Okawa Shaznay is a talented actress from Cameroon who significantly impacted Nollywood with her role in the blockbuster film Iyore. She starred alongside Rita Dominic and Joseph Benjamin, and her success in the film helped her gain recognition in the industry.
She continued prominence with her leading role in the 2016 TV series Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose. Her performance in the series earned her the Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) award for TV Actress of the Year in 2016.
Okawa Shaznay Biography
| Real Name: | Okawa Shaznay |
| Born: | 5 May 1986 |
| Place of Birth: | Bamenda, Cameroon |
| Nationality: | Cameroonian |
| Height: | 1.65 m |
| Parents: | N/A |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| Husband • Spouse: | Not Married |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | N/A |
| Children: | N/A |
| Occupation: | Actress • TV Personality |
| Net Worth: | $300,000 |
Early Life
Okawa Shaznay (born on May 5, 1986, currently 38 Years old) to Mr. and Mrs. Shaznay in Bemanda, North West Cameroon. Her parents initially were hesitant about her pursuing an acting career.
They encouraged her to study accounting instead, given her strong skills in Business Mathematics, Commerce, and Economics. They were concerned she might struggle to find acting roles after graduation and felt a more stable career path would be safer.
Despite their reservations, Okawa completed her degree in accounting and worked at a bank in Houston. However, she eventually decided to leave her banking career behind to follow her passion for acting.
In 2010, while studying in Texas, she represented Cameroon in the African US Beauty Pageant and engaged in humanitarian work. This pageant marked her only major foray into the world of beauty contests.
Education
Okawa Shaznay started her secondary education at Presbyterian Secondary School Mankon in Bamenda, Cameroon. Later, she moved to the United States and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Texas Southern University.
Career
Okawa Shaznay, a Cameroonian star, debuted in Nollywood with the film Iyore in 2014. Iyore is an African epic set in Benin City and released in 2015. It features prominent Nollywood actors like Rita Dominic, Joseph Benjamin, and Paul Obazele.
Shaznay, known for her exceptional talent, creativity, and beauty, has established a strong presence in the industry. In a 2019 interview, she described acting as her true companion.
Her passion for acting began in childhood, inspired by Western, Chinese, and Hindi films. She grew stronger as she discovered Nigerian movies. She found a deep connection with the stories told in these films, which further fueled her desire to pursue acting.
READ ALSO
Victoria Vida Biography, Age, Accent, Mom, Wiki, Height, Instagram, Movies, TV Shows, Net Worth, and Career
While studying accounting at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, Shaznay participated in various stage plays and TV productions. Influenced by Nigerian movies like Glamour Girls and TV series such as After The Storm, as well as by veteran Nollywood actors like Rita Dominic, Ramsey Nouah, Ini Edo, and Desmond Elliot, she was driven to make a mark in Nollywood.
With the support of Frank Rajah and Kwame Boadu from Raj and Heroes Film Production, Shaznay successfully transitioned into Nollywood, securing significant roles. Since her debut, she has appeared in over 20 films. Despite working as a banker in Houston, her passion for acting led her to pursue it full-time. Her breakthrough came in 2016 with the TV series The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose and the film The Refugees.
Shaznay’s filmography continues to grow, with recent projects including Tarella, an African fairytale selected for the African International Film Festival in November 2023, and other films like Twisted Mind, A Necessary Step, The Secret, Not Just Marriage, and Not My Man. She is particularly noted for her romantic roles, having shared the screen with top Nollywood stars such as Maurice Sam, Kenneth Nwadike, and Eddie Watson.
Personal Life
Okawa Shaznay is currently single and keeps her personal life private. In a 2019 interview, she mentioned that her ideal partner would be honest, enjoyable to be around, god-fearing, and ambitious.
Filmography
2013: Cheaters 1& 2
2014: Sisters At War 1 & 2
2014: Cheaters Vacation
2014: The Prince of Barmah
2015: Scars
2015: Iyore
2016: Refugees
2016: Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose (TV series)-Season 1 & 2.
2017: Crossed Path
2017: Perfect Strangers
2017: Soul Tie
2017: Wounded
2017: Snatched
2017: Behind the Face
2017: Delilah: The Mysterious Case of Delilah Ambrose (TV series)-Season 3
2018: The Gamble
2018: Save My Heart
2019: Unbroken Cord
2019: Love & Lies
2019: Customer Service
2019: My Chances
2019: In My Country
2020: Lekki On Arrival
2020: Concession
2020: Grow Up or Nuts (Web series).
2021: Almost Had You
Awards
2016: Exquisite Lady of the Year (ELOY) Awards – TV Actress of the Year
2017: Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards – Best Actress in a series
Social Media
Follow her on all her social media platforms:
Okawa Shaznay Net Worth
Okawa Shaznay, a talented actress from Cameroon, has established herself in the entertainment industry. With an estimated net worth of $300,000, she has garnered attention for her remarkable performances.