Zehra Fazal
NationalityAmerican
OccupationVoice actress
Years active2004–present

Zehra Fazal is an American voice actress, known for voicing Nadia Rizavi in Voltron: Legendary Defender and Halo and Bluebird in Young Justice: Outsiders.[1][2][3] Greg Weisman, the co-creator of Young Justice: Outsiders said "I wrote the role with her in mind. She plays Halo, but she also plays about a dozen other characters."[4]

Career

Prior to her voice acting career, Fazal, who is Muslim-American and of South Asian descent, was known for her irreverent comedy often poking fun at Muslim identity.[5] Her one-woman musical comedy show Headscarf and the Angry Bitch which she described as partly fictional and partly autobiographical, created Muslim parodies of holiday comedy songs The Ramadan Song instead of The Hanukkah Song and discussed living in America with a "hyphenated identity."[6][7] Fazal, who self describes as "the Muslim Weird Al", explains that the show explores the fact that "the definition of what it is to be Muslim is expanding and it's okay to be vocal about it."[8][9] She created the show's character, Zed Headscarf, as "her tougher, bolder, prouder side" partly in response to post-9/11 Islamaphobia she encountered.[10] Her performance won the "best solo performance award" at the Capital Fringe Festival in 2009 and was sold out throughout its New York International Fringe Festival run in 2010.[11][12]

Fazal has also portrayed Adolf Hitler in an adaptation of Yukio Mishima’s play, My Friend Hitler.[13] She studied with Japan’s Takarazuka Revue Company as a research intern in 2004. On her return to the U.S., she translated and staged Takarazuka Revue's The Rose of Versailles at Wellesley College where she was a student.[14] Fazal explains "I have a knack for taking something that already exists and making it fit into a new mold."[14] Fazal also portrayed doctor Amanda Jain in the video comedy series F#@K I Love U.

Personal life

Fazal has a B.A. from Wellesley College.[15] She speaks Japanese, French and Urdu.[16] Fazal is a passionate supporter of Paani Project, a nonprofit that works with community partners and institutions in the United States and Pakistan to help alleviate clean water inaccessibility, advocate for gender equity, and address a variety of pressing health disparities in rural South Asian communities.[17]

As a child, she was a fan of the Disney animated show Darkwing Duck; she drew on inspiration on the titular character for her performance as General Yunan on Disney's Amphibia.[18]

Filmography

Animation

List of voice performances in animation
Year Title Role Notes Source
2018 Voltron: Legendary Defender Nadia Rizavi, Hunk’s Mother [1][19]
2018–present Craig of the Creek Faraday, Shannon, Aggie (The Squashinator) [20][21]
2019–2022 Young Justice Halo, Cassandra Savage, Harper Row, Hawkwoman, Lian Nguyen-Harper, Windfall, Trajectory, Antonia "Big Words" Rodriguez, Madia Daou, Evelyn Fox [22][23][24][25]
2019 Trolls: The Beat Goes On! Celine Starburst, Timpani [22][16]
2019 Pinky Malinky Aisha Episode: "Advanced" [22][26]
2019–20 She-Ra and the Princesses of Power Mara 4 episodes [27]
2019–21 Big Hero 6: The Series Basemax, Officer Flynn [22][28]
2019 Bojack Horseman Demi, Ilana and Ilana Episode: “Surprise!” [29][30][31]
2020 Glitch Techs Zahra, Sabrina [32]
2020 Where’s Waldo? Film Director Episode: “Mumbai Dance Party” [33]
2020–2022 Amphibia General Yunan [34]
2020 Vampirina Dr. Millweed [35]
2022 Wolfboy and the Everything Factory Professor Pigment Episode: The Colors Faded
2022 Dragon Age: Absolution Tassia Main role [36]
2023 My Adventures with Superman Livewire, Additional voices 2 episodes
2023 The Bad Guys: A Very Bad Holiday Tiffany Fluffit Christmas TV special [37]

Web series

List of appearances in web shows and series
Year Title Role Notes Source
2018–2019 Kuroba Mari (voice) Animation; 1st Voice [38]
2023 Candela Obscura Dr. Jinnah Basar Actual play; 3 episodes [39][40]

Film

List of voice performances in film
Year Title Role Notes Source
2018 The Laws of the Universe Part I Zamza English dub [41]
2020 Batman: Death in the Family Talia al Ghul Direct-to-video [42]
2022 Catwoman: Hunted Talia al Ghul, Nosferata
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe Butt-Head Fantasy Woman #1
2023 Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match Jataaka Direct-to-video [43]
Urkel Saves Santa: the Movie Suli
Craig Before the Creek Gala, Shannon the Scout, Tattoo

Video games

List of voice performances in video games
Year Title Role Notes Source
2016 Blade & Soul Soha, Jinsoyung, Sunyung English dub [16]
2016 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End French Auction Guest, Additional voices [22][16]
2016 Titanfall 2 Lifeboat & Systems AI [22][2]
2017 Final Fantasy XV Townspeople English dub [16]
2019 Apex Legends AI announcer, Narrator [22][44]
2019 Crackdown 3 Additional voices [45]
2019 League of Legends Kayle [46]
2019 Fallout 76: Wild Appalachia ARIC-4, Nia [47]
2019 Eliza Rae [48][49]
2019 Until You Fall Runesmith [50]
2019 Borderlands 3 Amara [22][51]
2019 Rage 2: Rise of the Ghosts Eden HQ AI, Metro Station Guard, Metro Station Civilian [52][53]
2019 Destiny 2: Shadowkeep [54]
2019 Indivisible Thorani [22][55][56]
2019 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Ousa [22]
2019 Shenmue III Li Feng, Niao Sun English dub [22][57]
2020 Maneater Female NPCs [22]
2020 Destiny 2: Beyond Light Guardian: Exo Female [58]
2021 Legends of Runeterra Taliyah [59]
2021 Shin Megami Tensei V Cleopatra [60]
2022 Marvel's Avengers Jane Foster / The Mighty Thor [61]
2022 Gotham Knights Noor Rashid
2024 Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Wonder Woman [62]

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Category Nominated for Result Ref.
2019 Voice Arts Awards Outstanding Promo Campaign - TV or Web, Best Voiceover Fox Sports FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 Nominated

[63][64][65]

Outstanding Animation Character - TV or Web, Best Voiceover Young Justice Outsiders - Halo Won
Outstanding Body of Work, Best Voice Actor — Won

References

  1. ^ a b Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (August 10, 2018). "IT'S FINALLY HERE!! Season 7 of Voltron: Legendary Defender is now streaming on @netflix and I'm thrilled to announce I've joined the cast! Excited for y'all to meet my gal Rizavi. #voltron #VoltronLegendaryDefender #VoltronSeason7 https://t.co/TRlYPPYWWY" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b "Zehra Fazal". IMDB. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  3. ^ "TV News Roundup: 'SMILF' Season 2 Premiere Date Set at Showtime". MSN. 2018-11-12. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  4. ^ "'Young Justice' creators talk Jack Kirby "Fourth World" influence, more from SDCC". Newsweek. 2018-07-31. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  5. ^ Watch, Muslimah Media (2011-07-06). "Headscarf and the Angry Bitch: A Review of Zehra Fazal's Play". Muslimah Media Watch. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  6. ^ Rampell, Catherine (2017-09-21). "Fringe Festival Journal: A Muslim Woman in America, With Stand-Up". ArtsBeat. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  7. ^ "Zehra Fazal's Shock-n-Schtick ‹ Muslimah Media Watch". Muslimah Media Watch. 2011-04-14. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  8. ^ S.D., Trav (2010-09-01). "The "Muslim Weird Al" Offers More Than Parodies". DOWNTOWN EXPRESS | The Newspaper of Lower Manhattan. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  9. ^ "Fringe Preview: Headscarf and the Angry Bitch". DCist. 2009-07-20. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  10. ^ "Under suspicion: American Muslims search for identity 10 years after Sept. 11". Washington Post. 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  11. ^ Guide, Going Out (2009-10-10). "From the Fringe to Center Stage". Washington Post. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  12. ^ Borkar, Sonia (2011-07-11). "Headscarf and the Angry Bitch (Zehra Fazal) 2011 Toronto Fringe Review". Mooney on Theatre. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  13. ^ "Zehra Fazal Shines @ The Fringe Festival". DCist. 2015-04-08. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  14. ^ a b Sands, Ryan. "Electric Ant Zine #2: Interview with Zehra Fazal". Youth in Decline. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  15. ^ Slattery, Chris (2008-07-16). "Thinking outside the barn". Maryland Community News in Montgomery County and Prince George's County -- Gazette.Net. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  16. ^ a b c d e "Resume". Zehra Fazal. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  17. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (October 9, 2020). "UPDATE: Back in August, you helped me raise funds for @paaniproject to build wells in water-stressed areas in rural Pakistan. Thanks to your generosity, their incredible team was able to build deep water wells in 3 villages. These are some photos from those wells. https://t.co/zt2zRLLcEh" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "AMPHIBIA PRE SHOW BABY (34:50)". May 21, 2021. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2021.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  19. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "Did you know, did you know? I also had the pleasure of voicing Hunk's mom on season 7 of Voltron: Legendary Defender. Grateful to be a…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  20. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "So excited to share that my first episode of Craig of the Creek is now airing on Cartoon Network! You can always count on my girl Faraday…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  21. ^ "Zehra Fazal's Instagram profile post: "New episodes of #CraigoftheCreek are airing on @cartoonnetworkofficial! Love playing The Squashinator. So much fun singing her operatic…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2020-07-17.
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Behind the Voice Actors – Zehra Fazal". Behind the Voice Actors. Retrieved February 16, 2019. Check mark indicates BTVA has verified the entries using screenshots of credits and other confirmed sources.((cite web)): CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  23. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "What a ridiculously awesome day at Comic-Con. I can officially announce I've joined the cast of Young Justice Outsiders as the voice of…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2018-11-21.
  24. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (January 25, 2019). "TAIMUR, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I love playing two "Harpers," doing my best to catch up to @CrispinFreeman. 😉 https://t.co/a9ZODajzeu" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (July 2, 2019). "Thank you @TaimurODar, that's incredibly kind. 💖 https://t.co/9CKbpISkEY" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "New episodes of #PinkyMalinky are now streaming on #Netflix, and you can catch me voicing this bright and passionate gal, Aisha!…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-05-21.
  27. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL! I'm thrilled to join the PHENOMENAL cast of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Season 3 now streaming on…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-08-04.
  28. ^ Ono, Kenji (director); Han-Yee Ling (writer) (September 11, 2019). "Hardlight". Big Hero 6: The Series. Season 2. Episode 17. Disney Channel.
  29. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "🎶 Back in the '19...I was in a very famous tv showwww 🎶 I've been a HUGE fan of @bojackhorseman since it's [sic] first season and I can't…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-10-27.
  30. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (October 26, 2019). "Spoilers! Do not read unless you want to find out that Pickles has, in fact, two friends named Ilana! https://t.co/4q2rNIWIw6" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2019-10-26. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  31. ^ Bob-Waksberg, Raphael [@RaphaelBW] (October 26, 2019). "@MrWysHouse @ZehraFazal Zehra plays Pickles's mom Demi, as well as Pickles's friend Ilana, as well as Pickles's OTHER friend Ilana" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2019-10-26. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Milano, Dan [@DanMilano] (January 22, 2020). "FINALLY its the main cast of #GlitchTechs Ricardo Hurtado as High Five, Monica Ray as Miko, Luke Youngblood as Mitch, Sandeep Parikh as Haneesh, Zehra Fazal as Zahra, Josh Sussman as Bergy, Eric Lopez as Papi, me as BITT and Scott Kreamer as Phil with many more! https://t.co/PodevL7jlH" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  33. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "I'm told the new episodes of #WheresWaldo are only available on NBC's new streaming service the Peacock...which is only available to a…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  34. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "Did you catch my #Amphibia debut last night? I love this gal so much. Now if only I could recall her name... #amphibia #generalyunnan…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  35. ^ "Zehra Fazal (@zehrafazal) posted on Instagram: "That time I gave @iamwandasykes a lollipop. Thanks for having me on to play, Vampirina! 🍭🧛♀️🦇 #vampirina #disney #disneyjr #animated…" • Oct 14, 2020 at 6:29pm UTC". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2020-10-25.
  36. ^ "'Dragon Age: Absolution' Sets Voice Cast and Unveils New Trailer, First-Look Images for Netflix Animated Series". Deadline Hollywood (Press release). November 10, 2022.
  37. ^ Mitovich, Matt (October 9, 2023). "The Bad Guys Prequel Movie Gets New Voice Cast, Netflix Release Date and First Photos". TVLine. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  38. ^ "Zehra Fazal - Animation Reel". August 2018.
  39. ^ Hoffer, Christian (July 23, 2023). "Critical Role Announces Candela Obscura Chapter 2 Cast". ComicBook.com. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  40. ^ "Candela Obscura: Chapter 2 Q&A with Zehra Fazal". Critical Role. 2023-08-28. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  41. ^ "VIDEO: Go Behind the Scenes of 'Laws of the Universe - Part I' with New Voice Dub Featurette". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2020-07-29.
  42. ^ DC Showcase - Batman: Death in the Family: Exclusive Official Trailer - IGN, 28 July 2020, retrieved 2020-07-29
  43. ^ "Mortal Kombat Legends: Cage Match Exclusive: Full Voice Cast and Plot Revealed". 14 June 2023.
  44. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (February 4, 2019). ""Approaching dropzone." YES WE ARE! Thrilled to announce that #ApexLegends, a free-to-play battle royale game set in the #Titanfall universe, has dropped today! You'll hear me throughout the game as the AI announcer. Much love @PlayApex @EA @Respawn! https://t.co/zd6PuEi52m" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "Friday BOOM! 💥 ⠀ ⠀ Crackdown 3, starring the singular @terrycrews, is out today. You'll hear me screaming my head off in there somewhere.…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  46. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "THE UNRIGHTEOUS WILL BURN! So freaking stoked to join the @leagueoflegends family. Teaser of the Kayle and Morgana rework featuring the…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  47. ^ Bethesda Game Studios Austin (April 14, 2020). Fallout 76: Wastelanders DLC. Bethesda Softworks. Scene: Credits: Voice & Music - Cast. Note: Characters added in the Wild Appalachia update are listed as part of the cast for Wastelanders (a separate update), and were not credited until the release of Wastelanders.
  48. ^ Elmaleh, Sarah [@selmaleh] (August 12, 2019). "ELIZA is out now!! Big congrats to @matthewseiji, the whole @zachtronics team, @kbavoice and my fellow incredible actors up in here (anyone say @YuriLowenthal @cissyspeaks @RogerCraigSmith and MORE?) https://t.co/Vxl0FObPal" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  49. ^ Eliza (Video Game 2019) - IMDb, retrieved 2019-08-13
  50. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "Attention VR gamers—UNTIL YOU FALL, a VR sword-fighting game by #SchellGames is now available in Early Access! I am the voice of the…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
  51. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (May 1, 2019). "Well, the biceps are out of the bag...I'm thrilled to announce I play Amara the Siren in #Borderlands3! Congratulations to the team at @Borderlands and @GearboxOfficial for a job well done! Honored to help bring your badass desi siren to life. https://t.co/gZhoaSDbEq" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  52. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (October 22, 2019). "Had a blast doing some additional voices for the new @rage 2 DLC Rise of the Ghosts! #rage2 https://t.co/TZkTyVTCQ9" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  53. ^ Rage 2: Rise of the Ghosts, retrieved 2019-10-23
  54. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "It's October 1st and the MOON'S HAUNTED... 🌔 So thrilled to be a part of the new @destinythegame release, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep. Out today!…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  55. ^ "Indivisible Cast List Revealed". Indivisible. 2019-08-06. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  56. ^ Fazal, Zehra [@ZehraFazal] (August 8, 2019). "Wow! Super excited to be part of the cast in this stunning game! #indivisible #thorani https://t.co/mXpQ6vKOMB" (Tweet). Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  57. ^ Shibuya Productions. Shenmue III. Scene: Closing credits, 2:57 in, Cast, English Voices.
  58. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "Destiny 2: Beyond Light is out today, and you can play as me if your Guardian is the Exo Female! Congrats to the whole @bungie team. 💙…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  59. ^ Legends of Runeterra [@PlayRuneterra] (February 23, 2021). "We love working with @ericalindbeck - you'll hear her voice all over LoR. However, we made the decision to recast Taliyah's voice actor to the extremely talented @ZehraFazal to remain as authentic to her character and heritage as possible" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2021-05-08. Retrieved 2021-06-14 – via Twitter.
  60. ^ "Shin Megami Tensei V (2021 Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved 22 November 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.((cite web)): CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  61. ^ "Marvel's Avengers on Twitter: "Please give a hearty welcome to @ZehraFazal, the voice of our Jane Foster: the Mighty Thor!". Twitter. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  62. ^ "Suicide Squad Kill The Justice League on Twitter: "Years in the making, I can finally say it. I'm Wonder Woman". Twitter. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  63. ^ "2019 Nominees". Sovas. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  64. ^ "Zehra Fazal on Instagram: "Wow. WOW. Tonight was overwhelming. I won two Society of Voice Arts awards for Outstanding Promo Campaign and Outstanding Body of Work.…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-25. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  65. ^ "2019 Winners". Sovas. Retrieved 2019-11-20.

External links

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