Ashley Banks in the TV Series 'Bel-Air'

Akira Akbar | Biography

Played Young Beth in 'This Is Us'

• By Yunil Tamrakar
• Update : May 09, 2022

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Akira Akbar is an actress well known for her role as Ashley Banks in the TV series Bel-Air.

Who is Akira Akbar? 

Akira Jolie Akbar is an actress and a dancer born in 2006 in the USA. She celebrates her birthday on 2 October every year. Akbar belongs to American nationality and African-American ethnicity.

She debuted her acting career after appearing in an episode of the TV series Criminal Minds in 2015 at the age of nine. However, it was not until 2019 Akbar landed three of her most popular roles in the TV series This Is Us and Family Reunion and the movie Captain Marvel.

Since then, Akbar has been featured in other credits, such as We Can Be Heroes (movie 2020), Good Trouble (TV Series 2021), and Bel-Air (TV Series 2022). Akbar also has an upcoming project titled Love You Anyway.

She Comes From a Family of Six

Akbar was born to her mother, Kitty Wedie, a professional stylist, and her father, Kenyon Rambo. She has three siblings, two sisters and a younger brother named Kruz Rambo. 

Akbar often shares pictures with her family members on social media. For instance, she wished her mom on the occasion of Mother's Day on Twitter in May 2020 with the caption, "Happy Mother's Day mom!! Thank you soooo much for going above and beyond for all of us! I appreciate everything you've done for me! Thank you for being a #1 mom! I love you past the moon and back."

She Had a Guest Appearance in 'This Is Us'

This Is Us is a television drama series that debuted on NBC on 20 September 2016. The show follows the daily life and families of two parents and their three children over several periods.

Akbar played the role of Young Beth, a dancer who aspires to be a part of the world's most prestigious dance companies. She appeared in one episode titled 'Our Little Island Girl.' 

Also Read: Caitlin Thompson - Wiki, Husband & This Is Us

She Played Ashley Banks in 'Bel Air'

Bel Air is a drama streaming TV series which debuted on Peacock on 13 February 2022. The show is created by Malcolm Spellman, Morgan Cooper, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson. 

Akbar played the role of Ashley Banks, the 12-year-old youngest child of Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Phillip (Adrian Holmes) and Will's (Jabari Banks) cousin. She portrayed the character for nine episodes.

In an interview with Looper in 2022, Akbar discussed how she approached her Bel-Air audition for Ashley Banks. She said, "I brought a little bit of the original Ashley into this character, connecting with the other characters. I think I had a scene and it was with Will and bringing their connection to the audition. I made it my own a little bit, but at the same time used a little bit of the original Ashley."

She Featured in the First Season of 'Family Reunion'

Family Reunion is an American sitcom released on Netflix on 10 July 2019. The series was renewed for a second season in September 2019 premiered on 5 April 2021.

Family Reunion was again renewed for a third and final season in October 2021. The show follows a family of six as they travel from Seattle, Washington to Columbus, Georgia, for the McKellan Family Reunion and insist on staying closer to their relatives.

Akbar played the role of Brooke, Shaka's (Isaiah Russell-Bailey) friend at school for two episodes from 2019 to 2020.

Her New Movie 'Love You Anyway' is in Post-production

Love You Anyway is an upcoming movie in which Mackenzie's (Reign Edwards) life is chronicled on a home video from birth to womanhood, as she goes through the highs and lows with her childhood best friend, Lucas.

Mackenzie's depression worsens over time, and she is forced to find the strength to fight alongside the ones she loves the most.

The movie is directed and written by Anna Matz. Akbar will play the role of Young Mackenzie.