Taylor Russell McKenzie (born July 18, 1994) is a Canadian actress, model and filmmaker.[1] After playing a number of minor roles, Russell received recognition for starring in theNetflix science fiction seriesLost in Space (2018–2021). She rose to prominence with her roles in the drama filmWaves (2019), and the horror filmEscape Room (2019) and its 2021 sequelEscape Room: Tournament of Champions. For starring in theroad movieBones and All (2022), she won theMarcello Mastroianni Award. She performed onstage in the playThe Effect from 2023 to 2024. Russell co-directed the 2020 short documentary filmThe Heart Still Hums, withSavanah Leaf, which was the base for a movie adaptation by Leaf titledEarth Mama (2023).
Taylor Russell McKenzie was born on July 18, 1994, in the small community ofDeep Cove, North Vancouver,[2] located nearVancouver, British Columbia. Russell was raised in Vancouver,Toronto, andMontreal.[3][4] She has an older brother and a younger brother.[2] Russell, who was born to awhite mother and ablack father, an actor ofJamaican[2] descent, grew up mostly with her mother's side of the family. Her father's parents were in theWindrush generation and moved from Jamaica to England. Her father lived in England until he was seven and then moved to Montreal.[5] As a child she would visit her grandparents in Montreal, Quebec. She is from a large family on her father's side. She recalled that growing up she felt unaccepted by her peers due to the color of her skin.[6] Her parents faced financial struggles, leading the family to rely on welfare,[7] and they were frequently compelled to relocate, uprooting their lives a total of sixteen times to accommodate her father's professional pursuits. Russell also began working at the age of 13.[8]
As a child, Russell was artistically inclined. She wanted to pursue a career inballet, and later as apainter.[9] At twelve, Russell learned to play the bass guitar.[5] At eighteen, Russell took her first acting class, which led her to become interested in pursuing acting. She used her work savings to buy a car, and would drive toLos Angeles to audition. When money ran out, she would return home to work until she had enough earnings to audition again.[4] Some of the jobs that Russell worked were at restaurants, a jewelry store, and a butcher's shop.[10] This routine went on for four years until she landed her first major TV role.[4] While living in Vancouver, she took a $15-an-hour job fulfilling orders at anAmazon warehouse.[11] The day before her first shift, she was in a traffic accident and received an $8,000 insurance settlement for her back injury, which she used to move to Los Angeles.[11]
In 2018, Russell earned recognition for her starring role as Judy Robinson in thescience fiction seriesLost in Space, aNetflix remake of theoriginal 1965 series, for which she received critical praise and a nomination for theSaturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Presentation.[18][19]Essence magazine stated that she "impresses in her role as a genius medic and doctor, who is compassionate and caring even in the face of danger."[20] The series concluded in December 2021, after three seasons.[21] On her ability to represent Black women in a science fiction series, Russell stated, "I know there are not a lot of women of color who are in the sci-fi genre and I feel really lucky that they chose me to hold that position on our show ... It holds a really big place in my heart."[6]
In 2019, Russell had her film breakthrough with the leading role of Zoey Davis in the psychological horror filmEscape Room, which was a major commercial success,[22] surpassing initial expectations and grossing $155.7 million.[23][24] Also in 2019, Russell garnered critical acclaim for her starring role in the drama filmWaves, which was released byA24 on November 15, 2019.[25]IndieWire website dubbed her performance a "revelation",[26] going on to write that "WhileWaves is filled with excellent performances from its stacked cast, it's Russell that makes off with its most spectacular turn."[26] TheLos Angeles Times called her and her co-starKelvin Harrison Jr. "two of the fastest-rising stars of their generation."[27] For her performance in the film, Russell received theGotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer and the Virtuoso Award at theSanta Barbara International Film Festival, among several others.[28][29]
The Heart Still Hums is ashortdocumentary film directed by Russell andSavanah Leaf. It was released on June 17, 2020, bySearchlight Pictures. The film follows five woman who are victim to drug addiction, homelessness and neglect as they fight for their children. In 2021, it was adapted into a feature film adaptation titledEarth Mama that had Leaf act as writer and director.
Russell made her modeling debut opening the SS23Loewe show in 2022.[48] Creative director of the Spanish luxury brandJonathan Anderson chose Russell after meeting her through mutual friendLuca Guadagnino.[49] In November 2022, she was named a Loewe Global Ambassador.[50] Russell has modeled in campaigns for Loewe,[51]Chanel,[52]BYRDIE,[53] andPrada.[54] Russell was on the cover ofVogue for the first time in the March 2024 issue ofVogue Italia byPaolo Roversi.[55] Russell made herMet Gala debut in 2024 as part of theSleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion exhibition. Speaking toVogue, Russell was labelled a muse for Jonathan Anderson.[56]
Russell currently lives between New York and London.[57][58] She is a fan ofPatti Smith and has a small lightning bolt tattooed on her inner wrist, emulating the one Smith has on her knee.[4] She called Smith "one of her heroes" and has read Smith's memoirJust Kids around 10 times.[59] Russell is trained in ballet and dances for 15 minutes every morning after waking up.[60] Her favorite book isBy Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept byElizabeth Smart.[61] From June 2023 to May 2024, Russell dated English singerHarry Styles.[62][63][64]
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