Persia White Parents: Bahamian Father & Irish-American Mother – Husband & Kids
Persia White is a name that many fans of TV shows like Girlfriends and The Vampire Diaries would recognize. She is a talented actress, singer, and musician who has been in the entertainment industry for over two decades.
But did you know that she is also a proud advocate for animal rights and environmental causes? Or that she has a rich and diverse cultural heritage that spans the Bahamas, Ireland, and America? In this article, we will explore the fascinating life and career of Persia White, from her early years in the Caribbean to her current projects and family.
A Bahamian Childhood and a Miami Breakthrough
Persia was born on October 25, 1972, in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. She is one of four children of an Irish-American mother and a Bahamian father. Her mother was a teacher and a civil rights activist, while her father was a businessman and a musician.
Persia spent her early years in the Bahamas, enjoying the tropical climate and the vibrant culture. She was exposed to music and art from a young age, as her father played the guitar and her mother encouraged her creativity.
However, when Persia was three years old, her father suffered a severe car accident that left him paralyzed. The family decided to move to Miami, Florida, to seek better medical care and opportunities. Persia’s mother raised her and her siblings as a single parent, working hard to provide for them.
Persia faced many challenges and hardships in her new environment, such as racism, poverty, and violence. She also struggled with her identity, as she felt different from both her Bahamian and her Irish-American peers.
Despite the difficulties, Persia found solace and joy in the arts. She joined the Miami Coconut Grove Children’s Theater, where she learned dance, singing, painting, and acting. She discovered her passion for performing and decided to pursue it as a career. After graduating from high school, she signed with the Ford Agency and obtained her Screen Actors Guild card. She then moved to Los Angeles to chase her dreams.
A Versatile Career in TV, Film, and Music
White’s first big break came in 1997, when she landed a regular role on the Canadian teen comedy-drama series Breaker High. She played Denise Williams, a smart and sassy student who traveled the world on a high school cruise ship. She co-starred with Ryan Gosling, who later became a Hollywood star. The show was popular among young audiences and ran for one season.
After Breaker High, Persia appeared in various TV shows and movies, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, NYPD Blue, Angel, Brooklyn South, The Steve Harvey Show, and Sister Sister. She also starred in several independent films, such as Red Letters, opposite Peter Coyote, and Blood Dolls, a cult horror flick. She showed her versatility and range as an actress, taking on different genres and characters.
However, Persia’s most notable role came in 2000, when she joined the cast of Girlfriends, a sitcom that followed the lives and relationships of four African-American women in Los Angeles. Persia played Lynn Searcy, a biracial, bohemian, and free-spirited woman who was adopted by a white family and had a complicated love life.
Persia’s character resonated with many viewers, especially those who identified with her multicultural background and her search for identity. Persia also became close friends with her co-stars, Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, and Jill Marie Jones. The show was a critical and commercial success, earning several awards and nominations. It ran for eight seasons, making it one of the longest-running black sitcoms in history.
In 2019, Persia reunited with her Girlfriends co-stars in an episode of Black-ish, a comedy series starring Tracee Ellis Ross. The episode was a tribute to Girlfriends, as the four actresses played old friends of Tracee’s character, Rainbow Johnson. The episode was a nostalgic and fun-filled celebration of the iconic sitcom and its legacy.
Persia White Family
| Name | Relation | Occupation | Ethnicity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persia White | Self | Actress, singer, musician, activist | Bahamian-Irish-American |
| Saul Williams | First husband | Rapper, poet, actor | African-American |
| Mecca White | Daughter | Actress, model | African-American |
| Joseph Morgan | Second husband | Actor | British |
| Mother | Mother | Teacher, civil rights activist | Irish-American |
| Father | Father | Businessman, musician | Bahamian |
A Passionate Advocate for Animal Rights and Environmental Causes
Persia is not only a talented entertainer, but also a dedicated activist for animal rights and environmental causes. She is a vegan, a vegetarian who does not consume any animal products, such as meat, eggs, dairy, honey, leather, fur, or wool. She adopted this lifestyle after witnessing the cruelty and suffering of animals in the food and fashion industries. She also learned about the health and environmental benefits of veganism, such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and conserving water and land resources.
Persia has been honored by PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, as a Humanitarian of the Year in 2005. She has also appeared in several campaigns and ads for the organization, promoting veganism and animal welfare. She has posed nude for PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign, and has also spoken out against animal testing, circuses, and zoos.
Persia is also a board member of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit organization that protects marine wildlife and habitats from illegal fishing, whaling, and pollution. She has participated in several missions and events for the group, such as the Operation Zero Tolerance campaign, which aimed to stop the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic. She has also hosted and attended fundraisers, screenings, and galas for the cause.
In addition, Persia co-produced the award-winning documentary Earthlings, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix. The film exposes the horrific and widespread abuse of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, and research. The film has been described as “the Vegan maker”, as it has inspired many viewers to adopt a vegan lifestyle and become more compassionate towards animals.
A Blended Family with a British Actor
Persia White has been married twice in her life. Her first marriage was to Saul Williams, an American rapper, poet, and actor. The couple met in 2003, when they worked together on the film Slam. They got married in 2008, but divorced a year later. They have a daughter, Mecca White, born in 1995, who is also an actress and a model.
Persia’s second marriage was to Joseph Morgan, a British actor best known for his role as Klaus Mikaelson in The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals. The couple met in 2011, when Persia joined the cast of The Vampire Diaries as Joseph’s character’s love interest. They started dating in 2012, and got engaged in 2014. They tied the knot in July 2014, in a private ceremony in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They have not welcomed any children together, but they share a love for animals and have several pets, including dogs and cats.
Persia and Joseph have a happy and supportive relationship, and often express their affection and admiration for each other on social media. They also collaborate on various projects, such as a short film called Revelation, which they co-wrote and co-directed in 2016. The film is a psychological thriller that explores the themes of identity, memory, and trauma.
A Bright Future Ahead
Persia White is a remarkable woman who has achieved success and recognition in various fields of entertainment, while also making a positive impact on the world through her activism and advocacy. She is a role model and an inspiration for many people, especially those who share her multicultural background and her passion for the arts and the environment.
She continues to work on new and exciting projects, such as a sci-fi film called The Unhealer, which is set to be released in 2020. She also maintains a strong bond with her family, friends, and fans, who support her in her endeavors. Persia White is a Bahamian-Irish-American star with a bright future ahead.
