Amanda Weise, also known as Kendra Westwood, is a multifaceted actress, producer, and artist who has made a name for herself in the film, television, and stage industries. Born in Toronto, Ontario, to Caribbean parents, Weise is of half Jamaican and half Grenadian descent, and was raised between Jamaica and Canada.
Weise's early start in the arts began with painting, which she started doing at a very young age. She received formal acting training at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York, where she honed her craft and developed her skills.
As a producer, Weise wrote, produced, and starred in the short film Coco Blue, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and screened across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Korea, earning several festival awards, including best actress and best musical score.
Weise's artistic journey began in her childhood, where she started creating art under the guidance of her first artistic mentor. At the age of 7, she was already making art and selling pieces to tourists who visited her parents' shop. She would also perform at school and community functions, showcasing her talents in singing, dancing, and reciting poetry.
Growing up in Negril, Jamaica, Weise was bitten by the acting bug after watching Tina Turner's biopic "What's Love Got To Do With It" starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne. She was also drawn to musical films like "Grease" and action flicks like "Action Jackson".
After graduating from high school with a performing arts award and an arts scholarship, Weise was encouraged by her drama teachers to pursue acting seriously. She went on to study Theatre at Humber College in Toronto, followed by her enrollment at Lee Strasberg NYC, where she worked on her first Off-Broadway show 'To Be A Black Man in America' at Ujaama Black Theatre and performed in 'Cabaret' the musical at Marilyn Monroe Theatre.
Weise's professional career has seen her work in various productions, including NBC's Debris, The CW Network's iZombie, Lifetime Television Movie Gone Mom, and Netflix Series The Baby-Sitters Club. She has also written, produced, and starred in the short film Coco Blue, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and screened across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Korea.
When not acting, Weise engages in other creative pursuits, such as painting, sculpting, writing, and making music. She has published the book 'Liberation Is Now' in 2023 under the pen name Kendra Westwood.
Weise has also earned a Certificate from Harvard Business School in Design Thinking and Innovation, which has led her to start her own company, Inspo Minds. She has been born again and has found inspiration for her contemporary work in her faith in Jesus Christ and her passion for creation and well-being.
Today, Weise is based in British Columbia, where she runs her art studio and continues to pursue her creative endeavors.
