Mika Abdalla
Mika Abdalla | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mikayla Sofia Abdalla May 13, 2000 Plano, Texas, U.S. |
| Education | University of California, Los Angeles (BA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | Project Mc², Off Campus |
Mikayla Sofia Abdalla (born 13 May 2000) is an American actress. She is best known for her starring roles in the Netflix series Project Mc² (2015–2017) and the Amazon Prime Video series Off Campus (2026–present). Her other notable films include the Hulu comedy Sex Appeal (2022) and Snack Shack (2024).
Early life and education
[edit]Mikayla Sofia Abdalla[1] was born in Plano, Texas, on 13 May 2000 and raised in Dallas.[2] A first-generation American, Abdalla is of Bulgarian, Lebanese, Greek, Italian, and German descent.[3]
From the age of five, Abdalla wanted to act and perform. In an interview with Rollacoster magazine, Abdalla described what made, "I loved the attention I got doing print work [modelling or still photo work] in Dallas, so I was like obsessed with continuing to be on set."[4] Abdalla attended Spring Creek Academy, which allowed her to complete schoolwork at odd hours and accommodated her acting schedule.[5] After graduating from high school a year early, she considered Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, and Southern Methodist University,[5] before ultimately deciding to attend University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy.[2]
Career
[edit]2008-2025: Early work and subsequent roles
[edit]Abdalla made her acting debut in 2008, performing as Jill on the television show Barney & Friends at the age of 8.[5] She made an appearance in the film An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky, where she played Dylan Patterson. She also appeared in films such as The Fandango Sisters (2012), Departure (2012), and Summer's Shadow (2014).
In 2015, Abdalla gained wider attention for her role as Mckeyla McAlister in the Netflix original series Project Mc². The show was aimed at promoting STEM education among young girls. During the filming of the show, Abdalla was in high school. She would spend 11 hours a day on set for five days a week and fit schoolwork around her scenes.[5] The series ran for six seasons before concluding in 2017, the year Abdalla graduated from high school.
After Project Mc² ended, Abdalla's acting career stalled. In her interview with Rollacoster magazine, she stated that, "when I was around 18, my career went through a lull that sucked so bad." Despite the break, she continued, "I feel like the yearning for expression made me realize how much I really want to do this forever."[4] During the break, she attended college at UCLA.
In 2022, Abdalla starred alongside Jake Short as Avery Hansen-White in the Hulu original film Sex Appeal, a teen comedy exploring themes of sexuality and self-discovery. Later that year, she played Tinya Wazzo in The Flash.[4][6]
Abdalla next performed in the coming-of-age film Snack Shack (2024), directed by Adam Carter Rehmeier. The film is set in Nebraska City in 1991 and follows two best friends navigating adolescence. Abdalla described her character as "the most similar" to herself that she has portrayed.[7][8]
2025-present: Breakthrough
[edit]In 2025, Abdalla had roles in The Pitt and Suits LA.
In 2026, Abdalla starred as Allie Hayes in Off Campus, an Amazon Prime Video series based on Elle Kennedy's novel series. The series reached 36 million viewers in its first 12 days of streaming, making it the third most-watched series launch in Prime Video's history.[9] Abdalla received critical praise for her performance. Amazon Prime Video renewed the series for a second season ahead of the series premiere and announced that the central couple of the second season is set to be Allie and her love interest Dean.[10][11]
Personal life
[edit]Growing up Abdalla participated in competitive ballroom dancing and equestrian activities.[4]
Abdalla has credited Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio as her primary influences on her acting. "She’s not afraid to speak her mind or share her opinion," she stated of Lawrence, while DiCaprio "puts so much into every role and researches a lot to prepare."[5]
Abdalla became engaged to actor Jake Short in 2025. The two met on the set of the Hulu comedy Sex Appeal.[2] In June 2026, a representative confirmed that the couple had ended their engagement.[12]
In mid-2026, it was confirmed by a representative that Abdalla has been in a relationship with co-star Josh Heuston. The two met on the set of Off Campus. [13] [14]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The Fandango Sisters | Lil' Jackie | ||
| 2012 | Tinsel | Young Sarah | ||
| Departure | Evelyn | Short film | ||
| A Woman's Worth | Sade Thomas | |||
| Hemera's Eclipse | Hemera | Short film | ||
| 2013 | An American Girl: Saige Paints the Sky | Dylan Patterson | Television film | |
| 2014 | Summer's Shadow | Vanessa | ||
| 2015 | Shattered Reflections | Young Kaitlin | Short film | |
| 2017 | The Violet | Oona | ||
| 2019 | Warpaint for the Teenage Soul | Layla | Short film | |
| 2022 | Sex Appeal | Avery Hansen-White | ||
| 2024 | Snack Shack | Brooke |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Barney & Friends | Jill | Episode: "A Game for Everyone: A Sports Adventure" | |
| 2010 | Fun to Grow On | Self | 3 episodes | |
| 2015–2017 | Project Mc² | McKeyla McAlister | Main role, 26 episodes | |
| 2020 | S.W.A.T. | Zoey | Episode: "Hopeless Sinners" | |
| 2022 | The Flash | Tinya Wazzo | 5 episodes | [6][4] |
| 2025 | The Pitt | Jenna | 4 episodes | |
| Suits LA | Sierra Carson | 2 episodes | ||
| 2026–present | Off Campus | Allie Hayes | Main role, 8 episodes |
Audio
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Rent Free | Nora | Main role |
Accolades
[edit]| Awards | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young Artist Award | 2016 | Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actress (14–21) | Project Mc² | Nominated |
| Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Web or VOD Series | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ↑ Darwish, Leila (June 2, 2026). "Wait, Did You Know These Off Campus Stars Have Arab Roots?". Cosmopolitan Middle East. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Legardye, Quinci (May 22, 2026). "Who Is Mika Abdalla? Meet the Actress Who Plays Allie in 'Off Campus'". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on May 22, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- ↑ Kandangwa, Sumnima (May 23, 2026). "Meet Mika Abdalla, who plays Allie Hayes in Off Campus – and wore a J. Lo-inspired dress". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on May 23, 2026. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 West, Ella. "Introducing Mika Abdalla: A Rising Star in Hollywood". Rollacoaster.tv. Archived from the original on 2025-05-28. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Smith, Colbea. "Mika Abdalla thinks she's weird". Local Profile. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 Shaunette, Morgan (December 12, 2021). "The Flash Is Bringing a Legion of Super-Heroes Mainstay to the Arrowverse". CBR. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
- ↑ Munck, Victoria (March 13, 2024). "Q&A: Unpacking the Nebraska nostalgia of 'Snack Shack' with Mika Abdalla, Conor Sherry". Daily Bruin. Archived from the original on July 17, 2025.
- ↑ Cox, Michael (April 24, 2024). "Star On The Rise Actress Mika Abdalla discusses latest project Snack Shack!". Archived from the original on May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
- ↑ Hailu, Selome (May 26, 2026). "'Off Campus' Is the Third Most-Watched Amazon Prime Video Series Debut of All Time". Variety.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (February 12, 2026). "'Off Campus' Renewed for Season 2 at Amazon, Season 1 to Premiere in May". Variety. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
- ↑ Fell, Nicole (May 28, 2026). "Mika Abdalla and Stephen Kalyn to Lead 'Off Campus' Season 2 as Dean and Allie's Romance Takes Center Ice". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
- ↑ Grebenyuk, Yana; Brown, Brody (June 1, 2026). "Off Campus Star Mika Abdalla and Fiance Jake Short Split, End Engagement". Us Weekly. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
- ↑ Grebenyuk, Yana; Brown, Brody (June 23, 2026). "Off Campus' Mika Abdalla Is Dating Costar Josh Heuston After Her Split From Jake Short". Us Weekly. Retrieved June 23, 2026.
- ↑ Mizrahi Finder, Moriel (June 30, 2026). "'Off Campus''s Josh Heuston And Mika Abdalla's Complete Relationship Timeline". ELLE. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
External links
[edit]- Mika Abdalla at IMDb
- Living people
- 2000 births
- American film actresses
- American people of Bulgarian descent
- American people of German descent
- American people of Greek descent
- American people of Italian descent
- American people of Lebanese descent
- American television actresses
- People from Plano, Texas
- UCLA College of Letters and Science alumni
- Actresses from Plano, Texas
- 21st-century American actresses
