21 Under 21: Marsai Martin Will Executive Produce and Star in Her Own Movie at 14

Marsai Martin is part of Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 class of 2018, which spotlights extraordinary young women, girls, and femmes making waves in their industries or passions of choice.

Marsai Martin may very well be the first 14-year-old to executive produce and star in her own movie, Little, in theaters April 2019, but she wants to move beyond historic firsts for marginalized communities. “I hope that [in 21 years] we won't even have to be a first anymore: first black woman to do this, or first black male, or first woman to do that,” she tells Teen Vogue over the phone. “I hope that we always have diversity, that we have equality and representation every step of the way.”

It’s not a lofty goal considering all Marsai has already accomplished. Born in Dallas, the wunderkind actor launched her career at the tender age of five. After moving to California with her family, in just 100 days she hit two milestones many actors spend decades working toward. She landed the role of Diane Johnson, the spirited elder twin sister, on ABC’s hit show Black-ish, and nabbed a national commercial campaign with Meineke — all before her 10th birthday.

Now, four years later, Marsai’s adding executive producer to her already long list of accomplishments. She started a production company to bring her show and movie ideas to fruition, ideas she’s been developing since she was just two years old. “My parents and I always look at movies and just think, what's missing? from the plot to the people of color or diversity in general,” she says.

It was during those conversations that Marsai first conceived the idea for Little. The comedy follows a young woman who gets the chance to relive her carefree childhood when the pressures of adult life become too overwhelming. Issa Rae signed on as a costar, and Will Packer (Girls Trip and Think Like a Man) is producing the movie.

“There were a lot of movies [where someone goes] from younger to older, older to younger, or they switch into some other body, but there weren't any with a black perspective,” Marsai explains. “You never see our story. So we thought how about we do it this way?” After talking to Packer and Kenya Barris, the creator of Black-ish, the idea took off and Universal Pictures came knocking. “It's such a blessing and I'm so thankful that they were willing to listen to a little black girl from Texas,” Marsai says. “I was 9 or 10 when I pitched the film. I'm so grateful they trusted me with this idea and that as an executive producer I have so much input into the making of the film.”

Marsai has learned that people aren’t always willing to listen to “little black girl[s]” due to biases rooted in racism, sexism, and ageism. In fact, she once fired an agent who suggested she “just chill and take a break” during a hiatus, instead of working on new projects. “People look at this 10-year-old girl or 14-year-old girl and seem to think, She's so small, what does she know?” Marsai says. “My peers are still growing and they have so many ideas, too. Sure, we can't drink or drive, but we can do the same things adults can. When they recognize us for what we're actually doing, they'll see us in a different light. That actually motivates me to keep going.”

That motivation is paying off. In 10 years, as she approaches her 24th birthday, Marsai hopes to be a screenwriter, director, and producer of various projects, even reality TV. “I have new genres that I want to keep on moving and expanding toward,” she says. “I don't want to be known as just an actress. I want to be known as an entertainer and entrepreneur... I just want to keep making my family proud.”

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