Wiley was born and brought up in Washington D.C. Her parents were the co-pastors of Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ. This was the only church in D.C. that performed same-sex unions and they were hailed as "pillars of LGBT religious community". 

Her political views are visibly aligned to that of Democratic Party although any such public confessions haven't been made yet. She was awarded the Human Rights Campaign's Visibility Award in the year 2015. 

Samira is married to her long time lover Lauren Morelli who is a writer at the show Orange is the New Black. 

A former model by profession, Wiley has appeared on the cover of Maniac and Out magazine. This possibly could be her passion that led her into acting. 

She was named Out Magazine's Ingenue of the year. 

She once appeared in the television ads of Paypal.