Lovie Simone Oppong (born November 29, 1998)[1][2] is an American actress, best known for her role as Zora Greenleaf in drama series Greenleaf.
Lovie Simone | |
|---|---|
 Simone interviewed in 2020 | |
| Born | Lovie Simone Oppong November 29, 1998 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2009–present |
Life and career edit
Simone was born in New York City at The Bronx and raised in Orange County, New York. Here, she attended Monroe-Woodbury High School from her freshman year to senior year. Her mother is African American and her father is Ghanaian.[3] She has a twin sister named Yuri, who's a musician that goes by Reiyo The Giant[4] and a younger brother and sister.[1][5] She studied at an acting school in New York and later appeared in a national commercial for JC Penney.[1]
In 2016, Simone began starring in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series, Greenleaf playing the role of Zora Greenleaf, the daughter of Kerissa (Kim Hawthorne) and Jacob Greenleaf (Lamman Rucker).[5] Simone was originally cast as a recurring cast member, but was promoted to a series regular as of the second season.[6] Simone later made her film debut in a supporting role opposite Jennifer Hudson in the 2018 drama film Monster, which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival.[1][7] The following year, she appeared in two drama films that premiered at 2019 Sundance Film Festival: Share and played a leading role in Selah and the Spades.[8][9] Both films has received positive reviews from critics.[10][11] In 2020, Simone played one of leads in writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones' horror film The Craft: Legacy, a sequel to the 1996 film The Craft.[12][13][14]
In 2021, Simone starred in the first season of Starz crime drama series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan.[15] In 2022, she was cast opposite Tobias Menzies Apple TV+ limited series, Manhunt.[16] She starred in the period drama film The Walk, and in 2023, starred in the science fiction thriller 57 Seconds.[17]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Monster | Renee Pickford | |
| 2019 | Share | Jenna | |
| 2019 | Selah and the Spades | Selah Summers | |
| 2020 | The Craft: Legacy | Tabby | |
| 2022 | The Walk | Wendy Robbins | |
| 2023 | 57 Seconds | Jala |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–20 | Greenleaf | Zora Greenleaf | Main role, 60 episodes |
| 2017 | Orange Is the New Black | Jasmin | 1 episode |
| 2017 | Blue Bloods | Gina Walker | 1 episode |
| 2020 | Social Distance[18] | Ayana | 1 episode |
| 2021 | Power Book III: Raising Kanan | Davina Harrison | Main role, 10 episodes |
| 2024 | Manhunt | Mary Simms | Upcoming miniseries |
References edit
- ^ a b c d Hanson-Firestone, Dana (September 23, 2019). "10 Things You Didn't Know about Lovie Simone". TVOvermind.
- ^ Kwateng-Clark, Danielle (September 27, 2019). "Lovie Simone on the Psychology of Her "Greenleaf" Character and Wanting Complex Storylines". Teen Vogue. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
- ^ "V Girl: Lovie Simone | V Magazine". vmagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-05-25.
- ^ "Reiyo The Giant - Topic - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ a b Kwateng-Clark, Danielle (September 27, 2019). "Lovie Simone on the Psychology of Her "Greenleaf" Character and Wanting Complex Storylines". Teen Vogue.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (October 27, 2016). "'Greenleaf': GregAlan Williams & Lovie Simone Upped To Regulars On OWN Drama". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Cain, Spencer (August 3, 2017). "It's time to meet Lovie Simone". ASOS. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
- ^ Obenson, Tambay (January 24, 2019). "'Selah and the Spades' Trailer: Sundance Drama Explores Underground Life at Boarding School". IndieWire.
- ^ Lang, Brent (July 17, 2019). "Amazon Studios Buys 'Selah and the Spades,' Will Develop Original Series (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
- ^ "Share (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ "Selah and the Spades (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (September 19, 2019). "Gideon Adlon, Lovie Simone, Zoey Luna Join Cailee Spaeny To Lead 'The Craft' Remake From Blumhouse". IndieWire.
- ^ Mangum, Trey (September 19, 2019). "'The Craft' Remake Taps Lovie Simone To Star As One Of The Four Leads". shadowandact.com.
- ^ Mangum, Trey (February 20, 2020). "'The Craft' Remake Starring Lovie Simone Wraps Filming". shadowandact.com.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (March 6, 2020). "'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' Casts 'Greenleaf' Star Lovie Simone (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 25, 2022). "Anthony Boyle & Lovie Simone Join Tobias Menzies In Apple's Lincoln Assassination Limited Series 'Manhunt'".
- ^ Horst, Carole (May 22, 2022). "Morgan Freeman, Josh Hutcherson Team on Time-Bending Thriller '57 Seconds' in First Look Photo".
- ^ Allaire, Christian (October 27, 2020). "Lovie Simone on Starring in 'The Craft' Reboot and Embracing Witchy Style". Vogue. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
External links edit
- Lovie Simone at IMDb