These 7 native Topekans are rising stars in entertainment world. Check out their latest.

Kyla Jade remembers many things about living in Topeka.

Some of her favorite memories involve living close to Shawnee County Lake and having the opportunity to paddle boat or play baseball at the County Park.

"I rode bikes, and it was very safe growing up in Topeka," Jade told The Capital Journal. "I had a very good childhood, actually. The museums were always great. I frequented those often. There's a lot of history there. Brown v. Board of Education, the fact that it happened there was monumental to know as a child."

Along with Topeka's rich civil rights history, the capital city is home to a few up-and-coming celebrities who are making a big name for themselves one performance at a time.

Here's seven Topeka natives to keep an eye out for on a big stage near you.

Kyla Jade

Jade, a Shawnee Heights High School graduate, placed third on season 14 of NBC's "The Voice." She grew up singing in her church, St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Topeka. After high school, she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she continued to grow in her faith and her love of music.

Jade said she'd love to come back to Topeka to engage with the community.

"My goal, especially for Topeka, is to come back and do some things for the community," she said. "To get those music kids together and have a good time. So, I'm looking forward to partnering with a few people back home and working with the community for sure."

Alix Lapri

Alexus Geier, better known as Alix Lapri, was born in Topeka in 1996. Her family later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2008. Moving to Atlanta was the spark for Lapri's career where she engaged in many musical, acting and modeling endeavors.

Since then, Lapri's name recognition skyrocketed with appearances in "Den of Thieves," "Red Band Society," BET's "Reed Between the Lines" and more.

Lapri's currently is starring as the character Effie on Starz in "Power Book II: Ghost," which includes executive producer and longtime hip-hop star Curtis Jackson, better known by his stage name 50 Cent.

Antwayn Hopper

Antwayn Hopper, a Topeka West High School graduate, has performed on Broadway in “Hair” and off-Broadway in “The Loophole,” “A Civil War Christmas” and “UnCivil War."

Hopper's most recent appearance is in the film "A Thousand and One," starring Teyana Taylor, which was released March 31.

"I'm always trying to get the name of Topeka out," Hopper said. "I'm very proud to be from my community, and I always say none of it would be possible if not been for this community."

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Bree Elrod

Bree Elrod, a 1996 graduate of Topeka High School, starred in the 2021 drama/comedy film "Red Rocket." The film was directed by Sean Baker, who has been praised for his movie-making techniques while creating independent works that include the feature films "Starlet," "Tangerine" and "The Florida Project."

Elrod has also appeared in off-Broadway production, "My name is Rachel Corrie," directed by the late Alan Rickman.

Hayley Erbert

Hayley Erbert, a Washburn Rural High School graduate, was a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance,” Season 10. She also performed as a troupe member on “Dancing with the Stars.”

Erbert has also made headlines for her recent wedding to "Dancing with the Stars" judge Derek Hough, who also appeared on the show from 2007 to 2016.

"We're in a redwood forest, but we got married right in front of this mother tree that's surrounded by all these smaller trees," said Erbert. "They drop all the seeds, and it plants kind of like an army of children to protect the mother. The symbolism of it was beautiful. We're here, planting our seeds to grow our family."

Jeff Kready

Jeff Kready, a Washburn Rural High School graduate, starred in "Annie Live!" "The Marvelous Mrs Maisel," "Elementary" and "Boardwalk Empire."

The Topeka-born Kready spent considerable time in White Concert Hall, first as a student at Washburn University, where he performed in the Washburn Singers and Choir, then as a Topeka Festival Singer while teaching at Randolph and Whitson elementary schools.

Kready hosted "The Kready Holiday Spectacular," a musical extravaganza hosted in Topeka at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 S.E. 8th Ave., in 2022.

More: Here's what hip hop artist T-Rell Terry hopes to accomplish with Partee's Lounge in Topeka

T-Rell Terry

T-Rell Terry, grew up in central Topeka near S.W. 13th Street and Tyler Avenue with his grandmother. He first gained a lot of notice after his song "My Dawg" became a local hit in 2015.

He then started traveling on the road and performing shows with rapper Boosie Badazz. Since then, Terry has been on multiple tours and collaborated with some of today's large hip-hop artists, such as Moneybagg Yo, Fredo Bang and more.

Every year in late May, Terry gives away hundreds of pairs of shoes to children in the Topeka community. The shoe giveaway typically follows with food, music and games for families to enjoy.

Is there a newer Topeka native whose name didn't make the list? Email klately@cjonline.com and we'll check it out.

Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These 7 native Topekans are rising stars in entertainment world