Born name

Samira Denise Wiley

nickname

Samira

Sun sign

Aries

Place of birth

Washington, D. C., United States

nationality

training

Samira Wiley went to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC

After graduating high school, she enrolled at Temple University to study drama. However, after only studying for one semester, she decided to audition for the Juilliard School in New York City. She studied theater performance at Juilliard and graduated in 2010.

occupation

Model, producer and actress

family

• Father – Dennis W. Wiley (Co-Pastor United Church of Christ, Covenant Baptist)
• Mother – Christine Wiley (Co-Pastor, United Church of Christ, Baptist Union)
• Siblings – Aiyana Ma’at (Sister), Joshua Wiley (Brother)
• Others – Rev. Hurley Wesley Wiley (paternal grandfather), Doris White (paternal grandmother)

Manager

Samira Wiley is from Santa Monica-based Innovative Artists LA

Build

Slim

Height

5 ft 3 in oder 160 cm

weight

49 kg or 108 lbs

girlfriend/spouse

Samira Wiley has dated

• Lauren Morelli – Samira Wiley began dating screenwriter Lauren Morelli while they were both working on the Netflix show. Orange is the new black. Their relationship caused a bit of a stir Lauren was married when they met. She later revealed that while working on the show, she realized she was gay. In October 2016, Samira published her engagement. Lauren had a revelation to propose to her while they were vacationing at a Palm Springs resort. She ordered a yellow gold ring and made arrangements to have it delivered to the resort. Their wedding, which took place in March 2017, was a lavish and romantic affair. Samira’s parents officiated at the ceremony, opting to wear matching custom Christian Siriano dresses.

race/ethnicity

Schwarz

She is of African American descent.

hair colour

Schwarz

eye color

dark brown

sexual orientation

Lesbian

distinguishing features

• Petite figure
• Buzzcut hairstyle
• Androgynous sense of style

brand promotion

Wiley has done endorsement work for the following brands

• PayPal (2014)
• Venus Spiral (2015)

Religion

Since both parents were pastors, she grew up in a religious household.

However, her religious views as an adult are not known.

Known for

• Being cast in the role of Poussey Washington in the Netflix comedy series, Orange is the New Black .
• After playing the role of Moira in the dystopian fiction TV series, The Handmaid’s Tale . She even won a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her work on the show.

first movie

In 2011, she made her big screen debut in the comedy film, The Sitter , which starred Jonah Hill.

First TV show

Her first TV appearance was in the crime series, Unforgettable in 2011 .

Personal trainer

Samira Wiley likes to eat a healthy and filling breakfast that keeps her going throughout the day. She relies on a plate of bacon, a bagel, fresh fruit, boiled eggs, oatmeal, and potatoes.

Samira Wiley favorite things

• New York City Upper West Side One Stop Shop – Maoz
• Food – Shrimp Scampi from Red Lobster
• Hot Sauce – Dragon Dust
• Meal – Something Ethiopian

Samira Wiley Facts

1. She realized she wanted to be an actress at the age of 10.
2. She has done extensive activism work for GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) and was even their spokesperson.
3. She first thought of being an actress in the third grade after seeing a girl perform Nikki Giovanni’s ego-tripping at a speech contest at her school.
4. After high school, she applied to at least five major conservatory-style programs to study acting, including one offered by New York University.
5. She decided to audition for the Juilliard School after being encouraged by her teacher at Temple University, who was known for being tough. She was also supported by her mother.
6. Her Juilliard recall required her to perform in front of about 25 to 30 faculty members, and when she was selected, she was one of 18 students chosen from about 1,500 applicants.
7. She received the 2015 Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award for her extensive activism work.
8. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.