Kat Graham
She brought witchy heart to a hit TV saga and built a parallel career as a dance-pop artist and outspoken humanitarian.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American actress and singer·Birthday: September 5·Millennials
Biography
Born in Geneva and raised in Los Angeles, Kat Graham's creative spark was evident early, landing her first film role at age nine. While many know her as the resilient witch Bonnie Bennett from 'The Vampire Diaries,' a role she inhabited for eight seasons, her career is a multi-hyphenate hustle. Off-screen, she carved a distinct path in music, releasing vibrant, 80s-inflected dance-pop albums that showcased her energetic performances. Graham never treats fame as a silo; she uses her platform with deliberate force, advocating for refugee rights with the UNHCR and speaking openly about political and social justice issues. Her choices—from starring in Tupac biopic 'All Eyez on Me' to directing her own music videos—reflect an artist determined to control her narrative and impact.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kat was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kat Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Kat's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the fan-favorite witch Bonnie Bennett across all eight seasons of the hit series 'The Vampire Diaries'.
- Served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), undertaking field missions to raise awareness.
- Released the studio album 'Love Music Funk Magic,' a retro-inspired dance project she co-executive produced.
- Starred as Kidada Jones in the critically noted biographical film 'All Eyez on Me' about Tupac Shakur.
Did You Know?
She is fluent in English, French, and Portuguese.
Her first acting role was as a young Lindsay Lohan's campmate in the 1998 remake of 'The Parent Trap'.
She directed the music video for her single 'Secrets'.
Graham's father is from Liberia.
“I don't want to be just an actress or just a singer. I want to be a voice.”
