Zakiya Young

Zakiya Young is an American actress. She is best known for playing Corey Bryant in the drama series Pretty Little Liars and for being the first black women to play Supermans love interest Lois Lane.

Early life Young grew up in Downingtown, Pennsylvania to singer Sidney Young and Barnia Young. She was influenced to become a performer at a young age by her older sister Jamilia who was a talented singer. Young sang in her church choir while attending Downingtown High School. She was a cheerleader in a band and took part in high school productions including West Side Story and Evita. She attended the University of Pittsburgh originally trying to become a doctor but changed her mind and ended up graduating with a BA in communications.

Career In 2010 Young made history when she became the first black woman ever to play Lois Lane in It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman at the Dallas Theater Center. She played Sally in the Broadway musical The Lightning Thief at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. She made a one off appearance as Layla in the comedy drama series Orange Is the New Black. Her biggest on screen role of her career so far came playing Corey Bryant in the drama series Pretty Little Liars. She was in the same classroom as Sara Shepard, the writer of the Pretty Little Liars book series.

Personal life Outside of acting she has gained a large following on her YouTube podcast series called Suburban Black Girl where she discusses various topics such as politics, social justice, current events, dating and religion. From this she created her own show which she performed at the Ojai Playwrights Conference New Works Festival and the La Jolla Playhouse DNA New Works Festival.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2014 This American Life: One Night Only at BAM Other Nurse 2017 Disney Royals Ursula 2017 The Vanishing of Sidney Hall Reporter 2 2017 Room Enough Jackie Short 2019 Cooking Show Sound Girl 2021 Authenticity: The Musical Denise 2026 Will Farah Stanton Short

Television Year Title Role Notes 2012 Made in Jersey Kennedy Episode; Wingman 2010-2014 Submissions Only Erica Houston 12 episodes 2015 Orange Is the New Black Layla Episode; Trust No Bitch 2016 Mozart in the Jungle Administrative Assistant Episode; You're the Best or You F'ing Suck 2017 Iron Fist Nurse Smith 2 episodes 2022 Little Demon Kooky Mom, Nun 2 episodes 2024 Diarra from Detroit Rolexxx Episode; Fishbones 2022-2024 Pretty Little Liars Corey Bryant 10 episodes