Biography
Riki Yvette Westmoreland is a multi-award-winning independent actress, transformative performer, and the pioneering first actor of the globally viral Dhar Mann digital TV series-where her emotionally raw signature performances helped define the platform's impactful storytelling style in its start up beginnings, and contributed significantly to its early growth. Her viscerally-felt portrayals were instrumental in the series' breakout success, drawing viewers back for more as it climbed to multi-billions of views. In her fourth year with the series, Riki earned Dhar Mann Studios' first-ever Most Impactful Actress Award. Today, as the platform surpasses 60 billion views globally, her unforgettable performances continue to resonate, where she is a beloved and recognizable "face famous" figure to audiences worldwide.
But Riki's impact reaches far beyond Dhar Mann. With over 100 roles spanning film, television, theater, and digital series, her career is marked by a rare emotional authenticity that transcends genre. Her signature performances-known for their raw depth, transformative power, and chameleon-like range-have earned her numerous accolades and critical acclaim as a performer who can break hearts and open minds in a single scene.
In 2022, Riki delivered a powerful, award-winning performance in the Oscar-qualified short film On the Line, written and directed by Brianna Devons, which was screened by The Academy. Most recently, she was cast in the lead role of "Epiphany" in the upcoming feature film "But Still", written, directed, and produced by acclaimed playwright and filmmaker Peachanda DuBose.
Throughout her journey, Riki has shared the screen as well as shared significant roles in productions with influential names and changemakers including Big Boy, Lewis Howes, Trent Shelton, LisaRaye McCoy, AzMarie Livingston, and more. She served as a yearly presenter, including two years as Mistress of Ceremonies, and one year as Trustee for the Peach Theater and Film International Festival, where she's invited back each year for her magnetic presence, heart-forward artistry, and deep connection with audiences.
Her ability to move people stems from lived truth. A teen from foster care, survivor of abuse, systemic poverty, sexual assault, and suicidal depression, Riki doesn't just portray struggle-she embodies it, pouring every ounce of what has become her superpower into her roles. Her storytelling-acting style is not performance for performance's sake, but a sacred act of truth-speaking through character-a gift refined through pain, healing, and an unwavering commitment to transform lives through story.
In 2021, after facing a series of personal and professional hardships-including homelessness-Riki made the bold decision to re-imagine her life and legacy. From that choice came Riki's World, LLC - Home of Butterfly Theratainment(TM), a groundbreaking ecosystem of immersive storytelling and healing-centered film, digital, live, and real-time experiences that use acting as a tool for growth, self-discovery, and grassroots change, which she actively travels the nation bringing into communities along with her empowering guest talks and guest appearances.
Her debut Butterfly Theratainment(TM) production, "Timeless Foe: Fresh Fight: A Time Traveler's Call for New Justice"-a hybrid cinematic and live one-woman show starring two of her original characters-won Best Performance at the Peach Theater and Film International Festival. Its impact led to an personal invitation to headline the following year, cementing Riki's reputation not just as a performer, but as a visionary artistic voice.
Through Riki's World, she continues to build her own genre of healing-centered entertainment for screen, stage, and digital media-empowering everyday people, crafting transformative characters, and bringing emotionally immersive storytelling experiences that meet audiences where they are.
A word from Riki: "The world says 'stay strong.' But I teach people that it's safe to feel. That softness IS your strength in motion. Never be ashamed to tell your story-because your truth is what makes you powerful."
