Alisha Boe: Real Name, Ethnicity, and Acting Career

If you’ve watched 13 Reasons Why, you know Jessica Davis—but behind that character is a Norwegian‑Somali actress with a story that goes way beyond the screen. Alisha Boe’s path from Oslo to Hollywood is layered with family transitions, early casting struggles, and a steady rise in the industry.

Born: March 6, 1997 ·
Nationality: Norwegian ·
Known for: Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why ·
Real name: Alisha Ilhaan Bø

Four key facts, one quick reference:

What is Alisha Boe’s real name?

• Full legal name: Alisha Ilhaan Bø (Wikipedia, the crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)
• Born on March 6, 1997 (Wikipedia)
• She is a Norwegian actress (Capital FM, UK entertainment news)

The implication: her Scandinavian surname “Bø” hints at her father’s Norwegian side, while “Ilhaan” reflects her Somali heritage—a blend that shapes much of her identity.

Is Alisha Boe Somali?

• Yes, she is of Somali descent on her mother’s side (W Magazine, fashion and culture publication)
• Her father is Norwegian (W Magazine)
• She identifies as Norwegian‑Somali (Capital FM)

What this means: in an industry that often boxes actors into narrow categories, Boe’s mixed‑heritage background made early casting tough—she once said roles weren’t “inclusive for mixed, ethnically ambiguous or Black people” (W Magazine).

Who are Alisha Boe’s parents?

• Mother is Somali; father is Norwegian (W Magazine, fashion and culture publication)
• Her mother’s name is Vibeke, according to IMDb (film database)
• Her mother is from Trondheim, Norway (Wikipedia)
• Parents’ full names are not publicly known (Wikipedia)

The catch: while the public knows a great deal about her career, her family’s privacy remains respected—only her mother’s first name and origin are confirmed.

Is Alisha Boe in a relationship?

• As of 2024, Alisha Boe has not publicly confirmed a relationship (W Magazine, fashion and culture publication)

Why this matters: fans often speculate about the personal lives of young stars, but Boe has kept that boundary intact—no confirmed partner, no public statements.

Is Alisha Boe still acting?

• Yes, she remains active in the entertainment industry (IMDb Bio, film database)
• Best known for playing Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why (2017–2020) (Wikipedia, the crowd‑sourced encyclopedia)
• Played Gwen in Teen Wolf (2014–2015) (IMDb)
• Appeared in Modern Family (2015) (IMDb)
• Recent films: Do Revenge (2022), When You Finish Saving the World (2022) (Wikipedia)
• Serves as a global ambassador for YSL Beauty (Capital FM, UK entertainment news)

The pattern: Boe has transitioned from teen dramas to independent films and brand partnerships, proving her versatility beyond the Netflix hit.

“Casting was difficult early in my career because roles were not inclusive for mixed, ethnically ambiguous or Black people.”

— Alisha Boe in W Magazine, fashion and culture publication

“I’ve always loved performing—from a young age, I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

— Alisha Boe in Naluda Magazine, interview platform

For mixed‑ethnicity actors seeking representation, Boe’s journey underscores the importance of persistence and the slow but real shift toward inclusivity in Hollywood. The door is opening—but it took her voice to help push it.