This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
Shalom Nyandiko: A Rising Star in the Acting World ¶
Shalom Nyandiko, a 14-year-old actress from South Africa, has been making waves in the acting world with her impressive performances in major series like Deep State 2 and The Widow.
Born in 2005 in Gaborone, Botswana, to Kenyan parents, Shalom has lived in Botswana, Kenya, and is currently based in South Africa with her family.
With only four years of acting experience under her belt, Shalom has already had roles in several notable productions, including The Widow, which was shot on location in South Africa and Wales for Amazon Prime Video and ITV UK, and Deep State season 2, which was shot on location in Morocco and South Africa for Fox Network Groups UK and Fox Africa.
Shalom's acting journey began in Grade One when she took part in school plays, but it wasn't until her sister Sally signed her up to a modelling agency at age 10 that she started to pursue acting seriously.
Despite having no previous acting training, Shalom has managed to land major roles and maintain her high grades. She works with voice and accent coaches to audition for different roles and has played a Congolese child soldier in The Widow and the sibling of an interpreter from Mali in Deep State.
Shalom's family has played a significant role in her career, with her sister Sally serving as her manager and liaison with the acting agency and media. Shalom's family also ensures that she maintains a balance between her acting career and her education, with her sister and chaperones accompanying her to shoots and auditions.
When asked about her breakthrough, Shalom said, 'It has blown my mind and I can already imagine waking up in New York someday, and I am excited. The opportunities I have are a first in my family.'
Shalom has faced challenges in her career, including teasing from her peers at school, but she has learned to deal with them by speaking to her family and staying focused on her goals.
Shalom's advice to young girls in East Africa who dream of working in film is to 'trust in God, work hard, and never give up.'
Looking to the future, Shalom plans to continue pursuing her acting career and hopes to be successful by the time she is 18. She also plans to work on her singing and attend university.
Published on November 9, 2019, at 6:01 PM.
