Acting
Jona Xiao
Jona Xiao, born on May 18, 1989, in Changsha, China, is an American actress who has made significant strides in the entertainment industry. Relocating to New York as a baby, her family ultimately settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where she discovered her passion for acting during her middle school years. Experiencing racial discrimination during her childhood, she was motivated to pursue a career in acting to challenge stereotypes and promote diversity on screen.
In addition to her acting career, Xiao established Career ACTivate, an organization dedicated to empowering aspiring actors to launch and advance their careers in the competitive entertainment landscape.
Xiao gained notable recognition for her role in "Spider-Man: Homecoming," a part she asserts was not specifically written for an Asian-American actress. Her casting was notably supported by Marisa Tomei, who portrayed Aunt May, although the character was ultimately cut from the final version of the film.
In 2021, she showcased her voice talent by portraying a younger version of Namaari in Disney’s animated feature, "Raya and the Last Dragon." Through her work, Jona Xiao continues to inspire future generations of actors while advocating for increased representation in film and television.
