Phylicia Pearl Mpasi (born November 16) is an American actress and writer. She began her career by performing in the broadway production of The Lion King. Mpasi made her film debut as Celie Harris-Johnson in the 2023 version of The Color Purple, being recognized with an NAACP Image Awards for her performance and being nominated with the cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
Early life and education Phylicia Pearl Mpasi was born in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is the daughter of immigrants from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She identifies as Black and Congolese-American. Growing up, she sang in her church choir.
She attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic High School in Olney, Maryland. She then went on to complete her undergraduate studies at Elon University, where she graduated from the theater program. While at Elon, the musical version of The Color Purple was part of the program's curriculum.
Career Mpasi began her career in theater, performing in various roles in The Lion King musical on Broadway and on tour. During the pandemic, she began creating YouTube videos. She then pivoted to television writing, working on the television show Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies and the HBO scripted podcast We Stay Looking starring Terri J. Vaughn.
In 2021, she initially auditioned for the role of adult Celie for the film adaptation of the musical The Color Purple. After the role went to Fantasia Barrino, Mpasi went on to audition for the role of young Celie, which she was awarded with the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture. Mpasi also performed the original song "Keep It Movin'" with Halle Bailey, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Original Song.
Personal life Mpasi is Catholic.
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes 2023 The Color Purple Young Celie Film debut
Theater + Year Title Role Notes Unknown The Lion King VariousBroadway; National Tour
Discography TitleYearOther artist(s)Album"Keep It Movin'"2023Halle BaileyThe Color Purple (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)"Huckleberry Pie""Mysterious Ways"The Color Purple Ensemble
Awards and nominations YearAssociation CategoryProjectResultRef.2022AmbiesBest Scriptwriting, FictionWe Stay Looking2023Hollywood Music in Media AwardsBest Song - Onscreen Performance (Film)"Keep It Movin'"Best Original Song – Feature FilmCelebration of Cinema and Television|Celebration of Cinema and TelevisionEnsemble Award – FilmThe Color Purple 2024 Astra Film and Creative Awards Best Cast Ensemble Black Reel AwardsOutstanding Breakthrough PerformanceOutstanding Original Song"Keep It Movin'"Critics' Choice Movie AwardsBest Acting EnsembleThe Color PurpleNAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion PictureOutstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
References
External links