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Talented. Beautiful. Modest. These three words described R&B singer-turned-actress Aaliyah perfectly.

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Diane (Hankerson) and Michael Haughton. Her uncle was music manager Barry Hankerson and her brother is director Rashad Haughton. Aaliyah was raised in Detroit. She got her first major exposure appearing on the syndicated television series Star Search (1983), where she awed the audience with her amazing voice and talent, singing "My Funny Valentine", a song which her mother had sung years earlier. At age 11, she sang with Gladys Knight in a five-night stint in Las Vegas. Withdrawing from the celebrity scene for a few years, Aaliyah lived the life of a normal teenage girl, attending Detroit's Performing Arts High School, where she majored in dance. It was around this same time that Aaliyah met singer/composer R. Kelly. Kelly assisted Aaliyah with the production of her debut album "Age Ain't Nothing But A number", which scored several number hits, specifically "Back and Forth." The album's title was a brief reference to her short-lived marriage to R. Kelly (she was 15 years of age at the time, and he was in his 20s). Thir marriage was annulled due to her status as a minor.

During her senior year, Aaliyah went on to record "One In A Million", which featured the songwriting talents of major R&B producers/writers Missy Elliott and Timbaland. The album was a major success and sealed Aaliyah's fame forever.

Aaliyah recorded the single 'Journey to the past' for the Anastasia (1997) soundtrack. After seeing her at an awards show and in the video for her hit song "Are You that Somebody?" (from the Eddie Murphy film Doctor Dolittle (1998)), film producer Joel Silver (producer of The Matrix (1999) and other major actor films) asked Aaliyah to audition for a role in an romance/action film, Romeo Must Die (2000). With her determination and sex appeal, Aaliyah won Silver over and was cast in her first major film role. Romeo Must Die (2000) was a hit at the box office. This film led to her being cast as one of the stars of the film based on Anne Rice's Queen of the Damned (2002), and in the two sequels to the major box office hit, The Matrix (1999), The Matrix Reloaded (2003) and The Matrix Revolutions (2003).

During the busy schedule of her film career, Aaliyah took time to record her third album, the self-titled "Aaliyah". July 2001 was a busy time for Aaliyah. After the success of her song "Try Again", for which she was nominated for a Grammy Award and won several MTV Video Awards, Aaliyah finally released her "Aaliyah" album. Debuting at number two on the Billboard charts, "Aaliyah" was a sales success, despite some lackluster reviews.

In August 2001, Aaliyah took time off from her busy album promotional tour to fly to the Bahamas to film a video for the song "Rock the Boat". The video, filmed on Abaco Island, was directed by Hype Williams, a major music video director known for his style and wit.

On August 25, 2001, after filming the video, Aaliyah and about 9-11 of her entourage took off from Marsh Harbour airport at 6:50pm EDT in a small Cessna 404 en route to Opa-Locka, Florida. A few minutes after take-off, the plane crashed about 200 feet from the runaway, killing Aaliyah and many others instantly. Four passengers were pulled alive from the wreckage, and one later died at a hospital in Nassau. Aaliyah was only 22 years old. Her funeral was held on Friday August 31st in New York, and 22 white doves were flown to celebrate each year of her life. Soon after her death, the hit singles 'More Than a woman' and 'Rock The Boat' were released, from her third album. In 2002, the film Queen of the Damned (2002) was released, in which Aaliyah played Queen Akasha. She was nominated for best Villain at the MTV Movie Awards 2002.

Aaliyah's short-lived, but brilliant career, was a true success story for a young African-American woman who went against all odds to be herself in an industry where originality is scarce. Truly missed by her family, friends, and fans, her music and film contributions will live forever. It's no wonder that her name means 'Highest, most ex-halted one; the best' in Hebrew. She had achieved so much in her twenty-two years.

Adepero Oduye, who gave a breakout performance as the star of Dee Rees' Pariah, hails from Brooklyn, New York by way of Nigeria and is a Cornell University graduate. Her film credits include The Big Short and Twelve Years A Slave. Theater credits include Mfoniso Udofia's "Her Portmanteau" at The New York Theater Workshop, and "The Trip to Bountiful" on Broadway. Most recently: Ava Duvernay's When They See Us for Netflix, Marvel's The Falcon And The Winter Soldier for Disney+ and Five Days At Memorial for Apple TV+ and most recently the Netflix UK Limited Series Eric. To Be Free, her second short film as director and writer, has been added into the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture's permanent collection. The short stars Ms. Oduye as Nina Simone.

Adina Porter was born and raised in New York City, more specifically, The South Bronx. She is a first generation American; her father was born and spent his youth in Sierra Leone, Africa, while her mother was born in Bermuda. As a young child, Porter entertained her parents by staging plays in the family living room. They noticed her artistic streak and enrolled her in a children's acting class at St. Mark's AME Church in Harlem; her first acting teacher was the legendary Butterfly McQueen who ran the church's holiday programs.

During her early high school years, Porter was encouraged by a teacher to audition for High School of Performing Arts AKA the Fame (1982) school. She followed that advice, auditioned and was accepted. After that, Porter studied acting and graduated from SUNY Purchase. During her senior year, the university held showcases for New York agents, where she was "discovered" by a talent agent.

Porter then went on to work steadily in the theatre, appearing in off Broadway plays and in regional theatre. Porter has worked in many of the best venues, with some of the country's best stage directors: George C. Wolfe, 'Lisa Peterson (II)', Mark Wing-Davey, Richard Foreman, Don Scardino, Michael Greif, and Risa Bramon Garcia. Other theatre credits include The Debutante Ball by Beth Henley at Manhattan Theatre Club, numerous plays at the NY Shakespeare Festival, and most notably her Obie Award-winning performance in Venus, written by Suzan-Lori Parks. In 2001, Porter made her Broadway debut in The Women, directed by Scott Elliott. This was her second project with Elliot, having collaborated with him at The Williamstown Theatre Festival, in the classic 'Arthur Miller (I)' play A Ride Down Mt. Morgan.

Porter has made her mark in all areas of entertainment: television, film and theatre. She is most recognizable from seven seasons as Lettie Mae Thornton in HBO's cornerstone series True Blood (2008). Viewers also know her as Kendra James from three seasons of the Aaron Sorkin HBO drama, The Newsroom (2012). This past year Porter made a Guest Star appearance as the leader of the Guilty Remnant on The Leftovers (2014). This marked Porter's sixth venture with HBO, along with memorable performances in highly acclaimed HBO films Lackawanna Blues (2005) and Gia (1998).

In addition to her work on HBO, Porter portrays fierce, Grounder warrior, Indra, in CW's post-apocalyptic hit, The 100 (2014). This season she also starred as Pearly Mae, in WGN's period piece, Underground (2016) was cast in ABC's The Jury (2016), opposite Archie Panjabi and Jeremy Sisto, as well as guest starring in Shonda Rhimes The Catch.

Porter appeared as Gwen Walker for two seasons of NBC's American Dreams (2002). She has worked in pivotal roles on numerous TV series including Code Black (2015), Grey's Anatomy (2005) , Murder House (2011) , Glee (2009) , CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) , We'll Always Have Bourbon Street (2012) , Fight (2007) , Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (2011) Private Practice (2007) and House (2004) , among many others.

On the big screen, Porter will soon be seen alongside Shirley MacLaine in The Last Word (2017) and more recently, starred opposite Emily Mortimer in Wig Shop (2016). Additional film credits include: multi award-winning The Social Network (2010), The Peacemaker (1997), and About Sunny (2011) , and others.

Porter spends most of her spare time chasing after her two children. She splits her time between Los Angeles and New York.

When Aisha Hinds' junior high school tap dance instructor observed that she needed an outlet for expression that surpassed her tap shoes, she was guided to the High School of Performing Arts in New York - where her formal acting training began.

Hinds' numerous television credits include a supporting role on Detroit 1-8-7 (2010), recurring roles on Hawthorne (2009) and The Shield (2002) and guest appearances on Boston Legal (2004), Medium (2005), CSI: NY (2004), Judging Amy (1999), Crossing Jordan (2001), ER (1994), and NYPD Blue (1993). She also starred opposite Marcia Gay Harden in the pilot Hate (2005). Her feature film roles include Assault on Precinct 13 (2005), Neo Ned (2005), and Love Aquarium (2004).

On stage, her theatre credits include August Wilson's "Fences" and "'Night, Mother" at the American Theatre of Harlem; "Tartuffe," "Anything Goes" and "Mame" at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre; and George C. Wolfe's "The Colored Museum" and "A Piece of My Heart" at the Alvin Sherman Stage.

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.

King appeared in several short films before landing guest roles on the CBS procedurals Blue Bloods and Person of Interest. Her big break came in 2012 when she was cast as new surgical intern Cassandra Kopelson on the CW drama Emily Owens, M.D. The series was canceled after a single season in 2013. She later starred in the Amazon Studios comedy pilot The Onion Presents: The News. King also played Wendell Pierce's daughter Abigayle in the independent film Four, released on September 13, 2013. Along with her castmates, she won a Los Angeles Film Festival Award for her role in this movie.

In 2014, King had a recurring role in the ABC drama series Black Box, and was later cast as one of the leads in the Shonda Rhimes' legal thriller How to Get Away with Murder.

Akira Akbar was born on 2 October 2006 in the USA. She is an actress, known for Captain Marvel (2019), We Can Be Heroes (2020) and Criminal Minds (2005).

Alek Wek is a fashion model best known for being one of the first mainstream dark-skinned African models to appear on fashion magazine covers and work both campaigns and fashion shows in mid 1990's. Wek appeared on the covers or been featured in many international fashion magazines including Elle, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Vogue among others. She has been in campaigns for Victoria Secret, Clinique, Chanel, Calvin Klein Givenchy, Fendi, Armani, Christian Dior and Moschino among others. She also appeared in the high profile 2001 Victoria's Secret Fashion show. She was born In April 16, 1977 in Wau, South Sudan to Akuol and Athian Wek. Wek's Dinka ethnic heritage put her family at risk in the ongoing civil war in Sudan. She fled to Britain at age fourteen with her family in 1991 to escape ethnic genocide in Sudan. Wek was attending London's College of Fashion when was discovered at age eighteen at an outdoor market in Crystal Palace, London, England by as model scout. She made her debut that same year in Tina Turner's "GoldenEye" music video for the theme song for the namesake 1995 James Bond film.

Alexandra Shipp is known for her role as the iconic mohawked super heroine 'Storm' in Twentieth Century Fox's X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), directed by Bryan Singer. Shipp plays a younger version of 'Storm' (originally played by Halle Berry). Determined to make the mutant character her own, she delivers a new spin on 'Storm,' which many media outlets boasted her as the "breakout" star of the film. Shipp reprised the role of 'Storm' in the next feature X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019).

In 2018, Shipp co-starred with Nick Robinson in Fox 2000's coming-of-age story Love, Simon (2018)., based on the popular Young Adult book "Simon VS the Homo Sapien Agenda." She also played in Simon Kaijser's psychological thriller Spinning Man (2018), based on the novel by George Harrar. The next year, she had significant roles in the drama A Dog's Way Home (2019), the action thriller Shaft (2019), and comedy Jexi (2019).

Previously, Alexandra appeared in Universal Pictures' Oscar nominated feature Straight Outta Compton (2015), which has become the highest grossing music biopic of all-time. Shipp's other film credits include the two-hander Tragedy Girls (2017) and the title role of 'Aaliyah' in the Lifetime biopic, Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B (2014) which she demonstrated and was praised for her singing and dancing talents. The same year, she was the lead in Drumline: A New Beat (2014) the VH1's sequel to 2002's Drumline (2002).

Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Shipp moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career at 17. She is known for her role as 'KT Rush,' on Nickelodeon teen drama-mystery series, House of Anubis (2011) and made her film debut in the Fox feature film, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009), playing the role of 'Valentina'.

Aside from acting, she is a songwriter, pianist, and guitar player.

Alfre Woodard was born on November 8, 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the youngest of three children of Constance, a homemaker, and Marion H. Woodard, an interior designer. She was named by her godmother, who claimed she saw a vision of Alfre's name written out in gold letters. A former high school cheerleader and track star, she got the acting bug after being persuaded to audition for a school play by a nun at her school. She went on to study acting at Boston University and enjoyed a brief stint on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles, California. She got her first break in Remember My Name (1978) which also starred Jeff Goldblum. She lives in Santa Monica, California with her husband, writer Roderick M. Spencer, and their two adopted children: Mavis and Duncan. She was named one of the Most Beautiful People in America by People Magazine.

Alisha Ilhaan Bo (born March 6, 1997), known professionally as Alisha Boe, is a Norwegian and American actress. She is known for portraying Jessica Davis in the Netflix original series 13 Reasons Why.

Boe was born in Oslo, Norway, to a Somali father and a Norwegian mother, from Trondheim. She and her mother moved to Los Angeles when Alisha was seven years old because her mother married an American man. Boe attended Woodlake Elementary School and two middle schools: George Ellery Hale Middle School and Ivy Academia. She ended up graduating middle school at Hale. While she was in high school she attended El Camino Real High School commonly known as "ECR" or "Elco" located in the Woodland Hills district of the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California, where she attended their drama program. Her high school was also known for their alumni actors who had also been enrolled in their drama program. She attended Olin Virtual Academy for her junior and senior year of High School in order to balance her studies and work. She is the first Somali actress to hold a leading role in an American film since Iman.

Boe made her acting debut in 2008 in the horror film Amusement. In 2014, she guest-starred in season 5 of Modern Family and as Brynn Hendy opposite Halle Berry in the thriller series Extant. In 2015 she recurred in the Jason Reitman directed comedy Casual on Hulu, on CSI: Cyber as Grace Clarke opposite Patricia Arquette and as Janet in the Showtime hit series Ray Donovan. In 2016 she recurred as Gwen on season 6 of Teen Wolf. In 2017 the Indie Feature 68 Kill was released to great reviews where she starred alongside Matthew Gray Gubler and AnaLynne McCord. She landed her breakthrough role as Jessica Davis in the Netflix Original series 13 Reasons Why at the age of 19.

Aloma Wright was born on 10 March 1950 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress and director, known for Scrubs (2001), Mr. Deeds (2002) and The Brothers (2001).

Alyah Chanelle Scott was born on 3 July 1997 in Houston, Texas, USA. She is an actress and director, known for Hal & Harper (2025), Reboot (2022) and Reneé Rapp: Talk Too Much (2023).

Amanda Brugel was born on 24 March 1978 in Pointe Claire, Québec, Canada. She is an actress and producer, known for The Handmaid's Tale (2017), Kim's Convenience (2016) and Dark Matter (2024). She has been married to Marcel Lewis since 7 March 2008.

Amandla Stenberg's undeniable talent and wisdom beyond her years makes her one of the most recognizable and sought-after artists of her generation.

Stenberg first gained recognition for her role as Rue in Lionsgate's THE HUNGER GAMES with Jennifer Lawrence. After the success of the film, Stenberg earned a Teen Choice Award in 2012 alongside Lawrence for Film Choice Chemistry. She was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award and a Black Reel Award in 2013 for her performance.

Entering a new genre, Stenberg is the lead of the LucasFilm & Disney+ series The Acolyte part of the legendary Star Wars franchise, set at the end of the High Republic era before the events of the main Star Wars films. Stenberg plays both Osha and Mae in the series' twin sisters plagued with opposition and revenge. The series is created by Leslye Headland, and co-stars cast members including Lee Jung-jae, Jodie Turner-Smith, Carrie-Anne Moss, and more. The series premiered on June 4th, 2024, hitting 4.8 million views in one day and over 11 million views in 5 days globally on Disney+. It was recently announced that Stenberg was cast in Gina Prince-Blythwood's CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE.

Stenberg first garnered international praise as the star of 20th Century Fox?s 2018 film THE HATE U GIVE, based on the New York Times Best Selling debut novel from Angela Thomas. The story follows a teen girl, Starr (Stenberg), who attends a suburban prep school and must deal with the aftermath of witnessing a police officer shoot her unarmed best friend. The story is inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, with George Tillman Jr. directing and the screenplay by Audrey Wells. Also starring in the film were Russell Hornsby, Regina Hall, Algee Smith, Common and Issa Rae. The film premiered at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival and earned global accolades, culminating with Stenberg co-presenting at the Academy Awards on behalf of the film, alongside civil rights activist John Lewis.

In 2017, Stenberg starred in EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, an adaptation of the Nicola Yoon book of the same title. The film follows Maddie (Stenberg), who is a teen with a rare disease that causes her to be allergic to almost everything. Directed by Stella Meghi, the film won Choice Drama Movie at the 2017 Teen Choice Awards. For this film Stenberg also won the 2018 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

Amandla was also featured in The Melodic Blue: Baby Keem, the Amazon Music short-film contextualizing and providing visuals for Baby Keem's debut LP, The Melodic Blue. Stenberg stars as Jade, Keem's apparent love interest in the film, grappling with his reality as he experiences fragmented memories and addictive temptation to the melodic blue. The film harkens back to music videos of the 80's and 90's, where longform visuals were essential to the creative aspect of album presentation.

Stenberg was seen in A24's hit comedy-slasher pic, BODIES BODIES BODIES alongside Maria Bakalova and Rachel Sennott, by Director Halina Reijn. She then co-starred in the queer, werewolf, coming-of-age feature MY ANIMAL, which debuted at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. The Paramount film debuted in September of 2023. Stenberg appeared in the film adaptation of DEAR EVAN HANSEN for Universal, based on the 2015 Tony Award winning Broadway musical of the same name. The film also starred Ben Platt, Julianne Moore, Amy Adams, and Kaitlyn Dever. Additionally, Stenberg could be seen on the small screen alongside Andre Holland in Netflix's limited series THE EDDY, which follows a jazz club owner, Elliot Udo (Holland), as he deals with the everyday struggles of running a live music venue in Paris.

Other film credits include 20th Century Fox's THE DARKEST MINDS, the WWII drama WHERE HANDS TOUCH (which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival), and AS YOU ARE, which premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition and went on to win the Special Jury Award for the 2016 Festival.

In addition to acting, Stenberg has been globally praised for her crusade towards improving society and sparking thoughtful conversation, using social media as a platform to spread social awareness and knowledge. She has shared personal essays on topics such as cultural appropriation, intersectional feminism, mindfulness, biracial identity, police brutality, systemic inequalities, and beauty standards to name a few. DAZED Magazine proclaimed Amandla to be one of the most incendiary voices of her generation when she appeared on the cover of their magazine. In February 2016 Amandla was awarded with the "Young, Gifted & Black" Award at the annual Black Girls Rock! televised awards ceremony on BET. That same year she was invited by Oprah Winfrey to be a speaker at her annual Super Soul Sessions. She also was awarded the YoungStar Award at the 2016 BET Awards. In 2018, Stenberg appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine for their Next Generation Leaders Issue. Stenberg shares her time between New York City and Los Angeles.

Amber Riley was born on 15 February 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Glee (2009), The Wiz Live! (2015) and Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011).

Stevens was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of actor and radio announcer Shadoe Stevens, and former model Beverly Cunningham. She has a younger sister named Chyna Stevens (Chyna Rose Stevens). She is a graduate of Beverly Hills High School. Her father is Caucasian (of Norwegian, German, English, and Dutch descent) and her mother is African-American (and part-Comanche).

Ambrosia was born on October 4, 1995. Her Entertainment career began in September 1999 ( a month shy of being 4 years old), when her Aunt Crystal notified Ambrosia's Mom Annette and Grandma Arcy of an open call by a local Agency in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas. The Agency at the time was called Infinity Modeling Agency. Infinity signed her on immediately because a trip to Hollywood was in the works to attend IMTA Competitions. So off to Hollywood in January 2000. Ambrosia had 38 callbacks from Agencies and Management Agencies. By the next month, Mom and Grandma had moved to LA to pursue Ambrosia's new found career. Ambrosia booked her very first audition ever in Hollywood (February 2000), a TV Sitcom that was called Popular (1999) on the WB. She became a SAG Member right away.

Ambrosia has been blessed to have worked with the most talented Celebrities in Hollywood. She performed on stage at the AMA's with one of her idols, Jennifer Lopez. She worked with Uma Thurman and Vivica A. Fox in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) which was directed by Quentin Tarantino. She worked with Regina King, Loretta Devine, and Chris Brown in director Preston A. Whitmore II's 2007 film This Christmas (2007). Ambrosia has had co-starring roles in TV shows such as CSI: Miami (2002), The Parkers (1999), Half & Half (2002), Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003), Mad TV (1995), Popular (1999) and a 2002 pilot, "Astronauts". She has done many national commercials, print, runway, and videos. Now, Ambrosia has started a new venture in the music side of the industry. She has written and recorded her own original songs.

A native of Washington DC, Amirah J is a born performer and competitor. She discovered her love for the stage at an early age, and has since honed her craft through years of hard work and dedication. With a natural gift for acting, she has captivated audiences with her exceptional range and depth of emotion.

Her breakout role came in season 9 of Showtime's hit series Shameless, where she played the dynamic "Xan" opposite Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeremy Allen White.

Amirah is also an accomplished competitive cheerleader. As a flyer, she has demonstrated her remarkable physical agility and strength. She also has a background in hip-hop dance and competitive gymnastics and is able to seamlessly incorporate this athleticism into her acting performances.

When she's not on set or training, Amirah can be found spending quality time with her family and her two dogs.

Amirah J has also worked on national commercials, several short films, and TV guest spots.

Since her acceptance into the American Academy of Dramatic Arts at just 16 years old, Angel Parker has enjoyed a thriving and respected career through her talent, hard work, and sophisticated charisma. Angel's body of work reflects her ease with both comedy and drama across an array of networks and platforms.

Angel's recent work as a series regular on "The Recruit" for Netflix was filmed simultaneously with her recurring role on ABC's "The Rookie". Previous series regular work includes "Marvel's Runaways," and recurring roles on "Superman & Lois, "Lab Rats," "The Strain," "Trial & Error," "ER," and the FX Emmy Award-winning "American Crime Story: The People v. OJ Simpson." She has also achieved a formidable list of lead roles and guest-star appearances, including Hulu's "The Dropout," a starring role in "Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas" on NBC, the pilot of "La Brea," Kevin Costner's ABC pilot "National Parks," "The Good Doctor," "Grand Crew," "Animal Kingdom," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "911: Lone Star," "REL," "Teachers," "Castle," and "Criminal Minds," among others. In film, Angel's work includes the lead role in "You Are My Home" opposite Alyssa Milano for Netflix and the independent feature "Prisoner's Daughter" starring Kate Beckinsdale and Brian Cox.

Angel's roots also remain in the theatre, having studied and worked with the British American Drama Academy, Independent Shakespeare Company, and Will & Company. She has performed with the Blank Theatre's Young Playwright's Festival for over a decade. Angel splits her time between Los Angeles and St. Louis with her husband and their two children. She is represented by Innovative Artists and Joel Stevens Entertainment.

Captivating, gifted, and sensational, Angela Bassett's presence has been felt in theaters and on stages and television screens throughout the world. Angela Evelyn Bassett was born on August 16, 1958 in New York City, to Betty Jane (Gilbert), a social worker, and Daniel Benjamin Bassett, a preacher's son. Bassett and her sister D'nette grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida with their mother. As a single mother, Betty stressed the importance of education for her children. With the assistance of an academic scholarship, Bassett matriculated into Yale University. In 1980, she received her B.A. in African-American studies from Yale University. In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts Degree from the Yale School of Drama. It was at Yale that Bassett met her husband, Courtney B. Vance, a 1986 graduate of the Drama School.

Bassett first appeared in small roles on The Cosby Show (1984) and Spenser: For Hire (1985), but it was not until 1990 that a spate of television roles brought her notice. Her breakthrough role, though, was playing Tina Turner, whom she had never seen perform before taking the role, in What's Love Got to Do with It (1993). Bassett's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination and a Golded Globe Award for Best Actress.

Angelica Ross was born on 28 November 1980 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for American Horror Story (2011), Pose (2018) and Claws (2017).

Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose recently finished filming the lead role of the pilot episode Beast Mode (TBS / Macro), which is based on life of legendary boxing trainer Ann Wolfe. Anika is also serving as Co-Executive Producer.

In 2018, Anika starred in the title role of 'Carmen Jones' in John Doyle's production at the Classic Stage Company in NYC. She was also seen in the film Assassination Nation (dir. Sam Levinson) alongside Bill Skarsgard, Bella Thorne, Suki Waterhouse, Maud Apatow and Joel McHale, and the film Everything, Everything, based on the popular young adult novel by Nicola Yoon, opposite Amandla Stenberg.

Anika starred as the lead of the television series The Quad, which ran for two seasons on BET (2017-2018). Anika also starred in The History Channel's adaption of Roots as Kizzy (NAACP Image Award nom for Outstanding Actress).

Other television credits include the Starz series Power, CBS's The Good Wife, ABC's Private Practice, CBS's Elementary and FOX's The Simpsons; the A&E mini-series Stephen King's Bag of Bones opposite Pierce Brosnan; and starring in The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency for HBO opposite Jill Scott and directed by Anthony Minghella.

Anika's many film credits include: Dreamgirls, The Princess and The Frog (voice of Princess Tiana), A Day Late and a Dollar Short, Half of a Yellow Sun, Imperial Dreams, and For Colored Girls.

Anika has won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in Caroline, or Change and has also starred in Broadway productions such as A Raisin in the Sun (Tony Award nomination and Outer Critics Circle nomination), and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.

Additionally, Anika has received The Theater World Award, The Clarence Derwent Award, a Drama Desk nomination, the Los Angeles Critics' Circle Award, an Ovation Award, an Obie Award and four NAACP Image nominations, including the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award for Theater.

Anika was the youngest performer to be honored as a Disney Legend when she received the honor in 2011.

March, 2019

Anji White is known for Chicago P.D. (2014), Fargo (2014) and Hope Springs Eternal (2018).

Ann Wolfe was born on 17 January 1971 in Austin, Texas, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Wonder Woman (2017), I Am the Night (2019) and Beast Mode (2019).