Hanani Taylor

Hanani Taylor, born June 16th, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. Musically, Hanani is known as "Hana Ni". Hanani began publicly performing, singing, acting and dancing at age 3. She won her first major singing and acting competitions in Dallas, Texas when she was 8 years old. She also had her acting debut at age 8, playing "Glinda" in the play, "The Wiz." Hanani went on to win numerous contests and pageants in Las Vegas, California, Ohio and Atlantic City, between the ages of 8 and 10. At age 10, Hanani won the 106.3 New Gospel Talent Search Showcase, in Columbus, Ohio. As a result of that win, she was the opening act for legendary gospel artist, Yolanda Adams, performing before 3,000 people at that concert. In 2005, at age 7, Hanani was the opening act for Ray Charles' daughter, Sheila Ray Charles. In 2006, Hana Ni performed on national television on The Word Channel in Bobby Jones' Urban Impact Summit New Artist Showcase. She was the youngest performer in that showcase. At age 9, Hana Ni was featured and nationally televised on "Showtime at The Apollo" as a "Kid Star of Tomorrow" and on the "Best of The Apollo." Hana Ni has held the title of Junior Miss Talent International 2006 and she has been a special guest performer on Sunny 95 Radio and on ABC/FOX Good Morning Columbus television program. She was also a featured soloist for the 100 Black Men of Atlanta Youth Celebration in 2006. Hana Ni has been featured in the "Road to Stardom Showcase" and regularly on the "Nu Skool Sings Old School Showcase" both in Los Angeles, California. Hana Ni was a contestant on American Idol when she was 15. She participated up through Hollywood Week and made it to the top 100 out of 125,000 people who auditioned across the country. Hana Ni has also been in television commercials, radio commercials and numerous print ads. Hana Ni has been trained in acting, piano, guitar, flute, hip hop dance, liturgical and jazz dance. She loves singing soul, jazz, old school, classic rock, Doo Wop, Motown and alternative music. She does it all with her own soulful modern style that is not like any other artist. Hanani has received numerous national, regional, state and local awards and accolades for singing, acting and scholastics. In 2013, Hana Ni's video "Too Much Faith" appeared as the "Video Pick of the Day" on BET's 106 & Park. Also in 2013, Hana Ni completed her first feature film,"Puzzled", which was filmed in Los Angeles and is currently in post-production. "Nani" was selected to attend Grammy Camp NYC in August 2013. While there she recorded, as ½ of a Holiday duet, for the Grammy Foundation's Christmas Card 2013 which was sent out to over 20,000 Grammy Foundation members/friends. Hana Ni was a regular featured singer/performer with "Nu Skool Sings Old School" in Los Angeles, California. In addition to singing, performing and acting, Hana Ni is a songwriter. By age 16, she had written over 200 songs. She also creates, produces and edits films and videos. In 2013, Hanani competed and was crowned Miss Columbus Teen 2013 and Miss T.E.E.N. Ohio 2013. As Miss T.E.E.N. Ohio, she competed for the national title in Houston, TX. In 2014 Hana Ni was invited and performed at the BET Awards Experience Live LA 2014 and recognized as an "up and coming" vocal artist. Also in 2014, Hana Ni was the featured performer at the National Urban League Gala 2014 with a 6 piece band and a 14 song set list. She moved to Los Angeles in September 2014 to pursue her dreams in acting and singing. Her first big break was a guest star role on CBS's Criminal Minds. Afterwards, she booked a guest star spot on FOX's "The Orville" as well as ABC's "Speechless". She lead her first feature film, "Raise Your Hand" in 2016 and, in the same year, booked a recurring role on the Verizon series "Mr. Student Body President" and also started her own production company. In 2017, Hana Ni performed as the opening act for R&B star, Ginuwine, Mila J, Calvin Richardson and Lyfe Jennings. She also shot and directed her own feature film titled "Rosehill Dwelling". Her first full length album released in early 2018. In 2019, Hanani shot her second feature film "Playground". In 2020, Hanani booked a recurring spot on the Peacock TV Original show "Punky Brewster". In 2021, Hanani booked the role of Susie Bryd in the film adaptation of NY Times Bestselling novel, "Aristotle and Dante". She worked alongside Eva Longoria, Lin Manuel Miranda, Kevin Alejandro, Eugenio Derbez, Isabella Gomez, Luna Blaise, Aitch Alberto, Max Pelayo, Reese Gonzales and many more. Hana Ni's Latest album entitled "Everything is Temporary" released in January 2021. In 2022, Hanani booked the role of "Kayla" in Nickelodeon and Paramount Plus' feature film "Fantasy Football", starring alongside Marsai Martin, Kelly Rowland, Omari Hardwick and Rome Flynn.