Alicia Vela-Bailey, a renowned action actor, has made a remarkable transition from being an A-list stunt double to a prominent on-screen figure. Her captivating performances in Lights Out and Marvel's Agents of Shield have solidified her reputation as a talented and versatile actress.
Born in Kailua, Hawaii, Vela-Bailey was raised by her mother Cecelia, a ballerina and artist from North Carolina, and her father Carlos, a top magician from El Salvador. Her artistic upbringing led her to enroll in gymnastics and dance at a young age, where she quickly excelled, becoming a competitive Level 9 Gymnast and a member of Marcelo Pacleb's 24-VII Danceforce.
At the age of 21, Vela-Bailey began her stunt career, doubling for Milla Jovovich in Ultraviolet, a film that earned her two nominations for a Taurus World Stunt Award in 2007. She has since doubled for numerous Hollywood stars, including Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kate Beckinsale.
As a dancer, Vela-Bailey booked her first audition and became a Pussycat Doll in Las Vegas. She later landed the role of Neytiri's stunt double in James Cameron's Avatar, a position she held for three years.
Vela-Bailey's transition to on-screen acting began with her role as Alisha Whitley on Marvel's Agents of Shield, a character she played for two seasons. Her ability to act and perform her own stunts made her a fan favorite.
A huge fan of the horror genre, Vela-Bailey has showcased her terrorizing abilities in The Purge and Hostel 3, where she manipulated her body to create unsettling movements.
Her chilling performance as Diana in Lights Out caught the attention of director David Sandberg and producer James Wan, who hired her on the spot. Vela-Bailey's portrayal of Diana earned praise from The New York Times, with Jeannette Catsoulis stating, "Lights Out delivers frights in old-school ways. Chief among these are the chilling exertions of Alicia Vela-Bailey, who portrays Diana with limber ingenuity."
Vela-Bailey has also doubled for Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman and worked with David Sandberg and James Wan on Annabelle 2, playing the evil Mrs. Mullins.
