Joaquina Kalukango
Acting • Born 1989-09-02
Biography
Joaquina Kalukango is an American actor and singer best known for playing Nelly O'Brien in the Broadway musical Paradise Square, for which she won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Play in 2020 for portraying Kaneisha in Slave Play. In addition to her theatre work, Kalukango has appeared in One Night in Miami..., When They See Us and Lawmen: Bass Reeves. Kalukango is a 2007 YoungArts alumnus. She graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Juilliard School. Kalukango is of Angolan descent, and her parents arrived in the United States as political refugees. Due to her heritage, Kalukango wants to work on roles that showcase the Black experience.
Filmography
12 credits
Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year's Eve Celebration
Movie • 2023
Self
Steal Away
Movie
Sarah Sheppard
Chained for Life
Movie • 2019
Michelle
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
Movie • 2020
Nonkosi
One Night in Miami...
Movie • 2020
Betty X
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia
Movie • 2021
Mildred Falls
Bring Me to Light
Movie • 2021
Performer
Robin Roberts Presents: I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story
Movie • 2025
Gloria Gaynor
When They See Us
TV • 2019
Adelle
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
TV • 2023
Esme
Lovecraft Country
TV • 2020
Hanna
Sherri
TV • 2022
Self - Guest