Q'orianka Kilcher

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26 Feb 2024

Q'orianka Kilcher

Q'orianka Waira Qoiana Kilcher, born on February 11, 1990, is an American actress known for her notable roles in film and television. Her most renowned film performances include portraying Pocahontas in Terrence Malick's 2005 film "The New World" and Kaʻiulani in "Princess Kaiulani" released in 2009. In 2020, she appeared in a recurring role on the Paramount Network show "Yellowstone."

Q'orianka Waira Qoiana Kilcher was born in Schweigmatt, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany. Her name, Q'orianka, means "Golden Eagle" in Quechua. Her father hails from a Quechua–Huachipaeri background in Peru, while her mother, Saskia Kilcher, is an American human rights activist with Swiss-German roots. At the age of two, Kilcher and her mother relocated to Kapaʻa, Hawaii, where her brother Kainoa was born.

Despite her estrangement from her father, Kilcher found solace and inspiration in Hawaiian culture during her upbringing. She began hula dancing at the age of five and later expanded her dance repertoire to include Tahitian, West African, ballet, hip hop, and modern dance styles. In 1997, at the young age of seven, Kilcher won Ballet Hawaii's Young Choreographer Award.

Kilcher's talent extended beyond dance; she was selected to compete at the international Tahitian Dance Competition in San Jose, California, in both 1996 and 1997. She participated in numerous professional dance performances across the Hawaiian islands and served as the soprano soloist for the Waikiki Singers, showcasing her vocal abilities in classical pieces like Schubert's Mass in G and Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

At the age of six, Kilcher became the youngest student to study classical voice at the University of Hawaii under Laurance Paxton. She also honed her acting skills with Bill Ogilvie at the Diamond Head Theater. Kilcher's talents did not go unnoticed, as she was booked for singing performances at various venues, often serving as a featured singer and opening act for renowned Hawaiian artists like Willie K (Kahaiali'i).

In 1999, Kilcher's mother relocated the family to California, where Kilcher began busking on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, singing and dancing to entertain tourists and earn donations.

At the age of ten, Q'orianka Kilcher landed the role of Choire Who in Ron Howard's adaptation of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. By age 12, she had earned a full scholarship to the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, where she delved into vocal performance, music theory, and songwriting.

In addition to her musical pursuits, Kilcher dedicated herself to martial arts and stunt training, achieving a black belt in Wushu kung fu and honing her skills at the National Wushu Training Center and Impact Stunts.
At the age of 15, Kilcher delivered a breakthrough performance as Pocahontas in Terrence Malick's The New World (2005), earning critical acclaim and accolades such as the National Board of Review's best breakthrough performance of 2006 and the 2006 Alma Award for best Latin American actress in a feature film.

Following her success in The New World, Kilcher ventured into independent filmmaking, producing and starring in projects like The Power of Few (2006) and Princess Kaiulani (2009), where she portrayed the titular role. Despite mixed reviews for Princess Kaiulani, Kilcher's performance garnered praise from critics like Roger Ebert.

In 2009, Kilcher showcased her versatility in The People Speak, a documentary feature based on Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States." She continued to explore diverse roles, appearing in films like Shouting Secrets (2010), Sons of Anarchy, and Neverland (2011).
In subsequent years, Kilcher remained active in both film and television, starring in Firelight (2012), Running Deer (2013), Te Ata (2017), The Alienist (2018), Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019), and Dog (2022), among others. She also has upcoming projects like Yesteryear, in which she will produce and star alongside Scott Haze, Wes Studi, and Nick Cassavetes.

Q'orianka Kilcher is deeply committed to human rights and environmental activism, using her platform as a celebrity to advocate for causes she believes in. She frequently speaks at events, colleges, and universities, serving as a keynote speaker for organizations like Amnesty International, the International Forum on Globalization, Amazon Watch, and the United Nations.

Kilcher lends her voice and support to various NGOs and organizations, including Amnesty International (as a Global Youth Ambassador for Women's Rights), AIDESEP, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the American Literacy Campaign. She is actively involved in initiatives supporting environmental sustainability, corporate accountability, and basic human rights.

In addition to her advocacy work, Kilcher launched her own organization, the "On-q Initiative," which aims to connect young Hollywood with youth activist leaders and projects worldwide. Through her production company, IQ-Films, she produces documentaries and youth programming focusing on important social and environmental issues.

Kilcher's activism extends beyond speeches and initiatives to direct action. She has participated in protests, such as chaining herself to the gates of the White House to protest President Obama's meeting with Peruvian President Alan García over land rights issues in the Amazon rainforest. She has also used her musical talents to raise awareness, participating in events like the performance of "Love Song to the Earth" aimed at raising awareness of climate change.

Her commitment to advocacy has earned her recognition, including the Brower Youth Award for her environmental work and the Young Hollywood Green Award. Despite facing legal consequences for her activism, such as being arrested for disorderly conduct, Kilcher remains dedicated to making a difference in the world through her activism and philanthropy.