Abena Appiah Akuaba

Biography

Abena Appiah is a historic figure in the world of international pageantry, a soulful singer, and an emerging powerhouse in Nollywood. A true "pageant veteran," her journey is a story of incredible persistence; she represented Ghana in Miss Universe (2014) and Miss Earth (2019) before making history as the first Black woman to be crowned Miss Grand International in 2020, representing the USA. To be honest, her win was a massive cultural moment, particularly because she chose to compete with her natural hair texture, challenging long-standing Eurocentric beauty standards in the industry. Beyond the crown, Abena is a multi-talented artist. She is a trained musical therapist who works with children with special needs, using melody as a bridge for learning life skills. Her musical career includes several successful singles like "Akomah" and "No More Hate," and she’s even appeared in music videos for icons like Jennifer Lopez and Bruno Mars. As of 2026, she has officially transitioned into a leading lady of the silver screen. Following her role in the Netflix drama A Taste of Sin, she is now the lead in Mildred Okwo’s highly anticipated international series On Different Grounds, where she stars alongside Indian actor Vineet Raina and Nollywood legends like Nkem Owoh.

Known For

Social & Reach