In our industry and the wider world of media, talent knows no boundaries, and creativity shines bright across diverse backgrounds and communities. For this reason it’s great to see the 2023 nominees for Daniel Kaluuya’s ‘59% Gen Now Award’ in partnership with Soho House. Shining a light on upcoming talent, this award stands as a testament to the richness of talent within our community and beyond. The nominees are below:
Anjana Vasan – Actor and Singer-Songwriter
Based in London, Anjana is a shining example of the diverse talent within our community. She began her artistic journey in the theatre before transitioning to the silver screen. You may recognise her from ‘We Are Lady Parts,’ and there’s even more excitement on the horizon with her independent film, ‘Wicked Little Letters.’ As she puts it, “Those things that felt like they don’t know who I am and where I’m from became a strength because you can’t classify you; they can’t put you in a box.”
Toheeb Jimoh – Actor
Hailing from Brixton, Toheeb Jimoh’s journey began at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Since his graduation in 2018, he’s been on an awe-inspiring journey, with standout performances in roles like Anthony Walker in the BBC drama ‘Anthony’ and his unforgettable portrayal of Sam Obisanya in ‘Ted Lasso,’ which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Most recently, he graced the stage in a critically acclaimed production of ‘Romeo And Juliet,’ directed by Rebecca Frecknall.
Tamara Lawrance – Actor and Producer
Tamara Lawrance, a British actor, is a testament to the incredible talent nurtured within our community. She discovered her love for acting at a young age and honed her talents at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She’s widely acclaimed for her roles in ‘The Silent Twins,’ ‘Kindred,’ and ‘Boxing Day.’ Her fascination with epigenetics and the science of trauma influencing DNA, as well as the healing process, has profoundly influenced her approach to portraying characters.
Vivian Oparah – Actor and Musician
Vivian Oparah is a shining star in our community, known for her incredible roles, including Yas in ‘Rye Lane’ and Tanya Adeola in the Doctor Who spin-off sci-fi drama, ‘Class.’ Beyond the screen, Oparah is a multi-talented musician and stage performer, as seen in her captivating performance in the musical drama film, ‘Teen Spirit.’ She beautifully expresses, “I feel like as a Black girl, you don’t really get to see yourself a lot on TV, but when I was reading, I could envision the people to be black, blue, purple, whatever I wanted, and imagination is boundless.”
Nabhaan Rizwan – Actor
Nabhaan Rizwan made his memorable screen debut in the leading role for the crime drama ‘Informer,’ later starring in ‘Mogul Mowgli’ opposite Riz Ahmed and the miniseries ‘Station Eleven.’ Audiences can eagerly anticipate his upcoming lead role in the feature film ‘In Camera.’ Rizwan fondly recalls his early influences, saying, “Early on, I think we [my brother and I] were influenced by quite a lot together. ‘Kenan & Kel’ was a big one. I remember in primary school that if we behaved well, Miss Beverley would let me and my best friend perform as Kenan & Kel in front of the class.”
It’s amazing to see talent from our community, visit sohohouse.com for the full info