Marsai Martin Explained

Caila Marsai Martin^[1] (;^[2] born August 14, 2004)^[3] is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022). In 2019, Martin had a starring role in the comedy film Little, which she also produced at the age of 14. She holds the Guinness World Record as the youngest Hollywood executive producer for the movie.^[4] Time magazine named her on its "Time 100 Next" the year of its release.^[5] In 2022, she produced and starred in the sports comedy film, Fantasy Football.

Early life

Martin was born in Plano, Texas^[6] to Carol and Joshua Martin.^[7] Martin's acting career was launched with a glamour pictorial,^[8] in which the photographer gave Martin's parents a discount in exchange for her father's promise that he would submit the photos to talent agencies. The photos were sent out to four agencies and one immediately signed her. At age five, Martin landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel.^{[9] [10]} Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.^[11]

Career

2014–2015: Career beginnings

In 2014, Martin was cast as Diane Johnson, the daughter of Andre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross) on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, created by Kenya Barris. For her breakthrough role, Martin has received numerous awards and nominations, including three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series^{[12] [13] [14]} and a Young Artist Award. She has received six NAACP Image Awards nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

2016–2019: Breakthrough with An American Girl Story and Little

In 2016, Martin made her film debut, playing a leading role in the Amazon Studios original film , set in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement. That same year, she did a voice role for the movie Nina, which tells the life story of American artist and activist Nina Simone.^[15] In 2019, Martin starred in her first studio feature film, the comedy Little, for Universal Pictures. At the age of 13, she became executive producer of the film, making her the youngest person to ever produce a movie, as well as the youngest African-American producer.^{[16] [17] [18] [19]}

In February 2019, Genius Productions, Martin's company, signed a first-look production deal with Universal. Martin's first film as part of the deal is StepMonster, a comedy about a teenage girl who is adjusting to life with a new stepmother.^[20] She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio.^[21] In May 2019, it was announced Martin would be producing and starring in the film adaptation of Amari and the Night Brothers for Universal Pictures.^[22] In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.^{[23] [24]}

2020–present: PAW Patrol: The Movie and The Masked Singer

She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film and the 2023 sequel film .^{[25] [26]} In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the comedy film Fantasy Football.^[27] In 2023, she produced Saturdays, a coming-of-age comedy television series for Disney Channel. The show was canceled after one season.^{[28] [29]} In 2024, Martin competed in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Woodpecker" where Jenifer Lewis (who portrayed "Miss Cleocatra" back in season eleven) served as her Mask Ambassador. She was eliminated in the Group A finals alongside Paula Cole as "Ship".

Personal life

Martin is currently in a relationship with NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth.^[30]

Filmography

Film

Television

Accolades

Notes and References

1. Web site: Brianna . Kovan. March 21, 2019. Marsai Martin Is Making Big-Time, Big-Screen Moves. March 30, 2021.
2. Marsai Martin . 31 May 2023 . it's been a minute . 1 July 2023 . 6:29 . Hi everybody, I'm Marsai Martin. .
3. Web site: Delgado . Sara . Marsai Martin Threw a Shrek-Themed, Star-Studded Party for Her 18th Birthday . August 16, 2022 . . . December 31, 2022.
4. Web site: 'Black-Ish' Star Sets Guinness Record As Hollywood's Youngest Executive Producer At 14 . April 15, 2025 . .
5. Web site: TIME 100 Next 2019: Marsai Martin. Time. April 18, 2024. April 18, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240418181634/https://time.com/collection/time-100-next-2019/5718850/Marsai-martin/. dead.
6. Web site: Burkes . Dawn M. . December 10, 2018 . Plano native named one of Time magazine's 'Most Influential Teens of 2018'.
7. Web site: Teen mogul Marsai Martin on "Little". March 31, 2019. CBS News.
8. Web site: Meet Marsai Martin, The Youngest Executive Producer In Hollywood. NPR.org. en. April 22, 2019.
9. Web site: A Brief Explainer Of Marsai Martin For Those Of You Who Don't Know Who She Is. Peck. Patrice. BuzzFeed. April 11, 2019 . en. April 22, 2019.
10. Web site: MARSAI MARTIN SITS DOWN FOR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ASSIGNMENT X. January 19, 2017. May 27, 2018.
11. Web site: Marsai Mart asked was in as Diane Johnson – black-ish. ABC. January 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140414/http://abc.go.com/shows/blackish/cast/diane-johnson. January 29, 2018. dead.
12. Web site: February 22, 2020. NAACP Winners 2020: The Complete List. March 30, 2021.
13. Web site: January 15, 2018. NAACP Image Awards: The Complete Winners List. March 30, 2021.
14. Web site: February 5, 2016. 'Straight Outta Compton,' 'Empire,' Michael B. Jordan Top NAACP Image Awards. March 30, 2021.
15. Web site: TV News Roundup: Amazon Casts 'Black-ish' Star as First American Girl; Tracey Ullman Returning to HBO. Maria. Cavassuto. August 25, 2016. January 28, 2018.
16. Web site: 'Black-ish' Breakout Marsai Martin to Star in 'Little' for Will Packer, Kenya Barris (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. January 24, 2018. January 28, 2018.
17. Web site: Film News Roundup: 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin's Comedy 'Little' in Development. Dave. McNary. January 25, 2018. January 28, 2018.
18. Web site: "Black-ish's" Marsai Martin to Star in and Exec Produce Tina Gordon Comedy. January 25, 2018. January 28, 2018.
19. Web site:
    1. BlackGirlMagic: Black-ish Star Marsai Martin Set to Become Youngest Executive Producer in Hollywood History
    . Harriot. Michael. The Grapevine. January 9, 2019 . en-US. January 29, 2019.
20. Web site: Marsai Martin Signs First-Look Production Deal With Universal To Develop New Projects, Sets New Film 'StepMonster'. shadowandact.com.
21. Web site: 'Black-ish' Star Marsai Martin Inks First-Look Deal With Universal (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. February 7, 2019.
22. Web site: Mandeville, Marsai Martin Team for Fantasy 'Amari and the Night Brothers' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. May 29, 2019.
23. Web site: Marsai Martin Sets New Project at Universal With Comedy 'Queen' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. December 19, 2019.
24. Web site: Marsai Martin Producing New 'Queen' Comedy with Universal. December 20, 2019.
25. Web site: Watch The Pups Get Their Powers In This Preciousness-Packed 'Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie' Clip . bossip.com.
26. Web site: First Trailer Is Here For PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE Featuring Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Chris Rock, Serena Williams And Lil Rel Howery . www.wearemoviegeeks.com.
27. Web site: 'Fantasy Football': Omari Hardwick, Kelly Rowland & Rome Flynn Board Sports Comedy From Nickelodeon And Awesomeness Films. Deadline. April 19, 2022 .
28. Web site: 'Saturdays' Comedy Produced By 'Black-ish's Marsai Martin Gets Disney Channel Pilot Order. Denise. Petski. March 11, 2021.
29. Web site: Marsai Martin's 'Saturdays' Comedy Pilot Picked Up To Series By Disney Channel. Denise. Petski. November 30, 2021.
30. Web site: Foreman Jr. . Tom . May 18, 2024 . Rajah Caruth earning attention after first NASCAR Truck Series win . June 3, 2024 . JournalNow.com . Winston-Salem Journal.
31. Web site: Ahmed . Giulia Heyward,Saeed . 2020-11-30 . 'Black-ish' star Marsai Martin, who's 16, has set a record for the youngest Hollywood executive producer . 2025-02-15 . CNN . en.
32. Web site: The Black Reel Awards Announces Partnership With Idobi Network And Unveils New Awards Statuette . Valerie . Complex . . February 17, 2022 . February 28, 2022.
33. Web site: NAACP Image Awards: Lizzo Named Entertainer Of The Year; 'Just Mercy', 'Black-Ish', 'When They See Us' Among Top Honorees – Full Winners List. Dino-Ray. Ramos. February 23, 2020.