Reiya Downs Biography: Age, Sister, Net Worth, Movies & TV Shows, Parents, Height, Boyfriend

Reiya West Downs, known professionally as Reiya Downs, is a talented Canadian actress recognized for her breakout role as the aspiring track star Shay Powers in the long-running teen drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation and its spin-off Degrassi: Next Class from 2013 to 2017.

Hailing from a family of performers, she debuted as a child in the 2005 crime thriller Four Brothers, playing the young daughter of Taraji P. Henson’s character, and has since built a steady career in television with guest spots in shows like Nikita and Time Tremors.

Profile

• Full Name: Reiya West Downs
• Stage Name: Reiya Downs
• Born: 31 August 1999
• Age: 26 years old
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Elle Downs and Scad Downs
• Siblings: Riele Downs
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $300,000

Early Life and Education

Reiya West Downs was born on August 31, 1999, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Elle Downs, a seasoned Canadian actress and singer, and Scad Downs.

She grew up alongside her younger sister, Riele Downs, who has also carved out a successful acting career, most notably as Charlotte on Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger.

Details of her formal education remain private, but she likely attended local schools in Toronto, balancing early auditions with studies in a flexible environment suited to her budding career.

She is of Jamaican, Cherokee, and African-Canadian descent, her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Reiya Downs entered the industry as a child, making her screen debut at age six in the 2005 ensemble crime drama Four Brothers, where she portrayed the young daughter of Taraji P. Henson’s character alongside Mark Wahlberg and André Benjamin, earning quiet praise for her poised presence in intense family scenes.

This early exposure, facilitated by her mother’s connections, led to sporadic guest roles, including a brief appearance as a young girl in the CW’s action series Nikita in 2010 and voice work as Minerva Mayo in the interactive TV special and video game Time Tremors in 2013, where her youthful energy fit the adventure format perfectly.

These initial projects honed her skills in both live-action and animation, setting the stage for more substantial opportunities in teen-oriented storytelling.

Downs’s career gained significant traction in 2013 when she was cast as Shay Powers, a track prodigy grappling with ambition, injury, and relationships, in Degrassi: The Next Generation’s final seasons and the subsequent Degrassi: Next Class reboot on Netflix, spanning over 40 episodes through 2017.

Her portrayal, opposite co-stars like Annie Clark and Ricardo Hoyos, captured the raw pressures of adolescence with authenticity, earning her a dedicated fanbase and nods for embodying the franchise’s legacy of tackling social issues like body image and mental health.

The role, which often featured her real-life mother Elle as Shay’s on-screen parent, highlighted her ease in ensemble dynamics and marked her transition from child performer to young lead.

Downs’s contributions extend beyond Degrassi through selective indie projects and voice work, including a role in the family comedy Oliver Bump’s Birthday in 2011, where her comedic timing shone in lighter fare.

Her thoughtful approach to roles emphasizing empowerment and cultural representation continues to influence emerging Canadian talents, fostering narratives that reflect diverse experiences while her grounded off-screen presence keeps her connected to Toronto’s vibrant arts community.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @reiyadowns
• Facebook Handle: Reiya Downs
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Reiya Downs has kept her romantic life out of the public eye, remaining single with no confirmed partners or marriages.

There is no information about her having any children, focusing on her career.

Filmography

• Four Brothers (2005)
• Nikita (2010)
• Oliver Bump’s Birthday (2011)
• Time Tremors (2013)
• Degrassi: The Next Generation (2013)
• Degrassi: Next Class (2016)

Net Worth

Reiya Downs has an estimated net worth of $300,000.

Her earnings primarily stem from her recurring role in the Degrassi franchise, supplemented by child acting credits in films like Four Brothers and voice work in interactive specials such as Time Tremors.