Who is Dahlia Phillips? She’s the Notable Nappy from Akeela and the Bee that’s who. You know, the critically aclaimed movie that hit the theaters this past April about a little black girl from the hood who goes on to win the national spelling bee.
I saw this movie with my nappy friend Margaret, who was visting from Texas. As a nappy sitting in the audience, neither one of us could help but notice Dalia and her beautiful natural hair as she plays Akeela’s teacher, Miss Cross.
The first time they showed one of her scenes, my face lit up, and I leaned over to my friend and whispered, “Margaret, she’s natural!”
Dalia is an alumni and top graduate of the Acting Studio in New York. According to information on their web site, she impressed writer/director Doug Atchison when he saw her in an actors showcase in Los Angeles. He said she stood out amongst dozens of other performers and made scripted words seem natural and unrehearsed.
Her notable TV appearances include The West Wing, NYPD Blue, Strong Medicine and As the World Turns. Dahlia got her start on the stages of New York, appeaing in numerous theatrical productions.
She has also toured with the prestigous Negro Ensemble Company. After relocating to LA, she got her feet wet starring in indie films before landing a long list of national commercials that eventually lead to her role in Akeela and the Bee.
Hopefully, we’ll BEE seeing much more of this natural beauty in the future!
