Alexis Chikaeze

Alexis Chikaeze is an American actress. She made her debut film in Miss Juneteenth{{cite news |last1=Claudio |first1=Ericka |title="Miss Juneteenth" Actress Alexis Chikaeze on Juneteenth, Beauty Standards, and Black History |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/miss-juneteenth-actress-alexis-chikaeze |work=Teen Vogue |date=19 June 2020}} and is best known for her role in television series All American.

Early life and education

Chikaeze was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, by Nigerian parents. She began performing at a young age, participating in family shows, pageants, and early acting opportunities that sparked her interest in the craft. She initially enrolled at Howard University to study theatre arts but later transferred to Clark Atlanta University, and eventually to the University of Southern California (USC).{{cite web |last1=Bourne |first1=Kevin |title=Alexis Chikaeze on playing Amina on CW's All American {{!}} SHIFTER |url=https://shiftermagazine.com/film-and-tv/interview-with-all-american-star-alexis-chikaeze |website=SHIFTER Magazine |date=12 March 2025}}

Career

Chikaeze’s first major film role was in Miss Juneteenth, where she portrayed Kai, the teenage daughter of a former beauty queen. The film premiered at Sundance{{cite news |last1=N'Duka |first1=Amanda |title=‘Miss Juneteenth’ Tells A Story Of Two Women “Who Come Into Their Own In A Different Way” – Sundance Studio |url=https://deadline.com/video/miss-juneteenth-channing-godfrey-peoples-nicole-beharie-sundance-studio-interview/ |work=Deadline |date=25 January 2020}} and received positive reviews for her performance, earning her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Independent Spirit Awards.{{cite news |title=Independent Spirit Awards: Michaela Coel, Carey Mulligan among nominees |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-55823054 |date=27 January 2021}} In 2024, Chikaeze joined the cast of All American as Amina Simms.{{cite news |last1=Campione |first1=Katie |title=‘All American’: Elijah M. Cooper Joins Season 7 As Recurring |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/all-american-elijah-m-cooper-cast-season-7-1236176629/ |work=Deadline |date=14 November 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Ishmael |first1=Aiyana |title=We Visited the ‘All American’ Season 7 Set to Meet Your New Favorite Cast |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/inside-all-american-season-7-new-cast-new-stories-new-energy-exclusive-set-visit |work=Teen Vogue |date=24 January 2025}}