Kiawentiio Net Worth

Kiawentiio is a talented First Nations (Mohawk) actress and singer-songwriter. Her television debut came in the third season of the CBC series Anne with an E’s in 2019.

 She made her film debut in the movie Beans in 2020. She has been cast as Katara in the upcoming Netflix live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender, which is set to release on February 22, 2024. 

In this article, we will explore her net worth, career highlights, and some of her notable movie roles.

Kiawentiio’s net worth and career

Kiawentiio has amassed an impressive net worth of $2 million at the young age of 17. Despite her youth, she has already made significant strides in her career, with the CBC series Anne with an E in 2019 and the movie Beans in 2020.

Her remarkable success at such an early age can be attributed to her natural talent and dedication to her craft. In her short career, she has already received recognition for her outstanding performances.

In 2019, she won the “One to Watch” award from the Vancouver Film Critics Circle for her role in Beans. Her career is on an upward trajectory, with her recent casting as Katara in the upcoming Netflix live-action remake of Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

In addition to her acting pursuits, she has also ventured into music, releasing an EP titled In My Head in March 2021 and contributing the single ‘Light at the End’ to the soundtrack of Beans.

With her multifaceted talents, cultural authenticity, and undeniable charisma, Kiawentiio has carved out a unique space for herself in the entertainment industry. 

Kiawentiio made her acting debut with ‘Anne with an E’

Kiawentiio’s acting journey began with an unexpected opportunity that would change the trajectory of her life. She found herself at an open call one day for a central recurring character in the upcoming season of the popular CBC/Netflix series Anne With An E. 

Little did she know she was competing with 235 young girls across the country for this coveted role. Against all odds, jer undeniable talent and charisma won over the show’s producers. 

She was selected to play Ka’kwet, an independent and resilient young girl, much like the show’s protagonist, Anne. 

According to series executive producer Miranda de Pencier, “There is an energetic charisma and undeniable intelligence to Kiawentiio. [We] can’t wait for Anne With an E fans to meet her.”

She was fortunate to have the opportunity to showcase her talents on the silver screen. After wrapping up her role as Ka’kwet in Anne With An E, she immediately transitioned to filming the movie Beans.

In an interview, she shared insights into her character, Ka’kwet, and her experiences on the show. “She is a Mi’kmaq girl who is strong, and brave, and feisty and an amazing role model for her two younger siblings,” she explained. 

Kiawentiio admitted that she had little prior knowledge about the Mi’kmaq tribe before taking on the role. However, through the guidance of a dialogue coach and her immersion in the character, she gained a deep understanding of their language, culture, and history. 

Despite the challenging subject matter, Kiawentiio cherished her time on set and formed lasting bonds with her co-stars and showed her formidable acting skills.

Kiawentiio debuted in film with ‘Beans’

Kiawentiio’s film debut came in the form of the 2020 Canadian drama Beans, directed by Mohawk-Canadian filmmaker Tracey Deer. This semi-autobiographical film explores the 1990 Oka Crisis at Kanesatake, a traumatic event that Deer herself lived through as a child. 

She was cast in the lead role of Tekehentahkhwa, nicknamed “Beans,” a young Mohawk girl whose perspective on life is radically altered by the events surrounding the crisis. The film follows Beans, a bright preteen living in the Mohawk reserve of Kahnawake. 

Encouraged by her mother, Lily, to apply for a prestigious, predominantly white school in Montreal, Beans finds herself caught up in the escalating tensions surrounding the Oka Crisis.

After witnessing her cousin protesting the expansion of a golf course into Kahnesatake territory, Beans and her family join the protesters.

As the situation intensifies, with the army replacing local police and tensions rising among protesters and the military, Beans and her family are forced to relocate to a nearby hotel with other Mohawk women and children.

Through this tumultuous period, Beans navigates the complexities of growing up, encountering challenging situations that force her to confront harsh realities. 

Kiawentiio’s powerful performance as Beans was widely praised, with the film earning critical acclaim and numerous accolades. Beans had its world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was second runner-up for the People’s Choice Award.

Kiawentiio plays Katara in ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’

Kiawentiio has been cast in one of the lead roles in the highly anticipated Netflix series Avatar: The Last Airbender. 

She will bring to life the beloved character of Katara, a fourteen-year-old waterbender who joins Avatar Aang on his quest to master the four elements and restore balance to the war-torn world.

In the original animated series, Katara was born in the Southern Water Tribe to Chief Hakoda and his wife Kya. Tragically, her mother was killed in a raid when Katara was young, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother, Kanna, alongside her older brother, Sokka. 

Despite the loss of her parents, Katara’s resilience and strength of character shone through as she took on many adult responsibilities at a young age and developed a deep sense of justice and compassion for others.

Kiawentiio in ‘Avatar: The Last Air Bender’ (Source: Entertainment Weekly)

When Katara and Sokka discovered the young Avatar Aang, who had been frozen in an iceberg for a century, their lives took an extraordinary turn. Katara and Sokka joined him on his journey across the world, helping him master the remaining elements of earth and fire.

Katara’s mastery of waterbending made her a formidable asset to the group, and she quickly became Aang’s waterbending instructor. Her moral and emotional drive, coupled with her fierce protectiveness towards those in need, made her an essential part of Aang’s quest.

After the Hundred Year War ended, Katara and Aang began a romantic relationship that eventually led to marriage and a family. Katara became highly regarded as a master waterbender and healer and even went on to teach Avatar Korra many years later.