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Her startling work in “Beasts of the Southern Wild” made the entire wonder, “How old is Quvenzhané Wallis?”

Prepare to be astonished even more: Quvenzhané Wallis is just 9 years old!

MUST READ: MUST READ: The Onion Apologizes To Quvenzhane Wallis Via Facebook [PHOTO]

The child actress was born August 28, 2003 in Houma, Louisiana. The first part of her name comes from a mixture of her parents’, teacher Qulyndreia and truck driver Venjie Wallis, Sr. The second part, “zhané,” means “fairy” in Swahili.

Quvenzhané Wallis had to lie about her age to land the role of Hushpuppy in “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” She was only 5-years-old, and the minimum requirement was 6. Still, she beat out thousands of other little girls to win the starring role; director Benh Zeitlin even rewrote the part to her strengths, like her screaming and burping on cue. Her performance led to an Academy Award nomination, and she became youngest person ever to receive a nomination in the Best Actress category.

Must Read: Four Little Girls: Gabby Douglas, Coco Jones, Willow Smith and Quevenzhane Wallis Fulfill The Dream

“It’s exciting, this is special,” she told USA Today of the historical moment. “I’m going to celebrate with pizza, chicken and waffles and good stuff.”

Wallis next stars in the movie “Twelve Years a Slave,” opposite Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender. Quvenzhané Wallis might just be 9-years-old, but she’s already a Hollywood heavy hitter!

MUST READ: The Onion Uses Derogatory Term To Refer To Oscar Nominee Quvenzhane Wallis

Red Carpet Rundown: 6th Annual ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Luncheon
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For 2024’s iteration of MadameNoire and HelloBeautiful’s annual series Women to Know, we knew we wanted to celebrate the people who help make the joys of film and television possible. To create art is to create magic. This year, we spotlight Hollywood Executive’s changing the face of cinema.