Afrobeats star Ayra Starr is making bold new strides—this time not with a microphone, but in front of the camera. The 22-year-old Nigerian singer has officially made her acting debut in the much-anticipated film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone, joining a heavyweight cast that includes Idris Elba, Viola Davis, and Cynthia Erivo.

Based on Tomi Adeyemi’s internationally acclaimed novel inspired by Yoruba mythology, the fantasy epic is poised to redefine African storytelling on a global stage. With comparisons already being made to Harry Potter and The Hunger Games, the film follows Zélie Adebola, a courageous young girl on a quest to bring magic back to her people in the face of a brutal monarchy.

In a recent chat with CBS Mornings, Ayra Starr opened up about taking on a new creative challenge beyond music. “I’ve always been shy when it comes to acting,” she shared, “but this is the first time in my life I’ve been on camera and not singing.” Despite her nerves, she called the experience “so inspiring,” learning not just from Hollywood legends, but also from younger cast members on set. “Even the 14- and 16-year-olds on set—I learned from everyone.”

Starr described working alongside Oscar-winning talents as “a masterclass in stamina, grace, and storytelling.” The transition from studio to set was anything but casual. “It wasn’t just fun—it was transformational,” she said.

Still, her rising star in the film world hasn’t slowed her musical momentum. Ayra was recently nominated for a Grammy in the new Best African Music Performance category—part of Afrobeats’ growing recognition on the world stage. “Afrobeats has been alive and vibrating in Africa for a long time,” she said. “The world is just catching the wave now.”

Adding to her banner year, the singer is set to join British rock giants Coldplay on their upcoming summer tour—an international co-sign that places her firmly among Nigeria’s new wave of global cultural ambassadors.

With Children of Blood and Bone set to premiere soon, Ayra Starr’s crossover moment could be the beginning of a broader movement: one where African voices not only sing—but lead, act, and inspire.