Nikeva Marie Stapleton

Hailing from Chicago, by way of New York, Nikeva resides in Los Angeles as an actor, dancer, and model. She began her training as a dancer while growing up in the Chi, and went on to attend The Alvin Ailey School/Fordham University BFA Program in NYC.

Since graduating, Nikeva's professional pursuit in dance has led her across stages, like the Metropolitan Opera to Jubilee! in Vegas, and on TV performances from the Today Show to America's Got Talent. Nikeva has been a part of iconic music videos, like David Bowie’s final project “Blackstar," and Beyoncé’s single "Spirit" in the film, Black is King. Performing live with artists such as Jennifer Lopez and Chris Brown have been major thrills, while the most memorable remains the "Formation" Super Bowl 50 halftime performance with Beyoncé.

Nikeva recently took her talents to LA to focus on her acting career. She currently plays "Evelyn" on BET's drama American Soul, is an ensemble member of Hulu’s sketch comedy Sherman’s Showcase, and studies at The Identity School of Drama. Nikeva has appeared in Spike Lee’s feature films Chiraq, BlacKKKlansman, and the Netflix series She's Gotta Have It, as well as Marlon Wayans' film Naked and NBC's sitcom Marlon.

Aside from performing arts, Nikeva is a fitness, fashion, and commercial model signed Wilhelmina. She has worked for such companies as Balenciaga, Nike, Adidas, Fila, MAC, and more.

Nikeva is passionate about her Caribbean roots; she is a citizen of Nevis and her family spreads throughout the West Indies. She shares her love for the performing arts through educational outreach as a teaching artist for Art Saves Lives Foundation in St. Maarten.

"I had to trust life, since I was young enough to believe that life loved the person who dared to live it." - Maya Angelou