Caila Marsai Martin ( ; born August 14, 2004) is an American actress and producer, best known for her role as Diane Johnson on the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022). In 2019, Martin had a starring role in the comedy film Little, which she also produced at the age of 14. Due to her work on this film, Martin holds the Guinness World Record as the youngest Hollywood executive producer. Time magazine named her on its "Time 100 Next" the year of its release. In 2022, she produced and starred in the sports comedy film, Fantasy Football.
Early life Caila Marsai Martin was born on August 14, 2004, in Plano, Texas to Carol and Joshua Martin. Martin's acting career was launched with a glamour pictorial, in which the photographer gave Martin's parents a discount in exchange for her father's promise that he would submit the photos to talent agencies. The photos were sent out to four agencies and one immediately signed her. At age five, Martin landed her first national commercial for Choice Hotel. Her family then moved to Los Angeles in 2013, so she could pursue an acting career.
Career
2014–2015: Career beginnings In 2014, Martin was cast as Diane Johnson, the daughter of Andre (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Ross) on the ABC sitcom Black-ish, created by Kenya Barris. For her breakthrough role, Martin has received numerous awards and nominations, including three NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and a Young Artist Award. She has received six NAACP Image Awards nominations and two Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
2016–2019: Breakthrough with An American Girl Story and Little
In 2016, Martin made her film debut, playing a leading role in the Amazon Studios original film An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win, set in Detroit during the Civil Rights Movement. That same year, she did a voice role for the movie Nina, which tells the life story of American artist and activist Nina Simone. In 2019, Martin starred in her first studio feature film, the comedy Little, for Universal Pictures. At the age of 13, she became executive producer of the film, making her the youngest person to ever produce a movie, as well as the youngest African-American producer.
In February 2019, Genius Productions, Martin's company, signed a first-look production deal with Universal. Martin's first film as part of the deal is StepMonster, a comedy about a teenage girl who is adjusting to life with a new stepmother. She is the youngest person to get a first-look deal at Universal, and the youngest person to get a deal at any studio. In May 2019, it was announced Martin would be producing and starring in the film adaptation of Amari and the Night Brothers for Universal Pictures. In December 2019, it was announced that Martin would be producing the comedy film Queen.
2020–present: PAW Patrol: The Movie and The Masked Singer She voiced the character Liberty in the 2021 film PAW Patrol: The Movie and the 2023 sequel film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. In April 2022, it was announced that Martin would star alongside Kelly Rowland and Omari Hardwick in the comedy film Fantasy Football. In 2023, she produced Saturdays, a coming-of-age comedy television series for Disney Channel. The show was canceled after one season. In 2024, Martin competed in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Woodpecker" where Jenifer Lewis (who portrayed "Miss Cleocatra" back in season eleven) served as her Mask Ambassador. She was eliminated in the Group A finals alongside Paula Cole as "Ship". On June 16, 2026, it was announced that Martin would be one of the performers at the Barack Obama Presidential Center opening on June 18 in Chicago.
Personal life Martin is currently in a relationship with NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2016 Nina Young Girl on Tape An American Girl Story – Melody 1963: Love Has to Win Melody Ellison Direct-to-video 2017 Fun Mom Dinner Hannah Lemonade Mafia Kira Anderson Short film 2019 Little Young Jordan SandersAlso executive producer 2021 Spirit Untamed Prudence "Pru" Granger (voice) Paw Patrol: The Movie Liberty (voice) 2022 Fantasy Football Callie Coleman Also producer 2023 Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie Liberty (voice) Good Burger 2 Friendly Customer 2025 G20 Serena Sutton
Television Year Title Role Notes 2014–2022 Black-ish Diane Johnson Main role 2015–2016 Goldie & Bear Jill (voice) 4 episodes 2016 The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show Anissa (voice) 2 episodes 2016–2019 Elena of Avalor Caterina (voice) 2018 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Aisha Episode: "Kimmy and the Beest" 2019 Mixed-ish Diane Johnson Episode: "Becoming Bow" A Black Lady Sketch Show Reniece Episode: "Born at Night, But Not Last Night" 2019–2020 Vampirina Frankie Bolt (voice) 2 episodes 2019–2022 DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders Aggro (voice) Main role 2022 Wild 'n Out Herself 1 episode The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Iyanna (voice) Episode: "Get In" The Hair Tales Herself 2023 Saturdays Executive producer 2024 Good Times: Black Again Grey (voice) Main role Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy Yesi Scala (voice) The Masked Singer Herself/Woodpecker Season 12 contestant
Accolades Association Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.BET Awards 2017YoungStars AwardBlack-ish, Melody 1963: Love Has to Win 2018 2019Black-ish 2020 2022 2023 Black Reel Awards 2019Outstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy SeriesBlack-ish 2022 Outstanding Voice PerformanceSpirit Untamed MTV Movie & TV Awards 2019 Best Comedic Performance Little NAACP Image Awards 2016 Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Black-ish Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2017 Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2018 Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2019Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2020 Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series) Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion PictureLittle Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Awards 2017Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesBlack-ish 2018 Shorty Awards 2019 Phenom Award – Entertainment Herself Young Artist Award 2015 Best Performance in a TV Series – Supporting Young Actress Black-ish 2016 Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Television Series Teen Choice Awards 2019 Choice Movie Actress – Comedy Little
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