Join Literacy - P-Star
"Join Literacy" Priscilla Star Diaz (P-Star), recipient of the Latinaof Distinction and Hip Hop Pioneers for the Future of Hip Hop awards, is one of the stars of the hit series The Electric Company on PBD Kids Go in which she sings and acts alongside celebrities like Ne-Yo, Tiki Barber and Dwight Howard.
Priscilla Star Diaz
Priscilla Star Diaz, known to her fans as P-Star, is one of the stars of the hit series The Electric Company on PBS Kids Go. In her role as Jessica Ruiz, P-Star's singing and acting skills are featured in all 40 episodes and includes her performing alongside celebrities like Ne-Yo, Tiki Barber and Dwight Howard. Additionally, she is the star of the award-winning documentary airing on Independent Lens on PBS called P-Star Rising. The documentary chronicles her life as a young rapper with her father and sister living in Harlem.
Diaz is of Cuban and Puerto Rican descent. She and her older sister started out life in a foster home until their father gained custody and the three have since moved to Harlem. At a young age, Diaz discovered, that she could "spit fire". Before long, she was battling everyone, everywhere, and in 2005, she won the Citywide Hip Hop Competition and was the youngest female entrant.
Diaz attended the Jo Lee Dance and Performance Arts School, and received acting lessons at the City Lights Youth Theater. She has appeared in the Off-Broadway production of Take the Train to Maine at the Second Stage Theater. In 2005, she appeared in the short film, Sita, as a young girl dying of AIDS. She also appeared in Nick at Nite's candid camera-style show for kids, Hijinks, featuring Susan Sarandon. In 2007, Diaz shot a pilot for her own show on Nickelodeon, P-Star and Angela. Additionally, she has finalized a second pilot, The Adventures of Super Jane. Her television appearances also include Sabado Gigante, Primer Impacto, One Nation, and the Latin Grammy Awards. Diaz also recently released a children's work-out DVD.
Diaz's music career began in 2005 where she was featured as the lead vocalist on "Reggaeton Niños Vol. 1," which sold more than 150,000 copies and stared in the video "Oye mi Canto". She subsequently became the opening voice of Hot 97's Angie Martinez Show on New York City radio. In 2006, Diaz opened for Raven Symone at Great Adventure and has opened for several other Disney shows. In 2007, Diaz debuted her single "Biggie Bounce", which is featured on Kidz Bop. Her first full-length solo album, "Welcome to My Show", under Hunc Records/DFE, is in stores now.
A gifted rapper and actor, Diaz won first place in the 2004 Little Miss Harlem Black and Latino Beauty Pageant; the Miss All American State Finals; and the Junior Miss International Beauty Pageant. Diaz was the first female in beauty pageant history to perform hip-hop on stage and win the pageant. She has gone on to model for Royal Addiction, Baby Phat, J. Lo, and Roca Wear.
Diaz received the 'Latina of Distinction' award in 2005. The same year, the NYC Department of Education honored her with the legendary 'Hip Hop Pioneers for the Future of Hip Hop' award, recognizing her for her positive presence in the community.