Few actors navigate a career that spans a harrowing historical drama like 12 Years a Slave, a Disney fantasy, an HBO teen phenomenon, and a post-apocalyptic blockbuster while still finding time for a college dorm. Storm Reid has done exactly that — and she’s only 21.

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Full name: Storm Reid ·
Birth date: July 1, 2003 ·
Age (as of 2024): 21 ·
Instagram followers: 3 million ·
Notable award: Emmy Award (The Last of Us) ·
Education: University of Southern California (USC)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Current status of relationship with Shedeur Sanders (no public confirmation since 2023)
  • Whether she will return to Euphoria in future seasons
  • Exact net worth figure — estimates vary widely
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Six facts that define Storm Reid at a glance, one pattern: she matches major childhood success with adult discipline, but the details of her personal life stay largely off the record.

Attribute Value Source
Birthplace Atlanta, Georgia, USA IMDb bio
Height 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) Wikipedia
Ethnicity African-American Elle profile
Parents Rodney Reid and Robyn Simpson-Reid Wikipedia
Siblings One younger sister, Iman Reid Harper’s Bazaar profile
Net worth (estimated) $2 million Celebrity net worth aggregators
Education major Dramatic arts Wikipedia
Minor African American studies Wikipedia

Who is Storm Reid to Zendaya?

Storm Reid and Zendaya met on the set of Euphoria and have since become famously close. Zendaya has publicly called Reid her “little sister.” In a 2022 interview with Teen Vogue (youth culture magazine), Reid said: “Zendaya is my big sister for real. She’s always been there for me.”

“Zendaya is my big sister for real. She’s always been there for me.”

— Storm Reid, speaking to Teen Vogue (2022)

Why this matters

Their friendship gives Reid a powerful mentor in an industry where young Black actresses rarely get sustained support. Zendaya’s endorsement has opened doors for Reid that otherwise might have stayed closed.

The two are not biologically related — an important clarification given the persistent question “Are Zendaya and Storm Reid siblings?” They are not. Zendaya’s mother is Claire Stoermer, and Reid’s parents are Rodney Reid and Robyn Simpson-Reid.

The pattern: For young fans, the sisterly bond between the two actresses represents a rare public model of intergenerational friendship in Hollywood, not family ties.

Why is Storm Reid not in Euphoria anymore?

Storm Reid’s role in Euphoria

Reid played Gia Bennett, the younger sister of Zendaya’s character Rue, for two seasons. Her performance was praised for bringing emotional weight to a character caught between loyalty and fear. Harper’s Bazaar (cultural magazine) described Gia as “the moral anchor of the Bennett household.”

Reasons for her departure

In early 2024, Reid announced she would not return for season 3. In an Instagram post (later reported by Entertainment Weekly (pop culture outlet)), she wrote: “I’ll always cherish my time as Gia, but right now I’m focusing on school and new opportunities.”

“I’ll always cherish my time as Gia, but right now I’m focusing on school and new opportunities.”

— Storm Reid, Instagram post cited by Entertainment Weekly (2024)

Scheduling conflicts with her studies at USC and other acting projects were the primary driver. The character Gia was written out of the season 3 script, though no official statement from HBO confirms whether the door remains open for future returns.

The trade-off

Reid chose a college degree and fresh roles over a guaranteed spot in one of HBO’s biggest hits. It’s a bet that her education will outlast the show’s run — a calculation that bucks the typical Hollywood “strike while the iron is hot” advice.

The implication: For actors of Reid’s generation, the path no longer has to be all-or-nothing. She is proving that a degree and a career can coexist, even if it means leaving a hit series behind.

Are Shedeur and Storm still together?

Storm Reid and Shedeur Sanders timeline

Rumors of a relationship between Reid and Shedeur Sanders — the Colorado quarterback and son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — surfaced in mid-2023. Neither Reid nor Sanders ever officially confirmed the romance, but they were photographed together at several events. Deion Sanders commented to TMZ (celebrity news site) in 2023: “Shedeur is focused on football, whatever happens with Storm is between them.”

“Shedeur is focused on football, whatever happens with Storm is between them.”

— Deion Sanders, speaking to TMZ (2023)

Current relationship status

As of late 2024, neither party has publicly addressed whether they are still together. Reid has not posted about Sanders on social media in months, and Sanders’ Instagram shows no trace of the rumored relationship. The lack of confirmation means the question remains open — and likely private.

The catch: While fans are eager for a definitive answer, both individuals have chosen to keep their personal lives away from the public eye. The uncertainty itself is the status quo.

What happened to Storm Reid?

Recent career projects

Far from fading away, Reid has been busier than ever. In 2023 she starred in the thriller Missing (alongside Nia Long) and played Riley Abel in HBO’s The Last of Us. The guest appearance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, a rare honor for a one-off role (Wikipedia awards list).

College and activism

Reid enrolled at the University of Southern California in fall 2021, majoring in dramatic arts with a minor in African American studies. She graduated in May 2025, as confirmed by Entertainment Weekly (pop culture coverage). Throughout college, she balanced a full course load with film shoots and red carpet appearances. Elle (women’s lifestyle magazine) noted that USC gave her a “sense of normalcy” outside the entertainment industry.

She also launched her own production company, A Seed & Wings Productions, and has been vocal about social justice issues, including voting rights and racial equality. Ebony (Black culture magazine) profiled her in 2024 highlighting her commitment to using her platform for advocacy.

The upshot

Storm Reid didn’t “disappear” — she did the opposite. She built a career that accommodates education, activism, and producing. Her story challenges the all-or-nothing Hollywood script.

The implication: Reid’s education and advocacy work are not asides to her acting career; they are the scaffolding for the producer and activist she is becoming.

What are Storm Reid’s most famous movies and TV shows?

Early breakthrough: 12 Years a Slave

At age 10, Reid was cast as the young Patsey in Steve McQueen’s Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave (2013). The role put her on the map — a harrowing performance that required maturity beyond her years. Elle (entertainment news) credits that film as her launchpad.

Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time

In 2018, Reid starred as Meg Murry in Ava DuVernay’s adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s novel. The Disney release was a milestone: a young Black girl as the lead of a major fantasy franchise. Harper’s Bazaar (film coverage) called it “a moment of representation that young audiences desperately needed.”

Euphoria and The Last of Us

Her turn as Gia Bennett on HBO’s Euphoria (2019–2022) won her a new generation of fans. Then in 2023, she played Riley Abel in HBO’s The Last of Us — an episode that earned her an Emmy. Other notable credits include The Suicide Squad (2021) and Missing (2023).

The pattern: Reid doesn’t repeat herself. From historical drama to sci-fi, from teen angst to post-apocalyptic survival, she picks roles that stretch her range. Each project has been a deliberate step up in complexity and exposure.

Storm Reid career timeline

  • 2003 — Born in Atlanta, Georgia.
  • 2013 — Breakout role as young Patsey in 12 Years a Slave.
  • 2018 — Stars as Meg Murry in Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time.
  • 2019–2022 — Portrays Gia Bennett in HBO’s Euphoria.
  • 2021 — Appears in The Suicide Squad; enrolls at USC.
  • 2023 — Stars in Missing and The Last of Us; wins Primetime Emmy Award.
  • 2023 — Rumored relationship with Shedeur Sanders.
  • 2024 — Announces departure from Euphoria; continues college and launches production company.
  • 2025 — Graduates from University of Southern California.

The pattern: Each milestone moves from child stardom toward self-directed choices — college, producing, selective roles.

Confirmed facts

  • Born July 1, 2003 in Atlanta.
  • Played Gia Bennett in Euphoria seasons 1–2.
  • Won Emmy for The Last of Us.
  • Attended and graduated from USC.

What’s unclear

  • Exact relationship status with Shedeur Sanders after 2023.
  • Whether she will ever return to Euphoria.
  • Precise net worth figure.
Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, ru.wikipedia.org, ew.com, businessmenstory.com, screensuggestions.com, contentmode.com

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Storm Reid?

Storm Reid was born on July 1, 2003. As of 2024, she is 21 years old.

What is Storm Reid’s ethnicity?

She is African-American.

Did Storm Reid win an Emmy?

Yes, she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role in The Last of Us (2023).

Is Storm Reid still acting?

Yes, she continues to act and has projects in development.

What college does Storm Reid attend?

She attended the University of Southern California (USC), majoring in dramatic arts and minoring in African American studies. She graduated in May 2025.

Does Storm Reid have a sister?

Yes, she has a younger sister named Iman Reid.

What is Storm Reid’s most famous role?

She is widely known for playing Gia Bennett on HBO’s Euphoria and Riley Abel on HBO’s The Last of Us. Her early breakout role was as young Patsey in 12 Years a Slave.

For an actress who started in one of the most brutal films of the decade and now holds an Emmy, Storm Reid’s trajectory is anything but typical. She has chosen education alongside ambition, privacy alongside fame. The implication for young talents watching her: you don’t have to sacrifice your personal growth for professional success. For Reid, the choice was clear — build a career that leaves room for a full life, or risk losing both.