Aja Naomi King, born in Los Angeles, California on January 11, 1985, is a rising star in Hollywood with both a captivating presence and a remarkable story to tell. While most are familiar with her in her role as Michaela Pratt from the critically acclaimed ABC legal drama How to Get Away with Murder, King is undoubtedly an eclectic, versatile, and dynamic actress whose story is one of hard work, perseverance, and meaningful impact much more so than her accomplishments on the screen.
Early Life and Education: An Artistic Foundation
Born to the parents of a hardware store owner and psychiatrist, King’s attachment to acting began early in life. Growing up in Walnut, California, Aja King pursued her dreams and aspirations of an acting career when she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of California, Santa Barbara and then, Master of Fine Arts from the prestigious Yale School of Drama in 2010.Â
While at Yale, King had the opportunity to sharpen her skills while acting in some signature productions of Little Shop of Horrors, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, experiences that, while formative also develop another side of King which will help propel her into the future. Career Beginnings: From Guest Spots to Breakout Roles
King’s career began with short film performances, and guest spots on well-known television shows like Blue Bloods, Person of Interest, The Blacklist, and Deadbeat. King made her feature film debut in the indie comedy Damsels in Distress (2011), but King was finally able to land her breakout role in 2012, when she played the feisty, sharp-tongued Cassandra Kopelson in The CW’s medical comedy-drama Emily Owens, M.D. In this role, she dynamically showed she could provide depth and nuance to her characters, and she started to be recognized by industry insiders.
In 2014, King was able to secure her breakout role as Michaela Pratt on ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder. Produced by powerhouse Shonda Rhimes and starring the legendary actress Viola Davis, the series was a cultural phenomenon at the time it premiered, attracting nearly 14 million viewers and received huge industry acclaim. King’s role of Michaela, was an extremely ambitious law student, received her an NAACP Image Award nomination and established her as a budding star.
Expanding Horizons: Film Success and Variety of Roles
King’s abilities are not limited to television and she certainly has made an impact in movies. King appeared in science fiction thriller Reversion (2015) and had a starring role in the historical drama The Birth of a Nation. In the latter, she played Cherry, the wife of Nat Turner, in a thought-provoking narrative about the 1831 slave rebellion. The film received its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim, solidifying King’s position as a force to be reckoned with.
King’s filmography continued to fill up with strong performances in The Upside (2017), opposite Nicole Kidman, Bryan Cranston, and Kevin Hart, and the biopic A Girl from Mogadishu, where she starred as Somali activist Ifrah Ahmed. In 2020, she starred in the romantic drama, Sylvie’s Love with Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha, and a historical drama, The 24th, about the Houston riots of 1917. Lastly, she is one of the stars in the British romantic comedy Boxing Day (2021), where she played Lisa, the girlfriend of a British author balancing love and family during the holidays.
Personal Life: Especially Inspiring
King’s personal life is as inspiring as her professional pursuits. In March of 2021, she announced with a joyful Instagram post that she was pregnant after experiencing two miscarriages. Sharing her journey as a mother is commendable to speak out loud and proud about the struggle. On June 6, 2021, she and her husband Dan King welcomed Kian King, their firstborn son.
Legacy and Net Worth
With a net worth of $3 million, Aja Naomi King has not only achieved monetary wealth but also created a legacy that she will leave behind for generations to come. King has gone from guest appearances to lead roles, achieving her goal of becoming a working, successful actress. She has been able to break significant barriers and stereotypes in the industry, while doing what every artist wants: creating art for the world AND getting paid for it. But most importantly, King is a source of inspiration to young aspiring artists, notably women of color, in a business they don’t see in the boardroom or in front of the camera. Unlike decades before, King’s representation matters, and she is a testament to achieving dreams through hard work and dedication.
Whatʼs Next
Aja Naomi King’s ascent through the ranks of diverse and challenging roles have only made her star shine brighter. Whether she’s on screen, or off screen, King continues to shine as a beacon of inspiration, carving her own path to highlight meaningful stories and bring attention to social awareness. The possibilities of what lies ahead for this remarkable actress are infinite! Her willingness to take risks and accept whatever comes next speaks to her incredible talent and nonchalant determination.
