Alisha Boe is one of those actors whose name you might not know at first, but whose face feels instantly familiar — that’s the power of playing Jessica Davis in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, a role that turned her into a household name among young audiences and made her Somali-Norwegian heritage part of a much-needed conversation about representation. From a childhood split between Oslo and Los Angeles to a career that spans indie horror, teen drama, and sitcom guest spots, here’s what’s confirmed, what’s rumored, and what’s next for the 27-year-old actress.
Full name: Alisha Ilhaan Bø ·
Date of birth: March 6, 1997 ·
Nationality: Norwegian-American ·
Known for: Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why ·
Notable other series: Teen Wolf, Modern Family ·
Instagram followers: 3.1 million
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Alisha Ilhaan Bø (Wikipedia)
- Born March 6, 1997 in Oslo, Norway (Wikipedia)
- Somali-Norwegian descent (W Magazine)
- Breakout role: Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why (Wikipedia)
- Current relationship status not publicly confirmed
- Exact net worth — estimates range from $500K to $4 million
- Whether she dated Scott O’Brien (only tabloid reports)
- 2012: First major film role in Paranormal Activity 4 (Wikipedia)
- 2015: Recurring role on Teen Wolf (Wikipedia)
- 2017–2020: Starred in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why (Wikipedia)
- 2017: Guest-starred on Modern Family (Wikipedia)
- No upcoming projects announced as of 2025
- Active on Instagram with 3.1 million followers
- Potential for more roles given her visibility from 13 Reasons Why
Seven key facts, one pattern: Alisha Boe’s public profile is built on a small number of high-confidence biographical details, while her financial and romantic life remains largely off the record.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alisha Ilhaan Bø |
| Date of Birth | March 6, 1997 |
| Birthplace | Oslo, Norway |
| Known For | Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why |
| Ethnicity | Somali-Norwegian |
| Instagram Followers | 3.1 million |
| Estimated Net Worth | $500,000 – $1,000,000 |
Is Alisha Boe in a relationship?
Alisha Boe has kept her personal life private in public interviews and profile pieces, W Magazine noted in a 2023 profile. No confirmed partner has been reported by reliable outlets. The only persistent rumor involves a past relationship with Scott O’Brien, a non-celebrity, reported by TheBiography.org biography site and Naija News — both low-confidence sources. Neither source provides direct evidence, and Boe herself has never commented.
Alisha Boe’s dating history
- Scott O’Brien – Reported by tabloid-style sites as a 2017 relationship; unconfirmed.
- Brandon Flynn – Rumored by fans during the 13 Reasons Why era; no credible source backs this.
The implication: Boe’s love life is a near-total blank. For anyone looking for a confirmed partner, the honest answer is that no reliable information exists.
Alisha Boe has chosen to keep her private life private. In an era of oversharing, that silence is itself a statement — and it means any claim about a current relationship should be treated as speculation.
Was Alisha Boe in Modern Family?
Yes. Alisha Boe guest-starred in Season 8, Episode 11 of Modern Family, which aired in January 2017. She played a character named Nikki, a friend of Manny’s, according to Wikipedia. The episode, titled “The Weatherman,” was a single appearance, but it added a sitcom credit to a resume already heavy with teen drama.
Which episodes of Modern Family did she appear in?
- Season 8, Episode 11: “The Weatherman” (2017) – Role: Nikki
The pattern: Boe’s early career was built on one-off guest roles that let her show range across genres — from horror to comedy to prestige teen drama.
What is Alisha Boe’s real name and ethnicity?
Her full birth name is Alisha Ilhaan Bø (sometimes anglicized as Alisha Ilhaan Boe), as recorded by Wikipedia. She is of Somali and Norwegian descent: her father is Somali, her mother is Norwegian, W Magazine confirmed in a 2023 interview. Boe has said she does not identify as American, despite having lived in Los Angeles since age seven.
Her Somali-Norwegian background
In a 2023 video interview, Boe explained: “I was born in Norway, I’m half Norwegian and half Somali.” That mixed heritage directly shaped her casting as Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why — the character was written as Somali-Norwegian, a rare instance of a TV character sharing the actor’s specific ethnic background.
What ethnicity is Jessica from 13 Reasons Why?
Jessica Davis is Somali-Norwegian, just like Boe. The show’s casting decision was widely praised for authentic representation. W Magazine noted that Boe’s heritage was a key factor in her landing the role and that she brought personal experience to the character’s storylines about identity and belonging.
For a young actress with a background that rarely appears on screen, playing a character who shares that background is more than a job — it’s a form of visibility that changes what Hollywood thinks is possible.
How old was Alisha Boe in 13 Reasons Why and what is her net worth?
Born March 6, 1997, Boe was 19 years old when filming began for the first season in 2016, and she turned 20 during the show’s early promotion. The series ran from 2017 to 2020, so she was 19–23 during its production.
Estimated net worth from acting
Net worth estimates for Boe vary widely. Naija News reported a figure of about $1 million, while TheBiography.org biography site estimated over $1 million as of 2021. A 2025 video biography claimed $4 million. None of these sources are official financial disclosures, so the $500,000–$1,000,000 range from Celebrity Net Worth (via Naija News) is the most commonly cited, but it remains unverified.
Boe’s net worth is a matter of speculation, not fact. For anyone trying to gauge her financial standing, the only honest answer is “we don’t know for sure.”
What movies and TV shows has Alisha Boe been in?
Boe’s filmography spans a decade, with a clear arc from small horror roles to a defining Netflix series. Below is a timeline of her major credits.
- 2011 – Begins acting with minor roles.
- 2012 – Cast in Paranormal Activity 4 as a supporting character (Wikipedia).
- 2015 – Recurring role as Gwen on Teen Wolf (Portuguese Wikipedia).
- 2017 – Guest stars as Nikki on Modern Family (Wikipedia).
- 2017–2020 – Portrays Jessica Davis in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why (Wikipedia).
Boe’s most recognized role remains Jessica Davis, but her earlier work in Teen Wolf and Paranormal Activity 4 helped build the resume that led to that breakthrough.
Timeline of Alisha Boe’s career
- – Begins acting career with minor roles. (Wikipedia)
- – Cast in Paranormal Activity 4. (Wikipedia)
- – Recurring role as Gwen on Teen Wolf. (Portuguese Wikipedia)
- – Guest stars as Nikki on Modern Family. (Wikipedia)
- – Portrays Jessica Davis in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. (Wikipedia)
- – Active on Instagram; career continues with new projects.
The timeline shows a steady progression from horror to teen drama to mainstream recognition.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Real name: Alisha Ilhaan Bø (Wikipedia)
- Birth date: March 6, 1997 (Wikipedia)
- Role: Jessica Davis in 13 Reasons Why (Wikipedia)
- Ethnicity: Somali-Norwegian (W Magazine)
- Moved to Los Angeles at age 7 (W Magazine)
- Does not identify as American (W Magazine)
What’s unclear
- Current relationship status – not publicly confirmed
- Exact net worth – estimates vary between $500K and $4M
- Whether she dated Scott O’Brien – only tabloid rumors
- Next acting project – none announced
- Height – not confidently documented
- Whether she dated Brandon Flynn – only fan speculation
The split between confirmed and unclear highlights the limited public information about Boe.
What Alisha Boe has said about her identity
“I was born in Norway, I’m half Norwegian and half Somali.”
— Alisha Boe, in a 2023 YouTube interview
“Boe has kept her personal life private in public interviews and profile pieces.”
— W Magazine, 2023
The takeaway from both quotes: Boe is clear about her roots. She owns her Norwegian and Somali heritage, and she has no interest in being labeled as American despite her long residence in the U.S.
imdb.com, ha.wikipedia.org, id.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, southernpulse.org
Frequently asked questions
Is Alisha Boe married?
No. She has never publicly confirmed a marriage.
Does Alisha Boe have children?
No children have been reported.
How tall is Alisha Boe?
Her height is not confidently documented. Most unofficial sources list her at around 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), but there is no verified source.
Where was Alisha Boe born?
Oslo, Norway, on March 6, 1997.
What is Alisha Boe’s real Instagram handle?
Her verified Instagram account is @alishaboe.
When did Alisha Boe start acting?
She began her acting career in 2011 with minor roles, followed by her first major film in 2012.
What is Alisha Boe’s next project?
As of 2025, no new projects have been officially announced.
Alisha Boe remains a private figure, but her impact on representation in teen drama is undeniable.
Related reading: Alison Brie: Age, Height, Ethnicity, Kids, Husband & More · Addison Rae: TikTok Star to Netflix Actress, Bio & Net Worth
Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Oz Insightlab, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.