Biography

Kharisma McIlwaine, a Philadelphia native, is a Multimedia personality, Writer, Community Ambassador, Singer and Film Maker. Kharisma began her work in television with CBS3/The CW Network as an On-Air Host. Some career highlights include interviews with: Tyler Perry, Ava DuVernay, Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Hart, Ice Cube, Adam McKay, Omari Hardwick, Wayne Brady, Nick Cannon, Marlon Wayans, Megan Good, Michael Ealy, and Malcolm D. Lee.

Kharisma, the adopted niece of the legendary Rick James, can also add to her list of accomplishments singing background for Mariah Carey, Kenny Loggins, and being the opening act for Eric Roberson, Kenny Lattimore, and Deborah Cox. Kharisma has worked with a number of Grammy nominated producers and continues to be active in the music community in Philadelphia as a singer and songwriter. The music world and acting often intersected leading Kharisma to pursue a career in film both in front of the camera.

Kharisma began her acting career in high school landing her first leading role as Naya in the film "Music City" at 16. Kharisma continued pursuing acting in college and made history being the first African American freshman to land a leading role in Don Nigro's Cinderella Waltz as Rosie Snow. Since then Kharisma has been in a number of films, stage productions, and television roles including; Cover, Warm Bodies, Blue, Life Isn't Fair, Truth Hurts, Sinner City, Voiceless, and Where's Daddy.

Kharisma eventually began expanding her interest in media to the role of producer. Her first national production project was for BET's live coverage of "The Home Going of Whitney Houston". Kharisma recently made her directorial and screenwriting debut with short film "From the Concrete" earning a finalist spot for the PHS 2015 Flower Show "What is Beauty?" film competition. When not on set, you can see Kharisma covering press junkets for upcoming films, volunteering for a variety of charity organizations, and serving as a board member for Big Picture Alliance, an organization that works with underserved youth through media arts and educational programming.
- IMDb mini biography by: miscellaneous

In 2015 Kharisma was voted Sexy Singles All Star by The Philadelphia Daily News.

Kharisma studied acting under Sundance Special Jury Prize winning director Leslie Harris (Just Another Girl on the I.R.T).

Kharisma sang background for Mariah Carey during her Adventures of Mimi tour stop in Philadelphia.

Kharisma is the niece of legendary rock star Rick James.