From Shiloh to Hollywood

My name is Xaveria Baird, and I was born and raised in Asheville, NC — Shiloh to be exact.

I grew up in poverty here in Asheville in a house of seven with three bedrooms. I got into a lot of trouble as a kid due to my mother being incarcerated multiple times.

Xaveria Baird, from Shiloh to Hollywood. Video by Renato Rotolo

In my childhood, my father was never in my life, but my mother was a big inspiration to me because she always did everything. She took care of me and put clothes on my back the best way she could. I was also raised by my grandmother, Justine Baird.

To cope with everything going on around me, I played basketball and football all through middle school and high school. I was eventually awarded a football scholarship to play in Virginia at a division two school, then I played partially at Brevard College as a defensive end. While there, I studied early childhood education which led me to work with three- and five-year-olds at a preschool here in Asheville for several years.

I had trouble financially, bouncing around between different apartments. At one point, due to the waiting lists, I was homeless, sleeping out of my car and couch surfing. But within time, and through grace and prayer, I ended up finding the apartment I needed.

I began acting in 2016. I eventually lost my mother due to cancer in 2017. I found my love for acting when I was on the set of MacGyver, my first television show and my first speaking role, to be exact. Ever since that day, I put everything into my craft as an actor — from losing over 150 pounds to working really hard. And now, with the blessings of God, that hard work has paid off.

In 2024 I was cast in “Not Another Church Movie,” acting alongside stars like Jamie Foxx, Mickey Rourke, and Tisha Campbell in a comedy created by Tyler Perry.

Photos by Renato Rotolo

I now have 10 TV SAG credits from multiple TV shows — from the hit show Atlanta to the hit show P Valley. One of my recent TV show bookings, BMF, is really big in the community and in Black culture. It took 15 auditions for me to land a part in BMF from season one all the way to season four.

I recently booked a Netflix show filmed in Hollywood, and now I’m trying to find other outlets and shows that could feature me in a lead role or as a series regular.

I am thankful for everyone who has been part of my acting journey, and those who have supported me along the way. I will always be grateful and thankful for you. Your support means the world to me.

Watch Xaveria in action at youtube.com/watch?v=Ll0XzjaKVjs and vimeo.com/1110923668.

A full list of movies featuring Xaveria can be found at www.imdb.com/name/nm9788353.