Vanessa Baden, also known as Vanessa Jennifer Baden-Kelly, was born on September 8, 1985, in Manhattan Beach, California. Although she was born on the West Coast, she was raised in Satellite Beach, Florida. It was there that she began her career in the entertainment industry, initially working as a child model in commercial advertising.
Baden gained early recognition for her role as Vanessa on the Nickelodeon children’s television series Gullah Gullah Island. Following her success on the show, she landed a prominent role as Kyra Rockmore in the popular teen sitcom Kenan & Kel, where she appeared in over 60 episodes.
In 2004, Baden won the Florida District Miss Black and Gold Pageant, representing the Iota Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Though Alpha Phi Alpha is a fraternity, this pageant is part of its tradition of recognizing outstanding young women. The competition took place in Atlanta and showcased her poise and talent beyond her acting career.
In recent years, Baden expanded her role in the entertainment industry by writing, producing, and acting. One of her most notable projects is the critically acclaimed web series Giants, which streams on Issa Rae’s YouTube channel under the banner “Issa Rae Presents.” Baden co-wrote and co-produced the series, in addition to starring in it. Her performance earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2018, cementing her status as a multifaceted talent in modern digital storytelling.
| Height: | 5' 7" |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Date of Birth: | September 8, 1985 (age 33 years) |
| Nationality: | American |
| T.V. Show(s): | Kenan & Kel, Gullah Gullah Island |
| Birth Place: | Manhattan Beach, CA |
| Spouse: | RJ Kelly (m. 2013) |
| Education: | Florida State University |
| Net Worth 2020: | 300 thousand |
| Net Worth 2021: | 300 thousand |
