AJA NAOMI KING
Aja Naomi King, born in Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 1985. She is a rising star in Hollywood with both a captivating presence and a remarkable story to tell.
While most are familiar with her in her role as Michaela Pratt from “How to Get Away with Murder”, King is undoubtedly a versatile and dynamic actress whose story is one of hard work, perseverance, and meaningful impact much more so than her accomplishments on the screen.
Her Early Life and Education: An Artistic Foundation
King’s attachment to acting began early in life, growing up in Walnut, California, Aja King pursued her dreams and aspirations when she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of California, Santa Barbara and then her Master of Fine Arts from the prestigious Yale School of Drama in 2010.
While at Yale, King had the opportunity to sharpen her skills while acting in some signature productions of Little Shop of Horrors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes.
Career Beginnings: From Guest Spots to Breakout Roles
King’s career began with short film performances and guest spots on well-known television shows like Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, The Blacklist, and Deadbeat. King made her feature film debut in the indie comedy Damsels in Distress (2011), but King was finally able to land her breakout role in 2012, when she played the feisty, sharp-tongued Cassandra Kopelson in The CW’s medical comedy-drama Emily Owens, M.D. In this role, she dynamically showed she could provide depth to her characters, this is where her recognition began from.
In 2014, King was able to secure her breakout role as Michaela Pratt on ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder”. The series was phenomenonal at the time it was premiered, attracting nearly 14 million viewers and receiving huge industry acclaim. King’s role as Michaela, an extremely ambitious law student, earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination and established her as a rising star.
Expanding Horizons: Film Success and Variety of Roles
King’s abilities are not limited to television, and she certainly has made an impact in movies.
King appeared in the science fiction thriller “Reversion (2015)”
She had a starring role in the historical drama “The Birth of a Nation”. In the latter, she played Cherry, the wife of Nat Turner, in a thought-provoking narrative about the 1831 slave rebellion. The film received its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim, solidifying King’s position as a force to be reckoned with.
King’s filmography continued to fill up with strong performances in “The Upside (2017)”. In 2020, she starred in the romantic drama “Sylvie’s Love” with Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha and a historical drama, “The 24th”, about the Houston riots of 1917.
Lastly, she is one of the stars in the British romantic comedy “Boxing Day (2021)“, where she played Lisa.
Her Personal Life: Especially Inspiring
King’s personal life is as inspiring as her professional pursuits. In March of 2021, she announced with a joyful Instagram post that she was pregnant after experiencing two miscarriages. Sharing her journey as a mother and speaking out loud and proud about the struggle is commendable. On June 6, 2021, she and her husband, Dan King, welcomed Kian King, their firstborn son.
Her Legacy and Net Worth
With an estimated net worth of $3 million, Aja Naomi King has not only achieved monetary wealth but also created a legacy that she will leave behind for generations to come. King has gone from guest appearances to lead roles, achieving her goal of becoming a working, successful actress. She has been able to break significant barriers and stereotypes in the industry while doing what every artist wants: creating art for the world AND getting paid for it. But most importantly, King is a source of inspiration to young aspiring artists.
she is sure a testament to achieving dreams through hard work and dedication!
What’s Next
Aja Naomi King’s raised through diverse and challenging roles has only made her star shine brighter. Whether she’s on screen or off screen, King continues to shine as a beacon of inspiration, carving her own path to highlight meaningful stories and bring attention to social awareness.
The possibilities of what lies ahead for this remarkable actress are infinite!
