Q'Orianka Kilcher
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Q'Orianka Kilcher | |
|---|---|
 Kilcher, January 2004 |
|
| Born | February 11, 1990 Schweigmatt, Germany |
Q'Orianka Waira Qoiana Kilcher (born February 11, 1990) is an American actress and singer, perhaps best known for her role as Pocahontas in the 2005 film The New World.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Kilcher was born in Schweigmatt, Germany; she speaks English, a little German and limited Algonquian (which she learned for her part in The New World). Her father is a Peruvian artist of Quechua / Huachipaeri descent. Her mother, Saskia Kilcher, a human-rights activist of Swiss descent, was born in Alaska and raised in Switzerland. Kilcher's maternal grandfather was Ray 'Pirate' Genet, a famous Alaskan mountaineer. She is the cousin of singer Jewel Kilcher.[1]
When she was two, her parents moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, where her brother, Kainoa, was born. Her father, from whom she is now estranged, was absent most of the time, and her parents often fought. Kilcher was inspired by the local Hawaiian dancers and trained in West African and Hawaiian dance, performing in over 250 dance contests by the age of nine, earning money to support her family.[2]
She subsequently moved with her family to California, where she busked on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
[edit] Career
In 2002, she appeared on Star Search singing "Adagio", but came in second place, with one of the judges, Naomi Judd, commenting that she needed vocal lessons. Although she has had little acting training, she was cast in the leading role of Pocahontas in 2005's Academy Award-nominated motion picture, The New World. The film was released in December 2005 to mixed reviews.[3] It achieved success, despite being shown in only 811 theaters worldwide and having a relatively low box office gross.[4][5]
The film's love scenes between Colin Farrell's character and the then 14-year-old Kilcher caused some controversy, resulting in the film studio deleting several scenes with Farrell to avoid child pornography accusations.[6]
Kilcher has several projects planned, including charity work, a line of buckskin clothing, and a CD of songs inspired by The New World.
In summer of 2006, Q'Orianka began filming the independent film "The Power of Few" which she is also producing through her own production company, Entertainment On-Q.[7]
She appeared in the music video for Mat Kearney single "Breathe In, Breath Out".
[edit] Activism
In addition to her acting, Kilcher also involves herself with activism and charity work.
In the past, she has campaigned for Amnesty International, on the subjects of the rights of women and indigenous people, in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and petroleum industry contamination of the Amazon River Basin.[8][9]
Kilcher is also the teen celebrity spokesperson for Thursday's Child, an international charity for at-risk children, where she has taken it upon herself to address issues concerning children and such topics as anorexia, bulimia, teen suicide, cutting, runaways, teen pregnancy and missing and exploited children.
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Little Choir Member | First screen role |
| 2002 | Madison Heights | Maria Betancourt | Television |
| 2005 | The New World | Pocahontas / Rebecca | First lead role |
| 2008 | The Power of Few | TBA | Pre-production |
[edit] Awards
[edit] Awards won
- ALMA Awards: Outstanding Actress in a film for The New World in 2006.
- National Board of Review: Breakthrough Performance Actress for The New World in 2005.
[edit] Nominations
- 11th Annual Critics Choice Awards: Best Young Actress in a film for The New World in 2006.
- Broadcast Film Critics Association: Best Young Actress in a film for The New World in 2005.
- Chicago Film Critics Association: Most Promising Performer for The New World in 2005.
- Online Film Critics Association: Breakthrough Performer in a film for The New World in 2005.
- Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards: Best Breakthrough Performance for The New World in 2005.
- Young Artist Awards: Best Performance in a feature film - Leading Young Actress for The New World in 2006.
[edit] References
- ^ Anchorage Daily News. Another Family Star. Retrieved on March 15, 2006.
- ^ Celebrity News. Orianka Kilcher, teen actress' performance puts her on top of "World". Retrieved on March 15, 2006.
- ^ Boxoffice.mojo.com. The New World Box Office Gross.
- ^ Yahoo!movies.com. The New World Critics Rewiews.
- ^ Movies.yahoo.com. The New World: Awards and Nominations.
- ^ The Village Voice. Sex and the Single Squaw. Retrieved on April 11, 2006.
- ^ Variety.com. Kilcher takes more "Power". Retrieved on June 11, 2006.
- ^ Ask Amnesty
- ^ LA CityBeat - Q'orianka Kilcher
[edit] External links
- About.com interview (December 25, 2005)
- Q'orianka Kilcher at the Internet Movie Database
