Born on March 31, 1985, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, she is an American actress of Hungarian and African-American descent. She began her career with guest roles on television shows and gained prominence as Vanessa Abrams in the hit series "Gossip Girl." Her film credits include "Piranha 3D" and "The Internship." Known for her versatile acting skills, she has also appeared in other TV series such as "Shameless" and "The Orville." Her passion for acting began in her teenage years, leading her to move to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams.