Kat Graham

Early life

Katerina Alexandre Hartford Graham was born on September 5, 1989, in Geneva, Switzerland, and raised in Los Angeles, California, United States. Her father, Joseph, is of Americo-Liberian descent, and her mother, Natasha, was Jewish (from a family from Poland and Russia). Graham's father was a music executive and the godfather of two of producer Quincy Jones' children. Her paternal grandfather was a UN Ambassador, serving for 40 years in the Netherlands, Sweden, Romania, and Kenya. Graham disclosed in an interview that her father left the music industry to work as a journalist under his father for the UN. Her maternal and paternal grandparents were refugees from the Holocaust and Liberia, respectively, and she credits them as an inspiration for her work as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR.

Her parents divorced when she was 5 years old. During a 2025 episode of the podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer, Graham revealed she and her father were estranged. She has one half-brother, Yakov, born in Tel Aviv, Israel. Graham was raised in her mother's Jewish religion and attended a Hebrew school.

Career

Commercials and dancing

Graham began her career in the entertainment industry at age 6. Within the following eight years, she appeared in numerous television commercials, including advertisements for Barbie, Edison, K-Mart, and Pop-Tarts. At age 15, Graham caught the eye of choreographer Fatima Robinson, and was asked to perform at the BET Awards as a background dancer for hip-hop rapper Bow Wow. Graham followed her BET Awards appearance with work as a background dancer for Missy Elliott, Pharrell Williams, Jamie Foxx, and choreographers Hi-Hat and Michael Rooney. At age 17, Graham participated in a national marketing campaign to advertise Coca-Cola's soda brand Fanta. Graham appeared in the marketing campaign as a member of the "Fantanas", known as Capri, also known as Strawberry. Graham has appeared in several music videos, including Ying Yang Twins' "Salt Shaker", Akon's "Lonely", Christina Milian's "Dip It Low", Justin Bieber and Usher's "Somebody to Love (Remix)", 112's "What If", John Legend's "Used to Love U", B2K's "Why I Love You", Musiq Soulchild's "B.U.D.D.Y.", Nelly's "Just A Dream" and Diddy – Dirty Money with Usher's "Looking for Love".

Television and film

In 1998, Graham made her film debut in the remake of The Parent Trap alongside Lindsay Lohan. Graham plays the role of Jackie, a Camp Walden camper. In 2002, Graham made her television debut on the Disney Channel teen comedy series Lizzie McGuire. Graham went on to appear on various television series, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The O.C., Malcolm in the Middle, Joan of Arcadia, Grounded For Life, and Greek. In 2008, she appeared in the musical comedy series Hannah Montana playing the role of a girlfriend to Jason Earles's character Jackson Stewart as a guest appearance for three episodes. Graham has also had well-known supporting roles in films such as 17 Again and The Roommate.

In December 2008, Graham began filming sci-fi/dance film Boogie Town in Los Angeles. However, shooting the film was put on hold that same month due to payroll issues with background performers. In April 2009, principal photography was stopped due to schedule conflicts with some of her co-stars and other projects. The film is a retelling of the tragedy Romeo and Juliet and is set in a futuristic New York City where dance battles are permanently banned. Graham plays the role of Ingrid. The film was set to be released in theaters worldwide October 2011; however, it was set to be originally released in June 2009.

In March 2009, Graham was cast in The CW supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries based on the book series of the same name. Graham plays the role of Bonnie Bennett, a young witch, which is considered her breakout role. The series premiered on September 10, 2009, to 4.91 million viewers and received mixed reviews for its progression from critics. In May 2012, the series was renewed for the show's fourth season. She took over as the female lead in 2015 after the Canadian actress Nina Dobrev departed for the seventh season. In 2011, Graham won "Choice TV Female Scene Stealer" at the Teen Choice Awards for her role on the show.

In August 2010, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Graham was cast in the Universal Pictures dance drama film Honey 2. The film is a sequel to the 2003 film Honey. The film follows a troubled girl and aspiring dancer who joins a dance crew. The film was released theatrically in selected countries for a limited release and went on to make over worldwide. In June 2011, the film was released direct-to-DVD in North America to negative reviews from critics though Graham's performance and dancing was praised. Later that year, Graham starred in the dance-oriented comedy film, Dance Fu, in which she appeared as the female lead.

In 2017, she played actress Jada Pinkett Smith in the Tupac biopic All Eyez on Me.

Graham starred in the Netflix romantic comedy films The Holiday Calendar (2018), Operation Christmas Drop (2020), and Love in the Villa (2022). She has also appeared in the 2018 apocalyptic thriller How It Ends. Graham is set to play singer and actress Diana Ross in the Michael Jackson biopic Michael.

In 2022, Graham competed in season eight of The Masked Singer as "Robo-Girl". After besting Mario Cantone as "Maize" and Gloria Gaynor as "Mermaid" on "Andrew Lloyd Webber Night", she was eliminated on "Muppet Night" alongside Jerry Springer as "Beetle".

Music

In 2002, she wrote a song titled "Derailed", which was featured in the Jean-Claude Van Damme film of the same title. In 2006, Graham pursued a career as a musical artist. Graham found her break in 2007 when she was featured on "The Donque Song" and "I Got It From My Mama" on singer/rapper will.i.am's third studio album Songs About Girls. The move saw Graham embark on a world tour with The Black Eyed Peas as a supporting act for the Black Blue & You Tour. In April 2010, the song "My Boyfriends Back" released on YouTube and got over 1 million views. In October 2010, Graham released her debut single "Sassy". A music video for the song premiered that same month, but the track performed poorly and it failed to chart. She then went on to release covers of artists such as Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul which garnered Graham the attention of Paula who praised her cover. Graham contributed a cover of the Garbage song "Only Happy When It Rains" to The Vampire Diaries soundtrack. The song premiered in December 2010 in an episode of the series titled "The Sacrifice". In March 2011, Graham released another single titled "I Want It All". The music video released in May 2011.

In February 2012, Graham signed a recording contract with A&M/Octone Records, her first major label signing. In March 2012, Graham released "Put Your Graffiti On Me". The song itself received positive reviews from critics. In the same month, the music video premiered and as of October 19, 2012, had reached 4,843,458 views on YouTube. The song peaked at #5 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs chart. On May 29, Graham performed the track on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. This was marked as her first televised musical performance ever. On that same day Graham released her first EP Against The Wall which debuted at #54 on the iTunes Music Album Chart. The music video for her second single "Wanna Say" was directed by Benny Boom and produced by London Alley. She also appeared on the song "Dog Day Afternoon" from the Ras Kass & Doc Hollywood free collaborative digital album Spit No Evil. On June 25, 2013, Graham gave the opportunity to five fans to release the name of her new single on Twitter, and released the single premiere of "Power" at Billboard.com the next day. As stated on Billboard.com, Graham also released a new single titled "1991" on March 10, 2015.

On September 25, 2015, Graham released her first studio album Roxbury Drive. Her second studio album was Love Music Funk Magic, released on June 2, 2017. Throughout 2018, Graham released The Dance Collective, a series of short dance videos for old songs, including some unrealized songs, on her YouTube channel.

Graham released her debut as Toro Gato, a new identity embracing her West African culture and ancestry, the EP Toro Gato on September 10, 2021, as a part of her NFT collection. A music video of her first single, "Swim," from the album was uploaded onto a separate YouTube channel under the same name as her EP a month prior. She released Toro Gato Pt. II on January 28, 2022; only a day following the upload of the music video for "White Flag," her second single from the project. The full album Toro Gato: Part II (Deluxe Edition) was released the same day in 3 versions, and includes unreleased songs and short films, as well as vinyls, cassettes, and exclusive merchandise. Both albums are exclusively available on the YellowHeart NFT platform for a limited time as a part of the Toro Gato collection. This project is the first time ever that audio and video content is exclusive to view and experience only on an owned NFT.

On June 3, 2022, she released her fourth album titled Long Hot Summer, and announced her first solo world tour in partnership with GLAAD. On September 13, 2023, Graham announced the TIME World Tour 2023/2024, where she intends to perform songs from her entire career.

Other ventures

On August 31, 2011, Graham released her debut book, a collection of Neruda styled poems, The Blue Sky Chronicles.

In collaboration with Frank Elaridi and Bryant Wood, Kat Graham founded the wellness company Modern Nirvana in 2019. On October 18, 2022, in collaboration with Jennifer Sodini, Frank Elardi, Bryant Wood, and Illustrator Natalee Miller, Graham released The Modern Nirvana Oracle Deck: Awaken Your Intuition and Deepen Your Awareness -50 Cards & Guidebook.

She hosted with Deepak Chopra The Consciousness Collective Podcast from 2019 to 2020.

On June 7, 2023, Graham announced the release of her upcoming self-help book titled Seasons of You. It was released on November 14 the same year.

Artistry

Graham cites Destiny's Child, The Beatles, Janet Jackson, M.I.A., Gwen Stefani, Spice Girls, Madonna, Grace Jones, and Prince as musical influences. She describes her sound as "vintage '90s with a modern twist."

Personal life

Due to her multilingual upbringing, Graham speaks English, French, and Spanish, as well as some Hebrew and Portuguese.

Graham began dating actor Cottrell Guidry in 2008; they became engaged in October 2012. By December 2014, they had ended their relationship. From 2017 to 2023, Graham was in a relationship with producer and director Darren Genet, whom she was engaged to from 2022 until their breakup. In October 2023, it was announced that Graham had married her business partner, Bryant Wood, in Los Angeles. In December 2025, Graham announced that the couple are expecting their first child together.

Graham has been a vegan since 2012, having previously been vegetarian.

Since 2017, Graham has resided in Atlanta, Georgia, having previously lived in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.

In a 2023 interview with Kelly Clarkson, Graham disclosed that her mother had recently died from an unnamed illness.

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

Music videos

As lead artist

As featured artist

Tour

• The Fantanas (2004–2006)
• The Black Eyed Peas Black Blue & You Tour (2007)
• The Vampire Diaries Tour – Q&A With The Cast (2010)
• 2012 National Promo Tour (2012)
• Long Hot Summer World Tour (2022)
• The TIME Tour (2023–2024)

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. (August 31, 2021). "Kat Graham Explains the Meaning Behind Her New Identity "Toro Gato"".
2. (August 31, 2021). "Kat Graham Explains the Meaning Behind Her New Identity "Toro Gato"". Eonline.com.
3. (July 11, 2014). "Katpedia". Kat Graham.
4. Lupo, Marc. (November 28, 2017). "Kat Graham Talks Holiday Traditions and Gifting Ideas". [[Us Weekly]].
5. Hou, Kathleen. (May 6, 2016). "Kat Graham on Beauty and Changing the World". New York Magazine's The Cut.
6. Kelly, Lauren. (October 7, 2015). "Kat Graham gives powerful speech aimed at empowering millennial girls (VIDEO)". SheKnows.com.
7. (October 13, 2009). "Katerina Graham from the CW's The Vampire Diaries talks about her family. | Girl2Watch – Girls in Movies, TV Shows, Online Shows, Photo Galleries, Twitter Info, Actress Info and More". Girl2Watch.com.
8. (October 6, 2020). "Kat Graham - Uplifting Black Women & Destigmatizing Refugees {{!}} The Daily Social Distancing Show".
9. (January 21, 2021). "Kat Graham's Refugee Grandparents Inspired Her to Work with UN Drew-Gooders".
10. Vorndran, Michael. (August 25, 2011). "Kat Graham – The Fenuxe Interview". [[FENUXE]].
11. (August 12, 2025). "Being a Black Actor in White Spaces with Kat Graham".
12. "Top 20 Under 40 Los Angeles – Kat Graham – Page1". Shalom Life.
13. Blaine, Zuckerman. (November 10, 2011). "Kat Graham Yes, I Celebrate Hanukkah". [[People (magazine).
14. (February 22, 1999). "Meet Katerina Graham | Celebrity Gossip". AnythingHollywood.com.
15. Strauss, Erica. (January 13, 2011). "Watch TVD's Kat Graham in The Roommate". [[Wetpaint]].
16. Nordyke, Kimberly. (August 7, 2011). "Teen Choice Awards 2011 Winners Revealed".
17. McNary, Dave. (January 12, 2016). "Kat Graham Joins Tupac Movie, Portraying Jada Pinkett Smith (EXCLUSIVE)". [[Variety (magazine).
18. (November 2018). "'The Holiday Calendar' Star Kat Graham Doesn't Like Rom-Coms Or Christmas Movies — Here's Why She Took A Chance On This One".
19. Deckelmeier, Joe. (December 4, 2020). "Kat Graham Interview: Operation Christmas Drop".
20. Kroll, Justin. (September 20, 2021). "Tom Hopper And Kat Graham To Star in Netflix's ''Love In The Villa''".
21. "How It Ends".
22. Schneider, Michael. (October 26, 2022). "'The Masked Singer' Reveals Identities of Robo Girl and the Beetle: Here's Who They Are".
23. (September 18, 2009). "Katerina Graham". Filmbug.com.
24. Fine, Audrey. (November 17, 2008). "Katerina Graham Interview – Hannah Montana's Allison – 17 Again – Black Eyed Peas Tour". [[Seventeen (American magazine).
25. Stack, Tim. (October 11, 2010). "Exclusive: Watch 'The Vampire Diaries' star Kat Graham's new music video".
26. (October 11, 2010). "'Vampire Diaries': Kat Graham's 'Sassy'! – ARTISTdirect News". ArtistDirect.com.
27. Mapes, Jillian. (September 14, 2009). "'Vampire Diaries' Kat Graham Debuts "Cold Hearted" Video".
28. (November 8, 2010). "'Vampire Diaries' Star Katerina Graham Recalls Best Moment of Her 'Humble Career'.". PopEater.com.
29. Ilana. (December 3, 2010). "The Vampire Diaries – Kat Graham's "Only Happy When It Rains" Cover from The Vampire Diaries Season 2, Episode 10: "The Sacrifice" – Video". [[Wetpaint]].
30. (June 28, 2012). "Put Your Graffiti on Me – Kat Graham".
31. Davies, Rebecca. (February 2, 2012). "'Vampire Diaries' Kat Graham announces single after record deal". [[Digital Spy]].
32. Lipshutz, Jason. (June 26, 2013). "Kat Graham, 'Power': Exclusive Single Premiere".
33. Lipshutz, Jason. (March 10, 2015). "Kat Graham '1991' Song Premiere: Stream the Throwback Track".
34. "The Dance Collective: Time = $".
35. (August 31, 2021). "Toro Gato: Everything to Know About 'Vampire Diaries' Star Kat Graham's New Reinvented Identity".
36. (September 2, 2021). "Vampire Diaries Star Kat Graham Changes Identity To Toro Gato To Reclaim Her African Self".
37. (August 24, 2021). "Toro Gato Releases First Single 'Swim' Off Upcoming EP Toro Gato".
38. "Toro Gato (Kat Graham) Releases Debut Album — Solely Via NFTs".
39. "TORO GATO (KAT GRAHAM) RELEASES TORO GATO: PART II ALBUM EXCLUSIVELY AS AN NFT THROUGH YELLOWHEART".
40. "Toro Gato (Kat Graham) Releases Debut Album — Solely Via NFTs".
41. "The TIME World Tour Announcement".
42. (October 18, 2022). "The Modern Nirvana Oracle Deck".
43. (July 19, 2019). "The Consciousness Collective".
44. "It's coming!!!".
45. "Seasons of You".
46. (July 7, 2023). "Seasons of You Book Announcement".
47. (October 26, 2009). "Cast of The Vampire Diaries' Playlists by Various Artists – Download Cast of The Vampire Diaries' Playlists on iTunes". [[iTunes]].
48. (July 12, 2010). "Interview: Kat Graham — "I want to be a people's artist" @ARTISTdirect". ArtistDirect.com.
49. (September 27, 2010). "Kat Graham Knocks Us Out with Her Boxer Body". TotalBeauty.com.
50. (August 28, 2009). "Interview with Katerina Graham". Reel Artsy.
51. Webber, Stephanie. (December 12, 2014). "Kat Graham and Fiance Cottrell Guidry Split, The Vampire Diaries Star Calls Off Engagement". [[Us Weekly]].
52. "Kat Graham Is Engaged! Actress Is 'Madly in Love' with Fiancé Darren Genet".
53. Darren and Kat breakup="https://twitter.com/KatGraham/status/1679174341613998081"
54. "Kat Graham Marries Best Friend Bryant Wood in Surprise LA Wedding (Exclusive)".
55. "Kat Graham Is Pregnant! The Vampire Diaries Star Announces She’s Expecting First Child with Husband Bryant Wood".
56. (August 31, 2012). "my last day as a vegetarian... going vegan (for real this time..?) between that and my prius, I'm pretty much a jedi.".
57. Leitereg, Neal J.. (June 15, 2017). "Actress-singer Kat Graham bids adieu to laidback home in Hollywood Hills". [[The Los Angeles Times]].
58. (December 11, 2017). ""Vampire Diaries" Star Kat Graham Shares Her Holiday Style Tips".
59. King, Akili. (August 12, 2020). "Kat Graham Opens Up About Her Natural Hair Journey During Quarantine".
60. (November 3, 2023). "Kat Graham's New Book Helps People Become Their Best Selves".
61. Katey, Rich. (March 4, 2015). "Kat Graham Stars in Noir-Inspired Short Film Muse: Watch the Exclusive Conclusion". [[Vanity Fair (magazine).
62. Kat, Graham. (June 24, 2025). "“The Move” Short Film Announcement". Katgraham.com.
63. Snierson, Dan. (November 2, 2017). "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cast features Ben Schwartz and Kat Graham".
64. [https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/roxbury-drive/id1039547239 Album. Roxbury Drive] iTunes {{dead link. (November 2023)
65. (January 28, 2022). "TORO GATO (KAT GRAHAM) RELEASES TORO GATO: PART II ALBUM EXCLUSIVELY AS AN NFT THROUGH YELLOWHEART". YellowHeart.
66. (June 3, 2022). "Long Hot Summer".
67. (January 28, 2022). "Toro Gato (Kat Graham) Releases Debut Album — Solely Via NFTs".
68. [https://www.katgraham.com/single-post/the-broken-hearts-club-ep The Broken Hearts Club EP]
69. "Kat Graham [Shelved] by Kat Graham".
70. (July 18, 2017). "Dance Songs: Top Dance Music Chart".
71. (August 17, 2017). "UK Pop Club Chart". KatGraham.com.
72. (January 15, 2018). "If Eye Could Get UR Attention UK Single". KatGraham.com.
73. (March 13, 2018). "If Eye Could Get UR Attention Jumps to #2". KatGraham.com.
74. (August 20, 2021). "TORO GATO RELEASES FIRST SINGLE 'SWIM' OFF UPCOMING EP TORO GATO". KatGraham.com.
75. (December 10, 2022). "Music Charts Recap". KatGraham.com.
76. "Katerina Graham – Boom Kat". Filmaka.com.
77. {{YouTube. kCMrI0DYL8E. "Boyfriend's Back" Kat Graham
78. (May 11, 2011). "Kat Graham - I Want It All (Official Music Video)".
79. (October 14, 2010). "Kat Graham - Sassy (Official Music Video)".
80. (February 18, 2012). "Cold Hearted Snake by Kat Graham (Director's Cut)".
81. {{YouTube. wAPsSv7DPDo. Kat Graham - Love Will Never Do Without An Escapade
82. {{YouTube. AC9bCsoCQnk. Kat Graham - Heartkiller (Lyric Video)
83. (March 27, 2012). "Kat Graham – Put Your Graffiti On Me".
84. (January 19, 2013). "Kat Graham – Wanna Say".
85. {{YouTube. C4ahjTmkFBw. Kat Graham "Power" (Official Lyric Video)
86. (October 11, 2013). "'Vampire Diaries' Star Kat Graham Premieres New Video for 'Power'". [[Yahoo! Music]].
87. (May 14, 2015). "1991 - Kat Graham". [[Vevo]].
88. (June 29, 2015). "1991 (Cities At Night Remix) - Kat Graham". [[Vevo]].
89. (September 21, 2015). "Secrets - Kat Graham". [[Vevo]].
90. (February 17, 2016). "STAR F*CKER Remix Video". KatGraham.com.
91. (November 25, 2016). "ALL YOUR LOVE on MTV". DarrenGenet.com.
92. (March 30, 2017). "Kat Graham - Sometimes". [[Vevo]].
93. {{YouTube. F6mpLsj0ops. Kat Graham - Magic
94. "Kat Graham - The Dance Collective - "Time = $"".
95. {{YouTube. 2MJOltwwc0o. Kat Graham - The Dance Collective - "Baby"
96. {{YouTube. E-7x--IvE48. Kat Graham - The Dance Collective - "Off"
97. {{YouTube. fhXsGAG1qhM. Kat Graham - The Dance Collective - "Just Luv Me"
98. {{YouTube. 7xEK8ge9Lts. Kat Graham - The Dance Collective - "Glory"
99. {{YouTube. eakkdf517Q0. Kat Graham - The Dance Collective - "Dia De Los Muertos"
100. "Toro Gato - SWIM (Official Music Video)".
101. "Toro Gato - White Flag".
102. "Kat Graham - The Broken Hearts Club (Official Music Video)".
103. "Revenge Official Music Video @katgraham".
104. "Sunset Edit Music Videos". Sunset Edit.
105. Bundy, Brill. "'Somebody to Love': Justin Bieber, Usher kick it with 'Vampire Diaires' Katerina Graham". Zap2it.
106. (September 21, 2010). "Nelly – Just A Dream".
107. (June 26, 2014). "Black and Jewish (Black and Yellow Parody)". [[Funny or Die]].
108. Johnson, Zach. (June 26, 2014). "Demi Lovato's 'Really Don't Care' Music Video Features a Surprise Cameo From Wilmer Valderrama!". [[E!]].
109. "Black Women in Film Honors". KatGraham.com.
110. (October 5, 2019). "WIFF AWARDS". KatGraham.com.
111. (December 13, 2020). "Atlanta's Jermaine Dupri, Kat Graham Honored at PETA's 40th Anniversary Event". Peta.org.
112. (July 4, 2024). "Kat Graham Honored With Taurus Award". Katgraham.com.
113. "Katerina Graham". The CW.
114. (March 26, 2009). "Pilot News: "Boone" Is a Vampire, Trachtenberg Has Mercy Date". TV Guide.
115. (March 26, 2009). "Ian Somerhalder Sinks His Teeth Into Vampire Diaries Lead". The TV Remote.
116. French, Dan. (March 26, 2009). "'Lost' star for 'Vampire Diaries' role?". Digital Spy.
117. "Katerina Graham Biography". TV Guide.
118. (October 15, 2009). "Katerina Graham: A Back Stage Exclusive". Backstage.com.
119. "Katerina Graham Starring in CW Series, 'The Vampire Diaries'". Musicians Institute.
120. (November 3, 2010). "The Vampire Diaries – Katerina Graham Stars in Nelly's Music Video, "Just a Dream" – Photo". Wetpaint.
121. Shelton, Karen. (October 28, 2009). "Katerina Graham's Hair as Bonnie in Vampire Diaries: Relaxed Curls". HairBoutique.com.