Shoba Narayan (actress)
Shoba Narayan | |
|---|---|
Shoba Narayan at Galaxy Con Columbus 2025 | |
| Born | November 5, 1989 Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Boston Conservatory at Berklee (2012) |
| Occupation | Musical theatre actress |
| Spouse | Jay Shah (m. 2019) |
| Children | 1 |
Shoba Narayan (born November 5, 1989) is an American musical theatre actress. She was the first South Asian to play Princess Jasmine in the Broadway show Aladdin.[1][2][3]
Early life
Narayan was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Indian immigrant parents.[4] The only Indian family in town, Narayan has said she was mocked by her classmates for her name.[5] She took dance classes in ballet and bharatanatyam,[1] as well as classes in voice, violin, and Carnatic music.[4] Interested in performing at a young age, her first leading role was as Dorothy in her eighth grade school production of The Wizard of Oz.[4]
She graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2012 and moved to New York City to perform in theater.[1]
Acting career
Narayan's first Broadway role was as Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. In that role, she was the first South Asian woman in a lead role on Broadway since Bombay Dreams in 2004.[1][6]
She played Eliza Hamilton in the North American tour of Hamilton and Nessarose in Wicked.[1][2][3] She was the first South Asian actress to play Nessarose.[4] She is also the voice of Emily on the TV show Hazbin Hotel.
Theater credits
| Year | Musical | Role | Type | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–2017 | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Ensemble, Natasha (understudy) | Broadway | [4][6] |
| 2018 | Hamilton | Eliza Hamilton | North American Tour | [7] |
| 2019–2020 | Wicked | Nessarose | Broadway | [8] |
| 2021–2023 | Aladdin | Jasmine | Broadway | [9][10] |
| 2022 | Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical | Simran | Regional | [11] |
Filmography
Television
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Gossip Girl | Don Nightingale | Episode: "Save the Last Chance" |
| 2015 | Halal in the Family | Whitney Qu'osby | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Quantico | Teenage Alex | Episode: "Run" |
| 2024–present | Hazbin Hotel | Emily (voice) | 5 episodes |
Film
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Mistress America | Hallway Girl | |
| 2015 | Growing Up Smith | Asha Bhatnagar | |
| 2017 | Coin Heist | Junibel | |
| 2017 | Price for Freedom | Bijou | |
| 2022 | To the East | Neena | Short film |
Dance
Narayan has worked as a teacher of bharatanatyam and has performed at weddings.[12]
References
- ^ a b c d e Shivaram, Deepa (2022-01-09). "Shoba Narayan's fight for South Asian representation began long before Jasmine". NPR. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ a b "Interview: Shoba Narayan on Her Historic Ascent to Aladdin on Broadway". TheaterMania.com. 2021-10-01. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ a b "Michael Maliakel & Shoba Narayan to Lead Aladdin on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ a b c d e Sullivan, Lindsey (2020-02-28). "Wicked's Shoba Narayan on Breaking Barriers and That Time She Let Lin-Manuel Miranda Go to Voicemail". www.broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ "Broadway's 'Aladdin' Star Shoba Narayan: You Don't Need to Change Your Name". www.backstage.com. 2021-12-16. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ a b "A Dream Come True for Shoba Narayan, Tonight's Natasha in The Great Comet". Playbill. 2017-03-07. Archived from the original on 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Magazine, Brown Girl (2018-08-09). "'Hamilton's' Lead Actress Shoba Narayan Spills on her South Asian Roots and Journey to the Stage". Brown Girl Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Hamilton Alum Shoba Narayan Joins Broadway Cast of Wicked December 16". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Smith, Paul Art (2021-09-28). "First Look at New Stars of Aladdin, Broadway Performances Resume Sept. 28". Broadway Direct. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (2022-12-29). "Shoba Narayan Sets Final Performance Date in Broadway's Aladdin". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2024-04-18. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Moynihan, Caitlin. "Shoba Narayan & Austin Colby to Star in World Premiere of Broadway-Aimed Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-12-23.
- ^ Hope, Helen (2022-04-27). "Shoba Narayan is Bringing Bharatanatyam to Broadway and Beyond". Dance Magazine. Retrieved 2025-12-23.