In Hollywood, it’s easy for Black actresses to be overlooked compared to their counterparts. Black actresses don’t receive the same amount of acting opportunities as white actors/actresses or Black actors. When given acting roles, Black actresses are subjected to either upholding stereotypes associated with Black women, or being used as a secondary character to assist the white main lead. This is due to the racism and misogyny Black actresses undergo in the media. This is why it’s imperative to shine a light on upcoming Black actresses who deserve mainstream recognition. Here are five breakout Black actresses to keep an eye out for.
Teyonah Parris
Teyonah Parris is an American actress, known for playing Monica Rambeau in the Marvel miniseries Wanadvision (2021). Parris will be reprising the role of Monica Rambeau in the upcoming Captain Marvel (2019) sequel film The Marvels, releasing February 17, 2023. While waiting, check out Parris’ roles in films such as Dear White People (2014), Chi-Raq (2015), If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), The Photograph (2020), and Candyman (2021). For a quick binge-watch, check out Parris on the hit series Mad Men (2012) as Dawn Chambers.
Taylour Paige
Taylour Paige is an American actress, known for starring in the A24 film Zola (2021). Zola is a black comedy crime film, based on real-life events from the infamous 2015 Twitter thread by Aziah “Zola” Wells. Zola tells the story of a part-time stripper (Taylour Paige) who is convinced by her new friend (Riley Keough) to travel to Tampa, Florida, in order to earn money, only to get in over her head. Paige’s performance as Zola is a must-watch comedic masterpiece alongside costars Riley Keough, Colman Domingo, and Nicholas Braun. Want to see more of Paige’s acting, check out Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom on Netflix.
Laura Kariuki
Laura Kariuki is a Kenyan-American actress. Kariuki made her debut on the CW superhero series Black Lightning (2017), after replacing China Anne McClain as Jennifer “JJ” Pierce/Lightning in the final season of the series. Currently, Kariuki can be seen playing the role of Kim Williams, on ABC’s The Wonder Years (2021). The Wonder Years is an American coming-of-age comedy series inspired by the 1988 series with the same name. Watch Kariuki as Kim Williams on The Wonder Years, Wednesdays on ABC.
Tati Gabrielle
Tati Gabrielle is an American actress, known for roles on popular television series like The 100 (2014), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018), and YOU (2018). On The CW science fiction series The 100, Gabrielle plays the reoccurring character of Gaia in seasons 4-7. The Netflix original series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is a dark adaptation of the 1996 sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In which, Gabrielle adopts the role of ‘head witch in charge’, Prudence Blackwood. Most recently, Gabrielle played the role of Marienne Bellamy on season three of Netflix’s original series YOU.
Kiki Layne
Kiki Layne is an American actress, best known for starring roles in films such as the romantic drama If Beale Street Could Talk (2018), and the romantic comedy Coming 2 America (2021). Earlier this year, Layne played the role of Princess Meeka Joffer, daughter of King Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) in the sequel to the 1988 original film, Coming to America. Layne’s performance delivery in the film is top-notch working alongside talented co-stars like Regina King, Teyonah Parris, and Colman Domingo. Look out for Layne next year in Olivia Wilde’s upcoming psychological thriller film Don’t Worry Darling (2022) as Margaret.
Saniyya Sidney
Honorable mention is 15-year old American actress Saniyya Sidney. Sidney’s double debut was in 2016 at only 10 years old starring alongside Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in Fences. As well as starring in Hidden Figures with Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. This year, Sidney starred alongside Will Smith in the sports biopic King Richard, as young Venus Williams. Sidney’s performance as Venus Williams is commitment and attention to detail at its finest. Sidney who is naturally left-handed learned how to play tennis right-handed like Venus Williams for the film. True dedication! Sidney’s mannerisms as Venus Williams are spot on, from the vocalics, body movements, to the tennis technique. Check out Sidney as Venus Williams in King Richard now streaming exclusively on HBOmax. See more of Sidney next year, as Sasha Obama in the new Showtime series The First Lady, with former costar Viola Davis as Michelle Obama.
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