Billie D. Merritt

Merritt was born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her career in film, dance and music spans over 20 years, though her professional acting career began at age ten working regionally in TV and Film. Known for roles that showcase and support the amplification of Native, Indigenous and Black narratives and voices, Merritt's work ranges from Sundance Film Festival favorites, popular award-winning independent features centered on African diaspora, to network TV where her previous roles acted as representation of indigenous communities. She is most recognized for her leading role on the sequel to pop gymnastics film on Netflix titled "Full Out 2: You Got This", as AJ Jackson - a 2x National Champion and member of the 2016 Oklahoma University gymnastics team. "The Glorias", directed by Julie Taymor, is another title in which Merritt has a notable role - performing a dramatic monologue and sharing a scene with Alicia Vikander in the 2020 Gloria Steinem biopic. Merritt played the romantic interest opposite Abraham Attah in the 2020 ABFF official selection "Tazmanian Devil". She acts as the supportive sorority sister. Her vocal and musical talents are showcased as the church choir singing, line-dancing, sensual "it girl". Merritt can be seen in FOX's "Deputy" as misguided teen "Tina". She co-starred on season 1 of AMC's "The Son" and season 3 of USA's "Queen of the South"- performing exclusively in the Comanche language in "The Son". Her hobbies and specialties lie in multi-style dance, music (playing the violin and singing), training in Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, fishing, hiking, figure-skating, studying languages and psychology, playing tennis, surfing and always being ready to learn, or experience a new adventure in life.