Sahar Biniaz (born November 17, 1984) is a Canadian actress, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe Canada 2012. She had a recurring role on the hit TV show Sanctuary as the Hindu goddess of power Kali.
Sahar Biniaz | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sahar Biniaz at the Times Of India Film Awards 2013 | |
| Born | Sahar Biniaz November 17, 1984 |
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Universe Canada 2012 |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Universe Canada 2008 (1st Runner-Up) Miss Universe Canada 2012 (Winner) Miss Universe 2012 (Did not compete) |
Biography
editBiniaz was born in Bangalore, Karnataka, India to an Iranian family.[1] She grew up in Iran, and a few years later, her family moved to Vancouver, Canada, where she became a naturalized Canadian.[1] She graduated with honors from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting School in Los Angeles.[1]
Pageant history
editBiniaz competed in the Miss Universe Canada 2003 pageant where she did not place. She went on to compete in beauty pageants representing Canada, including winning 1st runner-up in Miss Universe Canada 2008. Four years later, she competed in the same pageant and won the title of "Miss Universe Canada 2012". She also won the Revlon Professional Best Hair award.[2]
Personal causes
editAt the age of 14, Biniaz was mauled by a family pit bull. "The Richmond resident was the victim of a pit bull attack herself at the age of 14, a year after her family adopted a five-month-old pit bull from a breeder. The pit bull 'came from a really nice environment', she said, but 'then I ended up getting 16 stitches. Biniaz still bears the scars on her chest to this day."[3]
As a result of being a pit bull victim, in 2012, she decided to join the fight for pit bull controls and "plans to make the effort a major part of her [Miss Universe Canada] reign... noting that with her Miss Universe Canada title she now has a voice to bring more awareness to this issue."[3]
She consequently became the object of vitriol from pit bull advocates, who lobbied the Miss Universe organization to strip her of her title for speaking out.[4] Some pit bull advocates accused her of not really being Canadian and not representing Canadian values.[5]
| Year | Pageant | Placement |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Miss Universe Canada | Unplaced |
| 2003 | Miss Global Beauty Queen | 1st Runner-up[6][non-primary source needed] |
| 2008 | Miss Tourism Queen International | 2nd runner-up[citation needed] |
| 2008 | Miss Universe Canada | 1st runner-up[citation needed] |
| 2012 | Miss Universe Canada | Winner[citation needed] |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Neal 'n' Nikki | Teacher | |
| 2009 | Watchmen | Foreign Newscaster (as Sahar) | |
| 2009 | 2012 | Showgirl (uncredited) | |
| 2010 | The Search for Santa Paws | Posh Poodle Woman | Video |
| 2012 | Ambrosia | Leila | |
| 2013 | Tom Dick & Harriet | Car Model | TV movie |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Blade: The Series | Sabine | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | Painkiller Jane | Hottie | 1 episode |
| 2008 | Under One Roof | Sylvia | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Blue Mountain State | Natrina | 1 episode[7] |
| 2007–2010 | Smallville | Shayera Hall, aka the DC Comics superhero Hawkgirl | 4 episodes[8] |
| 2010 | Sanctuary | Kali | 4 episodes |
References
edit- ^ a b c "Sahar Biniaz Crowned Miss Universe Canada 2012 [photos]". International Business Times. May 20, 2012.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Miss Universe Canada 2012 Results!". BeautyMania.Biz. May 19, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2012.
- ^ a b Nursall, Kim. Miss Universe Canada joins call to restrict pit bulls in BC. Vancouver, BC: The Vancouver Sun. 31 Aug 2012. Page A6, col. 2.
- ^ Peverley, Lance. Trolls, pit bulls and a universe of misinformation. Peace Arch News. 24 Oct 2012. Accessed 14 June 2022 at https://www.peacearchnews.com/opinion/column-trolls-pit-bulls-and-a-universe-of-misinformation/
- ^ Beyeler, Anne. "Miss Biniaz is not Canadian and does not represent Canadian values." Strip Sahar Biniaz of her title! Accessed 14 June 2022 at www . change . org/p/denis-davila-national-director-of-miss-universe-canada-strip-sahar-biniaz-of-her-title
- ^ Miss Global Beauty – Keepers of the Crown Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Welcome to Trisko Talent". Triskotalent.com. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ^ "Smallville Casts Hawkgirl and Deadshot". IGN. August 3, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2020.