Okenyo
Musical artist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 |
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]
In 2024, Okenyo played the role of Pip Sweeney in Troppo (2022-), which was based on Candice Fox's best-selling Crimson Lake novels.[26] Okenyo would also appear in Stan original series Critical Incident.[27]
Okenyo has performed in the following theatre productions:
- An Ideal Husband, Melbourne Theatre Company[28]
- Antony and Cleopatra, Sydney Opera House[29]
- La traviata, Belvoir St Theatre[30]
- Gaybies, Eternity Playhouse[31]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Critical Incident | Inspector Ivy Tsuma | TV series: 6 episodes | |
| Troppo | Sweeney | TV series: 8 episodes | ||
| 2023 | Wolf Like Me | Alex | TV series: 2 episodes | |
| Deadloch | Kate | TV series: 2 episodes | ||
| Totally Completely Fine | Caitlin | TV series 2 episodes | ||
| 2022 | Fisk | Patch | TV series 1 episode | |
| 2021 | Wakefield | Tamara | ||
| 2019 | Get Krack!n | Nekisa | ||
| 2018 | Harrow | Sally | ||
| 2017 | Sisters | Amanda | TV series: 7 episodes | |
| 2017 | Janet King | Sophie | TV series: 1 episode | |
| 2015 | Hiding | Jacq | TV series 3 episodes | |
| 2014 | The Code | Millie | TV series 4 episodes | |
| Wonderland | Maxy Slipper | TV series 1 episode | ||
| Plonk | Hip blogger |
Film appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee | ACN Anchor | |
| 2019 | This Time, Maybe | Zoe | |
| Lilttle Monsters | Security Guard #1 | ||
| 2017 | The Casting Game | Bonnie | |
| 2009 | What if Girl | Officer Worker | Short |
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