Kiki Layne

Kiandra ‘Kiki’ Layne, born on December 10, 1991, in Cincinnati, Ohio, developed an early interest in acting. She honed her skills by studying acting and music at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Layne pursued higher education at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting in 2014. Her early career included appearances in the Chicago theater scene and minor television roles, such as an episode of ‘Chicago Med’ in 2016.

Layne’s career gained significant momentum with her breakout role in Barry Jenkins’ 2018 romantic drama, ‘If Beale Street Could Talk,’ where she portrayed Tish Rivers. This performance led to further prominent roles, including Bessie in the 2019 film adaptation of Richard Wright’s novel ‘Native Son’ and Nile in the 2020 action superhero film ‘The Old Guard,’ where she starred alongside Charlize Theron. Her filmography continued to expand with appearances in major productions like ‘Coming 2 America’ (2021) and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ (2022). She has also taken on production roles, serving as an executive producer for ‘Dandelion’ (2024).

Beyond her acting achievements, Layne has ventured into the fashion industry, collaborating with brands like Kate Spade New York. Her work has earned her recognition, including a Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress in 2019 for ‘If Beale Street Could Talk.’ She continues to build her career with upcoming projects such as ‘The Old Guard 2’ (2025) and ‘Fake Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ (2025).