Celia Rose Gooding

Celia Rose Gooding was born on February 22, 2000, in New York City, New York. Her mother is American actress, singer, and dancer LaChanze. Gooding attended Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York, graduating with honors in performing arts. Her early training included dance studies at the Alvin Ailey Institute and acting and film with a Shakespeare concentration at the Berridge Conservatory in Normandy. Gooding began her association with the musical “Jagged Little Pill” in 2017 while still in high school, participating in readings and workshops. She later attended Pace University, initially double-majoring in musical theatre and child psychology, before leaving to pursue her role on Broadway.

Gooding gained significant recognition for her Broadway debut as Mary Frances “Frankie” Healy in the rock musical “Jagged Little Pill.” For this role, she received a 2021 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and was nominated for a 2020 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical, becoming one of the youngest nominees at age 20. She has also performed on national television programs such as “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” and “Good Morning America.” In television, Gooding plays the prominent role of Nyota Uhura in the Paramount+ original series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” which premiered in 2022 and has continued through 2025. Her work includes acting as Jess in the 2023 film “Breakwater” and voice acting as Rei’nia Saph in “Exandria Unlimited.” Gooding has also been active in advocacy, particularly regarding issues faced by Black individuals on Broadway, LGBTQ+ rights, and the interracial adoption community. She left “Jagged Little Pill” in 2021 due to alleged mistreatment of non-binary cast members, demonstrating her commitment to these social issues.