Q'orianka Kilcher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Q'orianka Kilcher
Kilcher in 2024
Born	Q'orianka Waira Qoiana Kilcher (1990-02-11) February 11, 1990 (age 35) Schweigmatt, West Germany
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2000–present
Relatives	Jewel (first cousin once removed) Yule F. Kilcher (great-grandfather) Ray Genet (grandfather)

Q'orianka Waira Qoiana Kilcher (born February 11, 1990) is an American actress. She is famous for playing Pocahontas in the 2005 movie The New World. She also played the lead role of Princess Kaʻiulani in the movie Princess Kaiulani. More recently, she had a role in the popular TV show Yellowstone.

Early Life and Training

Q'orianka Kilcher was born in Schweigmatt, West Germany. Her first name, Q'orianka, means "Golden Eagle" in the Quechua language. Her father is from Peru with Quechua and Huachipaeri roots. Her mother, Saskia Kilcher, is an American human rights activist of Swiss-German background.

When Q'orianka was two, she and her mother moved to Kapaʻa, Hawaii. Her brother Kainoa was born there. Growing up in Hawaii, Q'orianka was inspired by the local culture. She began learning traditional hula dancing when she was five. She also trained in Tahitian, West African, ballet, and hip hop dance styles.

At age seven, she won an award for her dancing. She was also a talented singer. At age six, she was the first child to study classical voice at the University of Hawaii. When her family moved to California in 1999, she would sing and dance on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for people passing by.

Acting Career

Early Roles and Breakthrough

When she was ten years old, Q'orianka was cast in the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas. At age 12, she won a scholarship to study music in Hollywood. She is also skilled in martial arts and has a black belt in Wushu kung fu.

Her big break came at age 15 when she played Pocahontas in the movie The New World. Her performance was praised by critics. She won several awards, including Best Breakthrough Performance from the National Board of Review.

Leading Roles and Television

In 2009, she starred as the main character in Princess Kaiulani. The movie tells the story of the Hawaiian princess during the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. Although the movie received mixed reviews, critics liked her performance. Famous movie critic Roger Ebert said she played the role with "great depth and sympathy."

She later appeared in the TV show Sons of Anarchy as Kerrianne Telford. In 2011, she played Tiger Lily in Neverland, a TV miniseries based on the story of Peter Pan.

Recent Work

In 2018, Q'orianka was in the TV series The Alienist as Mary Palmer. The next year, she played an Inca princess in the movie Dora and the Lost City of Gold.

Starting in 2020, she joined the cast of Yellowstone as Angela Blue Thunder. In 2022, she appeared in the movie Dog with Channing Tatum.

Activism and Charity Work

Q'orianka is dedicated to supporting human rights and protecting the environment. She often speaks at events for young people and at universities. She has worked with groups like Amnesty International and the United Nations to talk about the rights of indigenous people.

She uses her fame to help many organizations. She is a youth ambassador for Amnesty International, where she focuses on women's rights. She also supports groups that work to protect the Amazon rainforest and promote literacy.

In 2010, Q'orianka started her own organization called "On-q Initiative." It helps connect young people in Hollywood with activists around the world. They work together on projects for a healthy planet and human rights.

On June 1, 2010, she took part in a protest in front of the White House in Washington, D.C. She was protesting a meeting between the U.S. and Peruvian presidents. She wanted to bring attention to the sale of land in the Amazon rainforest.

Personal Life

Q'orianka has two brothers, Kainoa and Xihuaru, who are also actors and stunt performers. She is related to the famous singer Jewel, who is her first cousin once removed.

Her great-grandfather, Yule F. Kilcher, was a politician in Alaska who helped write the state's constitution.

In 2018, Q'orianka was injured while filming the movie Dora and the Lost City of Gold. This led to a disagreement with an insurance company over disability benefits she received while recovering. The issue was fully resolved in her favor in February 2023.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Q'orianka Kilcher para niños