Alexandra Shipp Opens Up About Depression & Anxiety

Playing the role of the same character Academy Award winner Halle Berry portrayed, Alexandra Shipp returns as Storm in the latest epic of the fantasy franchise, X-Men: The Dark Phoenix. This issue, the young actress talks to Azza Arif about reprising her role as the iconic Marvel character, as well as her on-going battle with the storm of depression brewing within

- Azza Arif

Cheery, bubbly and unbelievably down-to-earth, ALEXANDRA SHIPP came across like a ball of sunshine, as she greeted me at the studio. She represents the rising group of independent, hard-working and talented young women who are making waves in Hollywood at this very moment. The fun-spirited actress, who stars in the action-packed epic movie X-Men: The Dark Phoenix, and the much-awaited action thriller Shaft revealed that her constant perkiness masked a DARKER SIDE

Alexandra Ruth Shipp was born 27 years ago in Phoenix, Arizona. The American actress, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist rose to prominence after portraying real-life musician Aaliyah in 2014 film Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B and Kimberly Woodruff in the 2015 Oscar-nominated film Straight Outta Compton. “I think that playing Aaliyah was my biggest break because it was the first time I played a movie made solely for my character. It was also the first time that I felt like a lot of people saw what I was able to do and then were inspired to see more." She tells me. "I think it was such a controversial role to take on. All eyes were on it and no one knew who I was, so for me, it was a little scary, but I’m so grateful that I did it. I feel like that was my break.”