Assa Sylla

Assa Aïcha Sylla, born on 3 June 1996, is an acclaimed French actress and writer. Sylla catapulted into the public eye following her debut in the film Girlhood (2014), which not only made an impressive statement but also earned her nominations for the prestigious César and Black Reel Awards. Following her debut, she continued her successful career, starring in the French version of Skam from 2018 to 2020. This role solidified her place in the industry, giving her the versatile exposure she needed. Further advancing in the field, she played a significant role in the Netflix series Mortel in 2019, which demonstrated her skills of adaptability within the industry. Most recently, she made an appearance in the film The Last Mercenary in 2021, yet another testament to her remarkable career. Born and raised in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, Sylla's parents were Soninke, originally from Mauritania. Sylla was raised in a large family, with three sisters and two brothers, and she is of the Muslim faith. Her path into the acting world wasn't straightforward, as she was scouted for Girlhood when she accompanied her friends to auditions when she was just 17 years old. Her natural talent was quickly recognized, leading her to be cast as the Franco-Malian boxer Aya Cissoko in the dramatic production Danbé, la tête haute. This role required her to learn boxing and while studying for her baccalauréat professionnel, she took intensive boxing lessons.