Akira Akbar

Akira Jolie Akbar was born on October 2, 2006, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents are stylist Kitty Wedie and Kenyon Rambo, and she has three siblings, including actress and model Azari Akbar.

Akbar began as a child model and later pursued acting after her mother noticed her interest in performing and encouraged her to audition. She continued her education while working, attending a private school.

Akbar began her acting career with a guest appearance as Daughter in the 2015 episode of Criminal Minds titled "The Sandman." She subsequently appeared in Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us, Family Reunion and Good Trouble, while also continuing to work as a model. Her modeling credits include campaigns for Nike and Levi's.

In April 2019, Akbar signed with ICM Partners for representation. She also joined the social media collective Vibe Crew in August 2020.

Akbar gained wider recognition in the 2019 Marvel Studios film Captain Marvel, in which she played the 11-year-old version of Monica Rambeau. The role was her feature-film debut and placed her alongside Brie Larson and Lashana Lynch.

Akbar's portrayal introduced Monica's younger years before the character's later appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She followed the film with roles in We Can Be Heroes as Fast Forward and Love You Anyway as Young Mackenzie.

Beginning in 2022, Akbar portrayed Ashley Banks in Bel-Air, Peacock's dramatic reimagining of the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The role became one of her most prominent television credits and was listed across 36 episodes from 2022 to 2025.

Her other television work includes playing Young Beth in This Is Us, Amethyst Vasquez in Grey's Anatomy, Brooke in Family Reunion and Kiara in Good Trouble. She also had a recurring role as Ashley Banks in the series Power Book IV: Force.

Akbar's film credits include Captain Marvel (2019), We Can Be Heroes (2020) and Love You Anyway (2022). Her television credits include guest and recurring appearances in Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy, This Is Us, Family Reunion, Good Trouble, Bel-Air and Power Book IV: Force.

She received BET YoungStars Award nominations in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2025, she was nominated for the America's Rainbow Film Festival Pride Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Series/Mini Series.