DeWanda Wise!

Welcome to the Piece of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we have a really cool dive into a “Jurassic” sized talent, actress DeWanda Wise!

Dewanda Wise has been quietly carving out her space in Hollywood for years, but it was her role as Kayla Watts in “Jurassic World: Dominion” that truly catapulted her into blockbuster territory. As the fearless pilot who joins Owen and Claire on their dino-saving mission, Wise brought a fresh energy to the franchise and quickly became a fan favorite. Her character was confident, capable, and layered; a rare mix that Wise pulled off with ease. With her strong screen presence and commanding performance, she proved she could hold her own alongside dinosaurs and global stars like Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.

Before flying into the “Jurassic” universe, Wise was already turning heads in the indie world. She earned critical acclaim for her lead role in Spike Lee’s Netflix adaptation of “She’s Gotta Have It”, where she played Nola Darling; an artist navigating love and identity in Brooklyn. Her performance was vibrant, witty, and real, establishing her as a talent to watch. What many fans don’t know is that she’s also a trained stage actor with a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, which gives her performances a grounded, theatrical edge even in high-stakes action films.

Fun fact: Wise actually joined “Jurassic World: Dominion” after previously exiting a Marvel project (“Captain Marvel” due to scheduling conflicts). It turned out to be a lucky break; she not only got to help close out one of the biggest trilogies in modern film but also became one of the few Black women to play a major action hero in the “Jurassic” franchise’s 30-year history.

Wise has been vocal about choosing roles that matter and pushing for diversity in the stories Hollywood tells. Offscreen, she’s just as fearless as Kayla; whether she’s producing, writing, or advocating for change. With “Jurassic World” under her belt and several new projects in the pipeline, Dewanda Wise is not just flying the plane; she’s charting her own course through Hollywood, and we’re all lucky to be along for the ride.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

DeWanda Wise: It’s great to have something to look forward to, but don’t wait for your life to begin. This is your life. Happening. Now. So, live it.

Thank you for reading today’s article! We will see you next week with another awesome one!

-Giancarlo