59% Gen Now Award 2023

Returning for its second year, the Soho House Awards in partnership with Porsche, will take place this evening at DUMBO House in New York, where we will celebrate ‘of the moment’, recognised and upcoming creative talents. And Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Gen Now Award will again spotlight multi-faceted artists who are making an impact now – but have not yet been recognised enough. 

This category, produced in partnership with Kaluuya’s company, 59% Productions, highlights a shortlist of five nominees handpicked by the multi-hyphenate actor, producer, writer and director.

Prior to the awards, Kaluuya hosted a roundtable at White City House in London where he led the group in a discussion about a range of topics, including what sparked their love of their craft, sources of inspiration and different facets of representation as they navigate their way through the industry.

The nominees are:

Anjana Vasan
Actor and singer-songwriter 

London-based Vasan is an Indian-Singaporean artist who started in theatre before moving over to the screen. She is most recognised for her role in We Are Lady Parts and has an independent film, Wicked Little Letters, coming out soon. 

‘Those things that felt like, they don’t know who I am and where I’m from became a strength because you can’t classify you, they can’t put you in a box.’

Toheeb Jimoh 
Actor

Brixton-born Toheeb Jimoh officially began his performance journey at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Graduating in 2018, the young actor went on to star in a series of screen roles, including Anthony Walker in the BBC drama Anthony, Tunde in Amazon’s The Power, and his well-known performance as Sam Obisanya in Ted Lasso, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Most recently, he was on stage in a critically acclaimed production of Romeo And Juliet, directed by Rebecca Frecknall. 

‘I’m so excited for when I link up with the mandem and we just do a scene. We try and make each other laugh, and it’s not about anything else but that.’

Tamara Lawrance
Actor and producer 
The British actor uncovered her love of acting when she was just a child, later refining her talent at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She is perhaps best known for her roles in The Silent Twins, Kindred and Boxing Day.

‘I’m really interested in epigenetics, the science of trauma informing and changing the DNA, but also healing doing the same. Understanding the human brain or human psychology in that way has helped me shift how I approach characters.’

Vivian Oparah 
Actor and musician 

Vivian Oparah is known for her roles as Yas in Rye Lane, and Tanya Adeola in the Doctor Who spin-off sci-fi drama, Class. On top of screen acting, Oparah is also a musician and stage performer, as seen in her performance in the musical drama film, Teen Spirit. 

‘I feel like as a Black girl you don’t really get to see yourself a lot on TV, but when I was reading, I can envision the people to be black, blue, purple, whatever I wanted and imagination is boundless.’

Nabhaan Rizwan
Actor

Making his screen debut in the leading role for crime drama Informer, Rizwan starred in Mogul Mowgli opposite Riz Ahmed and the miniseries Station Eleven. He will next be seen as the lead in the upcoming feature, In Camera.

‘Early on, I think we [my brother and I] were influenced by quite a lot together. Kenan & Kel was a big one. I remember in primary school that if we behaved well, Miss Beverley would let me and my best friend perform as Kenan & Kel in front of the class.’

Daniel Kaluuya will announce the 59% Gen Now Award recipient at the ceremony tonight, where winners from more than 10 other categories will also be presented with a gong – a Golden Picante – for their success and contribution across the creative industries.

Watch the full video of the roundtable now.