Nova Stevens
Nova Stevens, born Nyawal Bukjok in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 5, 1992, is a notable figure known for her roles as a model, actress, and activist. Her early life was shaped by the turmoil of the second Sudanese Civil War, which led to her family being separated and her eventual relocation to Canada for a better future. Growing up in Canada, Stevens became independent at fifteen with the support of the Youth Transitions Program, and later worked with the program to assist other youth.
Stevens gained international recognition when she won the title of Miss Universe Canada in 2020 and subsequently competed in the Miss Universe pageant in May 2021, becoming the first South Sudanese contestant. Beyond her modeling career—which includes roles in television series and commercials—Stevens is actively engaged in numerous philanthropic efforts. She advocates for causes such as racial justice and food security, collaborating with nonprofits like Keep 6ix and Feed It Forward. Her activism gained momentum during the Black Lives Matter movement, where she co-organized a significant protest in Vancouver. Stevens exemplifies resilience and commitment to community service, using her platform to address social issues and support marginalized groups.
Nova Stevens
Model, actor, and activist
- Born: May 5, 1992
- Birthplace: Nairobi, Kenya
Also known as: Nyawal Bukjok
Significance: Nova Stevens is a Canadian-based model, actor, and activist. She was named Miss Universe Canada in 2020 and became the first South Sudanese native to compete for Miss Universe. In addition to modeling and acting roles, Stevens supports several Canadian nonprofit organizations and promotes racial justice through her participation in the Black Lives Matter movement.
Background
Nova Stevens, was born Nyawal Bukjok, in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 5, 1992. Both of her parents were from South Sudan but moved to Kenya to flee the second Sudanese Civil War. This political unrest impacted Stevens’ early childhood years. When she was six years old, her family was divided due to the ongoing war, with her mother being held in a United Nations camp in South Sudan and the rest of her family living in Ethiopia. In an effort to give her the opportunity to have a better life, her family sent Stevens to Canada, where she lived with her cousin and other relatives in Alberta and Ontario. While Stevens did not anticipate her trip to Canada to be long lasting, she remained there for the rest of her childhood, even when her immediate family settled in Ethiopia.
At the age of fifteen, Stevens began living independently with the assistance of the Youth Transitions Program in Alberta. This program provided support for teenagers in need in the greater Alberta area, pairing them with a social worker to navigate any challenges and help them transition into a more independent life. With the help of this program, Stevens was able to live on her own and complete her high school education. At the age of eighteen, she began working for the Youth Transitions Program, serving as a manager to help other teenagers in need.
Modeling and Acting Career
Even before she graduated high school, Stevens started receiving modeling offers in Canada. She then briefly moved to New York City to further her modeling career. However, in 2014, she returned to Canada, choosing Vancouver as the place to build her modeling and acting careers. That same year, she competed in the Miss Universe Canada pageant where she finished in the top twelve. Four years later, she participated in the pageant again, winning the Miss Photogenic award and placing in the top twenty. Stevens’ quest to be named Miss Universe Canada continued at the 2020 pageant. That year, she earned the title and went on to compete in the Miss Universe pageant in May 2021. The pageant was delayed a year by the COVID-19 pandemic. She became the first South Sudanese native to compete for the title of Miss Universe. Although she did not place in this pageant, being on a worldwide stage propelled Stevens into further opportunities as a model, actor, and activist.
Stevens’ acting career has several credits, including one-episode roles in three television series See, The Magicians, and Motherland: Fort Salem. Additionally, Stevens landed several roles in commercials for major retailers, including Dairy Queen, Toyota, and Macy’s.
Activism and Support of Nonprofits
Although Stevens established herself on a worldwide stage as Miss Universe Canada, she viewed the opportunity as a platform to support and promote causes that are important to her. She has stated that she felt an obligation to give back because of the support she received as a teenager growing up independently in Canada. Stevens has worked with a number of Canadian nonprofit organizations, including Keep 6ix, which helps formerly incarcerated youth start new lives, and Operation Smile, which offers surgery for children with cleft palates. Stevens is also heavily involved with Feed It Forward, a Toronto-based nonprofit organization that aims to support food-insecure Canadians by giving them access to unused or unsold food available from grocery stores, restaurants, and farms.
Stevens is also known for her advocacy, especially her support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Her interest in the movement and supporting racial justice began by attending a Black Lives Matter protest at an art gallery. Stevens explained that she intended to simply attend the event but then felt compelled to speak and share her thoughts. That impromptu speech led to a connection between Stevens and actress and activist Shamika Mitchell. In June 2020, Stevens and Mitchell co-organized a peaceful protest and march for Black Lives Matter in Vancouver that had more than fifteen thousand people in attendance.
Her interest in supporting racial justice extended beyond this protest and march. Stevens and Mitchell have also collaborated on establishing a nonprofit that supports Black and indigenous people, as well as people of color to give them access to the resources they need to thrive. Stevens stated that one goal of her organization was to provide business grants to Black entrepreneurs. Stevens’ advocacy also led her to work with Mitchell to encourage Vancouver’s Mayor Kennedy Stewart to declare August 1 Emancipation Day in the city. This holiday, which is now established nationwide, celebrates the British Empire’s abolition of slavery and marks the day that African people were freed in 1834.
Impact
Nova Stevens may be best known for her Miss Universe Canada title, but her impact extends beyond this role, thanks to her activism and engagement with many nonprofit organizations in Canada, helping to minimize food insecurity and improve racial justice. Moreover, Stevens serves as an example of how individuals can achieve their goals and give back to their community despite challenging upbringings.
Personal Life
Nova Stevens has not seen her parents and immediate family since the late 1990s when she fled to Canada. However, when she was in high school, she was able to reconnect with her family who had settled in Ethiopia.
Bibliography
Bains, Pahull. “My Story: Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens on Modelling, Activism, and More.” Fashion Magazine, 26 Dec. 2020, fashionmagazine.com/wellness/nova-stevens-model-miss-universe-canada/. Accessed 19 June 2023.
Carson, Dominique. “She Came, Saw, and Conquered—Nova Stevens.” The Official Black Magazine, 21 Sept. 2022, www.theofficialblackmagazine.com/she-came-saw-and-conquered-nova-stevens/. Accessed 19 June 2023.
“Nova Stevens.” IMDb, 2023, www.imdb.com/name/nm8303166/. Accessed 19 June 2023.
“Nova Stevens.” Miss Universe Canada, 2021, missuniversecanada.ca/2020-national-finalists/nova-stevens/. Accessed 19 June 2023.
Winter, Randi. “Nova Stevens: Miss Universe Canada 2020 Representative Interview.” Luxe Beat Magazine, 2020, luxebeatmag.com/nova-stevens-miss-universe-canada-2020-representative-interview/. Accessed 19 June 2023.