Shailyn Pierre-Dixon

Biography

Shailyn Pierre-Dixon is best known for her role as 'Young Aminata' in the 2015 award-winning mini-series The Book of Negroes, an adaptation of Lawrence Hill's highly acclaimed novel of the same title. Shailyn's powerful performance won her a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress, as well as a Golden Maple Award nomination for Newcomer of the Year, and ACTRA Award nomination for Outstanding Performance. The mini-series also starred Aunjanue Ellis, Lyric Bent, and Academy Award Winners, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Louis Gossett Jr. Born June 1, 2003 to Canadian actress, writer and producer, Christina Dixon and Trinidadian born father, Maurice Pierre, Shailyn (often referred to as Shai), began her career as a child model, appearing in national commercials and advertisements. Displaying a natural talent for the arts, she became increasingly fascinated with her mothers career in front of and behind the camera, leading her to pursue her interest in acting as well. After a short series of background roles along with minor film and television appearances, Shailyn earned her first major film role as "Kelly", the on-screen daughter of Herald Perrineau and Regina Hall in the 2013 Hollywood blockbuster The Best Man Holiday. In 2014, Shailyn landed the role of 'Young Aminata' in The Book of Negroes, and later that fall became part of broadcast media history, joining the lead cast of Between, alongside famed co-star Jennette McCurdy, in Netflix's first Canadian co-production. In 2015, at the age of 11, Shailyn had the honor of presenting at the Canadian Screen Awards, becoming one of the youngest presenters in Academy history. While awaiting the release of two more film projects in 2016, Jean of the Joneses (premiered at the SXSW Film Festival), and the highly anticipated Hollywood action blockbuster Suicide Squad, Shailyn rejoined the cast of Between for a second season. Since the beginning of her career, Shailyn's reputation as an emerging and incredible talent has been preceded only by her reputation as an endearing sweetheart, known for sharing her exuberance with everyone she encounters. Audiences and industry heavyweights have taken notice, regarding her as an exciting young face to watch.