Vella Lovell

Vella Lovell
Born (1985-09-13) September 13, 1985 (age 39)
California, United States
EducationNew York University (BFA)
Juilliard School (MFA)
OccupationActress
Years active2012–present
Known forCrazy Ex-Girlfriend
The Big Sick
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Mr. Mayor
Animal Control
Spouse
John-Garet Stoker
​
(m. 2024)​

Vella Lovell (born September 13, 1985)[1] is an American actress, known for playing Heather Davis in The CW comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend as well as providing the voice of Mermista in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Khadija in The Big Sick, and Mikaela in Mr. Mayor.[2][3]

Early life

Lovell was born in Southern California and raised in New Mexico.[4] She is of African-American, Jewish, and European descent.[5]

Lovell attended Interlochen Arts Camp and graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy. She then went on to graduate from New York University and the Juilliard School.[4][6]

Career

Lovell had minor roles in TV series Girls and Younger before joining the cast of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend in 2015.[7] In 2017, Lovell had a supporting role in the romantic comedy The Big Sick.[8] She also had a small role in the Netflix movie The Christmas Chronicles.

In 2018, she voiced Princess Mermista in the Netflix series She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Earlier that year, she appeared in the Music Video for Cher's cover of SOS by Abba.

In 2021, she played Mikaela in Mr. Mayor on NBC, created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. She also starred in the Comedy Central parody A Clusterfunke Christmas with Cheyenne Jackson, Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch.

In 2023, she played Emily Price in the FOX sitcom Animal Control, created by Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg and Dan Sterling.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2012 18 Actors Morning After Girl Short
2014 Three Dates Danielle Short
2015 Bears Discover Fire Nurse Short
LFE Anj TV movie
2016 Cat Ladies - Short
2017 The Bachelor: Nick Viall in Peru - Short
The Big Sick Khadija
Literally, Right Before Aaron Jen
2018 All These Small Moments Miss Tucker
The Christmas Chronicles Wendy
Confidence Girl Short
2019 Speed of Life Laura
Friends-In-Law - TV movie
2020 The Great Work Begins. Scenes from Angels in America Harper TV movie
2021 A Clüsterfünke Christmas Holly
2023 Your Place or Mine Becca [9]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2015 OM City Sarah Episode: "Something Great"
2015–2019 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Heather Davis Main cast
2016 Girls Adele Episode: "Old Loves"
Younger Taylor Episode: "A Night at the Opera"
2017 Flip the Script The Development Exec Episode: "Shelf Life"
2018–2020 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Mermista (voice) Recurring cast
2019 Dollface Alison S. Recurring cast: season 1
2020 Grace and Frankie Nicole Episode: "The Laughing Stock"
Magical Girl Friendship Squad No Tattoo Barista/CBD Monster (voice) Episode: "My Fated Guardians"
2021–2022 Mr. Mayor Mikaela Shaw Main cast
2022 As We See It Salena Main cast
2022 So Help Me Todd Lea Luna Episode: "So Help Me Pod"
2023–present Animal Control Emily Price Main cast
2023–present Kiff Candle Fox (voice) Recurring cast
2024 Accused Marta Episode: "Val’s Story"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy Mr. Mayor Nominated [10]

References

  1. ^ "Actress Vella Lovell Shares How the Pandemic Made Her Grateful for Something She Used to Resent". Health. January 25, 2021.
  2. ^ Gans, Andrew (8 January 2017). "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Renewed for Third Season". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  3. ^ Demaria, Meghan (2 December 2016). "Heather Takes Center Stage In This Exclusive Clip From Crazy Ex-Girlfriend". Refinery29. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  4. ^ a b "Vella Lovell on Following Your Bliss, Evolving Each Day and Her New Series 'Mr Mayor'". 3 March 2021.
  5. ^ "It's All About Community". See, I'm mixed. I'm black, I'm Jewish, I'm European. I'm a million things. I just got my 23 and Me back about a year ago and I'm just like the world."
  6. ^ "Glimpses of Some Recent Alums March 2017 | the Juilliard School". Archived from the original on 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2018-04-06.
  7. ^ "Woman Crush Wednesday: Vella Lovell Is The Wonderfully Normal Friend of 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend'". 14 December 2016.
  8. ^ Berkshire, Geoff (21 January 2017). "Film Review: 'The Big Sick'".
  9. ^ Lewis, Hilary (January 12, 2023). "Reese Witherspoon, Ashton Kutcher Play Longtime Friends Who Swap Homes in 'Your Place or Mine' Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  10. ^ Pedersen, Erik (2021-07-08). "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-07-08.