Layla Keating

**Layla Keating** is a main character on The CW series *All American*. She is portrayed by Greta Onieogou.

Layla is the daughter of a famous music mogul and the richest girl in Beverly Hills, but when she gets home, to her empty mansion, she's just a lonely girl in a lonely world. Layla has suffered loss and abandonment after her mother, Monica Keating, died in a car accident when she was a freshman, and the absence of her father due to him prioritizing business over his own daughter only made matters worse, and furthered Layla's depression which was implied to also be genetically inherited through her mother. Growing up, Layla learned to mask her problems with a perky and bubbly facade, which fell down at the end of the first season. In season 2, we dive into Layla's depression and see how it affected not only her relationships with her father, friends and school, but also how it affected her. Eventually, she admits that she's not okay and that she needs help, starting her recovery and her healing journey. Layla also finds that music is a passion and talent that runs in the Keating blood, and decides to start her own business, ForMonica Records (honoring her deceased mother, whom Layla was deeply connected to), at the age of 17, and gives her friends Coop and Patience the role of her label's main singer.

## Throughout *All American*

### Season One

In "*Pilot",* Jordan introduces Spencer to his friend group, including Layla and her boyfriend Asher, who plays the same position as Spencer and isn't happy about Spencer joining the team. Asher says something rude, which offends Spencer, causing him to walk away. Layla scolds Asher and aplogizes to Spencer on his behalf. They engage in conversation. Realizing that Spencer notices things that other people cannot, Layla is curious as to what he sees in her. Spencer says she's like a defensive back: confident, wants to call all the plays, and lonely. They banter a little more, and Layla tells him she's glad he came to Beverly.

Spencer walks off the field. He's headed towards Olivia, but Layla swoops in. She apologizes for the party and claims she didn't know. Spencer assures her that it's okay and they agree to be friends.

In *"99 Problems"*, after Layla and Spencer have a heartfelt talk, she wants him to stay longer and have a beer; however, a responsible Spencer declines.

During the Booster Party, Spencer clings to Olivia until Layla walks in. Layla confides in Spencer; revealing the loss of her mother.

In *"I"*, Layla and Olivia are "friendly" now. Olivia, in a desperate attempt to brush everything that happened during her period of drug abuse under the rug, inadvertently shuts Layla out. Later, Olivia tries to apologize; however, Layla flips the script by shutting her out. After Layla and Olivia commemorate the passing of Layla's mother, their friendship is re-established.

In *"Lose Yourself"*, Layla and Olivia are BFF's again and Layla encourages Olivia to go to Asher's party by saying that she needs a "fresh start" since returning from rehab. Layla mentions that Olivia should show more interest in Spencer. Olivia finally agrees to go but shortly after arriving she and Spencer are naked in a jacuzzi -- a dare brought on by Layla during a gambling game to get them together.

In *"All We Got"*, it's Spencer's birthday, and Layla, gives him field seats to a UCLA vs Eastern Nevada football game as a "thank you"/ birthday gift for helping Asher. Spencer tells her his father is the coach for the Houston team and he hasn't seen him in six years.

Asher is still lying about having money. It's making Layla frustrated.

Layla's father, JP, just shows up. Layla literally runs into him when she goes back home after the party. He introduces Layla to his new younger girlfriend, Chynna. Layla isn't surprised.

In *"The Choice Is Yours"*, Layla is cordial with Chynna but she's suspicious of her intentions in regards to JP. After the game, JP, Chynna, Layla, and Asher are having dinner. JP is not impressed with Asher. Layla becomes annoyed with Asher when he starts talking about his father taking him in a private jet to go snorkeling. She leaves the table just when Spencer comes around to serve their food. She encourages Asher to be himself, but he's over it.

Everyone can tell Layla doesn't like Chynna. Layla finds an engagement ring in JP's bag when she visits him and Chynna at the recording studio. She steal it. She shows Spencer the ring; she's nervous to the point that it's crippling. She really doesn't trust Chynna. Spencer sees nothing for her to be concerned about, but Layla won't let it go. Spencer and Layla meet JP and Chynna for lunch.

Backstage in the dressing room, Chynna is getting ready for her performance when Layla and Coop walk in to wish her good luck. Chynna becomes dumbfounded when Coop mentions Alvin and his shop. This reignites Layla's concerns when she tried to let them go.

Later that night, Layla is mad at JP because she feels neglected by him. She shows him the engagement ring and he apologizes. JP admits that he was selfish and he hasn't been the greatest father to Layla. He tells Layla that he was going to give it to her since he didn't have a chance to give the ring to her mother. Layla and JP hug before he gets in the limo.

In the restaurant, Layla praises Spencer for being real and she kisses him, then they make out. Olivia is bawling outside.

In *"California Love"*, Olivia, after school, finds Layla sitting outside of the restaurant. Olivia gives Layla some advice; prompting Layla to come clean about her kiss with Spencer.

During the homecoming dance, Layla dumps Asher. A fragile ego partnered with Asher's drinking causes him to air everything out on stage in front of the whole school. The secret is out, now Layla knows Olivia and Asher slept together. In the hallway after Asher's fiasco, Layla calls Olivia a "treacherous bench" but Olivia calls her a "hypocrite" for kissing Spencer. Olivia was never oblivious to Layla's true intentions. She knew that Layla wanted Spencer since day one.

In *"Homecoming"*, after admitting that they've both made poor choices, Layla and Olivia make amends. It's gonna take some time for their friendship to get back on track; however, their willing to try.

Later, after officially opening her heart up to Spencer, Layla appears at the Baker's house and in Spencer's room. The two have sex. Afterwards, Spencer finally admits his feelings for her.

### Season Four

She is the former "girl interrupted" who is now taking control of her narrative and stepping into her power as Coop’s and Patience’s music producer. After a harrowing experience that has rocked Layla to her core, she’ll have to overcome new obstacles to grow her music empire and unapologetically grab the future she wants, consequences be damned.

### Season Five

Layla is trying to create her own empire despite the obstacles standing in her way. She’s focused on taking her star musician, Patience, to the next level while also filling her roster with up-and-coming talent. When she’s not being a bad ass music producer, Layla is exploring the possibility of a new relationship with an old friend. After Billy passed away, however, she helped Olivia through the major relapse in while keeping her own relapse in check.

## Physical Appearance

Layla is a young woman of African-American descent. She has a strikingly beautiful appearance. She has a slender and toned physique, with long legs and a graceful gait that exudes confidence and poise. Her complexion is smooth and flawless, with a healthy glow that adds to her natural beauty. At the beginning of the show, Layla has long, flowing hair that is usually styled in loose waves or straightened to frame her delicate features. In season 3, her hairstyle takes a big change as she wears her hair to a shoulder-length. In season 4 and 5, Layla begins to wear her curls that fit her delicate and gracious face.

Her facial features are symmetrical and harmonious, with bright, sparkling eyes that are usually adorned with subtle makeup. Layla has a charming smile that lights up her face and radiates positivity, which makes her seem approachable and friendly to those around her.

Layla's fashion sense is trendy and chic, with a preference for designer labels and statement pieces. She is always dressed impeccably and accessorizes her outfits with elegant jewelry and handbags. Her style is a reflection of her sophisticated personality, and she is known for being a fashion icon among her peers.

## Quotes

*"And the next time you decide to come for me, you better swing harder because I'm not gonna be so nice."* 1x10

*"You can come from anywhere and have a sad story, Spencer."* 1x02

*"Why am I arguing this with an intern?"* 3x04

*"For months I've just been trying to do everything to feel something, anything, and... I'm just numb"* 2x08

*"I felt what you felt. I've been where you are... the unimaginable pain and the... being tired of hurting, and feeling like no one understands... feeling like there's no way to make it stop except to take your own life. Carrie I was on my own cliff less than a year ago and I am still here. I am proof that you can and you will make it."* 4x01

*"This is MY label and I'm gonna do things MY way."* 3x13

*"I'm over it and I refuse to be a cliché standing around and fighting over a boy."* 3x08.

*"You know what hurt the most? The fact that you strung me along out of pity because you thought I was too fragile to handle the truth. Yeah I spent some time in a mental facility but I OWN that and I actually learned a lot from that experience and I learned a lot from my time on tour because you know what, Spencer, THAT'S what people do: we grow, and we evolve. You'd be surprised how much my bad ass can handle but, you'll never know. You know that night in Vegas you were so busy trying to be the superhero, but you actually ended up causing the most damage."* 3x08.

*"Carrie needed me more than anyone else, and in some weird way I needed her too. Someone who was there for me, wanted to be there. Just for me."* 4x16

*"Look who decided to play daddy now. It's a little late for that."* 2x05.

## Trivia

* In her original casting call, she was named Leila Faisal, a Persian girl and described as "beautiful, sweet and breezily confident, Leila is a student of Beverly Hills High who seems to have it all, but there’s more lying beneath her veneer of perfection." After Greta auditioned for the role of Olivia, she was reached out and asked to play Layla Keating.
* In Came Back For You, she developed great chemistry with Jordan as a flag football receiver.

## References

1. ↑ Bre-Z & Greta Onieogou Join April Blair/Spencer Paysinger CW Pilot