Karen David

Last updated

Karen David
Karen David by Gage Skidmore.jpg
David in 2017
Background information
Born (1979-04-15) 15 April 1979 (age 44)
Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Genres Pop
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1999–present
Labels AWAL

Karen Shenaz David [1] (born 15 April 1979 [2] [3] [4] ) is a Canadian actress, singer, and songwriter, best known for portraying Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elizabetta of Valencia in ABC's fairytale-themed musical-comedy television series Galavant , as well as the Head of Spanish, Cesca Montoya, in the BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road and Layla in the American action film The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior . She starred as Angela in the ITV television series Cold Feet , and played Princess Jasmine in the sixth season of Once Upon a Time .

Contents

She had a recurring role on The CW's Legacies as Emma, a guidance counselor and witch, alongside played regular character Grace Mukherjee in Fear the Walking Dead .

Early life

David was born in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, [5] to a family of "Chinese, Parsi and a sliver of Jewish heritage". [6] Her mother is of Khasi-Indian and Chinese descent, while her father is Indian-Jewish. [7] She was raised in Canada and then at age 17, David moved to London to study at the Guildford School of Acting. She then moved back to Canada for a time in the late 1990s, studying radio and television arts at Ryerson University in Toronto. [6]

Career

Acting

Upon finishing drama school, David joined the original cast of the West End musical Mamma Mia! . She made her professional acting debut as part of the ensemble and as understudy of Ali and Lisa. A. R. Rahman, who had been invited to see the show by the director Shekhar Kapur, asked David to assist him and Don Black in the development of the material for the Bollywood-themed musical Bombay Dreams . She performed songs on the show's US and Canada tour, and continued collaborating with Rahman at his Panchathan Record Inn and AM Studios in Chennai, India. [8]

She appeared in the music clip "Higher & Higher" (2000) and in two short television videos, Dancers: The Trailer (2002), playing the role of Jenny, and The Paper Round (2002), playing the role of a policewoman. She then landed a role in the musical Bollywood Queen (2003), as a member of the R&B band at the story's center. [9] [10] Through 2004 and 2005, she played Scarlet in MTV's Top Buzzer .

David played Lyla, a main character in the London-based film Take 3 Girls (2006). Other work during this time includes Steven Seagal's Flight of Fury (2007) as Barnes' Operational Soldier Flanders, The Colour of Magic (2008) as Liessa, the Dragonlady, and The Legend of Dick and Dom (2009) as Fairy Frampton. David appeared as the female lead, Layla, in The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (2008), filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. [11] [12] [13] [14]

In September 2010, David played the Spanish teacher, Francesca "Cesca" Montoya, in series six of BBC One's drama, Waterloo Road . While Waterloo Road was still airing, David landed the role of legend hunter Alexia Alderton in Pixelface, a CBBC children's comedy series about six video game characters and what they do when they are not inside their games. The second series aired on 3 January 2012. [15]

David appeared on American television with a guest role on the Fox series Touch in 2012, playing Kayla Graham. On the episode she performed the song "Three Little Birds", which was then released as a soundtrack single with Wendy & Lisa by 20th Century Fox TV Records on 28 February 2012. [16]

In February 2013, David appeared in the two-part episode "Target" of the ABC TV series Castle , in the USA. David played Sara El-Masri, daughter of Egyptian tycoon, Anwar El-Masri. [17] Whilst filming these episodes, David and a stuntman were injured when the door to the moving van they were in failed to close properly. David was placed in a neck brace, while the stuntman sustained serious head injuries. [18] [19]

David has reappeared on US televisions, as "Princess Isabella Maria Lucia Elizabetta of Valencia", in the ABC television series Galavant , which premiered on 4 January 2015, for a four-week extravaganza. [17]

Music

Karen David with black hair and head on the table.jpg

David released her first single, "It's Me (You're Talking To)", in 2003, when she was signed to BMG Music. This single was a top 10 airplay hit in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. [20]

She collaborated with A. R. Rahman on the main theme song for the film Provoked in 2006. After working alongside Rahman to produce the soundtrack for this movie, she found herself back with him in his Chennai studio, in 2007, to write and record the song, "Alive". [21] The following year she released her first EP, The Live Sessions EP. [22] In 2009 she released her next EP, Magic Carpet Ride. [23]

In May 2010, David released the single "Hypnotize", along with three mixes and a Hypnotize Desi Mix EP. [24] The following year she released the album The Girl in the Pink Glasses. 20th Century Fox TV Records released "Three Little Birds", as sung by Kayla Graham (David), on Touch , on 28 February 2012.

In 2013 David released the EP Dust to Stars, on which she collaborated with songwriter-producers, Stefan Skarbek, Carl Ryden, Boots Ottestad, Adam Argyle and Martin Brammer. [25]

Charity work

David is active in Designers Against Aids, [26] the SOS Children's Villages Foundation, [27] and Breast cancer awareness, for which she did a fundraiser fashion show for London Fashion Week at The Dorchester Hotel.[ when? ]

She produced a T-shirt to raise money for ActionAid's PoverTee Day, which was auctioned off on 18 June 2010. [28] In December 2010, David released a charity Christmas EP, My Christmas List, to raise money for the housing and homelessness charity Shelter. [29]

Along with others, David painted a self-portrait to help raise funds for Face Britain, a project of The Prince's Trust Foundation. [30]

Personal life

In mid-2013, she married Swedish songwriter and music producer Carl Ryden, [31] at La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. [32]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRole
2003 Bollywood Queen Neeta
2005 Batman Begins Courthouse Reporter No. 1
2006Take 3 GirlsLyla
Provoked Asha
2007 Flight of Fury Barnes's Operational Soldier Flanders
2008 The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior Layla
The Colour of Magic Liessa
2009 Couples Retreat Spa Attendant
2012 Red Lights Dana
2014 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Penn
2015 Amar, Akbar & Tony Meera
2016 The Tiger Hunter Ruby Iqbal
2022Land of GoldAsha
When Christmas Was YoungMelody Douglass
Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2003 Holby City Eve Hotton1 episode
2004 Top Buzzer Scarlet1 episode
2009 The Legend of Dick and Dom Fairy Frampton1 episode
2010–2011 Waterloo Road Cesca MontoyaMain cast; 20 episodes (series 6)
2011 Strike Back: Project Dawn Barmaid2 episodes
2011–2012PixelfaceAlexiaMain cast; 26 episodes
2012 Touch Kayla Graham1 episode
2013 Castle Sara El-Masri2 episodes
2015–2016 Galavant Princess IsabellaMain cast
2016–2017 Once Upon a Time Princess Jasmine Recurring role; 9 episodes [33]
2016 Cold Feet Angela Zubayr
2018 Criminal Minds Special Agent Mary Meadows2 episodes
2018–2022 Barry Sharon Lucado3 episodes
2018–2021 Legacies Emma TigRecurring role (seasons 1–2)

Guest role (seasons 3–4)

2018 Timeless Young Denise ChristopherEpisode: "The Day Reagan Was Shot"
2019–2023 Fear the Walking Dead Grace MukherjeeMain cast (seasons 5–8); 29 episodes
2019–2020 The Rookie Detective Rita Calderon2 episodes
2020–2022 Mira, Royal Detective Shilpa, Ashima and Rubi (voice)Recurring roles [34]
2023 The Irrational Rose Dinshaw2 episodes
TV/Video shorts
YearTitleRoleNotes
2002Dancers: The TrailerJenny
The Paper RoundPolice Woman
Video games
YearTitleRoleNotes
2016 Dead Rising 4 Vick (voice)
2016 Mirror's Edge Catalyst Isabel Kruger (voice)
Other
YearTitleRoleNotes
2003The Making of Bollywood Queen (video documentary)Herself
2005Eureka (commercial)Police Woman
2008The Making of The Scorpion King 2: The Rise of a Warrior (video documentary short)Herself

Music videos

Music videos

DateSong Title
2000 Higher and Higher on YouTube
2003It's Me (You're Talking To)
Jun 2007Alive
Jun 2009 Magic Carpet Ride on YouTube
Apr 2010 Hypnotize on YouTube
Jun 2011 Superheroes on YouTube
July 2013 Daydreamer on YouTube
Aug 2013 Dust to Stars on YouTube

Remixes/radio edits

YearSong Title
Jul 2009 Magic Carpet Ride : Radio edit on YouTube
Jul 2009 Magic Carpet Ride : Flavasia Desi Mix on YouTube
Sep 2010 Hypnotize : The Definitive Radio Mix on YouTube
Sep 2010 Hypnotize : The Almighty Mix on YouTube

Related Research Articles

<i>I Love Lucy</i> American television sitcom (1951–1957)

I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes, spanning six seasons. The show starred Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnaz, along with Vivian Vance and William Frawley. The series follows the life of Lucy Ricardo (Ball), a young, middle-class housewife living in New York City, who often concocts plans with her best friends and landlords, Ethel and Fred Mertz, to appear alongside her bandleader husband, Ricky Ricardo (Arnaz), in his nightclub. Lucy is depicted trying numerous schemes to mingle with and be a part of show business. After the series ended in 1957, a modified version of the show continued for three more seasons, with 13 one-hour specials, which ran from 1957 to 1960. It was first known as The Lucille Ball–Desi Arnaz Show, and later, in reruns, as The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunny Leone</span> Canadian-American former pornographic actress (born 1981)

Karenjit "Karen" Kaur Vohra, known by her stage name Sunny Leone, is an actress, model, and former pornographic actress. She was born in Canada to an Indian Sikh family and holds dual Canadian and American citizenship. She was named Penthouse Pet of the Year in 2003, was a contract performer for Vivid Entertainment, and was named by Maxim as one of the 12 top porn stars in 2010. She was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ameesha Patel</span> Indian actress (born 1975)

Ameesha Patel is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi and Telugu films. Patel is the recipient of several awards such as a Filmfare Award and a Zee Cine Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felicia Day</span> American actress

Kathryn Felicia Day is an American actress, singer, writer, and web series creator. She is the creator and star of the web series The Guild (2007–2013), a show loosely based on her life as a gamer. She also wrote and starred in the Dragon Age web series Dragon Age: Redemption (2011). She is a founder of the online media company Geek & Sundry, best known for hosting the show Critical Role between 2015 and 2019. Day was a member of the board of directors of the International Academy of Web Television from December 2009 until August 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alana de la Garza</span> American actress (born 1976)

Alana de la Garza is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Connie Rubirosa on the NBC television series Law & Order in the last four seasons of its initial run, Law & Order: LA until the show's conclusion in 2011, and in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. She also portrayed Marisol Delko-Caine on CSI: Miami. In 2014 and 2015, she starred as Detective Jo Martinez in the ABC series Forever. From 2016 to 2017, she starred in Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders as Special Agent Clara Seger. In 2019, she began starring as SAC Isobel Castille on FBI, a role she also plays on the spin-off series FBI: Most Wanted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heather Peace</span> British singer/songwriter, actress (b. 1975)

Heather Mary Peace is an English actress, musician and LGBT rights activist. She is known for her role as Nikki Boston in the BBC school-based drama series Waterloo Road from 2012 to 2014. Her other credits include Sally 'Gracie' Fields in ITV's long-running series London's Burning, Fiona Murray in Kay Mellor's drama series The Chase, Sam Murray in the BBC Scotland drama series Lip Service and Eve Unwin in the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shenaz Treasury</span> Indian actress

Shenaz Treasurywala is an Indian actress and travel vlogger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sushant Singh Rajput</span> Indian actor (1986–2020)

Sushant Singh Rajput was an Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema. He starred in a number of commercially successful Hindi films such as M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016), Kedarnath (2018) and Chhichhore (2019). He received a Screen Award and was nominated for the Filmfare Awards on three occasions. He appeared on Forbes India's Celebrity 100 list twice since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neeti Mohan</span> Indian singer

Neeti Mohan Sharma is an Indian singer. She sings mainly in Hindi and Tamil films, but has also sung songs in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Punjabi and English. Born in Delhi, she was one of the winners of the Channel V's reality show Popstars, subsequently being chosen for Aasma, with other winners of the show. She rose to prominence after recording "Ishq Wala Love" for Student of the Year (2012), ultimately winning the Filmfare R. D. Burman Award for New Music Talent and was nominated for the Best Female Playback Singer for "Jiya Re" from Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie McShera</span> English actress (born 1985)

Sophie McShera is an English actress known for her roles as Ros McCain in the fifth series of the BBC television series Waterloo Road, as Daisy Mason in the ITV television series Downton Abbey, and as Drizella Tremaine in the 2015 Disney film Cinderella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shibani Dandekar</span> Indian-Australian singer, actress, anchor and model (born 1980)

Shibani Dandekar Akhtar is an Indian-born Australian singer, actress, host and model. She began her career working as a television host on American television. Following her return to India, she began hosting several shows and events on Hindi television, besides working as a model and singer. She was one of the co-hosts of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. She was also a contestant on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5 (2012) and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalmali Kholgade</span> Indian playback singer

Shalmali Kholgade is an Indian playback singer, who predominantly sings for Hindi language films. In addition to Hindi, she has also sung in other Indian languages such as Marathi, Bengali, Telugu and Tamil. She has received several awards including a Filmfare Award and a Filmfare Award Marathi and has been praised for her singing style.

<i>Highway</i> (2014 Hindi film) 2014 Indian film

Highway is a 2014 Indian Hindi-language road drama film written and directed by Imtiaz Ali and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. The film stars Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda. Screened in the Panorama section of the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival, the film released worldwide on 21 February 2014. The film is based on the episode of the same name from the Zee TV anthology series Rishtey, starring Aditya Srivastava and Kartika Rane, which was also written and directed by Imtiaz Ali. It tells the story of a girl who, for reasons later revealed, discovers freedom after being kidnapped.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arjun (singer)</span> Sri Lankan singer

Arjun Kumaraswamy is a Sri Lankan-British singer and actor. He was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and raised in London. He sings in English, Tamil, Sinhalese, Hindi, Punjabi, and Spanish.

<i>Shuddh Desi Romance</i> 2013 film by Maneesh Sharma

Shuddh Desi Romance is a 2013 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy drama film directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced by Aditya Chopra. It features Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles. The story, set in Jaipur, Rajasthan, explores the views of the younger generation on commitment, live-in relationships and arranged marriages as compared to love marriages in small town India. It screened in the Gala Presentation section of the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival. Upon release, the film received positive reviews from critics with high praise for Chopra, Rajput and Kapoor's performances and was declared a hit in India by Box Office India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaani Kapoor</span> Indian actress (b. 1988)

Vaani Kapoor is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films. After completing a bachelor's degree in tourism studies, she made her acting debut with the romantic comedy film Shuddh Desi Romance, for which she received the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut.

Selfie is an American television sitcom starring Karen Gillan and John Cho. Created and executive produced by Emily Kapnek for Warner Bros. Television, the series debuted on ABC during the 2014–15 television season. The series premiered on September 30, 2014. The pilot was made available early through video on demand and online streaming media on August 20, 2014.

<i>Galavant</i> American television series

Galavant is an American musical fantasy comedy television series, created and written by Dan Fogelman, with music and lyrics by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Fogelman, Menken and Slater also serve as executive producers alongside Chris Koch, Kat Likkel and John Hoberg. Joshua Sasse stars as the titular character, and is joined by principal cast members Timothy Omundson, Vinnie Jones, Mallory Jansen, Karen David, and Luke Youngblood. Jansen described Galavant as "the bastard child of Monty Python and The Princess Bride".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meher Vij</span> Indian film actress

Meher Vij is an Indian actress who appears in Hindi films and television. She is best known for her roles in the drama film Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and the musical drama Secret Superstar (2017), both of which rank among the highest grossing Indian films of all time; for the latter she won the Filmfare Award Best Supporting Actress.

Max Lewis Bowden is an English actor. He is best known for his roles as Justin Fitzgerald in the BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road (2014–2015), and his portrayal of Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (2019–2024).

References

  1. ↑ David, Karen [@KarenDavid] (23 March 2011). "@S471M Shenaz is my middle name. :)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 8 October 2021– via Twitter.
  2. ↑ Karen David [@KarenDavid] (4 November 2010). "TEAM KD - hey it is Karen David's birthday today!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017– via Twitter.
  3. ↑ Christie, Janet (10 September 2016). "Karen David on joining established cast of Cold Feet". The Scotsman . Edinburgh, Scotland. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 3 January 2017. Born in Shillong, India in 1979, to a Chinese-Khasi mother and Indian father, David was brought up in Toronto.
  4. ↑ "The 7 Most Exciting Newcomers on TV This Season". Elle . United States. 7 January 2015. Archived from the original on 9 January 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2017. Karen David, 35...
  5. ↑ "Karen David Interview". Femalefirst.co.uk. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  6. 1 2 "Karen David goes from Waterloo Road to exotic pop." Wandsworth Guardian. UK. 17 September 2010. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2014. ...Karen David, 31.
  7. ↑ "Waterloo Road star Karen David on blockbusters, bullies and Bollywood". London Evening Standard . 11 April 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Multi Talented Karen David is Provoked". Asiance Magazine. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  9. ↑ "Close-Up Film Feature". Close-upfilm.com. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Bollywood Queen – Movie info: cast, reviews, trailer on". Mubi.com. 22 February 1999. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  11. ↑ Hainsworth, Jay (19 August 2008). "She puts the "sting" back in Scorpion King". IGN. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012.
  12. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (19 August 2008). "Karen David of 'The Scorpion King 2'". ARTISTdirect.
  13. ↑ Hoffman, Jordan (18 August 2008). "Karen David Fights!". UGO. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  14. ↑ Kirkland, Bruce (18 August 2008). "Scorpion King 2 interview". Jam. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  15. ↑ "Pixelface – Series 2 – Episode Guide". British Comedy Guide . Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  16. ↑ Fox Broadcasting (28 February 2012). Touch-"Three Little Birds" ('Making of' video). Fox Broadcasting. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  17. 1 2 "[main page]". Karen David Official Website. Retrieved 2 February 2014.(subscription required)
  18. ↑ "'Waterloo Road' actress Karen David lands 'Castle' role". Digital Spy . 15 January 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  19. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (25 January 2013). "UPDATE: Seriously Injured 'Castle' Stuntman Slowly Improving". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  20. ↑ "Karen David". Tubelyrics.org. 15 April 1979. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  21. ↑ Archived 2 March 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ Archived 7 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  23. ↑ Archived 1 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  24. ↑ "Karen David set to 'Hypnotize' fans in BBC's Waterloo Road". SimplyBhangra.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  25. ↑ Akeela Bhattay (6 September 2013). "Dust to Stars | In Conversation With Brit/Canadian Talent, Karen David". HuffPost. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  26. ↑ "New Friend of DAA: Karen David". Designers Against AIDS. Archived from the original on 5 January 2019. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  27. ↑ "Karen David's Charity Pledge". Thamarai.com. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  28. ↑ "Karen David | Fashionista Barbie". Fashionistabarbieuk.com. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  29. ↑ "Karen David set to release her new EP My Christmas List – Desi-Box.com | News, Music Videos, Interviews, Bollywood, Bhangra, Urban". Desi-Box.com. 13 December 2010. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  30. ↑ "Karen David". Face Britain. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  31. ↑ "CARL RYDEN". pittbuhl.com. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  32. ↑ "Exclusive interview: actress Karen David chats to HELLO! Online about her wedding". Hello! . 18 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "Once Upon a Time casts Galavant star as Princess Jasmine". Entertainment Weekly . 23 July 2016. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  34. ↑ Mira, Royal Detective cast https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9357248/fullcredits Retrieved 20 March 2020
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.