Meet Shoba Narayan

South Indian actress and singer, Shoba Narayan will be stepping into the Broadway role as the news face of Jasmine inspired by the Disney animated classic, Aladdin(1992)! Narayan has marked her name as a massive supporter of broadening the diversity horizons of the Brown community.

Narayan stands out with an impressive resume, spanning from mastery of singing, vocal training, and classical Indian dance training. She strives to elevate Brown girl inclusivity with each role she adopts, but landing the opportunity to play Jasmine on the iconic Broadway stage is a huge milestone for Narayan as a performer. It’s also a massive win for Brown women and girls everywhere! Representation matters. To have an Arab character modeled and enacted by a woman of Southeast Asian descent speaks to Narayan’s dedication to leading the charge for Asian representation in our modern diversity revolution.

Instances like this may seem small to outsiders who are not very familiar with musical theatre and its history. White narratives, white characters, and white actors have always been the face and forefront of the musical theatre industry, but the tides are changing.

In a recent interview with Glamour, Narayan says:

They see someone like me being the lead in the show, portraying a character who is strong and desirable and the center of the story… I think they all feel seen and that they’re represented on stage.

There’s a distinction in taking on such an important role like Jasmine. Disney has enhanced its global domination and industry with new waves of diverse storytelling, giving children and adults alike a taste of authentic, non-traditional storytelling.

And although Disney’s Aladdin has only been around for a few decades, the original folklore has always maintained roots in traditional Arabian lore; that includes telling the tale with Brown girls in mind. Narayan absolutely shines in every role she acquires in portrayals such as Nessarose in Wicked (2021) or Eliza in Hamilton (2021). There is much to look forward to in following Shoba Narayan on her journey as a Brown face on the Broadway stage!  

If you are already crushing on Narayan, and giddy about her repertoire, keep up with all her latest projects and performances!