Basic Information
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Illia Wayans |
| Born | August 10, 2003 |
| Age (as of September 2025) | 22 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Residence | California |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Build | Slender |
| Hair | Dark |
| Eyes | Brown |
| Focus | Dentistry (student/early career) |
| Known For | Middle child and second daughter of comedian, actor, and producer Shawn Wayans |
| Parents | Shawn Wayans (father), Ursula Alberto (mother) |
| Siblings | Laila Wayans (older sister), Marlon Wayans (younger brother) |
| Grandparents (paternal) | Howell Stouten Wayans Sr. (1936–2023), Elvira Alethia Wayans (born 1941) |
| Social Media | No public personal accounts; occasional appearances in parents’ posts |
Origins and Home: Growing Up Wayans
Illia Wayans was born into one of America’s most famous comedy dynasties and chose a life where the volume is intentionally turned down. Born on August 10, 2003, in Los Angeles, she came of age in a home where punchlines could fill a stadium, yet she gravitated toward studies, service, and privacy. She is often noted for a charismatic smile echoing her father’s, but the stage she favors is a dental clinic rather than a soundstage.
Her parents, comedian-producer Shawn Wayans and fitness professional and investor Ursula Alberto, separated in 2006 and have since modeled a steady, collaborative co-parenting approach. Family for Illia is a wide net—sprawling, generational, and protective—with Sunday dinners and award nights punctuating the calendar. Beneath the headlines, her day-to-day remains quietly focused: education, family time, and a deliberate distance from celebrity spectacle.
Education and Dentistry: Choosing a Different Script
If the Wayans legacy is a kaleidoscope of sketch comedy and blockbuster films, Illia’s lens is a hand mirror and a dental explorer. After graduating from a private Los Angeles high school around 2021, she leaned into the sciences and a service-driven career path in dentistry. By 22, she is in dental school or the earliest stage of practice—an intentional pivot away from the family business.
Her mother’s discipline and her father’s encouragement are recurring themes in family tributes. In a family that prizes creativity, Illia prizes care: precision, patient trust, and the long game of health. It’s a different kind of stagecraft—the art of restoring confidence one smile at a time.
Family Web: The Clan That Raised a Village
Immediate Family Snapshot
| Name | Relationship | Born | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shawn Mathis Wayans | Father | January 19, 1971 | Actor, comedian, producer; co-created The Wayans Bros., co-wrote Scary Movie; devoted father who posts tributes (@therealdjsw1). |
| Ursula Alberto | Mother | Circa 1970s | Fitness trainer, real estate investor, former model; promotes discipline and balance; low public profile. |
| Laila Alethia Wayans | Older sister | February 16, 1999 | DJ/producer; early family film cameo; shares a protective, celebratory bond with Illia. |
| Marlon Lamont Wayans | Younger brother | June 10, 2006 | Lives privately, away from public credits; youngest of the siblings. |
Grandparents
- Howell Stouten Wayans Sr. (1936–2023): Patriarch, supermarket manager, and Jehovah’s Witness whose discipline and faith forged the family’s work ethic.
- Elvira Alethia Wayans (born 1941): Matriarch and social worker who nurtured ten children in Chelsea, New York; continues to anchor family events and milestones.
Aunts and Uncles: The Legendary Branches
- Keenen Ivory Wayans (born 1958): Trailblazing creator of In Living Color and director of iconic comedies; a guiding presence for the next generation.
- Damon Wayans (born 1960): Emmy-nominated actor and sitcom lead; holiday wisdom and big laughs in equal measure.
- Marlon Wayans (born 1972): Actor and stand-up star; publicly praises the younger generation’s discipline and values.
- Kim Wayans (born 1961): Actress known for In Living Color and acclaimed dramatic roles; the archetypal supportive aunt.
- Diedra Wayans (born 1959): Producer and author, active in behind-the-scenes philanthropy.
- Nadia Wayans (born 1966): Writer on In Living Color; creative contributor within the family pipeline.
- Vonnie Wayans (born circa 1960s): The quiet supporter, steady in family endeavors.
- Dwayne Wayans (born 1956): Eldest sibling and Hollywood key grip; the backbone behind the camera.
Moments in Time: A Brief Timeline
| Year/Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April 26, 1936 | Howell Stouten Wayans Sr. born in New York. |
| June 23, 1941 | Elvira Alethia Wayans born. |
| January 19, 1971 | Shawn Wayans born in New York City. |
| February 16, 1999 | Laila Wayans born in Los Angeles. |
| August 10, 2003 | Illia Wayans born in Los Angeles. |
| 2006 | Parents separate; joint co-parenting continues. |
| June 10, 2006 | Younger brother Marlon born. |
| April 2023 | Passing of patriarch Howell Wayans at 86. |
| 2024–2025 | Occasional family posts include Illia; focus remains on education and dentistry. |
| 2025 | Wayans family celebrated with NAACP Hall of Fame recognition. |
Public Appearances and Mentions (2024–2025)
Illia stays mostly off camera. When she does surface publicly, it’s usually in the warmth of family posts—her father’s birthday tributes in January 2025, a spring 2024 snapshot with her sister, or shout-outs orbiting Laila’s music milestones. Interviews with her uncles and father in mid-2025 touched on fatherhood and the maturing second generation, nodding to Illia’s independent path. Coverage throughout 2024–2025 often framed her as the quiet counterpoint to a headline-making family, highlighting a preference for privacy over press tours.
Work, Finances, and Future Trajectory
At 22, Illia’s ledger is filled with course credits, clinic hours, and the slow accrual of expertise rather than casting calls or endorsements. There are no public acting credits, no brand partnerships, and no reliable independent net worth estimates. Educational expenses appear covered within the family’s means, with Shawn’s long career providing stability. If the Wayans name is synonymous with laughter, Illia’s chapter points to care and competence—an artisan of oral health carving out a life on her own terms.
The Texture of Privacy
In a dynasty where comedy is currency, privacy can feel like a rare metal. Illia treats it with care, keeping romantic life, close friendships, and personal accounts out of public discussion. The Wayans cohesion remains a constant: siblings who show up, grandparents who guide, and parents who cheer from the wings. Her story reads like a soft-lit portrait—disciplined lines, a steady hand, and just enough light to see what matters.
FAQ
Who is Illia Wayans?
She is the middle child of comedian and producer Shawn Wayans and fitness entrepreneur Ursula Alberto, known for choosing a private, service-oriented career in dentistry.
When and where was she born?
She was born on August 10, 2003, in Los Angeles, California.
Is Illia Wayans part of the entertainment industry?
No; she has not pursued acting or production and is focused on dentistry.
How tall is she?
She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall.
Does she have siblings?
Yes, an older sister, Laila (born 1999), and a younger brother, Marlon (born 2006).
Are her parents together?
Her parents separated in 2006 and have co-parented amicably; no formal divorce has been publicly detailed.
Is she on social media?
She has no public personal accounts; occasional photos appear on her parents’ pages.
What is known about her education?
She graduated from a private Los Angeles high school around 2021 and is now in dental school or early practice.
What do her grandparents do?
Her late grandfather, Howell, managed supermarkets and was a Jehovah’s Witness; her grandmother, Elvira, is a homemaker and social worker.
Did the Wayans family receive recent honors?
Yes, the clan was celebrated with an NAACP Hall of Fame recognition in 2025.
What’s known about her finances?
There are no credible independent net worth figures; her education is supported by family resources without public endorsements.
