Joaquina Kalukango Biography: Nationality, Kids, Age, Height, Net Worth, Instagram, Movies, TV Shows, Songs, Awards
Joaquina Kalukango is an American actress and singer best known for her acclaimed Broadway performances in Slave Play and Paradise Square.
She received a Tony Award nomination for Slave Play in 2020 and won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Nelly O’Brien in Paradise Square.
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Her screen credits include One Night in Miami…, Lovecraft Country, When They See Us, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and Robin Roberts Presents: I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Name: | Joaquina Kalukango |
| Born: | February 15, 1989 (age 37 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Angolan American |
| Height: | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Mr. And Mrs. Kalukango |
| Siblings: | Rachel Kalukango Harris |
| Children: | 1 |
| Occupation: | Actress, Singer |
| Net Worth: | $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Joaquina Kalukango was born on February 15, 1989, in Atlanta, She’s the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Kalukango.
She comes from an Angolan family, with her parents having immigrated to the United States as political refugees.
Her Angolan heritage has remained an important part of her identity and has influenced the types of stories and characters she seeks to portray.
Kalukango became interested in theatre while attending Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia.
Her involvement in a school production of Once on This Island proved particularly influential, inspiring her to pursue acting professionally.
She was selected as a YoungArts winner in 2007, an achievement that helped support her development as a young artist. YoungArts later listed her among its notable theatre alumni.
Kalukango subsequently attended the prestigious Juilliard School, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her professional stage career began shortly after completing her training.
Career
Kalukango began her professional career in theatre in the early 2010s. She made her Broadway debut as part of the ensemble and understudy company of Godspell in 2011.
She subsequently appeared in productions including Hurt Village, Our Lady of Kibeho, The Red Letter Plays: Fucking A, and Holler If Ya Hear Me.
Her performance in Hurt Village earned her a 2012 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.
Kalukango returned to Broadway in the acclaimed 2015 revival of The Color Purple, starring as Nettie.
She performed in the production at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre from 2015 to 2016. The production starred Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Hudson and Danielle Brooks and became one of the most celebrated Broadway revivals of its period.
Kalukango‘s breakthrough dramatic performance came in Jeremy O. Harris‘s Slave Play.
She originated the role of Kaneisha in the play’s Off-Broadway production before reprising it when the production transferred to Broadway in 2019.
The play explored race, sexuality and relationships through a provocative contemporary story set against the legacy of American slavery.
Her performance earned her a 2020 Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play.
She also received an Outer Critics Circle Award for her performance. The Tony nomination significantly raised her profile and established her as one of Broadway’s leading dramatic performers.
Kalukango expanded into film with Regina King‘s One Night in Miami… (2020), playing Betty X, the wife of Malcolm X. The film fictionalizes a meeting between Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown.
Her performance contributed to the film’s ensemble receiving a 2021 Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Awards and Nominations
- 2012 Drama Desk Awards — Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, Hurt Village — Nominated
- 2020 Tony Awards — Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play, Slave Play — Nominated
- 2021 Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture, One Night in Miami… — Nominated
- 2022 Tony Awards — Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, Paradise Square — Won
Social Media
- Instagram: @joaquinakalukango
Personal life
Joaquina Kalukango she is a proud mother to a son named Pharoah. She has a close relationship with her sister, fashion designer Rachel Kalukango Harris.
Her sister custom-designed her celebrated 2022 gold Tony Awards gown, which was crafted to honor their family’s Angolan heritage.
She is an avid reader and describes herself as someone who goes “a little overboard” with historical immersion. For instance, she read eight books to research and prepare for her role in Paradise Square.
She frequently prioritizes taking vacations to decompress and practice deep self-care after wrapping emotionally intense acting roles
Net Worth
Joaquina Kalukango‘s net worth is $1 million USD. Her professional income comes primarily from Broadway and theatre performances, film and television acting, singing and related entertainment work.
Filmography
Films
- I Had a Dream (2015) — Betty Shabazz
- Chained for Life (2018/2019) — Michelle
- One Night in Miami… (2020) — Betty X
Theatre
- Godspell (2011–2012) — Broadway
- Hurt Village (2012)
- Holler If Ya Hear Me (2014) — Kamilah
- The Color Purple (2015–2016) — Nettie
- Jelly’s Last Jam (2024) — Anita
- Saturday Church (2025) — Aunt Rose
What People Ask
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