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Keiynan Lonsdale

Keiynan Lonsdale
Lonsdale at CLEO Bachelors in 2012
Born (1991-12-19) 19 December 1991 (age 33)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Occupations
  • Actor
  • dancer
  • singer-songwriter
Years active2007–present
Musical career
Genres

Keiynan Lonsdale (/ˈkiːnən/ KEE-nən;[3] born 19 December 1991) is an Australian actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter. He is known for roles such as Oliver Lloyd in the ABC series Dance Academy (2012–2013), Wally West/Kid Flash in the CW series The Flash (2015–2023) and Legends of Tomorrow (2017–2018), and Abraham "Bram" Greenfeld in the film Love, Simon (2018). His other films include The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015) and The Finest Hours (2016). Lonsdale has also worked as an MTV VJ and released original music recordings, including a studio album in 2020.

Early life

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Lonsdale was born in Sydney, New South Wales, on 19 December 1991. He is the son of a Nigerian father of Edo descent and an Australian-born mother of Irish and Danish descent[4][5] and he has eleven siblings.[6][7]

Career

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Lonsdale's first acting job was at age 16, with a dancing part in the film Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance (2007). The following year, he appeared in an episode of the Australian medical drama series All Saints. He was also a recurring cast member on the Australian teen drama series Dance Academy's second season (2012) in the role of Oliver Lloyd, being added-on as a regular character for the show's third, and final, season.

Lonsdale was then a VJ on MTV Australia and New Zealand for just under three years.[8] He recorded and released a single on iTunes, "One and Only", in 2014. He then played a supporting role as Uriah Pedrad in The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015), the second film in the series,[9] later briefly reprising the role in The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016). In 2016, his single "Higher" was included on Connor Franta's curated album Common Culture, volume 5.[10] He then appeared in the historical drama The Finest Hours (2016) as Eldon Hanon, the youngest sailor involved in a rescue-at-sea in 1952.

In 2015, Lonsdale auditioned for the role of Jefferson Jackson for The CW's Arrow, although the role was given to Franz Drameh.[11] Instead, he was cast as Wally West (the previously unknown son of Joe West) on CW's The Flash and became a regular supporting character on season two, and as Kid Flash on season three.[12] In 2017, the character left The Flash and debuted on season three of Legends of Tomorrow.[13] That year, Lonsdale also appeared in an episode of Supergirl.[14]

In 2018, Lonsdale played Bram in the film Love, Simon, based on Becky Albertalli's novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, about a teenage boy who struggles to come out. Lonsdale later said the role helped him come to terms with his own sexuality.[15] Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics,[16] and was dubbed historically significant, as it was the first film ever released by a major studio to focus on a gay teenage romance.[17][18]

In 2019, Lonsdale starred in Camila Cabello's music video for "Liar".[19] He has also released several singles, including "Higher" (2015), "Good Life" (2017), "Kiss the Boy" (2018), and "Preach" (2018), as well as "Rainbow Dragon" (2019).[20] Lonsdale released "Lonely Point of View" in 2023.

Personal life

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In 2017, Lonsdale came out on Instagram saying "I like girls, & I like guys",[21] not self-identifying with a specific term or sexuality label. He later came out as gay in a 2022 interview with BuzzFeed.[22][23]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details
Rainbow Boy
Heart Defence Mixtape
  • Released: 8 December 2023
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Extended plays

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Title EP details
Higher Vol. 1
  • Released: 6 October 2015[25]
  • Format: Digital download
3rd Eye
(with Intyce and Invadea)
  • Released: 19 December 2021
  • Label: InvadeAvision
  • Format: Digital download, streaming

Singles

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List of singles, showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"One and Only"[26] 2014 Non-album single
"Higher"[27] 2015 Higher Vol. 1
"Good Life"[27] 2017 Non-album singles
"Kiss the Boy"[28] 2018
"Preach"[29]
"Rainbow Dragon"[30] 2019 Rainbow Boy
"Gay Street Fighter"[31] 2020
"See You There"
(with Castelle)[32] 		Non-album single
"Rhythm & Music"[33] 2021 Rainbow Boy
"Gods of the Disco" 2021 Non-album singles
"Better"
(with Gimme Gimme) 		2022
"Lonely Point of View"
"Lessons" 2023 Heart Defence Mixtape
"Come Papi"

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Razzle Dazzle: A Journey into Dance Miss Elizabeth's Dance Troupe
2015 The Divergent Series: Insurgent Uriah Pedrad
2016 The Finest Hours Eldon Hanon
The Divergent Series: Allegiant Uriah Pedrad
2017 Dance Academy: The Movie Oliver Lloyd
Like. Share. Follow. Garrett
2018 Love, Simon Bram Greenfeld
2020 Work It Julliard Pembroke [34]
2022 My Fake Boyfriend Drew
TBA Weetzie Bat Duck
War Machine TBA Filming
Television
Year Title Role Network Notes
2008 All Saints Corey Seven Network Episode: "Sons and Lovers"
2012–2013 Dance Academy Oliver Lloyd ABC1 Recurring role (season 2); main role (season 3)
2015–2018, 2020, 2023 The Flash Wally West / Kid Flash The CW Main role (seasons 2–4), special guest star (season 5–6, 9)
2017–2018 Legends of Tomorrow Main role (season 3);[35][13] special guest star (2 episodes)
2017 Supergirl Episode: "Crisis on Earth-X, Part 1"
2018 RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars 4 Self VH1 Guest Judge; episode: "Snatch Game of Love"[36]
2020 Love, Victor Bram Greenfeld Hulu Guest star[37]
Equal Bayard Rustin HBO Max Docuseries
2021 Eden Cam Stan Main role[38]
2023 RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under Self Stan / TVNZ+ Guest Judge; Episode: "Snatch Game"[39]
2024 Swift Street Tom SBS TV series: 8 episodes

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Kiss (shared with Nick Robinson) Love, Simon Won [40]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Ship (shared with Nick Robinson) Nominated [41]
2021 GLAAD Media Awards Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist Rainbow Boy Nominated [42]

References

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  1. ^ "Keiynan Lonsdale's 'Kiss The Boy' is the sweet, queer love song we deserve". ProjectTV. 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 29 September 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  2. ^ "True Urban Culture Magazine, Under The Radar: Keiynan Lonsdale". tucmag.net. 9 April 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Dylan Sprouse, Kieynan Lonsdale, And The Cast Of "My Fake Boyfriend" Play Never Have I Ever". BuzzFeed Video. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Chatting with Keiynan Lonsdale, actor. I'm Uriah in INSURGENT. AMA! : IAmA". Reddit.com. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  5. ^ Anderson, Tre'vell (20 March 2018). "'Love, Simon's' Keiynan Lonsdale on playing Kid Flash and LGBTQ representation in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  6. ^ "Keiynan Lonsdale on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  7. ^ "The Family Dynamic of Keiynan Lonsdale". Television Academy. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. ^ "From MTV VJ to Insurgent star in nine months". NewsComAu. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  9. ^ "Divergent Sequel Insurgent Casts Keiynan Lonsdale As Uriah". 20 June 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  10. ^ "Instagram". Instagram. 29 April 2016. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  11. ^ Garofalo, Alex (7 December 2015). "'The Flash' Star Keiynan Lonsdale Previews Wally West Debut, Sibling Rivalry With Barry, And Reveals He Auditioned For Firestorm". International Business Times. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  12. ^ Goldman, Eric (5 August 2015). "The Flash: Wally West Cast for Season 2". IGN.com. Retrieved 5 August 2015.
  13. ^ a b "Keiynan Lonsdale Leaves The Flash for Legends of Tomorrow". TV Guide. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Keiynan Lonsdale On 'Love, Simon' and the Joy of Leaving the Closet". 13 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  15. ^ "'Love, Simon' Star Keiynan Lonsdale Talks Coming Out on Set". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Love, Simon (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  17. ^ "'Love, Simon': Your first look at 2018's major studio gay teen romance". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  18. ^ Lang, Brent (9 March 2018). "'Love, Simon' Stars Say Gay Teen Romance Will Save Lives". Variety. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  19. ^ Calvario, Liz (11 September 2019). "Camila Cabello Drops Theatrical 'Liar' Music Video – Watch". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  20. ^ Keiynan Lonsdale – Rainbow Dragon (Official Music Video), 26 August 2019, retrieved 6 October 2019
  21. ^ @keiynanlonsdale (13 May 2017). "I like to change my hair, I like to take risks with how I dress, I like girls, & I like guys (yes), I like growing, I like learning, I like who I am and I really like who I'm becoming". Retrieved 3 December 2023 – via Instagram.
  22. ^ "Keiynan Lonsdale Performs Hits from Rainbow Boy on Billboard Live at-Home". Billboard. 11 October 2020.
  23. ^ Keiynan Lonsdale Answers Juicy Dating Questions, 6 June 2022, retrieved 15 June 2022
  24. ^ Julia (15 May 2020). "Keiynan Lonsdale Releasing Debut Album May 29". Nerds and Beyond. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  25. ^ Garofalo, Alex (28 September 2015). "'The Flash' Star Keiynan Lonsdale on His Music Career: Record Labels Said 'I Was Too Black For Pop And Not Black Enough For This'". International Business Times. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  26. ^ Longhetti, Chloe-Lee (15 May 2014). "Keiynan Lonsdale headed for the US in hope to sign record label". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  27. ^ a b Ellenbogen, Rachael (31 August 2017). "'The Flash' Star Keiynan Lonsdale Drops New Single 'Good Life'". International Business Times. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  28. ^ Riddell, Rose (29 May 2018). "Interview: Keiynan Lonsdale on his single, 'Kiss The Boy'". Coup de Main. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  29. ^ Moore, Matt (30 June 2018). "Keiynan Lonsdale releases music video for his latest single Preach". Gay Times. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  30. ^ Radic, Randy (18 September 2019). "Keiynan Lonsdale Releases Fearless New Single "Rainbow Dragon"". Pop Dust. Archived from the original on 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  31. ^ Duffy, Nick (14 April 2020). "Love, Simon star Keiynan Lonsdale declares himself the 'Gay Street Fighter' in defiant and proud new single". Pink News. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  32. ^ "See You There (single)". Apple Music. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  33. ^ "SINGLES TO RADIO ISSUE 1356". themusicnetwork.com. 27 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  34. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (2 July 2019). "Jordan Fisher, Drew Ray Tanner, Michelle Buteau Join Sabrina Carpenter in Netflix Dance Comedy 'Work It'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  35. ^ Dino-Ray Ramos (5 June 2018). "Keiynan Lonsdale Not Returning as Series Regular on The Flash or Legends of Tomorrow". Deadline Hollywood.
  36. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars" Snatch Game of Love (TV Episode 2018) – IMDb, retrieved 17 August 2019
  37. ^ Love, Simon TV Show Spinoff Trailer Confirms Another Movie Actor Returns, 26 May 2020, retrieved 27 May 2020
  38. ^ Eden (2021) Cast & Crew Production Details, retrieved 5 November 2021
  39. ^ 'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under' Trailer: Keiynan Lonsdale Returns To Guest Judge, Deva Mahal Also To Appear, 20 July 2023, retrieved 25 August 2023
  40. ^ Schulman, Alissa (18 June 2018). "2018 MTV Movie & TV Award Winners". MTV News. Archived from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
  41. ^ Evans, Greg (22 June 2018). "Teen Choice Awards: 'Black Panther', 'Solo', 'Riverdale' Lead Nominations – List". Deadline. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  42. ^ "The Nominees for the 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". 28 January 2021.
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