Shahadi Wright Joseph

Shahadi Wright Joseph (born 2005)[1] is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is best known for her role in the 2019 Jordan Peele horror film Us and as the voice for Young Nala in the 2019 The Lion King remake.[1][2]

Shahadi Wright Joseph
Joseph in 2016
Born2005 (age 15–16)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress, singer, dancer
Years active2013–present
Known forUs, The Lion King

Career

Joseph has been dancing since age two.[3] She once auditioned for a school play in third grade using Lupita Nyong'o's Oscar acceptance speech.[4]

Her first major acting role came when she was cast as young Nala in The Lion King on Broadway when she was nine years old.[3][5] Joseph was an original cast member for Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock. She also performed in Hairspray Live! in 2016 as Inez Stubbs.[1]

On November 1, 2017, Joseph was chosen to reprise her role as young Nala in the 2019 remake of the original film The Lion King, directed by Jon Favreau.[3] She chose to work on the film because she sees the character as a role model who inspires young girls.[6] Upon learning that Beyoncé would be voicing grown-up Nala, Joseph stated that she was motivated to work harder and consider how Beyoncé would approach the role.[6]

Joseph read for the dual role of Zora and Umbrae in the horror film Us (2019) three times before being offered the part.[7]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Hairspray Live! Little Inez Stubbs
2019 Us Zora Wilson / Umbrae
2019 The Lion King Young Nala
(voice)

Awards and Nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2019 Saturn Awards Best Performance by a Younger Actor Us Nominated [8]
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated [9]
2020 Hollywood Critics Association Awards Next Generation of Hollywood Won [10]
Critics' Choice Awards Best Young Performer Nominated [11]
Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Youth Performance Nominated [12]
Black Reel Awards Outstanding Female Breakthrough Performance Nominated [13]
Outstanding Supporting Actress Nominated
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Breakthrough Role in a Motion Picture Nominated [14]

References
  1. "Shahadi Wright Joseph Talks 'Us' Film, Lion King Live Action". Vibe. 2019-03-28. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  2. Santi, Christina (2019-03-25). "'Us' Star Shahadi Wright Joseph on Representation & Black Girl Magic". EBONY. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  3. "Meet Shahadi Wright Joseph, the breakout horror warrior in Jordan Peele's 'Us'". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  4. "'Us' Stars Shahadi Wright Joseph and Lupita Nyong'o Don't Scare Easily, Anymore". Interview Magazine. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  5. "Internet Broadway Database: The Lion King - Replacements". IBDB. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  6. "What To Expect From The Characters In The Upcoming 'The Lion King' Adaptation - Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly/YouTube. April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  7. Kelley, Sonaiya. "'Us' kids Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex on playing doppelgangers for Jordan Peele". latimes.com. Retrieved 2019-03-29.
  8. "45th Saturn Awards Nominations:'Avengers: Endgame' Leads with 14 Nods, 'Game of Thrones' Tops TV Category". Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  9. "The 2019 WAFCA Awards". Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  10. "'1917', 'Parasite', 'Booksmart' Top Hollywood Critics Association Awards". Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  11. "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Irishman' Leads with 14 Nominations". Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  12. "24th Annual Film Awards". Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  13. "20ty Annual Black Reel Awards Nominees Announced". Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  14. "2020 NAACP Image Awards Nominations Complete List". Retrieved July 4, 2020.
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