Celestina Harris- Rising Actress in TV, Film, and Voice Acting
Celestina Harris is an American actress known for her diverse talents in television, film, and voice acting. Beginning her acting career at just four years old, she quickly transitioned from local theater productions to prominent roles in major series and films. Best recognized for her role as Charlie in Paramount+’s Lioness, Harris has captivated audiences with her energetic and relatable performances. In addition to her on-screen presence, she has excelled in voiceover work for Disney, Nickelodeon, and podcast series. With a passion for storytelling, Harris continues to build an impressive career while balancing her education and personal life.
Early Life and Background
Celestina Harris was born on May 14, 2013, and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Her father is half Jamaican and half Anglo-Indian, while her mother is Mexican-American. Harris currently attends a private school in her hometown. Harris currently attends a private school in her hometown. In August 2023, Harris celebrated starting 5th grade and shared her excitement about her upcoming school year. During this time, she captured memorable moments with her grandmother, who was visiting from Jamaica.
She has an older brother and an older sister. Harris credits her older sister, Deja Criston, who was involved in stage acting and later studied Theatre Education, as her first acting coach and primary inspiration for pursuing acting.
Her father works as a first responder, which often limits their time together due to his demanding shifts. In a 2024 interview with Starry Constellation Magazine, Harris mentioned that she typically sees her father for only 30 minutes before bedtime because of her school schedule and his long work hours. Her mother frequently accompanies her on acting-related travels, further contributing to her limited time with her father.
Harris’s family has a strong connection to military service. Her Purple Heart recipient great-grandfather, Sgt. Armando Gonzalez, along with her Grandpa/Senior Master Sgt. Frank Harris and Grandma Birdie Harris, are buried at Fort Sam National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. In 2024, Harris participated in Wreaths Across America, laying wreaths on their graves and honoring veterans.
Harris balances her acting career with her education through digital learning to stay on track academically. In addition to acting, she actively participates in soccer, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and dancing.
Career
Celestina Harris began acting at the age of 4, debuting as a singing flower in a local production of Alice in Wonderland. By age 7, she transitioned to commercial acting, and by age 8, she moved into television and film roles.
Harris began her acting career in local commercials and short films before transitioning to major television and film roles.
Television, Voice Acting, and Beyond
Celestina Harris is best known for her role as Charlie in the Paramount+ series Lioness. Her character was 8 years old in Season 1, filmed when Harris was 9 years old. In Season 2, Charlie is depicted as 10 years old, closely mirroring Harris’s own age of 11.
The character Charlie is known for being spunky, energetic, and sassy, traits that closely align with Harris’s own personality.
Harris has drawn from her own experiences as a child with an often-absent father to connect emotionally with her role. In particular, she identified with Charlie’s feelings about her mother’s military service and the limited time they spend together.
In 2023, Harris appeared in the holiday romance film Yuletide the Knot.
Harris also played the role of Lizzi in the series Dr. Death, where she portrayed the daughter of Mandy Moore’s character, Benita. Celestina connected with her character Lizzi through their shared love of fashion.
In addition to Lioness, Harris appeared in several voice acting roles for Disney and Nickelodeon. Notable voice roles include:
- Kira/Daisy Madison in Rainbow World and Rainbow High
- Myra in Young Jedi Adventures
- Caribbean Crab in Wonder Pets: In the City
- Uniqua in The Backyardigans: Castaways
To support her voice acting career, Harris transformed her closet into a dedicated audio booth. For larger-scale productions, she records in professional studios.
In addition to her animation roles, Harris played Bella in the short film Ice Cream Shop Girls and starred in the film I’ll Be There, which premiered at the SOHO International Film Festival in 2024.
During the filming of I’ll Be There, Harris developed a close bond with her on-screen siblings and reunited with them ahead of the film’s release, where they reminisced about their experiences and joyful moments from set.
Harris also contributed her voice to podcasts like Charm Words, The Adventures of Cairo, and African Folktales, all available on major podcast platforms.
In July 2023, Harris proudly announced her membership in SAG-AFTRA, sharing her excitement about receiving her first card and being part of the union during a historic period.
On-Screen Experience and Dynamics
On the set of Lioness, Harris worked closely with Dave Annabelle and Zoe Saldaña. Annabelle has been described as a caring “girl dad,” while Saldaña was frequently lighthearted and humorous, often cracking jokes on set to lighten the mood during serious scenes.
Her relationship with her co-stars evolved from “getting to know each other” in Season 1 to becoming “besties” in Season 2. Both Annabelle and Saldaña have been credited for creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment on set.
In her role on Lioness, Harris portrays Charlie, whose relationship with her sister Kate grows stronger throughout the series. This fictional bond mirrors Harris’s evolving relationship with her own siblings.
The series blends drama, action, and romance, with unpredictable twists that keep viewers engaged. Significant plot twists frequently occur throughout the series, adding to its suspense.
While filming Dr. Death, Celestina spent over two months in New York City, forming close bonds with the cast and crew. During the holiday season, her set family decorated her room for Christmas, ensuring she felt at home during her time away.
Influences and Aspirations
Harris expressed admiration for actors Morgan Freeman and Nicole Kidman, describing them as “legends of acting.” While she has yet to film scenes with either actor, she has expressed a desire to collaborate with them in future projects.
As a proud Texan, Harris has shown interest in appearing in Taylor Sheridan’s western-themed productions, particularly in a cowgirl role.
Public Appearances and Advocacy
In 2024, Harris was invited as a celebrity guest speaker at the DoSeum in San Antonio, where she addressed an audience of children and caregivers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and develop self-confidence.
She was also featured in a video tribute for the Wreaths Across America 2024 event, where she paid tribute to her late family members who served in the military. She has expressed admiration for the dedication of first responders, noting her deep respect for her father’s commitment to his demanding profession.
Harris attended the premiere of Peacock’s “Dr. Death” Season 2 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, California, on December 14, 2023. For the occasion, she wore a shimmering pastel-colored dress with purple and blue hues. Later that evening, she joined co-stars including Jennifer Morrison and Édgar Ramírez at the after-party, celebrating the show’s release.
In October 2024, Harris appeared at the Los Angeles premiere of Paramount+’s “Special Ops: Lioness” Season 2 at the Linwood Dunn Theatre. She was photographed wearing a stylish layered blue dress with a white collar, alongside co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Hannah Lanier, and David Annable, showcasing her presence in prominent industry events.
| References: |
| https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/dr-death-cast-celestina-harris-18561335.php https://showstopper.vip/celestina-harris-makes-doing-it-all-sound-easy/ https://youtu.be/5LatJiVevAs |