The Unforgettable Journey of Celina Smith Beyond Annie Live!

Summary

Celina Smith's standout performance in "Annie Live!" showcases her talent for singing, acting, and dancing live in front of a real audience.

Smith's portrayal of Rebecca Wilson in "Young Dylan" highlights her comedic talent and her ability to bring sass and competitiveness to her character.

In "Under His Influence," Smith demonstrates her versatility by taking on more dramatic roles, moving away from the lighthearted childhood characters she has previously played.

Celina Smith, a rising young actor, gained recognition for her role in the 2021 film adaptation of Annie Live!, and has been steadily expanding her filmography ever since. Annie Live! is the fourth screen interpretation of the popular musical Annie, which is based on the beloved comic strip Little Orphan Annie. Like previous adaptations, Annie Live! follows the story of Annie, portrayed by Celina Smith, a orphan residing in a New York City foster home. Annie and her fellow residents endure a difficult existence under the oppressive rule of Miss Hannigan (Taraji P. Henson). However, when Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks (Harry Connick Jr.) visits the foster home, Annie's life takes a transformative turn.

Annie Live! is not the first live network musical, but it is regarded as one of the finest, boasting a 6.6 rating on IMDb and receiving three Emmy nominations, including a win for hairstyling. Celina Smith's portrayal particularly stands out as a remarkable performance, as she sings, acts, and dances live in front of a genuine audience while navigating the challenges of cameras capturing her performance in real-time. Unlike other network musicals, Annie Live! prioritizes the strength of its writing and Smith's acting prowess over elaborate production design. While this role brought Celina Smith into the public spotlight, it is merely the beginning of her promising career, as she promptly pursued other noteworthy projects following her remarkable performance.

Young Dylan Features Celina Smith As Part Of The Main Cast (2020 - 2022)

The Nickelodeon show, Young Dylan, premiered in February 2020. The show follows the journey of a young aspiring hip-hop artist named Young Dylan, played by Dylan Gilmer. One day, Young Dylan's mother disappears, prompting his grandmother Viola, played by Aloma Lesley Wright, and the rest of his extended family to move in with him. Their aim is to provide structure for the young man, but he often finds himself pushing against it. Among his family members is Rebecca Wilson, portrayed by Celina Smith. Rebecca is the daughter of Myles Wilson (Carl Anthony Payne, II) and the sister of Charlie (Hero Hunter). Out of all the characters, Rebecca has the most presence in the series.

Rebecca is a sassy, precocious, and comedic young girl who frequently engages in playful arguments with her brother and cousin. She has a passion for fashion and possesses a strong competitive streak. Rebecca believes she is more mature than Young Dylan and Charlie, and this may very well be true. Celina Smith delivers an outstanding performance in her biggest role to date, seamlessly fitting into the role of a family-friendly sitcom. With her comedic timing and the ability to portray an intelligent child without being annoying, Smith demonstrates her talent and potential to take on larger roles in the future.

Celina Smith Plays Pearl In The Wonder Years (2022)

The Wonder Years series, which premiered on ABC in September 2021, is a modern adaptation of the original 1988 show with notable changes. This iteration of The Wonder Years features a Black middle-class family known as the Williams, set in the 1960s. In contrast, the original version focused on the Arnold family, who were White and middle-class, navigating the 60s and 70s. Both versions address political and social issues in America, but the Williams experience the realities of that era in a more personal and often unpleasant manner due to the Black experience in America at the time.

In episode 14 of the first season, titled "Country Dean," Celina Smith makes a guest appearance as Pearl. The Williams visit Lillian's (Saycon Sengbloh) parents' rural home, where Dean (Elisha "EJ" Williams) tries to impress his country cousins, including Pearl, with stories from his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. Although Smith's role in this episode is small, being part of a historic TV series reboot available on Disney+ and Hulu provides significant exposure for the actor in her inaugural television role.

Celina Smith Guest Stars On That Girl Lay Lay (2022)

Celina Smith, known for her role on Nickelodeon, made an appearance on the kid's series That Girl Lay Lay. The show stars Alaya High, a child rapper and singer who goes by the stage name "That Girl Lay Lay". In the series, High portrays an artificial intelligence avatar named Lay Lay, brought to life by the wish of Sadie, a lonely girl. Together, they strive to make a name for themselves at school while keeping Lay Lay's true identity a secret. Smith's appearance takes place in season 2, episode 6 titled "Dylan and Rebecca's Cleve-Land-Land Adventure".

This specific episode serves as a crossover event between That Girl Lay Lay and Young Dylan. While Dylan has previously appeared on the show, this is the first time he brings his cousin Rebecca along. Once again, Celina Smith portrays the lively and humorous Rebecca. Being a part of a crossover event is a significant accomplishment for Smith, as it indicates that the studio has confidence in her recognition and talent by bringing her onto another show. Many notable celebrities have started their careers on Nickelodeon shows, and Smith has the potential to follow in their footsteps if she continues to flourish on the network.

Celina Smith Appears In Under His Influence (2023)

Content

Under His Influence is a BET+ original film that debuted in February 2023. Starring Sydney Mitchell from BMF as Dimond, a social media influencer, the story follows her unexpected romance with an inmate named Sadiq, portrayed by former NBA player Iman Shumpert. Utilizing her platform and influence, Dimond endeavors to clear Sadiq's name for a crime he insists he did not commit. However, when she uncovers a dark secret, she is forced to make a difficult decision about who to trust. Ahmarie Holmes plays Shayla, a significant character in the intricate plot, who appears frequently in flashbacks and is portrayed by Celina Smith.

Playing a young Shayla, Celina Smith delivers a departure from her usual roles. Shayla endured an abusive upbringing and just when it seemed that her rescue was imminent, she tragically witnesses a violent murder, shattering her hopes. It is an intense and somber role, yet Celina manages to evoke genuine emotion and sympathy for Shayla. The scenes she features in are both mature and grisly, but Celina flawlessly fits into this darker narrative. Despite her prior portrayals of lovable and charming characters, Celina Smith's true dramatic talents are clearly evident, promising a bright future for the young actress.