Zindzi Okenyo (born 1985 or 1986) is a television and theatre actress and musician from Sydney.[2] A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA),[2] she is a presenter on Play School, and performs music professionally under the stage name Okenyo.[1] She is best known for the song "Woman's World",[5] from her debut EP album, The Wave.[6]
Zindzi Okenyo | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Okenyo[1] |
| Born | 1985 or 1986 (age 38–39) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | R&B, hip hop, soul[2][3] |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, actress |
| Labels | Elefant Traks[4] |
| Website | www |
Career
Music
In 2013, Okenyo signed to the promotional label Niche Productions,[7] and in 2016 to indie record Label Elefant Traks.[4] Her debut single, "Broken Chest", was released in November 2013.[8]"Woman's World" was nominated for Best Song on FBi Radio in 2017.[9] The song was chosen for the Women's National Basketball League 2017 Campaign,[10] and was also used in a US Apple Instagram Promotion.[11] Authors at the Noisey site, operated by Vice (magazine), said of the song: "There is a self-awareness and empowerment in the lyrics and a defiant resolve in the message as she identifies misrepresentation in gender and sexual stereotypes"[12] with comparisons to artists like Erykah Badu and Janelle Monae. Okenyo and her song featured in the documentary Her Sound, Her Story"[13] about the "inequality of women in the Australian Music Industry".
"Woman's World 2.0" is a remix of "Woman's World" featuring Miss Blanks and Jesswar.[14] The song was featured in VicHealth's "This Girl Can - Victoria" television ad campaign.[15]
Okenyo has performed gigs with Santigold[16] and Billie Eilish,[17] played at Splendour In the Grass[18] and VIVID Sydney,[19] and recently played her first run of headline shows.[20]
Television
Okenyo's television credits include Play School, off-screen Narrator of Hoopla Doopla! (2014),[21] the role of Amanda in the Australian television series Sisters,[22][23] journalist Millie Hussey in the television drama series The Code, and Sophie in the series Janet King.[24]
In 2018, reflecting on her success as an actor and musician, she said, "It's really exciting because my identity and my artistry are starting to work together... I always imagined that happening because it's really important to me to explain myself and express myself in different ways."[25]
Theatre
Okenyo has performed in the following theatre productions:
- An Ideal Husband, Melbourne Theatre Company[26]
- Antony and Cleopatra, Sydney Opera House[27]
- La traviata, Belvoir St Theatre[28]
- Gaybies, Eternity Playhouse[29]
References
Further reading
- Daniel, Smriti (16 March 2022). "Zindzi Okenyo on racism in Australian theatre and honouring Saartjie Baartman in Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation.