Get ready to learn more about the Acolyte star
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY CHRISTIAN BLACK/LUCASFILM/DISNEY+
Amandla Stenberg is an actor who shot to fame for their roles in The Hunger Games and The Hate U Give. They’ve more recently appeared in the queer horror film Bodies, Bodies, Bodies and the latest addition to the Star Wars franchise, The Acolyte where they play Mae.
Are you ready to learn more about the star? Here are six facts you might not know…
When Amandla publicly came out as queer, it inspired Mikaela Straus aka King Princess
Back in 2018, King Princess interviewed Amandla for Wonderland Magazine. Within the musicians introduction they wrote: “I distinctly remember walking out of my junior year English class reading: ‘Amandla Stenberg comes out as a queer’. She unknowingly set a precedent in my life, a gold standard of how to be proud and exist in the intersectionality of multiple identities that were once thought of as being conflicting.”
Did you know that the two queer icons also went on to date in the same year?
They are non-binary
Amandla uses they/them pronouns and has been open about their gender identity. In an interview with People, they said: [Gender] can be pretty much whatever you want it to be. I tend to believe that gender as we’ve set it up in current-day society doesn’t actually exist.”
Amandla uses their fame and platform to advocate for social issues
Throughout their time in the spotlight, they’ve advocated for LGBTQIA rights, gender equality, social and climate justice. Their activism has also included collaborating with organisations such as Black Lives Matter and Planned Parenthood.
They were recognised on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list
The actor received this prestigious accolade in 2017 in acknowledgement of their impact and influence as a young talent.
Acting isn’t their only artistic talent
Amandla is also proficient in playing the guitar, drums and violin. On top of this musical versatility, they are also an amazing singer.
Oh, and on top of this, they’re also multilingual
They can speak English, Spanish and French fluently. What can’t they do!?
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