Jaclyn Betham

Jaclyn Michelle Betham (born July 4, 1986) is an American actress and ballet dancer. She is best known for her role as Amanda Cryer on the television series The Haves and the Have Nots.

Early life Betham is of Samoan descent and was born on July 4, 1986, in Long Beach, California. She was a gymnast until the age of 12 when she started taking dance classes. At fifteen years old, she received a full scholarship to the Houston Ballet and trained with American Ballet Theatre. At eighteen years old, she won a gold medal at the Dance Grand Prix Italia for contemporary and classical ballet. Betham has performed with Ballet San Jose, Anaheim Ballet, Opera San Jose, and the San Francisco Opera.

Career Her first acting role was playing a kidnapped girl on America's Most Wanted. She starred in the popular 2012 short Quiet, a film based on the true story of a lesbian couple caught in a medical nightmare. In 2013, Betham's first major acting role came when she was cast as Amanda Cryer in the Tyler Perry television series The Haves and the Have Nots. In 2020, she made her debut as a writer and producer on the film Getaway.

Personal life Betham has worked as a ballet teacher and pilates instructor. She is the founder of a nonprofit organization called Betham Ballet Theatre.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2011 J.A.W. Hot Volleyball Girl Short film 2012 Quiet Sam Short film 2015 Touched Maria 2016 Ulterior Motives: Reality TV Massacre Darcy Burns 2020 Bring Me a Dream Avery Quinn 2020 Getaway Tamara 2021 Stars Fell on Alabama Charlotte Lott

Television Year Title Role Notes 2010 America's Most Wanted Shannah Episode: "America's Most Wanted's 1,000th Episode Special Edition" 2012 The LXD: The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers Principal Ballerina Episode: "Super Ballet" 2013 90210 Beach Girl Episode: "Life's a Beach" 2013-2014 The Haves and the Have Nots Amanda Cryer Main role 2018 NCIS: New Orleans Brooklyn Episode: "Mind Games" 2018 Dear White People Theadora Episode: "Volume 2: Chapter X" 2019 Grand Hotel Drea Episode: "The Big Sickout" 2019 Dolly Parton's Heartstrings Bijou Honeycutt Episode: "Two Doors Down"