Alexandra Shipp really became a household name when she stepped into the spotlight as the iconic R&B singer Aaliyah in the Lifetime TV movie Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B back in 2014. Born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1991, Alexandra Shipp had always been drawn to storytelling, and that passion led her to youth theater at just 10 years old. By the time she was 17, Alexandra Shipp had already landed her first major on-screen role in Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel (2009), which gave her the confidence to move to Los Angeles and fully commit to an acting career.
Though she made small appearances on shows like Switched at Birth (ABC Family, 2014–17), it was joining the cast of Nickelodeon’s House of Anubis for its third season (2011–13) that truly marked Alexandra Shipp’s first big break. That role helped set the stage for even greater opportunities. In fact, right after House of Anubis wrapped up, Alexandra Shipp snagged the lead in Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B—a role she felt uniquely prepared for, thanks to growing up in a musical household with her father, jazz percussionist James Shipp. That same year, she also starred in the VH1 TV movie Drumline: A New Beat (2014), further showcasing her range.
The momentum continued into 2015 when Alexandra Shipp took on the role of Kim, the wife of rapper Ice Cube, in the critically acclaimed biopic Straight Outta Compton. Her performance caught attention, and soon after, she entered the world of major franchises by auditioning for the X-Men series. After several rounds of auditions for the character Storm—the powerful mutant with weather-controlling abilities—Alexandra Shipp found out she’d landed the role through a now-famous tweet from director Bryan Singer. She made her superhero debut in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), bringing a fresh energy to the beloved character.
In 2018, Alexandra Shipp delivered a memorable performance in the heartfelt teen drama Love, Simon, further proving her versatility. She then returned as Storm in the next installment of the franchise, Dark Phoenix (2019). That same year, Alexandra Shipp appeared in two more films: playing a supporting role alongside Samuel L. Jackson in the action-packed Shaft reboot, and starring opposite Adam Devine in the comedy Jexi. With each role, Alexandra Shipp continues to build an impressive and diverse filmography, solidifying her place in Hollywood.
When it comes to Alexandra Shipp’s filmography, fans and critics alike often point to Love, Simon (2018) as her standout performance—definitely her highest rated movie to date. It’s no surprise that Alexandra Shipp really shined in that role, bringing depth and authenticity that resonated with audiences. On the other hand, looking back at earlier in her career, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009) stands out—but not in a good way—as her lowest rated film. While it was a commercial project with broad appeal, it didn’t showcase Alexandra Shipp’s full potential. Still, every actor has those moments, and Alexandra Shipp has clearly grown since then. Overall, Alexandra Shipp continues to build an impressive body of work, with Love, Simon remaining a highlight for many.