Carla Jeffery’s Disney legacy was bigger than ‘Zombies’: She helped Black girls see themselves
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Disney star Carla Jeffery spent years helping little Black girls feel seen on Disney, here’s what we know about what happened to her.
Growing up, you never forget the Black stars that appear on your favorite television networks. From Disney to Nickelodeon. Carla Jeffery was one of those faces that young Black viewers admired. This week, fans are grieving the loss of yet another child actress after Jeffrey’s talent manager, Carla Alexander, announced that the “Zombies” star died on September 1 at age 33.
“Carla joined the Alexanders Talent Management family at the age of 12. For more than 20 years, we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room,” they wrote in a statement posted to Instagram. “As Bree in Disney’s hit ZOMBIES franchise, Carla shared her joy, humor, and bright spirit with audiences around the world. Carla was more than a client; she was family. Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time. We respectfully ask that their privacy be honored as they grieve this unimaginable loss. Rest beautifully, Carla. Your light will never be forgotten.”
“Carla Jeffery’s extraordinary talent, warmth and spirit left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of working with her,” Disney Entertainment Television said in a statement, per ABC News. “She had a rare gift for connecting with audiences, and her performances brought joy to millions. We will remember Carla for her generosity, her humor and the genuine light she brought to those around her. We offer our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones, her castmates and collaborators, and the countless fans whose lives she touched.”
Jeffery was first introduced to audiences when she played a young Mo’Nique in the 2006 film “Phat Girlz,” an experience she said stuck with her. In a 2025 appearance on “The Token Podcast” hosted by her mentor and fellow Disney star Giovonnie Samuels, Jeffery opened up about navigating the industry as a plus-sized child actress.
“The first thing that I booked, I was 12. Literally, I’m sitting at the table. I had to play the young Monique. And all the kids are sitting around the table [saying] ‘Fatty fatty 2×4 can’t fit through the cafeteria door,’” she recalled. “Being almost 300 lb and especially in this industry, going on auditions, I would be sitting there looking… it would be about weight, about how I looked. So I would go in there already thinking I ain’t about to get this.”
And while getting booked for shows like “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “iCarly,” “Shake It Up,” and her hit franchise “Zombies” helped her understand that maybe the industry was not only looking for one specific body type or look, Jeffery continued to battle with her self-image while simultaneously being a beacon of hope for young Black girls.
“I still had some doubts in myself and confidence issues,” she said, reflecting on watching herself play Bree in the “Zombies” franchise for the first time. “I booked that. I worked it. I danced the whole thing. [But] me actually watching it for the first time, [I’m] looking at myself like, ‘How did I get this? I look like this. I’m supposed to be a cheerleader. Oh my god.’”
Meanwhile viewers fell in love with the actress and the representation she offered for Black girls, especially bigger Black girls.
“I’d be just telling myself, see, Carla, it’s not about how you look. It’s about what you do and what you deliver,” she continued. “Seeing the girls dressed up like [Bree] talking about, ‘oh, I love Bri.’ I’m just like, ‘Oh my gosh, they really talk about me.’ That just really made me feel like, ‘See, girl, it’s not about how big you are and everything. You got young black girls looking up to you.’ And that’s what I want to keep doing.”
“I looked at every young Black woman, from Nickelodeon to Disney to just all the shows… Y’all gave me hope,” she told Samuel towards the end of their conversation to which the actress responded. “You’re doing that now!”
Jeffery’s cause of death has not been revealed publicly yet.