The STEP Show

Marie-Lou Nahhas is a Lebanese American actress, model and activist who is starring in the break-out role of “Shani Abboud” on the final season of Netflix’s Emmy® award winning drama series “Orange Is the New Black.” In 2018, Nahhas appeared in Hulu’s Emmy® nominated series “The Looming Tower.” Her additional film and television credits include, but are not limited to Southpaw and “Madame Secretary.” Born in Beirut, Lebanon Marie-Lou Nahhas moved to the United States with her family to complete her higher education.The passion of acting led her to constantly explore the medium through coaching and workshops, while completing her degree in Biology and Masters in Public Health. In 2012, Marie-Lou was a finalist in Miss Lebanon pageant, which exposed her to the model and fashion industry both in the Middle East and internationally. Following a unique and diverse path, Marie-Lou Nahhas continued on crafting her acting career and is based in New York City. Nahhas speaks French, Arabic, Spanish and English and is working on many advocacy projects that combine her artistic and scientific endeavors.