Shoba Narayan (born November 5, 1989) is an American musical theatre actress. She was the first South Asian to play Princess Jasmine in the Broadway show Aladdin.
Early life Narayan was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Indian immigrant parents. The only Indian family in town, Narayan has said she was mocked by her classmates for her name. She took dance classes in ballet and bharatanatyam, as well as classes in voice, violin, and Carnatic music. Interested in performing at a young age, her first leading role was as Dorothy in her eighth grade school production of The Wizard of Oz.
She graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2012 and moved to New York City to perform in theater.
Acting career Narayan's first Broadway role was as Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. In that role, she was the first South Asian woman in a lead role on Broadway since Bombay Dreams in 2004.
She played Eliza Hamilton in the North American tour of Hamilton and Nessarose in Wicked. She was the first South Asian actress to play Nessarose. She is also the voice of Emily on the TV show Hazbin Hotel.
Personal life
Shoba married Jay Shah in January 2019. The couple welcomed their first child, their daughter Leela, in August 2024.
Theater credits +YearMusicalRoleTypeRef2016–2017Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Ensemble, Natasha (understudy)Broadway2018HamiltonEliza HamiltonNorth American Tour2019–2020WickedNessaroseBroadway2021–2023AladdinJasmineBroadway2022Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ MusicalSimranRegional
Filmography Television Year(s)TitleRoleNotes 2012 Gossip Girl Don Nightingale Episode: "Save the Last Chance" 2015 Halal in the Family Whitney Qu'osby 4 episodes 2015 Quantico Teenage Alex Episode: "Run" 2024–present Hazbin Hotel Emily (voice) 5 episodes
Film Year(s)TitleRoleNotes 2015 Mistress America Hallway Girl 2015 Growing Up Smith Asha Bhatnagar 2017 Coin Heist Junibel 2017 Price for Freedom Bijou 2022 To the East Neena Short film
Discography
Studio albums Title Album details Soft Hours Released: 2026 Formats: Digital download, streaming Producer and Orchestrator: Or Matias
Album track listing The album features minimalist, lullaby-style reimagining of Broadway classics alongside traditional Indian musical elements, dedicated to her daughter Leela.
Soft Hours "The Music of the Night" (from The Phantom of the Opera) "Children Will Listen" (from Into the Woods) "Not While I'm Around" (from Sweeney Todd) "A Whole New World" (from Aladdin)
Featured soundtracks Title Album details Hazbin Hotel (Original Soundtrack) Released: 2024 Label: A24 Music Formats: Digital download, streaming Featured tracks: "Welcome to Heaven", "You Didn't Know"
Dance Narayan has worked as a teacher of bharatanatyam and has performed at weddings.
Concerts and live performances
Narayan has performed as a soloist at several high-profile live concert events, blending her classical musical theater repertoire with cultural celebrations.
Year Event / Concert Venue / Location Notes Ref. 2022 Official White House Diwali Celebration The White House Became the first Indian-American artist invited to sing at the official White House Diwali event. 2022 Solo Cabaret Series Feinstein's/54 Below Performed a series of solo musical cabaret engagements showcasing her Broadway career and vocal background. 2023 Disney Animation 100th Anniversary Concert Hollywood Bowl Featured guest vocalist celebrating a century of Disney musical history.
References