аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

30 Black Teenage Actresses to Watch in 2023 and Beyond

These young teenage actresses have proven that age is just a number. They have been making waves in Hollywood and taking center stage with their incredible and dazzling brilliant performance onscreen. These actresses have continued to make a name for themselves in the film industry over the years. Aside from their unique undeniable talents, they possess striking beauty that captivates audiences across the world. Back in the years, there were a few black actresses in the industry since being black was a barrier but today Hollywood has put together more African-American actors and themes to make a broader racial representation onscreen.

Today we are celebrating these rising gifted stars because they’re the ones to keep an eye on, the ones who will impact the upcoming generations. Therefore, we are going to shine a light on these famous 30 black teenage actresses who are talented, resilient, and dedicated to their craft.

1. Marsai Martin

A picture of Marsai Martin. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Caila Marsai Martin was born on 14 August 2004 in Plano, Texas, to Carol and Joshua Martin. At the age of 5, she had already begun her acting career in commercials. Marsai is famous for her role as Diane Johnson which she landed in a sitcom television series Black-Ish in 2014. She also starred in the film Nina in 2016. She made her first film debut with Amazon Studios in the film An American Girl Story- Melody 1963: Love Has to Win which she played Melody Ellison.

In 2019, Marsai produced the comedy film Little which she also starred in, and became the youngest producer to ever produce a studio film at the age of 13. She has won several NAACP Image Awards and BET Awards. At the age of 19, Marsai Martin is doing the most by inspiring and encouraging young creatives in the entertainment industry.

2.Priah Ferguson

Priah Ferguson is an American actress born on 1 October 2006 in Atlanta Georgia, to John and Adjua Ferguson. She is best known for the role of Erica Sinclair in Stranger Things a Netflix series. She began her acting career in 2016 where she played the role of Asia in the television series Atlanta. Still, in the same year, she acted in Ends, Deus ex Machina, and Suga Water. She also appeared in the television series Mercy Street, Daytime Divas, and Perfect Ville. She is currently 17 years old.

3. Sofia Wylie

Sofia at an event.  , , via Wikimedia Commons

Sofia Wylie is an American actress and dancer, born on 7 January 2004 in Scottsdale, Arizona, to Amy and Chris Wylie. Sofia is known for her roles on Andi Mack which she played Buffy Driscoll, Back of the Net which she played Cory Bailey, and High School Musical: The Musical: The series in which she starred as Gina Porter. She was luckily nominated for a Kids’ Choice Award for Favorite Female Star for the role of Gina Porter in 2021. Sofia began her dancing career at the age of 5, by participating in America’s Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance in 2016. She also performed on Justin Bieber’s Tour Album, Purpose. At the age of 19, she dedicated herself to her work.

4. Aja Wooldridge

Despite her being born prematurely on 17 November 2006, she has still become a successful actress and model. She has appeared in Venus Fly Trap in 2013. In 2014, Aja starred in the show Poetry and Life. The following year she starred in the documentary Fatal Attraction and in the film A Christmas to Remember. She has also performed in Deficiency Notice, The Substitute Spy, The Closey, and Ivacain a recent fantasy series. Aja has done over 50 fashion shows and has had a chance to work with stars like Robin Givens and Cynthia Bailey. Just at the age of 17, Aja has accomplished a lot.

5. Nico Parker

A picture of Nico Parker. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Nico Parker is a teenage actress born on 9 December 2004, in Kensal Rise, London, to film director and screenwriter Ol Parker and Actress Thandiwe Newton. She is popular for the role of Milly Farrier in the Walt Disney Pictures film Dumbo (2019). In 2023, Nico starred as Sarah Miller in the television series The Last of Us. The same year she was named a Bright Young Thing by a popular British magazine Tatler.

6. Kyleigh Curran

Kyleigh is an American actress born on 10 December 2005. At 18, Curran has already won several awards in her career. She played as young Nala in a theater performance of The Lion King when she was 10 years old. She has also starred as Abra Stone in the 2019 horror movie Doctor Sleep. Since 2021, Curran has played Harper in the Disney channel series Secrets of Sulphur Springs. Her commitment to her work will have a huge impact on the entertainment industry.

7. Ariana Neal

A picture of a clapboard. , CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ariana Neal was born on 19^th May 2004 in McDonough, Georgia, in the USA. Her biological parents are Anna Clark-Neal and Aaron Neal Sr. Ariana started participating in commercials and a few movies at the age of 3 years old. In 2011, this beautiful black actress appeared in her first movie called Footloose. She is a very talented vocalist and she has managed to do cover songs by Adele, Alessia Cara Nina Simone, and Sam Smith. Ariana can also play acoustic guitar and piano. Just at the age of 19, Ariana has achieved so much more and has a bright future ahead.

8. Faithe Herman

Faithe Herman was born on 27 December 2007 in San Diego, California to her father Karvarees, and her mother Donna. She started acting at the age of five, alongside her sisters. She is well-known for her role as Annie Pearson in the 2016 television show This Is Us. She also starred in a Subaru commercial and she successfully managed to land a role in Shazam which was released in 2019. She repeated the role in the sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods in 2023. She is also a child model and a signed a contract with BMG Model and Talent. With a growing resume, Herman’s star continues to rise.

Explore the top 30 British actresses

9. Trinitee Stokes

Born on April 12, 2006, in Jackson, Mississippi, Trinitee has taken over the entertainment industry just at the age of 17. She is famously known for starring as Judy Cooper in the K.C. Undercover television series on the Disney Channel. She also starred as a guest on an episode of the Disney Channel sitcom Austin and Ally. Trinitee made a guest appearance as Laura on the TV Land Sitcom Teachers in 2017.

At the age of 3, she was already following instructions and referencing lines. Trinitee is also an excellent singer, dancer, and fashion designer. She has been such an inspiration to others mostly to the people of her generation.

10. Lexi Underwood

The Black teen actress was born on 28 August 2003 in Maryland, the United States to Stephanie and Alexa Underwood. She is an actress and a singer who began her career at the age of 10. Just at the age of 20, Lexi has starred in many films, television series, and theater productions. She has participated in the theater films; A Christmas Carol, Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol, and The Lion King from 2013 to 2015. In 2014, she played the role of Queen Bee in the film Person of Interest which made her appear on television for the first time. She has also starred in Code Black, Cruel Summer, Sneakerella, and other comedy series like Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger, Disney’s Walk the Prank, and Raven’s Home.

11. Shahadi Wright Joseph

Shahadi Wright at a red carpet event. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Shahadi Wright Joseph is an American actress, singer, and dancer who was born on 29 April 2005 in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 2, Shahadi was already dancing a talent she inherited from her ballerina parents. She is famously known for starring in the horror film Us and the musical film The Lion King. Her career in Hollywood is going to be successful because of her natural acting ability.

12. Storm Reid

Storm Reid at an interview. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Storm Reid one of the cutest black actresses in Hollywood was born on 1 July 2003 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA to Rodney Reid and Robyn Simpson. At the age of 8, Storm began her acting career and she starred in the 2012, Television series A Cross to Bear. She also acted in other several films including the film 12 Years of a Slave, Thunder Mans, Euphoria, When They See Us, and Wrinkle in Time. Storm is steadily rising in her acting career and she is a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

13. Eris Baker

Eris Baker one of the young beautiful actresses was born on August 4, 2005, in Los Angeles California, U.S. She is best known for playing Tess Person on the television series This is Us. She has also starred in other television series like K.C. Undercover a Disney Channel series, Alexa & Katie on Netflix, and Drunk History on Comedy Central. Eris won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Just at the age of 18, Eris is already making waves in the entertainment industry.

Take a look at this article on the top spanish actresses

14. Sanniyya Sidney

Sanniyya Sidney is an American actress born on October 30, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. Sanniyya began her acting career in 2012 by appearing as Kizzy Waller in the miniseries Roots as a guest. She is famously known for playing in the horror series American Horror Story: Roanoke in 2016. Her breakthrough came from the period drama film Fences in 2016. Since then, she has starred in several other films including the biographical film Hidden Figures, the superhero film Fast Color, and the Fox’s vampire drama The Passage.

At the age of 17, Sanniyya received several awards for her hard work and dedication in the film industry. Her awards include three Black Reel Awards, two Critics’ Choice Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.

15. Heaven Hightower

At the age of 17 years old, Heaven is doing the most in the entertainment industry. Born on 16 January 2006, Heaven started her career at the age of seven years old and since then, Heaven has been seen to have so much experience in film, television, and theatre. She is famous for Never Trust Heist Movie in 2023, Scorned Haven Part 2 in 2021, and Coronavirus Chronicles (Part I & II) feat. Oath of the Damned in 2022. She also starred as a pageant girl in an episode of Daytime Divas, in the television mini-series 2REAL4U, in the 2018 film The Hate U Give which she played Natasha, and in the television sitcom The Stocktons which she played Zora.

16. Quvenzhane Wallis

A picture of Wallis in 2013. , , via Wikimedia Commons

Quvenzhane Wallis is a famous American Author and Actress born on 28 August 2003, in Houma, Louisiana, the United States to Venjie Wallis Sr. and Qulyndreia Wallis. She began her career in 2012 when she was at the age of 9 years old. Quvenzhane became one of the youngest persons to receive an Academy Award nomination for her role as Hushpuppy in the 2012 film Beasts of the Southern Wild. She has landed several other roles in films such as Annie, Black-Ish, Swagger, and 12 Years a Slave. With more than 15 awards from various associations, Quvenzhane is surely a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

17. Lyric Ross

Lyric Nicole Ross was born to Stephen Ross and Brandi Smith on 30 September 2003 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the United States. She started acting at the age of five years old, appearing in commercials and guest-starring in the TV series Chicago Fire and Sirens in 2011. Lyric is well known for her role as Deja Pearson in the NBC drama series This is Us. Besides her acting career, Lyric is also a voice actress and a celebrity brand ambassador for Orphan Myth.  

18. Jillian Estell

Jillian Estell was born on 9 June 2004 in Texas, United States to David Estell and Kristin Estell. She is a rising star in the film industry best known for the role of Darlene in the comedy-drama So This Is Christmas (2013). She also starred alongside Kevin Costner and Octavia Spencer in the 2014 film Black or White. Jillian had a role in the romantic drama series The Night Shift in 2016. Between 2017 and 2019, she appeared in the documentary series Teens Wanna Know. Estell’s hard work and dedication promise a long and successful career in Hollywood.

19. Bailey Tippen

Bailey Tippen is a beautiful black teen actress born on 8 January 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. She is best known for the role of Astra in NBC’s Constantine, Naoimi on the Hallmark channel “The Watsons Go to Birmingham,” Toosie on Underground WGN America, and Kendra in two episodes of Fox’s show Sleepy Hollow. In 2012, she made her first appearance as a middle School Student on screen just for 5 minutes. She also enjoys creating and directing films as well as volunteering for the Rise awards. Bailey’s raw acting abilities have made her one of the must-watch actresses in Hollywood.

20. Sydney Mikayla

She was born to Sonya Shepherd and Derek Shepherd on 1 February 2003 in Los Angeles, California. Sydney made her name in the entertainment industry with her role as Trina Robinson in the ABC long-running soap opera General Hospital from 2019 to 2022. Sydney starred as a young Gabby Douglas in the lifetime biopic for which she surprisingly won a Young Artist Award. She showcased her versatility as a talent when she voiced the role of Wolf in the Netflix animated series, Kipo and the Age of Wonder beasts. At the young age of 20, Mikayla has been an inspiration to not only the entertainment industry but the world.

21. Nia Johnson

Nia Johnson was born on 10 March 2007 in Sugar Land, Texas, USA. Just at the age of 16, Nia has had a chance to perform in films, theatre, and Television. She starred as young Anuli in the film Red Pearl in 2015. In 2016, she appeared in Into the Light film. She played Frankie in the movie A Fish Tale and the film Biomass in 2017. She appeared in one episode of Badge of a Quitter in 2018 and in 2019 she played Minnie in the short film Lillian. In 2020 Johnson starred as Nique in the television series Paradise. She has also had several roles in theatre shows like Toy Makers, Fences, and Into the Wood. Nia wants to be one of the great successful actresses in the coming years.    

22. Sanai Victoria

Sanai Victoria started her acting career when she was seven years old. She was born on 15 January 2007 in Los Angeles, California. She has played different roles in several films including Modern Family in 2019, playing the role of Vera, in the television series Diary of a Future President, in the 2022 movie Summering, in the series That Girl Lay Lay. Sanai has also done voice acting in several television series including Vampirina, Little People, Madagascar: A Little Wild, Whisker Haven Tales with the Palace Pets, and Little People.

Read this article on the 20 blonde actresses

23. Mirabelle Lee

Born on 9 January 2007 in Philadelphia, Mirabelle is a rising star in the entertainment industry. She started as a child model before she landed a role her first role in the crime film Blood Ties in 2013. The same year, Mirabelle made her first television appearance in an episode of the series Umizoomi. Since then, she has continued to appear in several television series including Veep, Madam Secretary, Puffy, and The Blacklist between 2014 and 2018. In 2020 she played a repeated role in the film Unleashed. She also appeared as a guest on B Positive and Sydney to the Max in 2021. She is currently playing as Sons Stevens in the recent television series called Saturdays.

24. Anais Lee

Anais Lee was born on January 9, 2007 in Philadelphia. Anais began her career at the age of three years old as a print model before making her first appearance in the crime movie Blood Ties which she shared the role with her twin sister Mirabelle in 2013. In 2015, she had a recurring role as Rose in the television series The Following and Unleashed in 2020. She also landed a role as Jessi Ramsey on The Baby-Sitters Club and in The Upshaws as Steph Greene.

Other films she starred in include: Truth About Lies in 2018, and The Sun is Also a Star in 2019. She is a talented ballet dancer who has performed in different shows together with her sister. Her passion for acting is surely going to earn her success in the entertainment industry.

25. Gia Carter

Gia Carter an American actress and director was born on January 27, 2005, in Freehold, New Jersey. In 2018, Gia landed the role of Charlotte in the short comedy film Stage Fright.  The same year, she played Sara in the dramatic short film Done. Gia is well known for the 2019 romantic drama Waves. She continues to inspire young creatives in the entertainment industry.

Have a look at the famous actresses in the 90s

26. Layla Crawford

Layla Crawford an American actress and assistant director was born on October 12, 2004, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Before fame, Layla was performing in plays and musicals for her school when she was just 4 years old. At the age of 6, she played on Disney’s Choo Choo Soul before landing a recurring role on the sitcom film The First Family in 2012. She is also known for starring in True Blood, The Closer, Black Jesus, and NCIS: Los Angeles. Despite the many challenges, Layla has appeared to be successful in the entertainment Industry.

27. Taylor Mosby

Taylor Mosby was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Angela Mosby a physician and a professor. She is well known for her roles in Thunderbird, Thunder Force, Twisted, Breakthrough, and Criminal Minds. She also landed a role as a younger Miranda Bailey in the famous series, Grey’s Anatomy and also in The Last O.G. She indeed has a bright future in Hollywood because of her passion and dedication.

28. Skai Jackson

Born in New York City, Skai Jackson is one of the best young actresses in the film industry. Skai Jackson started acting at the age of five, making her debut in the film Liberty Kid in 2007. She is famous for the role of Zuri Ross in the Disney Sitcom Jessie and Bunk’d. Skai’s voice was also in the Marvel Rising series and animated series DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders. In 2020 she was a semi-finalist on the 29^th season of Dancing with Stars. She is considered one of the most inspirational young actresses and Times listed her on the Most Influential Teens list.

29. Bailey Bass

Bailey Bass is a young beautiful actress born on June 18, 2003, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S. She started her career at the age of 5 and a half years old. Her first acting role was in a My Little Pony commercial. She appeared in a Purell commercial in 2011 and in 2014 she starred in the movie Moon and Sun. In 2021 she appeared in the BET originals movie A Jenkins Family Christmas and TV movie Psycho Sweet 16 in 2012. She is also known for her 2022 roles as Tsireya in Avatar: The Way of Water and as Claudia in the television series Interview with the Vampire. She is currently set to appear in two additional sequels which will be released in 2025 and 2029.

30. Demi Singleton.

Demi Singleton an award-winning actress, singer, and dancer was born on 27, February 2007 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. Demi started acting in 2017 when she was ten years old in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock. She later joined Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway as a young Nala. In 2018 she landed a role in the crime TV series Godfather of Harlem. In 2020, she played Serena Williams in the biographical film King Richard. She also portrayed young Serena Williams in the 2019 Bumble Super Bowl commercial. At the young age of 16, Demi has a promising foreseeable future in the entertainment industry.

Explore this article on the under 30 talented actresses