35 Most Talented Black Actresses Under 30 in 2023


 

The film industry has come a really long mile in terms of inclusivity. Watching beautiful young black women gracing the screens is something that has always been celebrated and really appreciated because once upon a time, this was close to impossible. As much as there are black actresses who have been pioneers before, the younger batch of actresses coming up are doing an amazing job. They have started off young and diversifying into different forms of art with the aim of fulfilling their creative urges. To say the least, they are really proving they are talented and deserve even more opportunities. Here is a list of he most talented black actresses who are under 30 as of 2023.

1. China Anne McClain

Born in 1998, China started acting acting when she was pretty young; only seven years old. She started off by portraying the role of Alexis in the 2005 film, ‘The Gospel.’ Her breakthrough however didn’t come until 2007 when she was featured in Tyler Perry’s movie, ‘House of Payne.’ During this period, she began getting featured in many other movies including the emotional, ‘Daddy’s Little Girls.’ In this film, people got a feel of how witty and quirky she can be hence the love. She’s young and she has managed to receive many awards including the NAMIC Vision Awards’ Best Performance Actress of Comedy for the years 2011 and 2014, and NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Performance by a Youth (2014). Further, she has also been nominated for Teen Icon Awards. She continues to soar higher and higher.

2. Kiersey Clemons

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The beautiful 29-year-old Kiersey is an actress, singer, and producer who became quite famous from the 2015 comedy-drama known as ‘Dope.’ She since starred in so many other films including, ‘Neighbours 2: Sorority Rising’ in 2016, ‘Flatliners’ in 2017, ‘Hearts Beat Loud’ in 2018, ‘Sweetheart’ in 2019, ‘Lady and the Tramp’ in 2019, and ‘Scoob!’ in 2020. In each of these films, she managed to catch the attention of the public with how talented she is and she has managed to have so many credits to her name. She has also won many awards for her roles which goes to show that her talent didn’t go unnoticed.

3. Marsai Martin

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Marsai Martin caught the attention of the public when she starred in ‘Blackish.’ She was so young at the time but her performance was just spectacular and admirable and from that time, she became a darling to many. It isn’t a surprise therefore that the role earned her so many awards including Supporting Young Actress for the year 2014, Young Entertainer Awards’ Best Leading Young Actress 12 & Under in 2014, NAACP Image Awards’ Outstanding Supporting Actress in Comedy Series for the year 2014, Kidscreen Awards’ Best Acting in 2018, NAACP Image Awards’ Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series Special Television Movie or Limited Series) in 2017.  Even more impressive, she became an executive producer in the 2019 comedy film, ‘Little,’ making her the youngest executive producer in Hollywood.

4. Lovie Simone Oppong

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The lovely 24- year-old Lovie Simone is just amazing. She was amazing in the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) drama series ‘Greenleaf,’ and this is where she caught the attention of so many, making it clear that her future in the film industry was so bright. True to the word, she was featured in so many other films including, ‘All Rise’ in 2018, ‘Share’ in 2019, ‘Selah and the Spades’ in 2019, ‘The Craft: Legacy’ in 2020, ‘Orange Is the New Black’ in 2017, ‘Blue Bloods’ in 2017 and ‘Social Distance’ in 2020.

5. Lauryn McClain

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Lauryn McClain is the sister of China and she is a year older. Seems like good artistry is in their blood because Lauryn is also pretty good in her acting skills. She also starred in ‘Daddy’s Little Girls,’ The Gospel,’ and ‘A.N.T Farm’ alongside her sisters, Sierra and China McClain. Over the course of her acting career, Lautyn has had to overcome feelings of doubt and insecurity in order to achieve her dreams. This is a great encouragement to anyone out there feeling insecure and not good enough. Her journey encourages us to forget about the world’s opinions of who we are and just push forward regardless.

6. Yara Shahidi

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Born as Yara Sayeh Shahidi, she is an American actress, model, and activist who first came into the limelight after appearing and being featured in the 2014 series, ‘Blackish’ then later its 2018 spin-off, ‘Grownish.’ Other earlier works she was featured in include, ‘Imagine That’ in 2009, ‘Salt‘ in 2010, ‘Unthinkable’ in 2010, ‘Butter’ in 2011, ‘Alex Cross’ in 2012, ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’ in 2019, ‘ Fearless’ in 2020, ‘ 3Below’ from 2018 to 2019, ‘Trollhunters’ from 2016 to 2018, ‘Bad Teacher’ in 2014, ‘The Fosters’ in 2014 and ‘Scandal’ in 2013.

7. Lexi Underwood

Lexi Underwood is a very successful black Disney actress who has really proved herself since she started appearing on the big screens. She stole the show when she appeared in the 2020 film,  ‘Little Fires Everywhere.’  Her performance ended up being described by the NY Times, as excellent and this is basically what her whole career has been. She also did a remarkable job as Athena in the 2017 film, Will Vs The Future. Other works she has been featured in include, Forgotten Happiness in 2014,  Dance-Off in 2014, Half-Caste in 2016, Girl Minus in 2017, Dirt in 2017, If Not Now When in 2018, and Person of Interest in 2014 among so many others.

8. Willow Smith

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Willow Smith has always been known basically her whole life. We have watched her grow given both her parents are pretty famous.  Even though many know her because of her singing which she started when she was so little with ‘Whip My Hair,’ making her the youngest artist to ever be signed to a label, Willow is also a very talented actress. Her acting career took off when she first appeared alongside her father, Will Smith, in the 2007 film, ‘I Am Legend.’ Later on, she voiced a character in the famous 2008 film, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. She later also appeared in the 2008 film, ‘Kit Kittredge: An American Girl .’ She is a wild one, alright but she has taught young women all over to never bother with people’s opinions but rather embrace their inner style and be proud of it.

9. Zendaya Coleman

Born as Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman in 1996, She is not only an actress but also a singer and a model. She started off as a child model and backup dancer after debuting as an actress in the Disney Channel Sitcom, ‘Shake It Up’ which ran from 2010 to 2013. In 2013, she was also a contestant in the 16th season of the competition that was known as ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ Over the course of her career, she has gone ahead to feature in great and prominent movies like Super Buddies in 2013, Spider-Man: Homecoming The Greatest Showman in 2017, Duck Duck Goose in 2018, Smallfoot in 2018, Spider-Man: Far from Home in 2019, Good Luck Charlie in 2011,  Frenemies in 2012, Dancing with the Stars in 2013, Zapped in 2014, Black-ish in 2015, Walk the Prank in 2017, The OA in 2019 among so many others.

10. Amandla Stenberg

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In her own right, Amanda Stenberg is another very talented actress and singer who was actually featured in Time’s list of Most Influential Teens in the years 2015 and 2016. Born in 1998, she even went on ahead to debut with the film, Colombiana in 2011. Her breakthrough however was not until he was featured in the Hunger Games. This is when people got to know her more and appreciated her even more for her talent. Thereafter, she was featured in other very prominent films which include: The World Is Watching: Making The Hunger Games in 2012, Mercy in 2013, Rio 2 in 2014, As You Are in 2016, The Darkest Minds in 2018, Where Hands Touch in 2018 among others.

11. Storm Reid

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Storm Reid became interested in acting from a very young age when her family moved to Los Angeles. She was just nine years old and it is good that her parents supported her. Her major breakthrough came in the fantasy film, A Wrinkle in Time in 2018. This is not to say however that it was her first major work. She has been featured in other so many major works in the film industry and these include 12 Years a Slave in 2013, The Summoning in 2015,  Sleight in 2016,  Lea to the Rescue in 2016, A Happening of Monumental Proportions in 2017, Don’t Let Go in 2019, The Invisible Man in 2020, A Cross to Bear in 2012, Adam DeVine’s House Party in 2013,  NCIS: Los Angeles in 2014 among many others.

12. Samantha Logan

Samantha is another young black actress under 30 who is also changing the game and doing amazing work. She became so famous after starring as Olivia Baker in the film, All American and also as Nina Jones in 13 Reasons Why. Born in 1996, she has managed to be featured in many notable films that continue to put her name in the limelight. Among these films they include: Detachment (2011) Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day in 2014, Polaroid in 2019 The Empty Man in 2020) Gossip Girl in 2009, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2011, 666 Park Avenue that ran 2012-2013 General Hospital in 2013, Melissa & Joey in 2014, Teen Wolf in 2014 and also Cruel Intentions (2016)

13. Ajiona Alexus

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Born in 1996, Ajiona became even more famous after being featured in 13 Reasons Why, Empire, and The Rickey Smiley Show. She studied Theatre Arts at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. By the time she was 24 years old, she had accomplished so much. She continues to do an amazing job and some of her most notable films include: Unspoken Words (2014) Sons 2: The Grave (2015) My First Love (2015) Bad Girl (2016) Something Like Summer (2017) Family Blood (2018) Acrimony (2018) Breaking In (2018) Chelsea’s Way (2013) Grey’s Anatomy (2015) Code Black (2015) Light as a Feather (2018-2019) Runaways (2018)

14. Coco Jones

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Coco Jones was born in 1998 and she is also considered one of the most beautiful black actresses in the industry. Her breakthrough came about in 2012 when she was featured in Let It Shine although she has been in the acting business since 2006. She has since appeared in so many films and even TV shows. Some of these include So Random! (2011-2012) Let It Shine (2012) Good Luck Charlie (2012-2013) The Exes (2014) Grandma’s House (2016) Flock of Four (2017) Five Points (2018) Disney Channel Summer Sing-Along (2020) Vampires vs the Bronx (2020)

15. Chloe Bailey

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 Chloe Bailey is the sister of Halle Bailey and born in 1998, she is a very talented singer and actress. As a singer, she and her sister have been a musical duo for so long who have actually released many hits, even earning Grammy awards nominations since 2018. With a successful music career, she began to concentrate on her acting too. She made her first debut in 2003 after appearing in the film, The Fighting Temptations. Other shows she has been featured in include, Meet The Browns, The Georgetown Project, Grown-ish, and Black-ish. She’s quite a very multi-talented young woman. 

16. Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is another household name who has proved time and time again that she’s indeed very talented. She’s not just an actress but also an author and a YouTuber. She has managed to be quite influential in the industry and in 2016, she was named by Time magazine among the most influential teens of the year. She has been acting since she was 5 years old when she appeared in the 2007 film, Liberty Kid. She has been featured in many other notable films and TV shows, including: Rescue Me (2008) The Rebound (2009) Arthur (2011) The Smurfs (2011) G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013) My Dad’s a Soccer Mom (2014) Team Umizoomi (2010) Bubble Guppies (2011-2013) Good Luck Charlie (2013) Spider-man (2014) KC Undercover (2015) Marvel Rising: Initiation (2018) Bunk’d (2015-2018) among others.

17. Priah Ferguson

Born in 2006, Ferguson became really famous for her role in the popular TV series, Stranger Things as Erica Sinclair. She has said time and time again that she got inspired to become an actress after watching Daddy’s Little Girls and Crooklyn. After making her debut in Atlanta, she has since appeared in many other films. The other works that she has done amazing in include: The Oath (2018) La Vie Magnifique De Charlie (2017) Deus ex Machine (2016) Suga Water (2016) and Ends (2016) among so many others.

18. Riele Downs

Downs is another black actress under 30 who has actually been famous and active since 2005. She was only three years old at the time when she was featured in the film, Four Brothers. After people saw how natural acting comes to her and the amazing screen presence she has, Downs has been featured so many other films. Some of these include: Regenesis (2008) Rookie Blue (2010) Peep and the Big Wide World (2010) The Gabby Douglas Story (2014) Nickelodeon’s Ho Ho Holiday Special (2015) The Adventures of Kid Danger (2018) among others.

19. Quvenzhane Wallis

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This 20-year-old actress became famous for her role in Beasts of the Southern Wild, as Hushpuppy in 2012. She did such a great performance that it earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Thanks to this, she became one of the youngest actresses to ever have been nominated for an acting Oscar. Thereafter, she went on to star in many other films and TV shows like; Boneshaker (2013) 12 Years a Slave (2013) Annie (2014) Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet (2014) Fathers and Daughters (2015) Lemonade (2016) Trolls (2016) Black-ish (2019) among others. Further, she has won so many other awards and they include: African-American Film Critics Association Award’s Best Breakthrough Performance, the Austin Film Critics Association’s Breakthrough Artist Award, Black Reel Award’s Best Actress, and, the Florida Film Critics Circle Award’s Best Breakout Performance.

20. Jaylen Barron

Jaylen started showing interest in acting from a very young age and her family even moved to Los Angeles so that she could focus on acting more. Her father is black while her mother is of Mexican heritage. She made her debut at only 12 years old in the films, Bones and Shake It Up, where she performed alongside Zendaya. Her other credits in films and TV shows include: See Dad Run (2012-2013) Good Luck Charlie (2013-2014) Shameless (2016) Those Who Can’t (2016, 2019) Explosion Jones (2017) Free Rein (2017-2019) Free Rein: The 12 Neighs of Christmas (2018) Free Rein: Valentine’s Day (2019) Twelve Forever (2019)

21. Jillian Estell

Born in 2004, Estell started off as a child actress and has even worked in the star-studded film, known as Black or White. She made her debut in 2010 but appeared in 2014 at 10 years old where she appeared in The Night Shift, So This is Christmas among so many others. She has often said that she loves fashion and even uses her Instagram account to express her fashion taste.

22. Sydney Mikayla

Born in 2003, Sydney is a young actress known so popularly for her role as Gabby Douglas, the gymnast in her biopic film about the life she led. She managed to do an amazing job in the film and she actually won a Young Artist Award for her role. Further, she appeared in other films like Genera23l Hospital, Hawthorne, Community, Hot in Cleveland, Fuller House, and School of Rock among many others. She recently graduated from high school and joined UCLA in 2021. Currently, she is doing voice-over acting for the animated show on Netflix known as Kipo and the Age of Wonders Beasts. FYI: She made her debut in 2011 when she did the TV series, Parenthood.

23. Cymphonique Miller

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Born in 1996, Cymphonique Miller made her debut in 2007 after starring in the TV series, Just Jordan. Her father and brother are both rappers hence if the name Miller sounds familiar, then you know where it came from. She is a singer herself who became quite famous after being the finalist in Radio Disney’s Next Big Thing. She has also worked in Nickelodeon’s Sitcom, How to Rock, and Winx Club. Furthermore, she has also guest starred in popular and great shows like Big Time Rush, True Jackson, VP, The Troop, Just Jordan, Phineas, and Ferb, among so many others. She continues to prove her talent by doing amazing work in the film industry.

24. Joy Sunday

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Joy Sunday is another very young talented black actress who was born to Nigerian parents in New York. Born in 1996 also, she has managed to make her mark in the entertainment field. She started off by completing her theatre training at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. She then graduated with honors from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. This is where her acting journey began since she immediately embarked on it. Her television debut came about in 2016 after making a guest appearance on CBS’s show, MacGyver. Her role in Bad Hair actually earned her SAG membership in 2020 and since then, she has made so many notable appearances in TV shows and movies. Some of these include: Shithouse and an episode of Dear White People. Moreover, she has done production of short films and successful ones. She has explored the world of audiobook narration and she is doing quite an amazing job. Her multifaceted talents and educational background continue to pave the way for her success and path in the industry.

25. Saniyya Sidney

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The name Saniyya Sidney is a powerful household name. Born in 2006, she has won so many nominations and awards for the many roles she has been featured in. Despite her being young, she has earned two SAG nominations, 3 black Reel Nominations, and 2 Critic’s Choice nominations among so many others. Moreover, she has worked on very prestigious film projects that actually have played a huge role in skyrocketing her acting career. Some of these include: Fences, King Richard, Hidden Figures, American Horror Story: Roanoke, The Passage, Fast Color, among others.

26. Ariana Neal

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Ariana Neal is another talented young black actress who has taken the film industry by storm. She has done quite an amazing with the representation and inclusivity of young black women. She is also a very talented vocalist who uses her voice to create magic and wholesomeness for anyone lucky enough to hear her. Born in 2004, at only 19 years old, she has already worked in very notable film works like Footloose, Fruitvale Station, CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story, Brothered Up, and Hidden Figures among others. She is currently working in Archive 81 and Whealthy and Wise. FYI: She made her first debut in 2011 after appearing in Footloose.

27. Antonia Gentry

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Born in 1997, at only 26 years old, Antonia is an American known particularly well for her rising career in the entertainment industry. She gained so much attention after starring in the 2021 Netflix series, Ginny & Georgia. She starred as Ginny, portrayed as a complex teenager who has a complicated relationship with her mother. Thanks to her amazing performance, she got widespread recognition and breakthrough. However, she’s been in the game for a while. She made her first debut in 2014 after making an appearance in the film, PSA Don’t Text and Drive Pay Attention. She also appeared in short films and made guest appearances in many TV shows. She is now a rising star in Hollywood and her career continues to thrive as she’s taking on more projects. They continue to showcase her talent, and versatility as an actress.

28. Kyal Legend

Image by Mandy Fontana from Pixabay

Born in 1997 in Canada, Kyal Legend is a trained ballet dancer and actress. Actually, she trained at The National Ballet of Canada and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. So suffice it to say, she is very well conversant with professional ballet dancing. As an actress, she has managed to combine her dancing abilities and acting skills and even appeared in various dance movies like The Next Step, Center Stage: On Pointe, and Backstage. She has starred also in dramatic roles like Utopia Falls, Descendants, V/H/S/ 94, etc. She made her debut in 2014 after her role in The Gabby Douglas Story.

30. Dominique Thorne

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Thorne is another very talented young black actress who has been making waves in the film industry since her debut in 2018 after appearing in If Beale Street Could Talk. However, she made her major breakthrough after appearing in the 2022 Ironheart film. The film is still making waves currently and the anticipation fans had was met by Thorne’s perfect performance. Prior to this, she had appeared in independent films and made so many guest appearances on different TV shows. Her talent, charisma, and dedication is what has made her journey smooth and her role as a young and genius superhero gained her so much admiration. As quoted by a number of media outlets, Thorne is set to make very significant changes and impacts on the industry thanks to the fresh and new perceptions she has brought in superhero genre films.

30. Zolee Griggs

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Apart from being an actress, this young and talented black woman is not only an actress but also a YouTuber and fashion expert. She actually manages her YouTube channel; where she constantly shares vlogs, makeup, and fashion tips with her followers. As an actress, she made her debut in 2003 with her role in the popular film, Strong Medicine. She then followed it up with other films like Back When We Were Grownups, Cory In The House, Bride Wars, Archenemy, Bit, Wu-Tang: An American Saga among so many others. Her recent work was her 2022 film project in The Enforcers. Just as a side note, she also writes articles for her blog known as The Outfit.

31. Bailey Bass

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Bailey Bass, born in 2003, is an upcoming actress who has been making waves recently. She made her first debut in 2011 after starring in A Little Bit of Heaven. Since then, she has appeared in many other notable film projects like Avatar 2 and Avatar 3. Also, having been recently confirmed for the role of Claudia in the series, With the Vampire, it seems like she will have quite a busy schedule ahead of her. She looks promising and we can only wish her the very best in the beginning of this new cycle of her profession.

32. Eris Baker

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Baker is another very talented young black woman who continues to make waves in the film industry. She made her debut in 2017 with the Disney film, K. C. Undercover. Thereafter she worked in other notable films like Drunk History, Alexa and Katie, Dispel among many others. She then got her very big break when she was cast in the TV series, This Is Us as Tess Pearson. Further, her and her team won two SAG Awards for their brilliant performance. At only 18 years old, she is doing quite well for herself.

33. Halle Bailey

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Many know Halle Bailey as a very talented singer. However, she is also a very talented and brilliant actress, and recently, her starring role in the mermaid movie, The Little Mermaid, proved this point. Her sister, Chloe Bailey also won season 5 of Radio Disney’s The Next Big Thing. Further, she has worked also in notable TV shows like Let It Shine, Joyful Noise, and Austin & Ally. She was cast in Grown-ish too and she did a very good job at it too. At only 23 years old, she is making waves.

34. Laila Drew

https://www.filmifeed.com/celebrity/laila-drew/

Born in 1999, Drew is an actress who has worked in so many TV shows, theatre plays, musicals, films, and so many other projects. After getting a role in the show, FBI: International and in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, her prominence soared even higher. In 2017, she also made an appearance in the musical, Generation Me where she played and killed the role of Lex. In 2018, she was then cast as Nia/Melody in American Girl Live and also worked in popular shows like, Dash & Lily and The Clearing.

35. Faithe Herman

Faithe Herman was born in 2007 and from a very young age, she was determined to work in the entertainment industry. Her dream indeed came to pass after making her major debut in 2016, for her role in the popular TV show, Criminal Minds. After her break, she was cast in a guest role in Watchmen and made an even bigger break for her role as Annie Pearson in This Is Us. Thereafter, she has appeared also in the popular DC film, Shazam as Darla, and in the sequel of the same film, she appeared too.

All these actresses are young and have a whole life ahead of them. It is so impressive to see them work so hard and achieve their dreams.

Read more: https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/world/30-most-famous-black-female-actresses/

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