# Okenyo

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Zindzi Okenyo
| alias           = Okenyo<ref name="DT">{{cite news |last=McDonough |first=Keely |date=5 Feb 2018 |title= Zindzi Okenyo presents Play School by day and acts and performs sets by night|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/zindzi-okenyo-presents-play-school-by-day-and-acts-and-performs-sets-by-night/news-story/37d93aae98f4d55bf1af32e4fa2f7132 |work= [The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney))|access-date=12 Jan 2019 }}</ref>
| birth_date      = {{birth based on age as of date | 32 | 2018 | 02 | 26 }}
| birth_place     = [Sydney](/source/Sydney), [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales), Australia
| genre           = [R&B](/source/Contemporary_R%26B), [hip hop](/source/hip_hop), [soul](/source/Soul_music)<ref name="smh article">{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/actor-musician-and-presenter-zindzi-okenyo-on-taking-risks-and-self-care-20180216-h0w7zu.html|title=Actor, musician and presenter Zindzi Okenyo on taking risks and self care|first=Melanie|last=Kembrey|date=26 February 2018|website=[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/the-wave-ep/1371883099|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823114142/https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/the-wave-ep/1371883099|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 August 2018|title=THE WAVE - EP by OKENYO on Apple Music|website=Apple Music}}</ref>
| occupation      = Musician, actress
| label           = [Elefant Traks](/source/Elefant_Traks)<ref name=inks>{{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/article/yeLa3dzf3sE/okenyo-inks-deal-with-elefant-traks/ |title=Okenyo Inks Deal With Elefant Traks |website=theMusic |date=28 April 2016 |access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref>
| website         = {{URL|http://www.okenyo.com/}}
}}
'''Zindzi Okenyo''' (born {{birth based on age as of date | 32 | 2018 | 02 | 26 |noage=1}}) is a television and theatre actress and musician from [Sydney](/source/Sydney).<ref name="smh article"/> A graduate of the [National Institute of Dramatic Art](/source/National_Institute_of_Dramatic_Art) (NIDA),<ref name="smh article"/> she is a presenter on ''[Play School](/source/Play_School_(Australian_TV_series))'', and performs music professionally under the stage name '''Okenyo'''.<ref name="DT"/> She is best known for the song "Woman's World",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-08/international-womens-day-7-songs-to-soundtrack-your-celebrations/9522456 |title=International Women's Day: Seven songs to soundtrack your International Women's Day |date=8 March 2018 |website=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |author=Double J}}</ref> from her debut [EP album](/source/Extended_play), ''The Wave''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/music/theatre-star-okenyo-negotiates-the-hurdles-of-being-a-queer-hip-hop-artist/news-story/a031651665caa07c88e52d5be04be1dd |title=Theatre star Okenyo negotiates hurdles of being a queer hip-hop artist |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==Career==
===Music===
In 2013, Okenyo signed to the promotional label Niche Productions,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaureview.com/interviews/okenyo-sydney|title=the AU interview: Okenyo (Sydney) |website=The AU Review |date= 27 September 2013 |first=Larry |last=Heath}}</ref> and in 2016 to indie record Label [Elefant Traks](/source/Elefant_Traks).<ref name=inks /> Her debut single, "Broken Chest", was released in November 2013.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moskovitch |first=Greg |date=21 Nov 2013 |title=Okenyo releases "Broken Chest" music video |url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/okenyo-releases-broken-chest-music-video/ |work=musicfeeds.com.au |location=Sydney, Australia |access-date= 12 Jan 2019}}</ref>
"Woman's World" was nominated for Best Song on [FBi Radio](/source/FBi_Radio) in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fbiradio.com/nominees/best-song/|title=Best Song - FBi Radio}}</ref> The song was chosen for the [Women's National Basketball League](/source/Women's_National_Basketball_League) 2017 Campaign,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://themusic.com.au/article/ab16fXx_fmE/okenyo-teams-up-with-fox-sports-to-launch-new-wnbl-season/ |title=OKENYO Teams Up With Fox Sports To Launch New WNBL Season |website=theMusic |date=26 September 2017 |access-date=2018-12-03}}</ref> and was also used in a US Apple Instagram Promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sugaroo.com/okenyo-in-apples-thevolumeupseries/|title=OKENYO in Apple's #TheVolumeUpSeries! |website=Sugaroo! |date=17 March 2018}}</ref> Authors at the ''Noisey'' site, operated by [Vice (magazine)](/source/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"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/clink-your-glasses-to-okenyos-new-video-for-womans-world/|title=Clink Your Glasses to OKENYO's New Video For 'WOMAN's WORLD' |date=9 August 2017 |first=Cait Emma |last=Burke |website=Noisey |publisher=Vice}}</ref> with comparisons to artists like [Erykah Badu](/source/Erykah_Badu) and [Janelle Monae](/source/Janelle_Monae). Okenyo and her song featured in the documentary ''Her Sound, Her Story''"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/take-5/her-sound-her-story/9950874|title=Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore and Michelle Grace Hunder's 'Her Sound Her Story' |date=6 July 2018 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |website=Take 5 |first=Zan |last=Rowe}}</ref> 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](/source/Jesswar).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.purplesneakers.com.au/2017/12/listen-okenyo-womans-world-2-0/|title=Okenyo, Miss Blanks and Jesswar team up for a tour de force on 'Woman's World 2.0' |website=Purple Sneakers|date=6 December 2017 |first=Molly |last=McLaughlin}}</ref> The song was featured in [VicHealth](/source/VicHealth)'s "This Girl Can - Victoria" television ad campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/media-releases/this-girl-definitely-can-in-victoria |title=This girl definitely can in Victoria |website=VicHealth |date=26 March 2018}}</ref>

Okenyo has performed gigs with [Santigold](/source/Santigold)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/gig/santigold-okenyo-prince-bandroom-melbourne-200717/|title=Santigold, Okenyo - Prince Bandroom, Melbourne 20/07/17 |website=Music Feeds |date=21 July 2016 |first=Stephanie |last=Tell}}</ref> and [Billie Eilish](/source/Billie_Eilish),<ref>{{cite web| url=http://themusic.com.au/music/livereviews/2018/02/09/billie-eilish-howler-nick-gray/|title=Billie Eilish, Okenyo|website=theMusic}} {{dead link|date=December 2018}}</ref> played at [Splendour In the Grass](/source/Splendour_in_the_Grass)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.redbull.com/au-en/one-on-one-sampology-and-okenyo-at-sitg |title=One on One: Sampology & Okenyo at SITG |first=Kyle |last=Bullock |date=28 July 2015 |website=Red Bull}}</ref> and [VIVID Sydney](/source/Vivid_Sydney),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/feeds/okenyo/|title=Okenyo Feed |website=Music Feeds|date=19 May 2023 }}</ref> and recently played her first run of headline shows.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://nicheproductions.com.au/okenyo-announces-the-wave-national-tour/ |title=Okenyo Announces 'The Wave' National Tour |access-date=2018-12-03 |website=Niche Productions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818115111/https://nicheproductions.com.au/okenyo-announces-the-wave-national-tour/ |archive-date=2018-08-18 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Television===
Okenyo's television credits include ''Play School'', off-screen Narrator of ''[Hoopla Doopla!](/source/Hoopla_Doopla!)'' (2014),<ref name="Reynolds">{{cite web | url=https://mumbrella.com.au/abc-4-kids-co-production-builds-bridges-china-207880 | title=Building Chinese Relations with Kids TV | first=Megan | last=Reynolds | work=Mumbrella | date=26 February 2015 | access-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140612195136/http://mumbrella.com.au/abc-4-kids-co-production-builds-bridges-china-207880 |archive-date=12 June 2014 }}</ref> the role of Amanda in the Australian television series ''[Sisters](/source/Sisters_(Australian_TV_series))'',<ref>
{{cite news |last=Kembrey |first=Melanie |date=26 Feb 2018 |title=Actor, musician and presenter Zindzi Okenyo on taking risks and self care |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/actor-musician-and-presenter-zindzi-okenyo-on-taking-risks-and-self-care-20180216-h0w7zu.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=12 Jan 2019 }}</ref><ref name="old">{{cite web |url=https://oldaintdead.com/review-sisters/ |title=Review: Sisters |first=Virginia|last=DeBolt |date= 6 Sep 2018|website=oldaintdead.com |publisher=Old Ain't Dead |access-date=12 Jan 2019 }}</ref> journalist Millie Hussey in the television drama series ''[The Code](/source/The_Code_(2014_TV_series))'', and Sophie in the series ''[Janet King](/source/Janet_King_(TV_series))''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6825390/fullcredits |title=Janet King: Full Cast & Crew |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 2017|website=[IMDb](/source/IMDb)|publisher=IMDb.com Inc.|access-date= 12 Jan 2019}}</ref>

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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/i-pushed-myself-zindzi-okenyo-on-ep-the-wave-and-taking-urthboys-advice-20180605-h10z6v.html|title='I pushed myself': Zindzi Okenyo on EP The Wave and taking Urthboy's advice|first=Craig|last=Mathieson|date=9 June 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref>

In 2024, Okenyo played the role of Pip Sweeney in ''[Troppo](/source/Troppo_(TV_series)) (2022-)'', which was based on Candice Fox's best-selling Crimson Lake novels.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt13315664/fullcredits |title=Troppo (TV Series 2022– ) - IMDb |access-date=2024-08-01 |via=www.imdb.com}}</ref> Okenyo would also appear in Stan original series ''Critical Incident.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2024-07-16 |title=Airdate: Critical Incident {{!}} TV Tonight |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2024/07/airdate-critical-incident.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=tvtonight.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>

== Theatre ==
Okenyo has performed in the following theatre productions:
*''[An Ideal Husband](/source/An_Ideal_Husband)'', [Melbourne Theatre Company](/source/Melbourne_Theatre_Company)<ref>{{cite web |website=broadwayworld.com |title=AN IDEAL HUSBAND Season Extended at Melbourne Theatre Company |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= 25 Jul 2018|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/australia-melbourne/article/AN-IDEAL-HUSBAND-Season-Extended-at-Melbourne-Theatre-Company-20180725 |publisher=Wisdom Digital Media |access-date=12 Jan 2019}}</ref>
*''[Antony and Cleopatra](/source/Antony_and_Cleopatra)'', [Sydney Opera House](/source/Sydney_Opera_House)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dailyreview.com.au/anthony-cleopatra-theatre-review-sydney-opera-house/72473/ |title=ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA THEATRE REVIEW (SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE) |first=Kath|last=Kenney |date= 11 Mar 2018|website=dailyreview.com.au |publisher=Ludo Media |access-date=12 Jan 2019}}</ref>
*''[La traviata](/source/La_traviata)'', [Belvoir St Theatre](/source/Belvoir_St_Theatre)<ref>{{cite news |last=Tongue |first=Cassie |date=31 Aug 2015 |title=Review: La Traviata – Belvoir Downstairs |url=https://aussietheatre.com.au/reviews/review-la-traviata-belvoir-downstairs |work= AussieTheatre.com|access-date=12 Jan 2019 }}</ref>
*''Gaybies'', Eternity Playhouse<ref>{{cite news |last= Blake|first=Jason |date=12 Feb 2015 |title=Gaybies review: Modern families in focus in Dean Bryant's sharp verbatim show |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/gaybies-review-modern-families-in-focus-in-dean-bryants-sharp-verbatim-show-20150212-13cpo6.html |work=[Sydney Morning Herald](/source/Sydney_Morning_Herald) |access-date=17 Jan 2019 }}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
!Ref
|-
| rowspan="2" |2024
|''[Critical Incident](/source/Critical_Incident)''
|Inspector Ivy Tsuma
|TV series: 6 episodes
|
|-
|[''Troppo''](/source/Troppo_(TV_series)) 
|Sweeney
|TV series: 8 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2023
|[''Wolf Like Me''](/source/Wolf_Like_Me_(TV_series)) 
|Alex
|TV series: 2 episodes
|
|-
|''[Deadloch](/source/Deadloch)''
|Kate
|TV series: 2 episodes
|
|-
|''[Totally Completely Fine](/source/Totally_Completely_Fine)''
|Caitlin
|TV series 2 episodes
|
|-
|2022
|[''Fisk''](/source/Fisk_(TV_series))
|Patch
| rowspan="4" |TV series 1 episode
|
|-
|2021
|[''Wakefield''](/source/Wakefield_(TV_series))
|Tamara
|
|-
|2019
|''[Get Krack!n](/source/Get_Krack!n)''
|Nekisa
|
|-
|2018
|[''Harrow''](/source/Harrow_(TV_series))
|Sally 
|
|-
|2017
|[''Sisters''](/source/Sisters_(Australian_TV_series))
|Amanda
|TV series: 7 episodes
|
|-
|2017
|[''Janet King''](/source/Janet_King_(TV_series)) 
|Sophie
|TV series: 1 episode
|
|-
|2015
|''Hiding''
|Jacq
|TV series 3 episodes
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |2014
|''The Code''
|Millie
|TV series 4 episodes
|
|-
|''Wonderland''
|Maxy Slipper
| rowspan="2" |TV series 1 episode
|
|-
|''Plonk''
|Hip blogger
|
|}

=== Film appearances ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Notes
|-
|2020
|''[The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee](/source/The_Very_Excellent_Mr._Dundee)''
|ACN Anchor
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |2019
|''This Time, Maybe''
|Zoe
|
|-
|''Lilttle Monsters''
|Security Guard #1
|
|-
|2017
|''The Casting Game''
|Bonnie
|
|-
|2009
|''What if Girl''
|Officer Worker
|Short
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite web | last=Daniel | first=Smriti | title=Zindzi Okenyo on racism in Australian theatre and honouring Saartjie Baartman in Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner | website=ABC News |publisher= [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) | date=16 March 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-17/zindzi-okenyo-australian-theatre-needs-african-diaspora-stories/100897748}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|5479633}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Okenyo, Zindzi}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:1980s births
Category:Living people
Category:Australian film actresses
Category:Australian hip-hop singers
Category:Australian people of Nigerian descent
Category:Australian stage actresses
Category:Australian television actresses
Category:21st-century Australian actresses
Category:21st-century Australian singers
Category:21st-century Australian women singers
Category:Australian soul singers
Category:Australian contemporary R&B singers
Category:Musicians from Sydney
Category:Actresses from Sydney
Category:Singers from Sydney

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Okenyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okenyo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okenyo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.