Isaiah Russell-Bailey: Actor, Dancer & Rising Star Redefining Young Hollywood
By Dance Mogul Magazine | Updated May 2026
Isaiah Russell-Bailey has been building an entertainment career since before most people his age had their first job. Born on December 9, 2006, in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Los Angeles, California, the young actor, dancer, model, and content creator first appeared on screen at age 11 and has since accumulated a filmography that spans Netflix, Disney+, CBS, and beyond. With over 2.8 million TikTok followers, 420K on Instagram, and a growing list of film and television credits, Russell-Bailey represents a new generation of multi-platform entertainers who move fluidly between traditional Hollywood and digital media.
His story is also deeply tied to family. His mother, actress, dancer, and choreographer Brittany Perry-Russell, has been both his creative partner and his greatest champion — making their mother-son dynamic one of the most compelling family stories in entertainment today.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Isaiah Russell-Bailey |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 2006 |
| Age | 19 years old (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Raised In | Los Angeles, California |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Profession | Actor, Dancer, Model, Content Creator, Producer |
| Best Known For | Shaka McKellan in Netflix's Family Reunion |
| Mother | Brittany Perry-Russell (actress, dancer, choreographer) |
| Father | Howard Earl Bailey Jr. (rapper Chingy) |
| @isaiahrussellbailey (420K+ followers) | |
| TikTok (Solo) | @RussellHustleInc (2.8M+ followers) |
| Contact (Business) | RussellHustleInc@gmail.com |
Early Life & Family Background
Isaiah Russell-Bailey was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to two parents rooted in the entertainment industry. His mother, Brittany Perry-Russell, is a professional dancer who toured with artists like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Chris Brown before becoming an actress with credits on 13 Reasons Why, Family Reunion, and more. His father is Howard Earl Bailey Jr., better known as Chingy, the St. Louis-born rapper behind early-2000s hits like "Right Thurr" and "One Call Away."
Isaiah grew up in Los Angeles, frequently accompanying his mother to sets and rehearsals. Those early experiences watching professional dancers and performers at work planted the seeds for his own career. He began taking acting classes and quickly developed a love for breakdancing and physical movement, which would later become defining parts of his brand.
Acting Career & Filmography
Television
Russell-Bailey made his on-screen debut in 2018 with a guest role on CBS's Criminal Minds, playing Young Kevon Winters in the episode "Miasma." That same year he appeared in the TV series Giants as Young Malachi and booked a role as Burton on Disney Channel's Raven's Home. He also played young Dee in an episode of CBS's S.W.A.T.
His career took a major leap in 2019 when he was cast as Shaka McKellan in Netflix's Family Reunion, a family comedy starring Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Loretta Devine. As the mischievous but good-hearted eldest son of the McKellan family, Isaiah won audiences over across four seasons. The show was nominated for a 2020 NAACP Image Award and became one of Netflix's most beloved family comedies. The series also made history by assembling an all-Black writers' room.
Film
In 2018, Isaiah appeared in the holiday comedy Throwback Holiday as Justin Grant. In 2020, he landed the role of Rewind in Robert Rodriguez's superhero film We Can Be Heroes on Netflix — notably alongside his own mother, Brittany Perry-Russell, who played Red Lightning Fury. The two became the first mother and son to portray superheroes together in a Netflix original film.
His biggest film role came in 2023 with Disney+'s Crater, a coming-of-age sci-fi adventure in which he starred as Caleb Channing opposite Mckenna Grace and Scott "Kid Cudi" Mescudi. The film follows a group of kids on a lunar mining colony who hijack a rover to explore a mysterious crater. Isaiah was praised for carrying the emotional weight of the lead role.
"I would love to be a superhero in a Marvel movie. Specifically, Miles Morales — it's been a dream of mine for a while to play Spider-Man."
— Isaiah Russell-Bailey, BET interview (2023)
Complete Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Criminal Minds | Young Kevon Winters | TV (Guest) |
| 2018 | Giants | Young Malachi | TV Series |
| 2018 | Raven's Home | Burton | TV (Disney Channel) |
| 2018 | S.W.A.T. | Young Dee | TV (CBS) |
| 2018 | Throwback Holiday | Justin Grant | TV Movie |
| 2019–2022 | Family Reunion | Shaka McKellan | TV Series (Netflix) |
| 2019 | A Family Reunion Christmas | Shaka McKellan | TV Movie (Netflix) |
| 2020 | We Can Be Heroes | Rewind | Film (Netflix) |
| 2021 | Game On! | — | TV Series |
| 2023 | Crater | Caleb Channing (Lead) | Film (Disney+) |
Dance, Parkour & Physical Performance
Isaiah Russell-Bailey is not just an actor who happens to dance — dance is woven into his identity. Growing up watching his mother perform on stages with some of the biggest names in music, he fell in love with breakdancing as a child and later trained in parkour at the Jam Studio in Los Angeles.
His parkour and stunt skills have become a distinctive part of his professional toolkit. He has stated that he performs his own stunts on set, and his physical training opened the door to action-oriented roles like Rewind in We Can Be Heroes. Beyond the screen, his dance skills are on full display across his social media platforms, where his choreography and freestyle videos regularly reach millions of views.
Social Media & TikTok Stardom
Alongside his mother Brittany, Isaiah co-created the TikTok account @RussellHustleInc, which has amassed over 2.8 million followers and more than 40 million likes. The account features mother-son dance challenges, comedic skits, behind-the-scenes content, and choreography that consistently goes viral. Their joint Instagram account @russellhustleinc has over 107K followers.
On his personal Instagram (@isaiahrussellbailey), Isaiah describes himself as an "Actor, Model, Producer, and Future Filmmaker." His TikTok presence has given him a direct line to a younger audience that traditional Hollywood doesn't always reach — and he's used that platform to stay connected with fans even between acting projects. Notable collaborations include a choreography video with Will Smith that went viral.
Modeling & Brand Partnerships
Isaiah has worked with major brands including Nike, Skechers, Target, and GX Studios through national print and television campaigns. He has also been featured in PhotoBook Magazine, further establishing his crossover appeal between entertainment and fashion.
Personal Interests & Fun Facts
Beyond the entertainment world, Isaiah is known among fans and colleagues for a few endearing personal traits. He is a self-described foodie whose favorite snack is popcorn and whose go-to meal is pizza. He tries to read at least one book per month. He enjoys art, basketball, and playing pranks on set. He has also revealed a lesser-known passion: producing his own beats — a musical interest he bonded over with Kid Cudi during the production of Crater. His favorite superhero is Spider-Man, and his dream role is Miles Morales in a Marvel production.
The Mother & Son Legacy
One of the defining aspects of Isaiah's public identity is his relationship with his mother. Brittany Perry-Russell isn't just his parent — she's his co-star (Family Reunion, We Can Be Heroes), his dance partner (TikTok), and his creative collaborator. Together, they were the first mother-son duo to portray superheroes in a Netflix original film. Their joint social media presence has become a model for positive, family-centered content creation in an industry that often lacks it.
For a deeper look at their journey together, explore our original feature: Brittany Perry Russell & Isaiah Russell Bailey: The Ultimate Mother & Son Entertainment Duo.
What's Next for Isaiah Russell-Bailey
At 19, Isaiah Russell-Bailey is in a rare position: he has nearly a decade of professional experience, a massive digital audience, a family legacy in entertainment, and ambitions that stretch from acting to filmmaking to music production. Whether the next chapter involves a Marvel audition, a feature directorial debut, or another viral dance moment with his mom, the trajectory is clear — this is someone who has been building since childhood and is only now entering the phase where the biggest opportunities become possible.
Dance Mogul Magazine has been following the Russell family's journey since 2020. As Isaiah continues to grow, we'll be here to document the milestones. Read more -->
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