Meet Jona Xiao: Returning as Super-villain 'Rainbow Raider' in 'The Flash'

Meet Jona Xiao: Returning as Super-villain 'Rainbow Raider' in 'The Flash'

‘The Flash’ is facing a new supervillain in town and the introduction reveals that it’s Rainbow Raider! 

So who is the new face behind Rainbow Raider? Let’s get to know Jona Xiao.

Rainbow Raider

DC Comics introduced Rainbow Raider aka Roy G. Bivolo in 1980. The supervillain has dreams of becoming an artist, but he is colorblind, which takes him to lead a life of crime.

While his father, an optometrist, is desperate to find a cure for his son, his efforts end up unsuccessful.

But, on his deathbed, Roy’s father gives him a pair of goggles that allows him to create rainbow-colored beams of light. However, Roy used them for evil.

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Soon, Roy becomes an infamous art thief, ultimately getting captured and killed by Blacksmith. However, that wasn’t the end of the supervillain’s story and we got the clear idea from the latest episodes of ‘The Flash.’

Jona Xiao as Rainbow Raider

The character debuted on-screen with season 1 of ‘The Flash,’ originally portrayed by Paul Anthony. 

However, the synopsis of episode 7 reveals the supervillain with a whole new look. Rainbow Raider is returning as Carrie Bates, a character named after her creator. The character is portrayed by Jona Xiao.

Who is Jona Xiao? Her Bio

Jona Xiao was born on May 18, 1989, under the zodiac sign of Taurus. While she was born in Changsha, China, she grew up in St. Louis, Missouri.

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Growing up, she faced several racist remarks, being called ‘chink’ and ‘yellow.’ She then decided to be an actress to break all these stereotypes - she was already acting in middle school.

Her Career

Jona has several credits when it comes to acting and voice acting.

She has appeared in ‘Bellum Lucis’ (2005), ‘Timeline’ (2006), ‘Alice Upside Down’ (2007), ‘The Forgotten’ (2009), ‘The Mandarin Orange Boy’ (2010), ‘Female Vampires Online’ (2012), ‘Victorious’ (2012), ‘Crackhorse Presents’ (2012), ‘2 Broke Girls’ (2012), and ‘Kroll Show’ (2013), among many others.

In 2021, Jona voiced the character Young Namaari, in ‘Raya and the Last Dragon.’ She is also featured as Shen May for the upcoming ‘Resident Evil’ film that is set to debut on Netflix in July 2021.

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Jona is very dedicated when it comes to playing her characters. While talking with ‘Talk Nerdy With Us,’ she talked about what kind of characters draw her.

“I definitely look for characters that are multi-dimensional, so what you see on the surface is not what you get. Then I also really appreciate continuing to break stereotypes, in terms of how Asians are seen in our culture.” 

She further added, “Those types of roles are so much fun because they’re so unexpected. I’m also very much a tomboy in that role. So yeah, where there’s those dimensions and where it surprises people.”

Jona Xiao's Relationship with her Fiance

Jona Xiao is in a relationship with a guy named Michael Tanizaki.

Michael writes for TV and has achieved several accolades for his works, including the Golden Ace Award at the Las Vegas Film Festival and the Gold Kahuna Award at the Honolulu Film Awards.

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Jona and Michael met at a dodgeball game in 2012. Although the exact date is not reported, Jona announced that she was engaged in April 2018. 

Jona-Xiao-with-her-fiance-Michael-Tanizaki

She posted a picture of the two and the caption said, “#fbf to one of the most memorable days in our relationship. This was the day I said yes to spending the rest of my life with my #bestfriend. Can’t wait to say I do.”

Dawn Williams
Dawn Williams

I'm spilling tea in here - tea without prejudice, offense, wrong assumptions, and anything that makes it taste bland. Look out for little thoughts in between my writings.