Email: neill@outloudculture.com
Rising star ZION BROADNAX, at just 11 years old, is already on course to be a whirlwind sensation. Zion is an enormously talented actress and dancer with an impressive resume, including a lead role on BET’s film Holly Day. She can next be seen starring alongside Academy Award Winner Jamie Foxx and Meagan Good as their daughter in “Day Shift,” which is one of Netflix’s most highly anticipated projects for 2022.
Netflix’s “Day Shift” follows Jamie Foxx as Bud Jablonski, a hardworking dad out to provide for his daughter, using his dull pool-cleaning job as a front for his real gig: hunting and killing vampires. The film is the directorial debut of J.J Perry, best known for his incredible stunt work on films such as John Wick. “Day Shift” sees Zion Broadnax as the only young actress on the project where she is undoubtedly holding her own alongside an all-star cast that includes Snoop Dog, Dave Franco, Karla Souza, Meagan Good, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Oliver Masucci, Steve Howey, and Scott Adkins.
Zion is a Los Angeles native who was born to perform. She initially started her career in the arts dancing under the direction of Debbie Allen (Debbie Allen Dance Academy), where she performed in the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, which was documented for Netflix. Zion eventually stepped into acting, where she studied with Multi-Emmy-winning actress Vernee Watson (Bob Loves Abishola), who is the Co-Founder of The Heart Arts Academy with Eartha Robinson.
At seven, Zion landed her first lead role on BET Network in the movie Holly Day and a lead role in a national commercial with Frito-Lay one month after signing with her agent. The young starlet won Best Supporting Actress in F8th, starring alongside actor and director Glenn Plummer (ER) at the 168 Films Festival. You can see more of Zion’s work on Disney (Sydney To The Max), Netflix (Family Reunion), ABC Network (Station 19), Abbott Elementary, and Nick JR. In addition, Zion’s voice-over work was featured in the “Black Sunshine” advertising project alongside Multi-Grammy award winner Alica Keys, and she has starred innumerous other commercials and short films. Zion has an exciting roster of upcoming projects as her star continues to rise in the industry.
Hi Zion, welcome to OLC! How did you become interested in acting and how were you discovered?
Hiiii, Thank you for having me.
My interest in acting started at The Heart Art Academy understudying under Emmy Award Winning Actress Mrs. Vernae Watson,(who I just love!). She was the one who saw there was more to my talent and told my parents that “I got it”. They decided to wait until I was a little bit older to see if it was something I wanted to do, and I did and here I am today (smiles).
You started in dance, what drew you to dancing and how and where did you learn?
Yes, I did and I loved it! I started dancing at Debbie Allen and later at The Heart Arts Academy. The love of music and different dancing like African dancing, hip hop, ballet, and tap. I really do a lot of lyrical dancing now. I love expressing myself through the arts.
What do you love about acting?
I LOVE becoming different characters. Especially when they have a unique personality. Ever since the movie Day Shift, I have been getting requests to see me play Moon Girl. That would be fun. I am like hey Marvel you gotta give the people what they want LOL.
You star in the new Netflix film “Day Shift”, alongside Jamie Foxx and Meagan Good, can you tell me a bit about the film and who you play?
Day Shift was an exciting film directed by Mr. JJ Perry. I play Jamie Foxx and Meagan Good’s daughter. Jamie’s character Bud is my Dad and has taken on a dangerous job hunting vampires to get their fangs in return for money so that he can provide for me. I was like whoa, my dad loves me a lot, he’s taking down vamps ?! LOL
What was the auditioning process like for the role?
It was great and exciting at the same time. The process for auditioning was reading with the casting director, callbacks, and screen tests. This process can be more or less steps depending on the different factors but the important thing to know is that you should always be as prepared.
What was it like working with Jamie Foxx, Meagan Good, Snoop Dogg and Dave Franco, and did they give you any advice on set?
Amaziiiing, lol. From the production to the cast was such a blessing to work among some of the greats. It was a warm and nice welcome from them all, and lots of laughter and fun times while being on the set.
What was your most memorable moment about being in ‘Day Shift’?
I LOVED when Jamie would randomly play music. It really brought us all together for dancing and a good time.
In all of the projects you’ve starred in, what was your favorite and why?
I have so many favs, it is hard to choose one. Every project was great because it landed me here, that is why it is so hard because they all meant so much to me, but Day Shift has given me even more light for me to share my talent with the world.
Do you have any more roles coming up that we can see you in?
Yes, I do have other projects but NDA’s have been signed, so at the moment I cannot share.
What’s next for you in 2022?
Later this year everyone can catch me on Paramount Plus as a lead character voicing Mo “Morgan” Malto in the New Transformer EarthSpark series coming out this November. Please check me out and the rest of my Transformer EarthSpark family!
Check Out Zion’s Socials: INSTAGRAM