Blu del Barrio was born on September 15, 1997, in Topanga, California, and is an
American actor best known for their role as Adira Tal in Star Trek: Discovery.
They are the first openly non-binary actor to play a non-binary character in the
Star Trek franchise. Del Barrio has been passionate about acting since
childhood, engaging in theater and ballet before pursuing formal training at the
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), where they graduated in 2019.
Del Barrio first realized they might be non-binary
after seeing actor Lachlan Watson on television. They came out publicly in 2019,
choosing the name Blu in honor of their favorite childhood color. Their casting
in Star Trek: Discovery helped them embrace their identity more openly. They use
they/he/elle pronouns as of April 2025.
Their
acting career began at the age of seven, performing in short films and theater
productions. While studying at LAMDA, they honed their skills in stage combat,
dance, and singing. In 2020, they joined Star Trek: Discovery as Adira Tal, a
highly intelligent character who forms a deep connection with Gray, played by
Ian Alexander. Their portrayal was widely praised for its authentic
representation of non-binary identities.
Outside
of acting, del Barrio is an advocate for transgender visibility and inclusivity
in media. They have spoken about the importance of accurate representation and
the need for non-binary individuals to feel like they "fit" in society. They
believe that non-binary people deserve to live in a world where they are fully
accepted.
Del Barrio enjoys watching movies,
playing video games, photography, and Dungeons & Dragons (DnD). They play DnD
with fellow Star Trek: Discovery cast members, including Anthony Rapp, Ian
Alexander, and Mary Wiseman, streaming their sessions on Twitch under the name
Disco Does DnD.
They are bilingual, speaking both Spanish and English, and
are skilled in paddleboarding. Their career continues to grow, and they remain a
passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment.