Liya Kebede (Amharic: ሊያ ከበደ; born 1 March 1978) [2] is an Ethiopian -born model, maternal health advocate, clothing designer, and actress. She has appeared on the cover of Vogue 20 times. [3] Kebede has served as the WHO's Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health since 2005. [4] Kebede was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [5] .

Mar 7, 2025 · NEW YORK (AP) — Green tears were flowing when Lencia Kebede made history this week on Broadway, becoming the first Black actor to assume the role of Elphaba full time in the Broadway company of “Wicked.” “It’s hard to even pinpoint a single emotion because I feel that it changes like every five minutes,” she told The …

6 days ago · Part one of the two-part series became the highest grossing movie based on a Broadway musical ever at the U.S. box office. “Wicked” was nominated for 10 Academy Awards and named Best Film by ...

Mar 7, 2025 · Kebede, a first-generation Ethiopian American from Los Angeles, spent five years touring with “Hamilton,” most recently in the role of Angelica Schuyler.

Harnessing her fame as a supermodel, and drawing on her experiences as a child in Ethiopia and as a mother in the United States, Liya Kebede has become a leading advocate for maternal, newborn, and child health around the world.

6 days ago · Courtesy: Joan Marcus. Lencia Kebede, Wicked’s latest actor who stepped into the role of Elphaba, might be new to the cast, but she’s already making history.. The longstanding Broadway show has found its first full-time Black Elphaba in the Los Angeles native, and it’s an empowering start to Women’s History Month and conclusion to …

Lencia Kebede is honored to continue living out her soul’s purpose on the Gershwin stage as Elphaba in Wicked. As a proud first-generation Ethiopian-American, Lencia graduated from...

Jan 24, 2025 · Watch Wicked 's next Elphaba, Lencia Kebede, sing "Defying Gravity" in an emotional post announcing her historic run in the Broadway production. On March 4, 2025 she will make history as the...

Jan 22, 2025 · Lencia Kebede will take over playing Elphaba on Broadway this spring, becoming the first Black actress to assume the role full time on Broadway. Kebede, who most recently played Angelica in the...

lemlem is an artisan-driven sustainable fashion label for women, men and kids, founded by supermodel Liya Kebede. Designs are made in Africa by local artisans, using handwoven cotton. Sales benefit the lemlem Foundation to fund maternal health and women's empowerment programs in Africa.