Nia Holloway’s musical legacy prepares her for role of Nala in the Lion King
Nia Holloway as Nala.
Music and dance were a part of Nia Holloway’s life since she was a toddler in Atlanta, Georgia. Holloway is the granddaughter of “Disco Diva” Loleatta Holloway, whose vocals were featured on the 1991 single Good Vibrations by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, as well as being an accomplished singer in her own right with the 1977 single Hit & Run and 1980s Love Sensation.
Holloway’s great grandmother is the soul singer Sylvia Shemwell of the renowned backup group The Sweet Inspirations (originally founded by Cissy Houston), who sang background vocals for Elvis, Wilson Pickett, Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin, and The Bee Gees.
Inspired by her grandmother Loleatta, who set the bar high for her, Holloway began training in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop at the age of five years old. Interestingly enough, Holloway’s great grandmother Sylvia Shemwell also began singing at the age of five.
The gifted performer knew she wanted to be an entertainer at a very young age.
“I was always surrounded by entertainers in my family and the feeling I got whenever I did a talent show or even just singing for my family was amazing,” says Holloway.
She started going to auditions and participated in school plays and musicals at the age of nine. Her first play was 101 Dalmatians when she was in the fifth grade and she says, “I proudly shared the role of Cruella de Vil with my younger sister Audrey.”
After performing throughout Atlanta for several years singing the national anthem for a variety of local sports teams, Holloway’s first big break came when she appeared at the Apollo Theater in Harlem. She made three appearances on the amateur competition show Stars of Tomorrow and won twice.
In 2012, at the age of 17, Holloway’s life changed dramatically. She landed the role of Nala in Disney’s national tour of The Lion King, the youngest actor to ever play the role of “adult Nala” in its 17-year history. When she found out that she got the part, Holloway said it was “amazing” and “an honor and extremely humbling” to land the coveted role.
Nia Holloway as Nala with Jelani Remy as Simba.
Much like the character Nala in The Lion King, who has to embark on a journey and leave her family, Holloway too has had to leave her home in Atlanta, her parents and her two younger sisters. The talented actress and singer lives by a personal mantra of “no fear” to guide her. When asked what this means to her, Holloway replied that it means “to do whatever you want.”
“You can’t be afraid to lose, to take risks,” she added. “You have to have no fear in your heart. This is what I carry with me.”
She’s also been able to find a kinship with the role of Nala. Holloway says that Nala is the epitome of “no fear.”
“She’s extremely strong. I love playing the role because I see a little of Nala in me.”
To another actress the role of Nala may seem daunting but Holloway has remained grounded due to the influence of her family, and especially what she’s learned first-hand from her grandmother.
“She was a superstar in her own right. She traveled the world for 40 years and accomplished so many things and touched millions of people with her talent,” Holloway says of her grandmother. “Even through all of this she remained humble. When she would come back from being on tour and seeing all of these amazing places she was still just our grandmother.”
Holloway adds, “She always made it a priority for me and my family to know that even with accomplishments and recognition, you never forget where you come from and who you really are. I think that’s the strongest advice any entertainer could have and I’m glad it was my grandmother who showed me this by example throughout her life.”
Disney’s The Lion King is now playing at the Boston Opera House through October 12. Tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased through an authorized ticket seller found only at Ticketmaster 866-870-2717, and by visiting www.LionKing.com. Tickets will also be sold at the Boston Opera House Box Office, 539 Washington Street, Boston, MA (Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm).
