From her first audition in a music video to becoming a Daytime Emmy-winning lead, Mishael Morgan, who plays Amanda on The Young and the Restless, continues to shine as one of daytime TV’s most dynamic talents.
Key Takeaways
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Mishael Morgan was born in San Fernando, Trinidad, and moved to Toronto, Canada, at age five, laying the foundation for her multicultural perspective.
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She discovered her passion for acting at ten during a school production, later choosing performance over law school after a pivotal meeting with her agent, David Ritchie.
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Morgan’s first audition led to a role in Trey Songz’s Wonder Woman music video, and within ten months she landed her first series regular role on YTV’s Family Biz.
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She made daytime television history, winning the 2022 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress for her portrayal of Amanda Sinclair on The Young and the Restless, after prior Supporting Actress nominations in 2018 and 2019.
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Off-screen, Morgan is a devoted wife and mother, married to Navid Ali with two children, and credits her French Creole, Indian, Black, and Chinese-Venezuelan heritage for shaping her identity and purpose-driven approach to her career.
Y&R’s Amanda Sinclair
Amanda Sinclair arrived in Genoa City in 2019, portrayed by Mishael Morgan, as a high-powered attorney representing the Chancellor estate — immediately turning heads with her uncanny resemblance to the late Hilary Curtis. She has come and gone from Genoa City, with her most recent return being tied to Cane’s (Billy Flynn) return.
1. Where It All Began
Born on July 15 in San Fernando, Trinidad, Morgan moved with her family to Toronto, Canada, when she was just five years old.
2. From Pre-Law To Lawyer
The actress discovered her passion for performing at the age of ten in her school’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Though she initially set her sights on a career in law — earning a Political Science degree from York University and an acceptance to Ottawa University’s LLB (Bachelor of Laws) program — fate had other plans – although she would become a lawyer on Y&R. A chance meeting with her now-agent, David Ritchie, inspired her to take a leap of faith into acting, setting the stage for her rise to daytime television stardom.
3. Early Break
During her very first audition, Morgan booked a spot in Trey Songz’s “Wonder Woman” music video — a sign of big things to come. Within just ten months, she landed her first series regular role as Tracy Dupont-Roymont on YTV’s Family Biz.
4. Golden Girl
Morgan won the 2022 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role of Y&R’s Amanda Sinclair. She was the first Black woman to win in that category. In 2018 and 2019, she was nominated for the Outstanding Supporting Actress Daytime Emmy for her role of Y&R’s Hilary Curtis. But her true prize is her family. She married Navid Ali in May 2012, and together they share two children — son Niam, born August 9, 2015, and daughter Naliyah, born November 8, 2018.
5. Cultural Roots
Morgan proudly embraces her richly multicultural heritage, which she credits for shaping her identity both on and off-screen. With French Creole, Indian, Black, and Chinese-Venezuelan roots, Morgan says her diverse background has inspired a “purpose-driven” mindset that guides her career choices and fuels her dedication to storytelling in daytime television.
