Introduction
Alexandra Shipp (born July 16, 1991) is an American actress, known for her roles in Straight Outta Compton and X-Men: Apocalypse.
Early life
Shipp was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Her mother, a Kundalini yoga teacher, is white, and her father, a musician, is black. She has one brother named James. Shipp was educated at Squaw Peak Elementary School and St. Mary's Catholic High School in Phoenix. She moved to Los Angeles at the age of 17 to pursue an acting career.
Career
In 2009, Shipp made her acting debut with a minor role in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel. She went on to star in the third season of Nickelodeon's mystery teen drama series House of Anubis, playing the role of KT Rush.
In 2014, Shipp gained attention for her roles as Dani Raymond in the VH1 television film sequel Drumline: A New Beat and Aaliyah Houghton, the title role, in the Lifetime television film Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B. For the latter performance, Shipp also sang. She next portrayed Ice Cube's wife, Kimberly Woodruff, in the biographical drama film Straight Outta Compton, which chronicled the careers of hip hop group N.W.A. In January 2015, she joined the cast of Bryan Singer's superhero film X-Men: Apocalypse as Ororo Munroe / Storm, a weather-controlling mutant previously portrayed by Halle Berry. Shipp will star alongside Kathryn Prescott and Lucy Hale in the comedy film Dude.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel | Valentina | |
| 2011 | In Time | Karl | |
| 2015 | Straight Outta Compton | Kimberly Woodruff | |
| 2016 | X-Men: Apocalypse | Ororo Munroe / Storm | |
| 2017 | Dude | Amelia | In post-production |
| 2017 | Tragedy Girls | McKayla Hooper | In post-production |
| 2019 | X-Men: Supernova | Ororo Munroe / Storm | In pre-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Switched at Birth | Ashley | Episode: "Dance Amongst Daggers" |
| 2012 | Victorious | Aleese | Episode: "The Gorilla Club" |
| 2013 | House of Anubis | KT Rush | 41 episodes |
| 2013 | Occult | Alana Hutchins | Unsold A&E pilot |
| 2013 | Awkward | Abby Martin | Episode: "Less Than Hero" |
| 2014 | Ray Donovan | Tiffany | Episode: "Yo Soy Capitan" |
| 2014 | Days of Our Lives | Mary Beth | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Drumline: A New Beat | Dani Raymond | Television film |
| 2014 | Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B | Aaliyah Haughton | Television film |
| 2015 | Your Family or Mine | Lucy | Episode: "Pilot" |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie: Breakout Star | X-Men: Apocalypse | Nominated |