Evelyn Abena Akuaba Appiah, professionally know as Abena Appiah is a Ghanaian-American beauty queen, singer, actress, and model who has risen to international prominence. Born on June 2, 1993, in Accra, Ghana, she moved from pageant stages to film sets and music studios, becoming a familiar face in global entertainment. Her historic win as Miss Grand International 2020 marked a turning point, as she became the first Black woman and first American winner of the crown.
Profile Summary
| full name | Evelyn Abena Akuaba Appiah |
| date of birth | June 2, 1993 |
| place of birth | Accra, Ghana |
| nationality | Ghanaian-American |
| state of Origin | Greater Accra Region, Ghana |
| partner | No confirmed spouse or long-term partner |
| children | N/A |
| occupations | Beauty queen, model, singer, songwriter, actress, TV personality, music therapist, multi-instrumentalist |
| net Worth | $500,000 – $1 million |
Early Life and Education
Abena grew up in a culturally diverse family, with a Ghanaian father and a mother of Filipino origin, a background that shaped her sense of identity from an early age. Spending parts of her childhood between the United States, Europe, and Ghana, she was exposed to different cultures but also encountered bullying over her skin tone and appearance.
Instead of letting those experiences break her spirit, her mother encouraged her by enrolling her in pageants, modeling classes, and extracurricular activities that helped build her confidence. Abena later completed high school in the United States and studied fashion at Radford University College in Ghana, complementing her academic work with specialized pageant training in the Philippines.
Career
Abena’s professional journey began in beauty pageants, where she steadily built a remarkable résumé of titles and placements. She first gained national attention after winning Top Model Ghana in 2013 and then Miss Universe Ghana in 2014, which gave her a platform on the global stage.
She went on to win Queen Beauty Universe in Spain in 2016 and Miss Earth Ghana in 2019, earning multiple special awards at the Miss Earth international finals and placing in the Top 20. Her biggest breakthrough came in 2020 when she was crowned Miss Grand USA and later Miss Grand International 2020, becoming the first Black woman and the first representative from the United States to win the title.
Alongside pageantry, Abena built a multifaceted entertainment career as a singer and songwriter, drawing on her ability to play instruments such as the guitar, ukulele, clarinet, and flute. She has released songs like “Akomah,” “Earth,” “No Hit and Run,” “No More Hate,” and “Hold Me Tight,” and appeared in high-profile music videos, including projects with Bruno Mars, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, and Jennifer Lopez.
As a model, she has worked across different markets, using her platform to collaborate with fashion and lifestyle brands. She also trained as an actress, taking early roles in independent projects before moving into bigger film productions.
Abena’s acting profile grew significantly with her role as May in the Nigerian drama “A Taste of Sin,” which introduced her to Netflix and Nollywood audiences. She later played the title role in the science-fiction film “Meri Mary Mari” and joined the cast of Mildred Okwo’s film “On Different Grounds,” sharing the screen with established Nollywood stars.
Personal Life
Abena tends to keep her romantic relationships private and has not publicly confirmed any long-term partner or marriage. She has, however, openly discussed her dating preferences in interviews, often sharing lighthearted comments about the qualities she looks for in a partner.
Net Worth
Abena Appiah’s net worth is estimated at $500,000 to $1,000,000 USD. This figure draws from pageant prizes, acting fees from Netflix and Nollywood projects, modeling endorsements, music royalties, and her pageant directorship.
Filmography
- Deadmeat (2007, USA) – Extra
- Mino: A Diasporic Myth (2019, USA) – as Zuri
- A Taste of Sin (2023, Nigeria) – as May
- Meri Mary Mari (2024, USA) – as Meri Mary Mari
- On Different Grounds (2024, Nigeria) – Lead role (title character or principal cast)
Awards and Nomination
- Top Model Ghana – Winner (2013)
- Miss Universe Ghana – Winner (2014)
- Queen Beauty Universe – Winner (2016)
- Miss Earth Ghana – Winner (2019)
- Miss Earth (international) – Multiple special awards and Top 20 placement (2019)
- Miss Grand USA – Titleholder (2020)
- Miss Grand International – Winner (2020), first Black and first American winner
She has not yet been widely recognized with major mainstream acting awards, but her recent entry into film and television has positioned her for future nominations as her body of work grows.
