Jamila Velazquez got her start as an actress at a pretty young age, and as an alumnus of the prestigious Professional Performing Arts High School in Manhattan (via Vibe), she didn't break into the business by scoring commercials and bit parts. Her very first gig, at the age of only 15, was as the title character in the indie drama Come Home, Raquel, whose world is thrown into disarray when her immigrant parents are deported. The flick did not receive a wide release, but it did serve as a kind of calling card for Velazquez, who began picking up supporting roles on the small screen almost immediately after starring in it.
Until landing her role in John Henry, Velazquez appeared in only one other feature: 2018's How the Light Gets In, another indie flick that flew under the radar of nearly everyone. But the actress' appearances on the small screen were another story, as she quickly began popping up in the kinds of shows that draw millions of eyeballs every week.
