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Kyla Jade remembers many issues about residing in Topeka.
Some of her favourite recollections contain residing near Shawnee County Lake and having the chance to paddle boat or play baseball on the County Park.
“I rode bikes, and it was very safe growing up in Topeka,” Jade advised The Capital Journal. “I had a very good childhood, actually. The museums were always great. I frequented those often. There’s a lot of history there. Brown v. Board of Education, the fact that it happened there was monumental to know as a child.”
Along with Topeka’s wealthy civil rights historical past, the capital metropolis is dwelling to a couple up-and-coming celebrities who’re making an enormous identify for themselves one efficiency at a time.
Here’s seven Topeka natives to maintain a watch out for on an enormous stage close to you.
Kyla Jade
Jade, a Shawnee Heights High School graduate, positioned third on season 14 of NBC’s “The Voice.” She grew up singing in her church, St. Paul Church of God in Christ in Topeka. After highschool, she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, the place she continued to develop in her religion and her love of music.
Jade mentioned she’d love to come back again to Topeka to have interaction with the group.
“My goal, especially for Topeka, is to come back and do some things for the community,” she mentioned. “To get those music kids together and have a good time. So, I’m looking forward to partnering with a few people back home and working with the community for sure.”
Alix Lapri
Alexus Geier, higher generally known as Alix Lapri, was born in Topeka in 1996. Her household later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2008. Moving to Atlanta was the spark for Lapri’s profession the place she engaged in lots of musical, appearing and modeling endeavors.
Since then, Lapri’s identify recognition skyrocketed with appearances in “Den of Thieves,” “Red Band Society,” BET’s “Reed Between the Lines” and extra.
Lapri’s at the moment is starring because the character Effie on Starz in “Power Book II: Ghost,” which incorporates govt producer and longtime hip-hop star Curtis Jackson, higher recognized by his stage identify 50 Cent.
Antwayn Hopper
Antwayn Hopper, a Topeka West High School graduate, has carried out on Broadway in “Hair” and off-Broadway in “The Loophole,” “A Civil War Christmas” and “UnCivil War.”
Hopper’s most recent appearance is in the film “A Thousand and One,” starring Teyana Taylor, which was released March 31.
“I’m always trying to get the name of Topeka out,” Hopper said. “I’m very proud to be from my community, and I always say none of it would be possible if not been for this community.”
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Bree Elrod
Bree Elrod, a 1996 graduate of Topeka High School, starred in the 2021 drama/comedy film “Red Rocket.” The film was directed by Sean Baker, who has been praised for his movie-making techniques while creating independent works that include the feature films “Starlet,” “Tangerine” and “The Florida Project.”
Elrod has also appeared in off-Broadway production, “My name is Rachel Corrie,” directed by the late Alan Rickman.
Hayley Erbert
Hayley Erbert, a Washburn Rural High School graduate, was a finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance,” Season 10. She additionally carried out as a troupe member on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Erbert has additionally made headlines for her recent wedding to “Dancing with the Stars” decide Derek Hough, who additionally appeared on the present from 2007 to 2016.
“We’re in a redwood forest, however we bought married proper in entrance of this mom tree that is surrounded by all these smaller timber,” said Erbert. “They drop all of the seeds, and it crops type of like a military of youngsters to guard the mom. The symbolism of it was stunning. We’re right here, planting our seeds to develop our household.”
Jeff Kready
Jeff Kready, a Washburn Rural High School graduate, starred in “Annie Live!” “The Marvelous Mrs Maisel,” “Elementary” and “Boardwalk Empire.”
The Topeka-born Kready spent considerable time in White Concert Hall, first as a student at Washburn University, where he performed in the Washburn Singers and Choir, then as a Topeka Festival Singer while teaching at Randolph and Whitson elementary schools.
Kready hosted “The Kready Holiday Spectacular,” a musical extravaganza hosted in Topeka at the Topeka Performing Arts Center, 214 S.E. 8th Ave., in 2022.
More:Here’s what hip hop artist T-Rell Terry hopes to accomplish with Partee’s Lounge in Topeka
T-Rell Terry
T-Rell Terry, grew up in central Topeka near S.W. 13th Street and Tyler Avenue with his grandmother. He first gained a lot of notice after his song “My Dawg” became a local hit in 2015.
He then started traveling on the road and performing shows with rapper Boosie Badazz. Since then, Terry has been on multiple tours and collaborated with some of today’s large hip-hop artists, such as Moneybagg Yo, Fredo Bang and more.
Every year in late May, Terry gives away hundreds of pairs of shoes to children in the Topeka community. The shoe giveaway typically follows with food, music and games for families to enjoy.
Is there a newer Topeka native whose name didn’t make the list? Email klately@cjonline.com and we’ll check it out.
Keishera Lately is the enterprise reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
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