Joaquina Kalukango is an American actor and singer best known for playing Nelly O'Brien in the Broadway musical Paradise Square, for which she won the 2022 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Play in 2020 for portraying Kaneisha in Slave Play. In addition to her theatre work, Kalukango has appeared in One Night in Miami..., When They See Us and Lawmen: Bass Reeves.
Kalukango is a 2007 YoungArts alumnus. She graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Juilliard School. Kalukango is of Angolan descent, and her parents arrived in the United States as political refugees. Due to her heritage, Kalukango wants to work on roles that showcase the Black experience.
Known For
Cynthia Erivo & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Celebration
Self
2023
Steal Away
Sarah Sheppard
Robin Roberts Presents: I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story
Gloria Gaynor
2025
Lawmen: Bass Reeves
Esme · (6 episodes)
2023
Sherri
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2022
Bring Me to Light
Herself
2021
Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia
Mildred Falls
2021
One Night in Miami...
Betty X
2020
Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens
Nonkosi
2020
Lovecraft Country
Hanna · (1 episode)
2020
Chained for Life
Michelle
2019
When They See Us
Adelle · (1 episode)
2019