Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose, born on January 25, 1991, is a revered American actress and singer. She has undertaken a prosperous career, acquiring several accolades such as an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award. Her rise to prominence began with her participation in the sixth season of So You Think You Can Dance in 2009, yielding a place in the top twenty. Making her Broadway debut in 2011 with Bring It On: The Musical, she continued her Broadway journey with roles in Motown: The Musical and Pippin. She was an original ensemble member in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton from 2015 to 2016 and featured as Jane in A Bronx Tale 2016-2017. In 2018, her outstanding performance as Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical earned her a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She further showcased her talent in film and series, featuring in Netflix's The Prom and Apple TV's Schmigadoon! Her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story in 2021 conferred her broader recognition.

Off the stage and screen, DeBose has an intriguing background. Born in Wilmington, North Carolina, she was trained in dance at CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina where she grew up. Her heritage is notably diverse, with a Puerto Rican father, a White mother, and African-American and Italian ancestry. She publicly identifies as queer and has been in a relationship since 2017 with Sue Makkoo, a costume designer and professor. In her personal life, she actively supports the LGBTQ+ community, launching the Unruly Hearts Initiative with Jo Ellen Pellman in 2020 to help young people connect with organizations and charities advocating for them.