Quvenzhané Wallis Biography

Quvenzhané Wallis is an American actress and author who starred as Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild in 2012. Her performance in the film won her a nomination for the Academy Best Actress Award. She then starred in 12 Years a Slave and Annie. Her performance in Annie won her a nomination for a Golden Globe Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Award.

Quvenzhané Wallis Career

When she was 5, Wallis lied about her age during the audition for Beasts of the Southern Wild in 2012, which had a minimum tryout age of 6. She won the role of Hushpuppy out of 4,000 contestants. She flew to France in May 2012 for the premiere of the film at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.

When she was 9, Wallis won a nomination for an Academy Best Actress in a Leading Role. She serves as the all-time youngest nominee for Best Actress and the third-youngest nominee in any category. Further, she is the first African-American child actor and the first person born in the 21st century to earn an Oscar nomination.

Wallis secured a role in 12 Years a Slave in 2013 and collaborated with the Sundance Film Festival on a short film called Boneshaker. The following year, she played the leading role in Annie in Annie, making her the first African American to play the role. Her performance as Annie won her a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical. In May 2014, Armani Junior, Giorgio Armani’s fashion line for children and teens, signed her. This made her the first child celebrity to be named the face of a luxury brand.

Wallis made an appearance in Beyoncé’s music video for “All Night.” She published two children’s books: the friendship-centric Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg! and A Night Out With Mama, in October 2017. The following year, she published two more books, Shai & Emmie Star in To the Rescue! and Shai & Emmie Star in Dancy Pants! In 2018, she joined the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Quvenzhané Wallis Age

Wallis was born on August 28, 2003, in Houma, Louisiana, U.S.A. She is 21 years old as of 2024. Wallis celebrates her birthday on August 28th. Her name “Quvenzhané” mixes the first syllables of her parents’ first names in “Quven”, and an alteration of the Swahili word jini, meaning “sprite” or “fairy.”

Quvenzhané Wallis Height

Wallis stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.

Quvenzhané Wallis Family

Wallis was born to Qulyndreia Wallis Jackson and Venjie Wallis Sr. Her mother works as a teacher while her father works as a truck driver. She has one sister, Qunyquekya, and two brothers, Vejon and Venjie Jr.

Quvenzhané Wallis Boyfriend

Wallis is very private about her personal life, therefore, it is not known if she is in any relationship. There are also no rumors of her being in any past relationship with anyone.

Quvenzhané Wallis Net Worth

Wallis has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million – $5 million, which she has earned through being an actress and author.

Quvenzhané Wallis Beasts of the Southern Wild

Wallis played the role of Hushpuppy in Beasts of the Southern Wild in 2012. Hushpuppy is a six-year-old prodigy and survivalist who lives with Wink, her dying father, on an island in the Louisiana bayou called the “Bathtub.” The film follows her journey as she faces an environmental crisis, her father’s failing health, and the threat of displacement.

Wallis flew to France in May 2012 for the premiere of the film at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. She won the role of Hushpuppy out of 4,000 contestants. She flew to France in May 2012 for the premiere of the film at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. When she was 5, Wallis lied about her age while auditioning for the role, which had a minimum tryout age of 6.

Wallis’ performance in the film won her a nomination for the Academy Best Actress Award, making her the youngest actress to be nominated in the category and the first actor born in the 21st century nominated for an Oscar.

Quvenzhané Wallis Annie

Wallis played the leading role in Annie Bennett in Annie, making her the first African American to play the role. Annie is a ten-year-old child living in a foster home alongside four other girls, Pepper Ulster, Isabella Sullivan, Tessie Marcus, and Mia Putnam. She believes her parents left her there by mistake and will come back for her. Her life takes a different turn when billionaire Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks picks her to spend Christmas with him. Her performance in Annie won her a nomination for a Golden Globe Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Award.

Quvenzhané Wallis Isaiah Wallis

In July 2023, Wallis and Isaiah Hill were photographed together at the CROWN Awards in New Orleans. Isaiah is an actor known for his role in Swagger. They co-starred in Swagger, where she starred as Crystal and he played the role of Jace Carson.

Quvenzhané Wallis Movies and TV Shows

Wallis has starred in several movies and TV shows during her career such as

• 12 Years a Slave
• Annie
• The Prophet
• Fathers and Daughters
• Lemonade
• Trolls
• Breathe
• Black-ish
• Swagger
• American Horror Stories