The post-Twilight vampire craze of the mid-’00s inspired countless movies, merchandise, and TV shows based around supernatural horror creatures.
Chief among these TV series was the CW’s The Vampire Diaries, which launched several attractive young actors to fame. This series changed the lives of Joseph Morgan and Persia White, who became more well-known and found love!
Joseph Morgan and Persia White attend an event together, showcasing their elegant styles and enduring relationship that began on The Vampire Diaries (Credit: Brian To/WENN)
Persia White’s Daughter: Who Is Mecca Morgan White’s Father?
Persia White was born in Nassau, the Bahamas, on October 25, 1972, to an Irish-American mother and a Bahamian father. She began her career as an entertainer early, beginning to practice music and ballet as a young girl.
After her father suffered an accident that resulted in paralysis, the family moved to Miami, where a talent scout discovered Persia.
She joined a children’s theater and has been acting ever since. After graduating high school, Persia moved to Los Angeles, signed with Ford Agency, and got her Screen Actors Guild card. In 1995, she gave birth to her daughter, Mecca Morgan White, whose biological father is unknown.
Persia White stuns in a sheer, embellished black dress paired with a statement choker (Credit: Nikki Nelson / WENN)
Over the next few years, Persia would land numerous supporting roles in many shows, including NYPD Blue, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Sister Sister, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Malcolm and Eddie.
However, she would rise to fame in 2000 when she landed a role on UPN’s (later The CW’s) Girlfriends as Lynn Searcy, acting in an ensemble with Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, and Jill Marie Jones.
Girlfriends cast Jill Marie Jones, Persia White, Golden Brooks, and Tracee Ellis at the 6th Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood in 2013 (Credit: Brian To / WENN)
The show was a critical success, receiving nominations and wins from BET and NAACP. It was the number-one TV show in African-American homes for over eight years and a leading show for women ages 14-42.
In 2003, while starring in Girlfriends, Persia White met Saul Williams. The couple married in 2008 but parted ways a year later in 2009.
Persia White and Saul Williams attend an event together, displaying their coordinated black outfits and stylish accessories (Credit: NN4 / WENN)
After Girlfriends ended in 2008, Persia played a few other minor roles before landing the recurring role of Abby Bennett Wilson on season three of CW’s The Vampire Diaries.
Persia follows a vegan diet and advocates for human rights and animal rights. In 2005, PETA honored her as a Humanitarian of the Year.
The Puerto Rican, African-American, and Irish actress also serves on the board of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit marine conservation organization based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, Washington.
How Old Was Joseph Morgan When He Joined The Vampire Diaries?
When Persia was nine, her future husband, Joseph Morgan, was born on the other side of the planet. Born on May 16, 1981, in London, England, Joseph moved with his family to Swansea, Wales, as a young boy.
Having fostered a love of acting as an adolescent, he moved back to London during his teen years to attend the Central School of Speech and Drama.
Shortly after he graduated from school, he landed a role opposite Russell Crowe in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, directed by Peter Weir. Joseph starred as William Warley, Captain of Mizzentop.
This role led to him obtaining a role in Oliver Stone’s Alexander, where he acted alongside acclaimed actors, including Colin Farrell, Anthony Hopkins, Rosario Dawson, and Angelina Jolie.
Joseph Morgan attends a CW event, looking sharp in a navy suit paired with a bold blue shirt and matching pocket square (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN)
Joseph spent several years in roles on British television series, including Hex, William and Mary, The Line of Beauty, and Mansfield Park. He also held several roles on the West End during this time.
In 2010, Joseph began his rise to fame, starring as the title character in CBC’s Ben-Hur, where he performed his own stunts.
His role on The CW’s The Vampire Diaries began in season two, with the introduction of a recurring character, Klaus Mikaelson. He became a series regular in seasons three and four and made guest appearances in seasons five and seven.
Joseph appeared in “Know Thy Enemy,” the 17th episode of the second season of The Vampire Diaries, on April 7, 2011, when he was 29 years old. He celebrated his 30th birthday on May 16, 2011.
Joseph Morgan became famous for his role in The Vampire Diaries and The Originals (Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN)
He quickly established himself as a key character on the show, becoming the leading character on a spin-off based on his character, The Originals. The Originals ran from 2013 until 2018 on CW.
In season three of The Vampire Diaries, he meets Persia White as she plays her recurring character.
How Joseph Morgan and Persia White Fell in Love Through The Vampire Diaries and Beyond
Joseph dished to the Associated Press in 2014 about his first encounter with Persia. “We didn’t know each other before The Vampire Diaries, but we didn’t meet on set.”
“We met in the lobby area where they bring everyone in, and they send people off to hair and makeup and set and different things. And we just got talking there, and that little chat lasted about two hours, and I thought, ‘Well, I definitely want to see her again.’ And it grew from there. And then we rarely spent any time apart since that point when we met.”
Joseph and Persia continued building their relationship after their meeting in 2011. In May 2014, Joseph told E!’s Kristin Dos Santos that the stars had become engaged.
Joseph was veiled about the juicy details of the engagement, telling Dos Santos, “I’m not going to go into specific detail, but I tried to be romantic. It was a nerve-wracking moment, but it was special.”
Joseph Morgan and Persia White attend the People’s Choice Awards, with Joseph in a sleek black suit and Persia dazzling in a cream asymmetrical dress and platform heels (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
Shortly after publicizing their engagement, on July 5, 2014, Joseph and Persia were married in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The location was a natural choice for the couple, given that they were raised near the sea.
Persia wore a Vera Wang wedding dress with a cathedral-length veil, and Joseph wore an ivory-colored silk tux with black lapels by Miguel Wilson.
Their guest list only included 26 people, all family or close friends. Joseph’s best man was Matt Ryan, who played John Constantine on NBC’s Constantine. The two had been friends for over twenty years.
The couple celebrated with their guests with a plant-based menu, including a delicious vegan cake. They had their first dance to Florence and The Machine’s “Never Let Me Go.”
Joseph officially adopted Persia’s daughter Mecca, and the three have been a strong family ever since. Mecca has gone on to work as a director, writer, and actor and credits Persia and Joseph with establishing her foundation in the arts.
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Joseph and Persia are pros at working together. Of course, they acted together on The Vampire Diaries, but Persia also starred in Joseph’s directorial debut, a ten-minute horror film called “Revelation.” They would go on to co-write and co-star in his next short film, “Carousel.”
While Persia never appeared in The Originals, Joseph credits her as being huge support behind the scenes.
He told AP, “She’s a huge part of the show, for me, because she watches every show, we talk about it. She tests me on every scene. She’s incredibly supportive. She’s there running lines with me late at night. She comes to the set frequently and is there. I’ll get home after an exhausting 16-hour day, and there’s some food and a beer in the fridge. She’s incredibly, incredibly supportive. I don’t think I could do it without her because it’s such long hours and such a taxing job.”
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Joseph and Persia are still happily married, and they are a picture of a drama-free couple who live their lives for one another rather than the tabloids.
In an August 2023 interview with Fox 5 Atlanta, Persia White shared the key to her and Joseph Morgan’s long-lasting marriage, emphasizing their commitment to staying together despite the demands of their industry.
“We’re really always trying to stay together. I think our industry pulls us apart because of all the travel. We manage to do what we want to do and stay together,” she said. “We’re really dedicated to the relationship. That’s our big secret.”
They have kept their family life private, even while working together as a fantastic team in show business. Their support for one another, both personally and professionally, has never floundered, and they continue to build a great life together.