Ariana DeBose

Ariana DeBose (born January 25, 1991) is an American actress, singer, and dancer, known for her work in musical theater, film, and on So You Think You Can Dance. She originated the role of The Bullet in the Broadway cast of Hamilton, and played Alyssa Greene in Netflix's The Prom, directed by Ryan Murphy. She can be heard playing director/choreographer Zoey Taylor in As the Curtain Rises, an original Broadway soap opera podcast from the Broadway Podcast Network.

Ariana DeBose
Born (1991-01-25) January 25, 1991
North Carolina, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationWestern Carolina University
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2009–present
Websitewww.arianadebose.com

Early life

DeBose was born on January 25, 1991 in North Carolina. Her mother, Gina DeBose, is an 8th grade teacher.[1] DeBose trained in dance at CC & Co. Dance Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina.[2] Her father is Afro-Puerto Rican and her mother is white. She has also said, "I present as black and I do have African-American lineage, but I'm also part-Italian."[3]

Career

2009–2014: Breakthrough

She made her breakthrough in 2009, when she competed on the TV series So You Think You Can Dance, making it into the Top 20.[4] She later appeared on the soap opera One Life to Live and played Inez in the North Carolina Theatre's production of Hairspray before booking the role of Nautica in the 2011 Alliance Theatre production of Bring It On. She also appeared in the ensemble of the New York Philharmonic production of Company, which was filmed for television.[5] At the end of 2011, Bring It On embarked on a national tour across the United States. DeBose continued her role into the 2012 Broadway production, and understudied the character Danielle.

Her career launched, DeBose played Mary Wilson in Motown on Broadway in 2013, understudying the role of Diana Ross. DeBose left the show soon later to play Eponine in a regional production of Les Misérables[5] before returning to Broadway as a noble and a player in the musical Pippin, understudying the role of the Leading Player, which she ended up taking over for a short period in 2014.[5]

2015–2018: Hamilton, A Bronx Tale and Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

DeBose left Pippin to appear as the Bullet in the ensemble of the off-Broadway show Hamilton in early 2015. The show moved to Broadway later that year, and became an overnight sensation. She was nominated for an Astaire Award for her dancing in the show.[6] DeBose left Hamilton in July 2016, and made a guest appearance on the TV series, Blue Bloods as Sophia Ortiz. She also starred as Daphne in the thriller film, Seaside.

She returned to Broadway in November 2016 as Jane in A Bronx Tale until August 2017.[7] She also hosted the corresponding Broadway.com vlog Bronx Bullet for eight weeks.[8]

DeBose went on to play the role of Disco Donna in Summer: The Donna Summer Musical in San Diego at La Jolla Playhouse in late 2017. She reprised this role on Broadway, which opened April 2018.[9] She received a 2018 Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical.[10] She also frequently performs at 54 Below.

2019–present: The Prom and West Side Story

DeBose played Alyssa Greene in the film adaptation of The Prom opposite of Jo Ellen Pellman and will play Anita in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story.[11] In February 2021, it was announced that she would play the role of Kira Foster in the upcoming film ISS.[12][13]

Personal life

DeBose identifies as queer,[14] and came out to her grandparents in 2015.[15]

In December 2020, Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman launched the Unruly Hearts Initiative. The initiative was created to help young people connect with organisations and charities that advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.[16]

Theater credits

Broadway
Year Title Role Theatre
2011 Bring It On Nautica, u/s Danielle Alliance Theatre
National Tour
2012 St. James Theatre
2013 Motown: The Musical Ensemble, Mary Wilson, u/s Diana Ross Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
2014 Pippin Leading Player (u/s, then replacement) Music Box Theatre
2015 Hamilton: An American Musical Ensemble (The Bullet) The Public Theater
Richard Rodgers Theatre
2016 A Bronx Tale Jane Longacre Theatre
2017 Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Disco Donna La Jolla Playhouse
2018 Lunt-Fontanne Theatre

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Seaside Daphne
2020 Hamilton Ensemble/The Bullet
The Prom Alyssa Greene
2021 West Side Story Anita Post-production
TBA ISS Kira Foster Filming

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2016 Blue Bloods Sophia Ortiz Episode: "The Road to Hell"
Hamilton's America Herself TV documentary
TBA Schmigadoon! Emma Tate Main role, upcoming series

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2018 Drama League Awards[17] Distinguished Performance Summer: The Donna Summer Musical Nominated
Tony Awards[10][18] Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated

References
  1. Mencon, DavidIdate=June 8, 2018. "After 'Hamilton,' NC native is up for a Tony for portraying disco queen Donna Summer". News Observer.
  2. "Bio". Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  3. "The star of Donna Summer's musical on speaking up for queer women of colour". GAY TIMES. October 22, 2018.
  4. "Ariana DeBose". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  5. "Ariana DeBose | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  6. Sandwell, Ian (2020-07-03). "Hamilton's 'secret' character The Bullet is the musical's most significant". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  7. League, The Broadway. "Ariana DeBose – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  8. "Bronx Bullet: Backstage at A Bronx Tale with Ariana DeBose, Episode 1: Meet the Family!". Retrieved 2016-10-06.
  9. "LaChanze, Ariana DeBose & Storm Lever Will Lead Summer: The Donna Summer Musical to Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
  10. "Tony Nominations 2018: 'Mean Girls,' 'SpongeBob' Score Big (Complete List)". Variety.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  11. McPhee, Ryan. "West Side Story Film Casts Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, and More". playbill.com. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  12. N'Duka, Amanda (2021-02-01). "'The Prom' & 'West Side Story' Star Ariana DeBose Joins Space Thriller 'ISS'". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  13. Gans, Andrew (2021-02-01). "Ariana DeBose Lands Role in Space Thriller ISS". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  14. Pierre, Mekishana (2020-12-11). "Ariana DeBose Explains Why Having Queer Leads Makes The Prom So Special". PopSugar. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  15. Voss, Brandon (2018-05-31). "Ariana DeBose on Playing and Forgiving Donna Summer: "Legends Make Mistakes, Too"". NewNowNext. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  16. Meyer, Dan (December 14, 2020). "The Prom Stars Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman Launch Unruly Hearts Initiative". Playbill. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  17. "Breaking: THE BAND'S VISIT, ANGELS IN AMERICA, MEAN GIRLS, FROZEN, And More Earn Drama League Nominations; See The Full List!". BroadwayWorld.com. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
  18. "2018 Tony Award Nominations: SpongeBob SquarePants and Mean Girls Lead the Pack". Playbill. 2018-05-01.
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