“Turns out they wanted to cast younger and do something different. I was heartbroken, obviously, but I said, ‘God’s will be done.’ I surrendered… My dad gets diagnosed with leukemia… If I had gotten the job the first time, there’s no way I could’ve been with him. I would’ve been in New York filming. But God knew I needed to be with my dad, and my dad needed to be with me. And now that he’s home, God gave me the green light.”
I had the pleasure of talking with Emily Alabi. Emily is an American actress, dancer, and choreographer whose multifaceted career reflects a rare blend of physical discipline, spiritual conviction, and cultural representation. Born in San Francisco in 1989, Alabi was raised in the city’s Mission District, a neighborhood shaped by both resilience and hardship. Of Indigenous, Latin, and Korean descent, she was brought up by a single father who worked multiple jobs to support her and her older brother. In an effort to steer his children away from the dangers of the streets, he enrolled them in dance classes, a decision that would prove pivotal to Alabi’s trajectory.
Beginning her training at the age of 10, Alabi formed a professional salsa partnership with her brother, a collaboration that lasted over two decades. Together, they traveled internationally and became champion dancers, establishing themselves in a field where few from their background had visible representation. Their shared career became a testament to their talent, discipline and perseverance. Despite their global success, Alabi eventually felt a disconnect with the life of touring and performing. Though grateful, she sensed a calling to something more, even if its shape was still unclear.
Opportunities soon emerged that bridged her dancing expertise with the world of acting. Initially hesitant, believing herself strictly a dancer, Alabi eventually enrolled in acting classes, encouraged by her brother and driven by an internal prompting she attributes to her faith. This decision marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would see her transition from stage performances to roles on television screens.
Alabi’s first notable acting job came with a recurring guest role on MTV’s Teen Wolf, a formative experience that introduced her to the workings of a television set and solidified her commitment to the craft. Subsequent appearances followed, including guest spots on NCIS, Marvel’s Runaways, and eventually a more substantial arc in the Paramount series Joe Pickett. Each step reflected a slow but deliberate progression, fueled by consistent effort and a belief in her capacity to evolve.
Her career took further strides with roles in Magnum P.I., FBI: International, and SWAT. Most recently, Alabi joined the cast of FBI as Agent Danny Rhodes, a role she views as both professionally significant and personally resonant. While she initially auditioned for the role months before being cast, it wasn’t until personal circumstances, including her father’s leukemia diagnosis, had taken their course that the part became hers. Alabi has spoken publicly about the alignment of this opportunity with a period of deep personal challenge, interpreting the timing as divinely orchestrated. She has described this chapter as one marked by faith, discipline, and the belief that what is meant for her will not pass her by.
Alabi’s character on FBI, Danny Rhodes, is a reflection of her own multidimensionality. Describing both herself and her character as possessing a blend of toughness and sensitivity, she views the role as an extension of her own instincts, beliefs, and identity. Her performance has drawn attention for its physicality and emotional resonance, allowing her to integrate her dance background with the demands of action-driven storytelling.
Beyond acting, Alabi’s choreography work has been featured in various high-profile projects, including the film Chef, multiple Disney series, and performances at the Academy Awards. Her education in World Arts and Cultures at UCLA further underpins a career marked by cultural fluency and intellectual curiosity. Whether in front of the camera or behind it, she has sought roles and creative contributions that reflect a holistic vision of storytelling, one that honors her heritage and lived experiences.
Faith plays a central role in Alabi’s personal and professional life. Having rediscovered a spiritual connection in adulthood, she views her work as an extension of a larger purpose. Her daily routine includes early-morning workouts, prayer, and scripture study, practices she credits with grounding her in a demanding industry. In our conversation, she spoke about the importance of authenticity, self-belief, and the spiritual peace that has become her compass.
Outside of her current work on FBI, Alabi remains open to new opportunities and hopes to continue expanding her role in the series. She has expressed admiration for artists such as Denzel Washington, whom she considers a model of artistic and spiritual integrity. Through her performances and public reflections, Alabi has emerged not just as an actress, but as a voice for resilience, self-worth, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Yitzi: Emily, it’s so nice to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Emily: Of course. I’m originally from San Francisco. I grew up in the city, in the Mission District. I kind of grew up in a rough neighborhood. I had a single father, so he had to work two or three jobs to support me and my older brother.
Given the environment we were growing up in, my dad wanted to get us off the streets and into something productive, especially my brother. He put us in dance classes, and I started dancing when I was 10 years old. My brother, who was my dance partner, and I are so thankful — we ended up having over 20 years of professional dancing together. We traveled all over the world, and it’s incredible because, where I grew up, you didn’t see many people, if any, pursuing dreams or aspiring to be anything. It was like this world was already set. I didn’t even know what a passport was.
When God started opening up these doors and opportunities for us, I felt so inspired. I worked very hard and was just incredibly grateful for the career we had together. Toward the end of our dance career, though, I started to feel unfulfilled. I was grateful, but I wasn’t happy anymore performing and traveling. I felt like there was more — I just didn’t know what.
Then a couple of opportunities came my way where they were looking for someone who could act and dance. I had no acting experience, but they came to me because of my dancing. After the second opportunity passed, my brother suggested I take an acting class. I said no at first — I thought, I’m a dancer.
But something in me — I really think it was the Holy Spirit — just said, “Try it.” So I took an acting class, and here I am, many years later, a full-time actress. I’m so grateful for every single opportunity. It means so much to me because I didn’t come from a world where it was normal to be on TV or to travel the world or do all these incredible things. Every opportunity holds deep meaning for me.
And of course, I’ve been through a lot on this journey. It hasn’t been easy. It’s been very difficult, and I’ve had to overcome a lot of odds and circumstances. But I’m grateful to be here. I really want to be an example for people in my community — that there’s always a way through if you have a vision, stay focused, work hard, and stay committed. Anything is possible.
Yitzi: That’s beautiful. So tell us about the next chapter. Tell us about your first breaks in acting, your first projects. We’d love to hear the story.
Emily: Yeah, so my first big network gig was booking a recurring guest role on Teen Wolf, which was on MTV at the time. It was such a cool experience. I remember walking onto set and being incredibly nervous. I didn’t really know what I was doing, so it was very scary.
But I’m the type of person that, when I set my mind to something, I work very hard — and that’s exactly what I did. After that gig, I kept going. I felt like I was on this journey of steadiness. I kept showing up, continued working, and I had the right team around me to support me, encourage me, and believe in me when I didn’t fully believe in myself.
After that, I booked a guest star role on NCIS, and then a recurring guest spot on Marvel’s Runaways, which was another great show. I think things really started to unfold when I did Joe Pickett on Paramount. That was my first heavy arc in a series.
That led to Magnum P.I., which was super fun. Then I went to Budapest to shoot for FBI: International. After that, I came back and booked a recurring role on SWAT, which then led to what I’m doing now — I just finished wrapping up season 7 of FBI.
I feel like God gave me enough little nuggets to keep going. I call them my golden nuggets — confirmations that I’m on the right path. Yes, it’s very difficult, but I can do this, and I’m supposed to do this. No matter how many obstacles or challenges arise — and they always do — I truly believe I can do anything I want to do, and be anything I want to be.
What’s really helped me on this journey is my relationship and connection to God, and also doing transformative work — mind, body, and spirit. Making sure I can overflow with the right things, function in purpose, and stay clear on why I’m doing this.
Yitzi: So you probably have some amazing stories from all the different projects you’ve been on, all the different places you’ve been to. Can you share with our readers one or two stories that most stand out in your mind from your professional life?
Emily: I’m going to talk about the most recent one, and I’m trying not to get emotional because it really shows how present God has been in my life. Funny story. I had the opportunity to audition for a new slot that opened up — they were looking for a new agent on FBI. I auditioned, and then I got the call that I was going to be flown to New York to do my first-ever screen test. I was over the moon. I was so excited. I had been doing all this work, and I thought, this is it, this is my time.
I go to New York, I felt so ready. I was really grateful and just very present. I told myself, all I can do is give it my best, and I’m going to leave the rest to God. Whatever is meant to be will happen. A couple days later, I got the call that they were actually going in a different direction. My agent said, word for word, “There was nothing else you could have done. They’re just going in a different direction.”
Turns out they wanted to cast younger and do something different. I was heartbroken, obviously, but I said, “God’s will be done.” I surrendered. And I heard God say, “I don’t want you to stop working. I want you to continue to show up every single day. Trust me and have faith.”
Fast forward — my dad gets diagnosed with leukemia. Keep in mind, I don’t come from a family that has dealt with a lot of illness or loss, thankfully. I’m very grateful for that. And my dad… I mean, I’m his little girl. We talk like ten times a day. We’re super close. He’s my guy.
So when I found out he had leukemia, I was devastated. I flew home to San Francisco. His first day of chemo was on Thanksgiving. I spent the entire holiday season in the hospital with him. I needed to be there for him during that crazy time.
While I was in the hospital, I got another call from my team. Let me back up for a second. During all of this, some articles came out saying the girl who was cast in the role ended up getting let go. So now there was a spot to fill. My agent said, “I checked in, but the network’s not planning to bring on anyone new this season — maybe next year.” And I thought, “Dang.”
Long story short, I get the call while I’m still in the hospital. My agent says, “Casting just reached out. They want to bring on a new agent. An audition is coming your way.” I said, “Great.” I was ready. I flew back to LA for one day — my dad was stable enough. I shot the audition, sent it off, and said, “God, if this is your will, you do your thing.”
I went back, didn’t hear anything through the holidays, but I was focused on being present with my dad. That was the most important thing. My dad gets discharged on December 31. New Year’s Eve. He gets to go home. We celebrated New Year’s at 9:00 PM East Coast time, and I remember thinking, “What a blessing that he gets to wake up in his own house on January 1, 2025.” I thought, “We’re going to start this year strong.”
I came back to LA, and about a week and a half later, I got the call that I got the gig.
It’s crazy because God saw what was coming with my dad. If I had gotten the job the first time, there’s no way I could’ve been with him. I would’ve been in New York filming. But God knew I needed to be with my dad, and my dad needed to be with me. And now that he’s home, God gave me the green light.
It still makes me emotional. Talk about faith. I would wake up at 3:00 in the morning, go to the gym, do what I had to do before heading to the hospital. I still showed up. I did everything I felt God was asking me to do. He was saying, “Don’t stop.” So I kept preparing, even while I was with my dad.
That’s the story that still blows my mind. Look what God did.
And not only has my experience on FBI been amazing, but playing an FBI agent has allowed me to use all my physicality. I told the stunt coordinator, Victor, “If there’s anything I can do, please put me in.” I love anything physical. I want to use my strengths.
It’s been a dream — running through the streets of New York, doing stunt choreography. It all feels so perfect and in alignment.
Yitzi: You’re an amazing storyteller, really.
Emily: Oh no, thank you. Thank you. It’s funny you say that. One of my biggest insecurities is speaking, even though I’m very passionate about sharing. I don’t know, I get a little nervous, but thank you. I just try to share from my heart.
Yitzi: It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a funny mistake you made when you were first starting acting, and the lesson you learned from it?
Emily: Oh man, a funny mistake… let me think. I don’t have a funny one, but I’ve definitely made a lot of mistakes. What I’ve realized is that I was always in my own way. I wanted to believe in myself, but I didn’t really believe in myself.
I’d walk into casting rooms and it was all about, how do I show up so that you like me? How can I please you and give you what you want? And what I’ve learned is there’s so much value in our authenticity.
Being on this journey with God, I’ve realized the importance of dominion — just fully showing up and embracing all of me, my instincts, and my vision. I wouldn’t call it a mistake, but that’s been the biggest lesson on this journey: to just be me.
And that’s so hard because we live in a society that constantly tells us what we should do, who we should be, how we should look, and how we should talk. But we’re all created uniquely for a reason. There’s a plan and purpose in place, and we have to own that.
Yitzi: You have so much impressive work. Can you share with our readers the exciting things you’re working on now and what you hope to be working on in the near future?
Emily: Yeah, I just wrapped up Season 7 of FBI and we’re still waiting for the call for Season 8. But I’m full of faith, and I really hope I get the opportunity to be a series regular and continue my role as Danny Rhodes.
Other than that, I just got back, so we’ll see what’s next. But every day I wake up and tell myself that good news is coming, good things are coming, and I just need to keep showing up and be ready. That’s where I’m at right now.
Yitzi: That’s great. Amazing. You’ve been in so many iconic series — FBI, SWAT, FBI: International, Found, The Rookie — all these beloved franchises. Let’s talk about SWAT for a minute. What do you think made it such a beloved series?
Emily: Oh, I love SWAT so much. The people. I think the cast — I felt the energy immediately as soon as I walked onto the set. It’s a family. Everyone is so committed to doing a great job. People show up, they’re fully present, and they’re kind.
That kindness creates a safe space, and I think that’s the most important thing. Everyone’s welcoming, warm, they say, “Great job,” and ask, “Is there anything you need?” There’s this mindset of, how can we make sure you’re good so that we can all do our best work together?
That’s what I really felt. And there’s just this magic about SWAT that’s hard to explain.
I’m really bummed they got canceled. I was devastated when I heard the news. But I know the rest of the cast and crew are going to be so well taken care of, and many more blessings are coming their way. It was just such a great show with such great people.
Yitzi: Amazing. Let’s talk about FBI. How would you compare and contrast your personal character, Emily, with Danny, the character you play in the series? How are you similar and how are you different?
Emily: Hmm. I’m going to be honest with you — I think we’re the same person. A couple years ago, during my prayer time, I heard God say, “It’s not about a role, it’s about the role.” And I was like, “Okay, God, I hear you. I’m going to keep showing up.”
When I stepped onto set as Danny Rhodes, I truly felt like this was the role He was talking about. Danny is a tough cookie, but she has a big heart. Things matter to her. People matter to her. She’s loyal, she has integrity, and what I really love is that she’s not your typical agent you see in a procedural. There’s something about her energy that’s just different.
I really feel like I’m just playing myself. I know I just listed a bunch of nice things about myself, but honestly, it’s all there. I also have this tough exterior, but I’m incredibly vulnerable, emotional, and I feel things deeply.
I’m hungry, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to show up and do a good job. That’s who Danny Rhodes is too. She comes from an undercover world, but she’s like, “I’m game. Let’s go. What do you need? How can I be a team player?” She’s learning to navigate this already well-formed team that’s been together for seven seasons.
Yitzi: That’s amazing. Was it difficult to come into an already established family?
Emily: Yes. It was definitely challenging, not just because it was a well-established family, but also because they’d already gone through several partners. It felt like a partner search had been happening. So by the time I came in, I already knew people would be watching, like, “Who’s the new girl? Let’s see what she brings.”
I knew there was an expectation to show up, but that’s what I do — I show up. In everything I do, I give it my best. And because of all the internal work I’ve done — believing in myself, owning all of me — it didn’t shake me. I just thought, “All I can do is show up and do a damn good job, and God will take care of the rest.”
What was so lovely is that from the very beginning, at the screen test I did with John Boyd, who plays Scola, I felt an immediate connection. And when I saw him again, that connection never went away.
He’s one of the kindest, most generous people. And honestly, everyone on that set is. That was something I was worried about — being the new girl and wondering, “What if we don’t connect? What if we don’t vibe?” But it turned out to be another dream set for me.
I love everyone on that set so much. I really hope I get to go back.
Yitzi: Aside from the themes of law and order, what are other lessons you think society can take from the themes of FBI?
Emily: That’s a good question. As much “bad” as there is in the world — as much corruption and people making the wrong decisions — on the other side of that, there are always people trying to help and do good. And I think that’s the most important thing for me, that other side.
Yitzi: Beautiful. This is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success. Looking back to when you first started, you must have learned a lot from your experiences. Can you share five things you’ve learned now that you wish you knew when you first started acting?
Emily:
- I’m unique for a reason.
- Believing in myself.
- There’s purpose in everything that we do.
- Always be kind and overflow with love.
- And that everybody’s trying their best.
Yitzi: That’s great. Can you share with our readers the self-care routines you do to help your body, mind, heart, and spirit thrive?
Emily: Yeah, that’s great. Every morning, I’m up at 4:00, and I go straight to the gym. On the drive there, the first thing I do is pray. It’s silent, it’s dark, there are no interruptions or distractions.
Once I get home from the gym, I shower and then go into quiet time with God. I pray again to help set the tone for my day. Whenever I feel insecure, anxious, or have negative thoughts, I hide myself in the Word. I’ll play worship music, listen to a sermon, or pray.
I basically try to stay in a space that’s rooted in empowerment, faith, and trust. That’s what I do all day, every day. In the chaos of life, I try to realign myself by going back to the Word and reconnecting, because as we all know, one moment you’re feeling great, and the next you’re questioning everything.
I just want to keep my energy focused on the light and all the good things.
Yitzi: Unbelievable. I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone in my interviews who is as genuinely connected to God as you are.
Emily: Oh, thank you. He’s — yeah, when I tell you, Yitzi, my life has changed since I found Him… I mean, He’s always been there, but when I found Him, my life changed.
And it’s not even about the external. It’s the internal joy and peace that I’m really seeking. I remember our pastor talked about how Jesus had this “confident ease,” and I thought, I want that.
I want to live my life without being consumed by anxiousness or fear. And yeah, those things still come up, but we only get one life. Today is all we really have.
Yitzi: Amazing. So, did you grow up with this connection, or did it develop later?
Emily: It’s crazy. I went to a Catholic middle school, so I grew up in a Catholic household, but I never had a real relationship with God. It felt like something that was forced on me.
I found God for myself maybe four or five years ago. And actually, it’s funny — just a couple days ago, on the 28th, I celebrated my two-year baptism anniversary with my fiancé. We got baptized together two years ago, and it was the most special day.
If people could just feel Him, embrace Him, surrender to Him, and trust Him, I think we’d all be in a more peaceful place. I really believe that.
Yitzi: Unbelievable. This is one of our final questions. Because of your great work and the platform you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence, Emily. If you could put out an idea, spread a message, or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Emily: I love that. “You are enough, and the value is in you.” That’s it. We’re all enough. The value isn’t out there, it’s in here. And that’s the journey I’ve been on — literally embracing everything that’s already inside of me and believing it. That’s the hard part too, believing it. I’m like, “You’re saying, God, that I already have everything in me? You created me with me in mind?” Okay. So I need to do the work to get all the other stuff out of the way, because life happens, so I can shine bright again. That’s how I see it. We’re all supposed to find our light again and then just shine. And when we do, it inspires the next person to find theirs. So yeah — “you are enough, and the value is in you.”
Yitzi: Beautiful. This is what we call a matchmaker question. We’ve been very blessed that a lot of prominent leaders read this column. Is there someone in the U.S. or anywhere in the world you’d love to have lunch or coffee with? We could tag them — me and you — and maybe even connect you.
Emily: Yeah, I would love to meet Denzel Washington. That would be such a dream. I think he’s not only incredibly talented, but I’ve watched probably every interview of his. He’s a man of God, very humble and grounded, and I think the world of him. So, it would be Denzel Washington.
Yitzi: Beautiful. Emily, how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support you?
Emily: Oh, that’s so nice. They can follow my journey on Instagram. That’s the platform I use the most, and it’s just @EmilyAlabi, all together.
Yitzi: Emily, it’s been such a delight to get to know you. Wishing you continued success and good health. You’re going to be a superstar one day.
Emily: Oh, thank you. I send you all the blessings as well, and thank you for being so kind and making this such a safe space and experience. Thank you.
Emily Alabi on Her ‘FBI’ Breakthrough, Faith-Fueled Journey and Redefining Representation on Screen was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.