February 2024

Laya DeLeon Hayes is an 18-year-old performer who has built an impressive body of work in a short period of time. She currently stars as Delilah Fulton on CBS’ hit drama THE EQUALIZER.

Hayes received a BAFTA for her supporting role as Angrboda in “God of War Ragnarök” at the 2023 BAFTA Game Awards. Hayes is perhaps best known for voicing the titular role in the BAFTA, Emmy and Peabody Award-nominated animated series, “Doc McStuffins,” which earned her a NAACP Image Award nomination. Hayes was just 9 years old when she booked the landmark role as the first Black animation character on Disney Jr.

Hayes’ additional television credits include “Just Add Magic,” “Liv & Maddie” and “Raven’s Home.” Also, she guest-starred in “Cougar Town,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Quantico” and “Code Black,” on the Network. Additionally, she appeared in the television film “Santa Hunters,” and several national commercial campaigns. Most recently, Hayes joined the Buffyverse as Indira in “Slayers: A Buffyverse Story.”

Hayes has established a successful voiceover career, garnering roles in “Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny,” “Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie,” and most recently, she voiced the Iron Maiden in the popular video game series “League of Legends.”

On the big screen, Hayes starred in the independent movie “40” as Hany, the youngest sister in the family of recently freed slaves, opposite Imani Hakim. Additionally, she will soon headline the feature film “The Angry Black Girl & Her Monster” opposite Denzel Whitaker.

Born in Charlotte, N.C., and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, Hayes participated in school plays and talent shows, which powered her passion to perform. She trained at Hart and Soul studio in Dallas prior to moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career.

Hayes is an equal rights and social justice advocate and utilizes her social media platforms to spread awareness and to help propel conversation forward. Also, she is passionate about women’s rights, body positivity and equality for all.

Hayes has volunteered at the Indianapolis Children’s Hospital to read to children and has helped feed the homeless at the Los Angeles Mission. She’s participated in several anti-bullying campaigns, including Say-NO Bullying and Free2Luv, and walked the runway in the Grace Rose Foundation annual fashion show to raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis.

In her free time, Hayes enjoys rollerblading, baking with her friends and family, fashion, singing, traveling and sketch drawing. She loves theater, watching movies and creating films and videos. In the future, she hopes to develop, write, direct and produce her own projects.

Her birthday is June 22. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @layadeleonhayes.