What’s it like being a young actor in Hollywood? Talent? Determination? A pinch of magic? For Alisha Weir, it seems to be all of the above. It is worth mentioning that at just 14, she was the Dublin-born kid who won our hearts and the show business quite soundly.
Today, let’s explore this talented young actress’s journey from stage musicals in Ireland to the movie screen as one of her best-known actresses.
From Dublin Stages to the Big Screen
It all began in the historic theatres of Dublin, where a nine-year-old Alisha Weir enchanted audiences with classics like Annie, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver! It was not only an exploration of new artistic boundaries for a child but a first step towards a career written in the stars. Her child performances met with rave reviews that commended her capabilities as an actor.
Alisha’s big break as an adult came with Don’t Leave Home (2018), a haunting horror mystery that marked her feature film debut. Her role may have been supportive primarily, but it was still an indication of things to come: a landscape full of sophistication and, most importantly, dynamic purpose. This was her first stepping stone in Hollywood.
The Role That Changed Everything
In 2022, Alisha Weir took center stage as Matilda in Matilda the Musical, and what a show it was! It was not an ordinary show; rather, it was a film adaptation of a successful stage musical based on the work of Roald Dahl. In the film, she acted alongside Hollywood icons such as Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch. She portrayed Matilda Wormwood as an endearing child who is intelligent, witty, fearless, and a little rebellious.
Alisha received accolades for her performance. Alisha won the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle Breakthrough Artist award for her portrayal—a nod to her incredible talent at such a young age. Due to favorable reviews, the film performed well at the box office, earning 35 million USD, and her name was etched among the fresh faces of Hollywood.
A Rising Star in Animation
You may also recognize Alisha’s voice from the animated hit Two by Two: Overboard! (2020). She appeared in her first voice-over role in this Ireland-Luxembourg co-production, which earned close to $11 million worldwide. Alisha’s ability to engage an audience is something she has shown, even in animation.
Big Roles Keep Coming
Alisha is expanding her career, allowing her to take on other diverse and exciting roles. In 2023, she appeared as Jessie Buckley’s daughter in the comic murder mystery Wicked Little Letters. This ability to charm the audience whilst being in a film featuring Olivia Colman magnifies Alisha’s stature in the industry, which has many other prominent figures.
Fast forward to 2024, and Alisha is taking her career in an entirely new direction with Abigail, a U.S. horror film already turning heads. In this instance, Alisha will be performing a character worth remembering, one who is graceful and frightening simultaneously. Dan Stevens, Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, and Giancarlo Esposito appear in supporting roles, expanding her repertoire and establishing her as a player in this field.
Featuring On Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List
Making waves in Hollywood is one thing, but landing a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe Entertainment list? That’s a whole new level of recognition. At just 14 years old, Alisha is the second-youngest person to be included in this category (right behind Millie Bobby Brown). Forbes marketably put it: “This young lady ‘stood her ground among the cinema royalty’,” and we are in total agreement.
What is this young dynamo going to do next with so much success already? Alisha’s current projects include Abigail, co-written by Irish screenwriter Stephen Shields, but that’s just the beginning. Her career trajectory hints at even bigger things to come, and we can’t wait to see how she evolves as an artist.
It is a remarkable achievement for Alisha, nicknamed ‘the little supergirl’, who hails from Knocklyon in Dublin and has made it big internationally. She shows that the sky is the limit as long as you have the big three: talent, hard work, and courage.
So, which Alisha Weir performance is your most preferred? Or are you eagerly waiting for her next big role?