It was transformational – Ayra Starr opens up on acting debut in Children of Blood and Bone

Nigerian singer Ayra Starr is spreading her wings beyond music, stepping into the world of film with her acting debut in the highly anticipated fantasy adaptation Children of Blood and Bone.

In a heartfelt interview with CBS Mornings, the “Bloody Samaritan” hitmaker revealed how personal the moment has been for her—and the fears she had to overcome.

“I’ve always been shy when it comes to acting, but this is the first time in my life that I’ve been on camera and I’m not singing,” she confessed.

Known for her powerful voice and bold presence on stage, Ayra admitted that acting brought out a more vulnerable side of her.

Yet, it was on the set of Children of Blood and Bone—surrounded by acting legends and rising stars—that she found the courage to embrace the craft.

“I learned so much from everybody on set, not even just the greats—even like just the actors on set, the 16-year-olds, the 14-year-olds on set—it was so inspiring just watching them.”

Ayra stars in the film alongside Hollywood heavyweights Idris Elba, Viola Davis, and Cynthia Erivo, in what promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally rich adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s best-selling novel.

The experience, she said, went far beyond just learning lines and hitting marks.

“Working with actors of that calibre taught me so much. It wasn’t just fun—it was transformational.”

Children of Blood and Bone tells the story of a young girl’s fight to restore magic to her people, offering themes of power, identity, and resistance that align closely with Ayra’s own artistic voice.