Roswell, New Mexico (2019), and Criminal Minds (2005), where she made her television directing debut. She has also directed several short films as well as multiple music videos for rock artists Minke, Clutch, and Silversun Pickups. Aisha voices superspy Lana Kane on F/X's Emmy-winning hit Archer (2009). In 2013 Aisha took over for Drew Carey as host of the rebooted improvisational comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway? (2013) for the CW.
Ms. Tyler is the founder of Courage+Stone, a line of premium ready-to-drink cocktails. Debuting in January 2020, the company donated a significant portion of its online to bar and restaurant workers put out of work during the coronavirus lockdown. She is one of just a handful of women of color founders in the spirits category.
Ms. Tyler's second book of comedic essays, Self-Inflicted Wounds, named for the popular segment of her podcast Girl on Guy, debuted on The New York Times bestseller list in 2013. She is also the author of Swerve: Reckless Observations of a Postmodern Girl
Ms. Tyler is a supporter of many charitable organizations, including The International Rescue Committee, Family Violence Prevention Fund, The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, the LA Mission and Doctors Without Borders.
A San Francisco native, Ms. Tyler graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Government and Environmental Policy. An avid gamer and passionate advocate of inclusion in the gaming community, Aisha's voice can be heard in the video games Halo:Reach; Gears of War 3, and Watch Dogs. Aisha is a whiskey lover, a hard rock fan, a snowboarder and sci-fi obsessive, and confounding to all who know her.- Actress
- Producer
Liliya May grew up in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, Australia, where she attended school, then University, followed by Screenwise Film and Television School.
While studying at the University of Sydney, Liliya modelled with some of the most prestigious modelling agencies in Australia, New Zealand and Germany, and soon starred in campaigns for brands, such as "Country Road" and numerous television commercials in Australia and abroad.
Within months of enrolling in acting school, Liliya was cast in award-winning short films, and later, an independent Australian feature film, followed by a role in 2012 alongside Josh Lawson and Rachel Taylor in "Any Questions for Ben?" directed by Rob Sitch.
Determination, talent and beauty have proved to be a recipe for success. Today Liliya is truly an international actress, having representation and credits in Australia, America and Russia.- Actress
- Make-Up Department
- Music Department
Deborah S. Craig is best known for originating the role of Marcy Park on Broadway in William Finn's Tony award winning musical, "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", dir. by James Lapine. Based on her own over achieving childhood, it earned her critical acclaim, a Drama Desk Award and the distinction of creating the first Korean American character on Broadway.
On television, Craig has guest starred on the new Pamela Adlon / Louis Ck show "Better Things" for FX, "Son of Zorn" on Fox and Jill Solloway's critically acclaimed Golden Globe winning comedy series "Transparent" for AmazonTV. She has also recurred as James Spader's mysterious love interest Luli on the hit NBC drama, "The Blacklist", as the wise cracking southern waitress Shelley on the CW's "Hart of Dixie" and Melanie, the comic relief on the JJ Abrams' drama "Six Degrees" on ABC. Other notable guest stints include the Lauren Lungerich pilot "Dumb Girls" for MTV (dir. David Katzenberg), the CBS/"The Bold and the Beautiful" spin off web series "Room8" and Disney's "Dog with a Blog".
On the big screen she was featured in Fullscreen's "The Outfield", Dreamworks comedy "Ghost Town", indie farce "Bad Actress", "Just Wright" with Queen Latifah, "Hysterical Psycho" (written and dir. by Dan Fogler) and "Big Daddy" starring Adam Sandler.
As an writer/director/producer/comedian, Craig's original work has been featured on the homepage of FunnyorDie, Huffpo, Buzzfeed, TheBlush and ChannelApa. She has guest starred on the web series "Stupid Hype" for the CW Network (written by Hart of Dixie's Wilson Bethel and dir. by Dugan O'Neal), "Unicorn Plan-It" for Autostraddle.com, "Honest Andy" for SoNatural and on FunnyorDie exclusives "Call Me Doctor" and "Ryan Gosling's Acting Ranch".
A sought after talent for her versatility, Craig has workshopped Tony Kushner's "The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide..." for The Public Theatre (dir. Michael Greif) and original work for Center Theatre Group Writers' Workshop Retreat, La Jolla Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Chalk Rep, Barrington Stage Co., Red Bull Theatre Co., Target Margin Theatre Co., Ma-Yi Theatre Co., Soho Rep, New York Theatre Workshop, NAATCo and Project 400. Additionally, Miss Craig was the first actor/writer accepted into the Obie winning Ma-Yi Theatre Co. Writers Lab, the largest resident company of Asian-American playwrights ever assembled.
A singer, songwriter Craig's original songs have been licensed for the feature films "Reading by Braille" and "Purity". Her original song "I'm a L-L-L-L Lesbian for you" was her fifth video to go viral on youtube. She has also been a featured vocalist at Lincoln Center, concerts for BC/EFA, Rockwell/ShowatBarre, new work by Adam Gwon, Thomson and Mann, John Bucchino, Kinosian and Blair and Musical Mondays in LA and NY.
Deborah is a certified yoga instructor, classically trained pianist, amateur chef, intense ping pong player and proud Korean american adoptee.- Actress
- Producer
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Genevieve Nnaji started her acting career as a child actress in the then-popular television soap opera "Ripples" at the age of 8. She was also featured in several commercials, some of which included Pronto beverage and Omo detergent. In 1998, at the age of 19, she made her debut in the growing Nigerian film industry with the movie "Most Wanted." As an upcoming actress, trying to create a niche for herself, she went through various minor roles seeking for that opportunity for a breakthrough.
Her subsequent movies--"Last Party," "Mark of the Beast," and "Ijele" (which is still considered to be one of her best epic performances to date)--brought forth an icon to be loved and adored by many.
Her name became a household name and her image the desire of every young girl. In 2002, she starred in the movie Sharon Stone (2002), and her fame shot beyond the shores of Nigeria to the rest of Africa and several European countries. One can say that through the buzz, Genevieve reinvented the Nigerian film Industry, introducing Nollywood to the rest of the world.
Genevieve appeals just as warmly to Kenyans, Liberians, South Africans, and Ghanaians, who avidly watch Nigerian home videos at home and abroad. Genevieve has led the market into new territories today.
She took the extra step of projecting herself beyond Nigeria by having a Web site constructed back in 2003, and it was arguably the most-visited Nigerian site on the Internet. Its fame spread like wildfire, a jolly virus: 3549 hits on 355 pages in two weeks.
In recognition of her immense contribution to the Nigerian film industry, Genevieve was presented with numerous awards, some of which have been in Dublin, London, and the United States. She won best actress of the year in the 2001 City People Awards and in 2005 at the inaugural awarding of the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
In 2004, a search for the face of Lux was embarked upon, and out of several celebrities all over Africa, Genevieve emerged with the highest votes. She graced several billboards and television stations with her enduring smile and personality. The same year, she was contracted by a Ghanaian record label to record an album, which got immense attention locally and in several African countries.
With several movies to her credit, and numerous fans around the world, in 2008, in a bid to give back to society, Genevieve launched her clothing line, St. Genevieve, which donates a percentage of its proceeds to charity--orphanages. In 2009, Genevieve made history by being the first Nigerian actress to be profiled on The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986) on an episode about the most popular people around the world. Genevieve is believed to be the highest-paid and most desired actress in Nollywood today.
A desire to be in touch with her fans after being absent from the Web for about 6 years has resulted in the construction of a new site. This affords the actress the opportunity to keep in constant touch with her numerous fans the world over. The site is an interactive one. and the hits have been outstanding.
Her life personifies the saying "All things are possible if you will only believe." These words describe her: determined, focused, humble, and creative. The best years of her career are still ahead.- Mallika Sherawat is an Indian actress who mainly works in the Hindi film industry. She was named Reema Lamba at birth but later took up Mallika Sherawat as her screen name.
Sherawat did her schooling at Delhi Public School, Mathura Road. She earned her degree in philosophy from Miranda House at Delhi University. She worked as an air hostess and acted in commercials before joining the film industry.
Sherawat's film career began with Talat Jani's romance film Jeena Sirf Merre Liye (2002), in which she plays a small role. She debuted in a lead role in Khwahish (2003), directed by Govind Menon, starring Himanshu Malik. While the film failed to impact the box office, Sherawat gained popularity due to her 17 kissing scenes in the movie.
A year later, she appeared in Murder (2004), a romantic thriller co-starring Emraan Hashmi and Ashmit Patel, directed by Anurag Basu. She went on to act in films like Kis Kis Ki Kismat (2004) and Bachke Rehna Re Baba (2005).
In 2005, Sherawat appeared in her first international film, The Myth (2005), a Chinese fantasy-adventure and martial arts film directed by Stanley Tong that had Jackie Chan in the lead role. Her next film was Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006), a romantic comedy written and directed by Saket Chaudhary with Rahul Bose playing the lead opposite her.
Sherawat was next seen on Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story (Joy: The Real Love Story (2007)), a romantic thriller directed by Prashant Chadha, starring Himesh Reshammiya and Hansika Motwani. She essayed the role of an advocate in the movie. Her next film was Welcome (2007), directed by Anees Bazmee, starring Anil Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Nana Patekar. The film became a huge commercial success and earned more than Rs. 117 crores worldwide.
The following year, Sherawat appeared in Ugly Aur Pagli (2008) and Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam (2008). She debuted in Tamil cinema with the film Dasavatharam (2008), with Kamal Haasan in the lead role.
Sherawat played the lead role in Hisss (2010), an English-Hindi crossover from the adventure-horror genre directed by Jennifer Lynch. She promoted the film at the Cannes Film Festival 2010. She won the Best Actress Award at the Gotham Screen Film Festival & Screenplay Contest 2011 for her performance in the film.
She went on to work on Politics of Love (2011), directed by William Dear. Sherawat plays the lead role in this romantic comedy set during the campaign for the U.S. Presidential Election in 2008.
Sherawat appeared in films like Double Dhamaal (2011), Kismet Love Paisa Dilli (2012), and Dirty Politics (2015), among others. She acted in Time Raiders (2016), a Chinese fantasy-action-adventure movie directed by Daniel Lee.
Sherawat has also appeared in item numbers in several films, such as Thank You (2011), Bin Bulaye Baraati (2011), and Tezz (2012). She appeared in TV shows like Sarabhai V/S Sarabhai (2004) and Hawaii Five-0 (2010). In 2013, she took part in Bachelorette India - Mere Khayalon ki Mallika (2013), a reality dating show meant to find the ideal bachelor for herself.
Sherawat received the 2008 Renaissance Artist Award. She also received the International Youth Icon Award at the Kalakar Awards in 2015 - Actress
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Karen Holness is known for Torn: Dark Bullets (2020), The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019) and Chicago (2002).- Actress
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Simenona Martinez (Si-Me-Own-Nah), is an American actress, singer, model, author, painter, recording artist, songwriter, music producer, philosopher, inventor, scientist, scholar, public speaker, entrepreneur, speech writer, weapons engineer, political and military strategist.
Simenona Martinez is of Arawak Native American, Irish, Italian, Serbian, Israeli and Black background. She is Jewish. She has an extremely loving adoptive family.
She is a genius with an I.Q qualifying for The Triple Nine Society, HSP, profoundly gifted adult, a Prodigious Savant with ASD, Hyperthymesia, and Hyperlexia. She is non-verbal. Simenona suffers from a rare sleep disorder and ecstatic epilepsy which allows her to write in her sleep, which makes The Misspellings of Simenona Martinez a particularly unique series. Simenona also suffers from Lupus, Epilepsy, and Fibromyalgia.
She is a multi-instrumentalist and trained opera singer.
Simenona grew up in the both Northern and Southern California. She began training in dance and gymnastics at the age of 5 by her Russian mentor and coach.
She was a competitive gymnast, a power tumbler and performer. She is trained in Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern and Hip-hop.
She is also trained in martial arts, tennis and enjoys equestrianism.
At the age of 5, Simenona taught herself ASL (American Sign Language). By the age of 7, she wrote her first feature film script.
She began composing classical music and songwriting in elementary school.
She took to engineering and science rather quickly by building fully functioning intricate roller-coaster designs in her backyard.
Her poems and drawings were published in elementary school.
At the age of 10, she began participating in local theaters. She was a chess champion in middle school and high school. She was the lead attorney in mock trial and also took part in leadership and anime club.
In high school, she moved to San Francisco, where she was a member of The Olympic Club. She made the Deans List in College and she maintained a perfect G.P.A. while studying medicine. She has countless awards in academia. She was educated at Stanford University, at the School of Medicine with a focus on Medicine and the School of Economics: Game Theory. Harvard University, School of Medicine: Neuroscience. MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology: The Schwarzman College of Computing with a focus on Computation and Cognition/Science, Technology, and Society: Cybersecurity. Simenona special area of focus is that of Quantum Computing. Princeton, in the Department of Computer Science with a focus on Algorithms. National Research Nuclear University (MEPI), Institute of Nuclear Physics and Engineering: Physics and Technologies: Nuclear Science and Engineering. Research Nuclear Reactors. In addition to completing the her certification in IBM Cybersecurity, IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate, CGEIT-Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT, Certified Homeland Security Professional and she is also an active member of the National Sheriffs' Association.
She is currently training as a pilot. At 18, she enlisted into the Air Force, however, she was turned away due to her struggle with chronic illness. She is an avid reader, amateur historian, aviation enthusiast, car and motorcycle curator and an outstanding orator.
She also worked at MySpace during the onset of social media, as well as several Fortune 500 companies. She was also accepted into to the Peace Corps, but fell into a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Flare up. She is an absolute social recluse and an extremely private person. Inspired by Mother Teresa, Simenona has lived her entire life as public servant by choice.
At the age of 16, Simenona wrote, directed, produced, and edited her first film entitled "Black and White." This film was created as a means to improve race relations, which has been close to her heart since an early age. She was harassed and forced to stand up to skinheads and neo-Nazi's who drew swastikas on her locker in high school. Ironically, the members of those hate groups had to watch her film as part of school curriculum.
The "Black and White" documentary project was later honored at several well-known film festivals both around the U.S. and internationally, including the Los Angeles Film Festival. Immediately after completing the film, she opened a production company in San Francisco where she took her writing and producing skills to the next level. She developed her first magazine in high school.
Simenona worked with the San Francisco Mime Troupe on various projects. Her monologue, which she wrote and performed at 16, earned her an unprecedented two minute standing ovation in the San Francisco Diego Rivera Theater. She has genius comedic timing, as she is professionally trained in the Art of Improv. She is sharp, with superior memory recall and extremely quick-witted.
She also signed on with San Francisco's Warner Bros. WB20 Youth Division in 2003, where she wrote, produced and starred in a series of Public Service Announcements. Her writing team at Warner Brothers was nominated for an Emmy Award. Simenona wrote a spot entitled "Imagine" that won an honorable mention for a Froggy Award, the national award for The WB/CW Television Network. With her own production company at 16, Simenona's focus has always been solely on bringing awareness and her projects to this day, reflect that. At 17, she began grant writing to fund after school programs and resources for lower income areas.
Simenona has taught children with learning differences, special needs, and behavioral problems. She taught at the iconic Kids on Camera acting school, headed by Sesame Streets voice actor, Judy Berlin. Simenona also taught low income children in Bayview- Hunter's Point. She has a passion for teaching in all mediums. She volunteers at many nurseries and battered women's shelters, and often does speaking engagements to help survivors of abuse. She is a very vocal activist who has worked with countless charities. She is a foster parent for various animal shelters and a dedicated rescuer.
Simenona went on to receive other awards for her work with WB20 and public service. She was also featured twice on the cover of Summer Blast Magazine.
From 2007 through 2010, she hosted the Disney Channel Playhouse Disney show "Behind the Ears."
In 2007, she appeared alongside John Amos, Anthony Mackie, and Ving Rhymes in the film Ascension Day. In 2008, she acted in the film entitled "Interruption".
Simenona also stared in Rob Cohen's 2012 blockbuster film, Alex Cross, headlined by Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, and Cicely Tyson.
As the founder and president of Sioni Academy, which focuses on developing self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-assurance in children, Simenona is able to actively give back to the community. Her production company, Sioni Entertainment, currently focuses on documentaries and public service announcements, and works with various organizations that advocate for a variety of causes including lupus, invisible illnesses, sexual assault, arts education, bullying, and poverty.
In addition, she is the creator and CEO of Certainly Her Magazine, which focuses on empowering women. She has also done various public speaking engagements for various industries.
She is a pioneer in the women's movement, working as an undercover special agent by encouraging and offering prostitutes resources to escape the lifestyle on Craigslist, working in conjunction with the I am Jane Doe project. She also assists with the Amber Alerts, donating personal funds to each case to help ensure fast recovery.
Simenona worked in management for Fox Interactive Media. She worked for a top firm in construction and engineering, where she assisted with the construction of the San Francisco Bay Bridge as well as the Golden Gate Bridge.
Simenona released her first EP, The Awakening, in 2012, followed by the EP, Can't Stop in 2013 and Circles. She started her own record label, Anonemis Records, on which she released the 2018 LP, Equilibrium. She writes and co-produces all of her music. In 2019, Simenona also released several spoken word albums: Cocaine Aneurysm, 2Motivate, the Anonemis Mind, and In the Key of Strife. Since then, she has released subsequent albums in each series.
In March 2021, Simenona released A Prelude to ThRee. This album is a teaser for Martinez's upcoming album, ThRee. In June of 2022, Simenona dropped the instrumentals for ThRee, 3 60's Instrumentals.
Simenona has published and authored 71 books from 2019-2024.
Simenona also published a book of her visual artwork entitled The Anonemis in 2018 and the follow ups, The Anonemis, Too, The Anonemis III: The Evaluation, and Anonemis For, in 2019. The next volumes, Anonemis V, Anonemis VI and Anonemis VII were released in 2020. Her art series on faces, About Face, and About Face: Vol 2, was also completed in 2020. Later the same year, she released Anonemis VIII, and in 2021, followed that up with Anonemis IX, Anonemis X, Anonemis XI, Anonemis XIII, Anonemis XIV, Anonemis XV, Anonemis XVI, and Anonemis: XVII.
A master of the comedic arts, Simenona also released a compilation of her humorous musings: In the Interests of Comedy, Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5, Volume 6 , Volume 7, Volume 8, Volume 9, Volume 10, Volume 11, and Volume 12. Things Said By Me is another compilation in the vein of comedy, also released in 2020.
Simenona published another series of creative writing and philosophy which displays were versatility and eclectic nature: The Misspellings of Simenona: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4 , Volume 5 , Volume 6, Volume 7, Volume 8, Volume 9, Volume 10, Volume 11, and Volume 12. She also released a collection of her other writings entitled: The Articles of Incorporation.
In 2020, Simenona also launched the fashion line House of Authority: Dried in Ink inspired by the Act of Musing, as well as the Lip-gloss line Viva dal Lola as a part of her Lola dal Vivo line which was launched in 2007. In 2023, Simenona released the Catalogues: Lola Dal Vivo and House of Authority.
Simenona studied Law, Security, Medicine and Astrophysics, which inspired her to start a Tech Company, Scigenity Tech in 2002.
In 2019, in response to being cyber-stalked and harassed on social media, Simenona created an anti-stalking app, called Hawwk. She also published a scientific study regarding online behavior: The Behavioral Science of Online Harassment. With this report, which was one of the first comprehensive studies of its kind, Simenona introduced the concept of cyber-microexpressions in regards to antagonistic behavior online.
In 2020, Simenona published much of her scientific research in her book: The Studies & Innovations of Simenona Martinez. Later in the same year, she released Volume 2 of the same book. In 2021, she followed that up with the Volume 3 of the series, and in February 2022, she released Volume 4, Volume 5, Volume 6, Volume 7, Volume 8, Volume 9, Volume 10, Volume 11, and Volume 12.
Simenona also founded Anonemis Research in 2009. The company is focused on the advancement of research in technology, medicine, psychology, physics and astronomy among other disciplines, combining theory with experimentation and real-life application. She has also created various inventions, as well as designed medical and military equipment. She has innovated several new forms of science.
She currently works in defense and weaponry.
In April 2021, Simenona released The Alma Project, which is a neurological training treatment and software for treating complex post traumatic stress syndrome in patients with KLS, OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is helpful in treating veterans, refugee, and victims of violent, war or sex crimes.
In the summer of 2022, Simenona released her photography collection, Capture Unknown: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5, Volume 6, Volume 7, Volume 8, Volume 9, Volume 10, Volume 11, and Volume 12.
In early 2023, Simenona launched Helmsman Firm, LLC. The firm was formulated as a parent company which would oversea various projects in an array of industries. Helmsman Design is a subsidiary.
She is involved in various other charities, and her production company often produces public service announcements for these causes.
She has worked directly with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and splayed an integral part in developing the new system through which alerts of missing children will be automated to increase distribution and awareness. In addition, she is an advocate for the rights and interests of medical patients. Simenona is involved in much philanthropic work.- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Mayte Michelle Rodríguez was born on July 12, 1978 in San Antonio, Texas to Carmen Milady Pared Espinal, a housewife, and Rafael Rodríguez Santiago, a U.S. Army solider. Known for tough-chick roles, Michelle is proof that there is a cross between beauty and brawn. Michelle always knew she was destined to become a star, she just didn't know how to get there. Michelle lived in San Antonio until the age of 8 when her parents divorced & moved to the Dominican Republic where she lived for two years before moving to Puerto Rico. At 11, Michelle's family relocated for the last time to Jersey City, New Jersey. Although she has been working since 1999 as an extra in such films as Summer of Sam (1999) and Cradle Will Rock (1999), it only took a magazine ad announcing an open casting call in New York for Michelle to decide to finally step into the spotlight. The role was the female lead, the movie was Girlfight (2000). Despite the lack of experience in film and boxing, Michelle auditioned, along with another 350 girls. After various trials inside an actual boxing ring and five arduous months of training in Brooklyn's Gleason's Gym, she was finally chosen to portray the role of Diana Guzman. As soon as the independent film began making the rounds at various film festivals, Michelle began gaining critical acclaim for her performance earning her awards like the Deauville Festival of American Cinema award for Best Actress and the Las Vegas Film Critics Society for Female Breakthrough performance. As Girlfight (2000) continued to gain notoriety with its September 2000 release, Michelle was already hard at work with films like 3 A.M. (2001), the blockbuster hit The Fast and the Furious (2001), and Resident Evil (2002). With Hollywood calling her name, the future for this feisty Jersey girl is as strong as the punches she throws.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Jasmine Burke is an award-winning American Actress, Filmmaker, Singer, Author from Atlanta, Georgia. Attended Kennesaw State University on full scholarship as well as Harvard University. Jasmine grew up in musical theatre, performing in a myriad of stage productions at esteemed playhouses. Curious what film and television had to offer she transitioned enjoying feature roles in; The Secret Life of Bees, Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns, Army Wives, Ride Along, The Vampire Diaries, to name a few. After years of head work, Jasmine landed series regular roles in Bounce TV's #1 series Saints and Sinners playing the beautiful and mischievous Dr. Christie, and in Fox's hit series Star playing the lovable salon stylist Danielle. Jasmine continues to grow starring in the BET's romcom Angrily Ever After as well as starring in and producing TvOne's Skinned.
Exercising her many talents, in 2009 Jasmine wrote, executive produced and directed her first film, a comedy, Lucky Lotto. Lucky Lotto went on to become a winner at the 2010 Women in Film and Television International Short Film Showcase. Jasmine also won an achievement for directing Lucky Lotto at the 2010 WIFTA's.
Jasmine's philanthropy extends to global organizations such as The Boys&Girls Club of America, Girls Inc., The Miss Black Teen Atlanta Scholarship Pageant, C.A.S.A (Court Appointed Special Advocate), 500 Songs for Kids.- Actress
- Producer
- Casting Department
Candace Smith was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio where she began performing at a young age at the Dayton Playhouse. She is an actress known for My Father Die (2016), End of Watch (2012) and Gimme Shelter (2013).
Throughout high school and college, she participated in Drama as well as athletics. While attending the University of Dayton on a full academic scholarship, Candace studied media and communications for a summer at the University of London, where her love for theatre grew on the West End. She returned from London and graduated from the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Communications.
Candace went on to attend Northwestern University School of Law. While studying in Chicago, Candace immersed herself in the experience by volunteering for an outreach program at the juvenile detention center and traveling to Cuba as a group leader for a research project. Upon graduating, Candace returned to Ohio to be close to her family. She was admitted to the Ohio Supreme Court and began practicing commercial real estate. While practicing, Candace won the prestigious title of Miss Ohio USA 2003. Once she concluded her duties as Miss Ohio USA 2003, she made the move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment while continuing to coach clients in life & love.
Most recently, Candace appears in ABC's Same Time, Next Christmas (2019) starring Lea Michele, as the sister to Charles Michael Davis. In the soon to be released Netflix comedy, The Wrong Missy (2020) Candace shares the screen with David Spade as the wife to Joe Anoa'i.
In the feature action film My Father Die (2016) produced by Pierce Brosnan, Candace stars as Nana, the heroine of this gritty action thriller set in the South, alongside Joe Anderson. Candace appeared as a West African social worker in the independent film Gimme Shelter (2013) alongside Rosario Dawson and Vanessa Hudgens. In David Ayer's film End of Watch (2012), Candace plays a distraught mother opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, which debuted No. 1 opening weekend.
Candace's lifelong passion for comedy led her to perform stand-up at the world famous Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. She studied at Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles as a member of their diversity class. She has appeared in three of the comedy troupe, Broken Lizard's films; including her film debut as Naomi in Warner Brothers' Beerfest (2006), The Slammin' Salmon (2009) as Michael Clarke Duncan's sister and the The Babymakers (2012).
In television, Candace has appeared on CBS's Hawaii Five-0 (2010), NBC's Heroes (2006), TBS's Conan (2010), and Joey (2004), HBO's Entourage (2004) and Fox's Method & Red (2004).
As a TV Personality specializing as a lifestyle expert & love expert, Candace has appeared on Bravo's The Millionaire Matchmaker (2008), E!'s The Platinum Life (2017), the Hallmark Channel's Home & Family (2012) and WE TV's Million Dollar Matchmaker (2016).
As a producer, Candace has worked as an associate producer on several network shows. She is developing both unscripted and scripted projects.- Actress
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Courtney Michaela Ann "Coco" Jones was born on January 4, 1998 in Columbia, South Carolina and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee to Javonda Antenessia Jones (née Floyd), a session vocalist & Mike Jones, a former NFL player. She rose to prominence starring in the Disney Channel film, Let It Shine (2012) & was featured on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing from 2010 to 2011. Jones was formerly signed with Hollywood Records, before releasing her independent singles and EPs beginning in 2014. As of March 2022, Jones is officially signed to Def Jam Recordings.- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Ebubennem Megalyn Ann Echikunwoke was born May 28, in Spokane, Washington. Her father was Nigerian and her mother is of English and Scots-Irish descent. Her last name, "Echikunwoke", means "leader of men" and Megalyn is the granddaughter of a Nigerian tribal leader of the Igbo, which technically makes her African royalty. She is known for playing "Nicole Palmer" in the first season of 24 (2001), "Angie Barnett" (Kelso's girlfriend) in the seventh season of That '70s Show (1998) and "Isabelle Tyler" in The 4400 (2004). She was raised on a Navajo Indian Reservation in Chinle, Arizona. In early 2008, she starred opposite Alessandro Nivola in an independent movie, directed by Jerry Zaks, titled Who Do You Love (2008) where she played a heroin-addicted lounge singer. She did all of her own singing in the movie.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Eisa Davis is an award-winning actor, writer, and singer-songwriter working on stage and screen. She is known for her roles as Cynthia Driscoll on House of Cards (2015-16), and as Rae, Bubbles' sister on The Wire (2003, 2008). She also played Irma in the acclaimed rock musical Passing Strange (2009), captured on film by Spike Lee. For her extensive work in the theatre, she has received an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Performance. A Berkeley native and Harvard grad, she was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama for her play Bulrusher (2006), and wrote and starred in Angela's Mixtape (2009), named a best of the year by The New Yorker. She writes for the Netflix series She's Gotta Have It.