Oviya Biography: Brands, TV Shows & Movies, Height, Net Worth, Ethnicity, Age, Husband

Helen Nelson, professionally known as Oviya, is an Indian actress and model who captured hearts across South Indian cinema with her natural charm and bold screen presence.

Rising to fame through Tamil and Malayalam films, she became a household name after her fiery stint in Bigg Boss Tamil Season 1 in 2017, where her unfiltered personality spawned the viral “Oviya Army” fanbase.

Profile

• Full Name: Helen Nelson
• Stage Name: Oviya
• Born: 29, April 1991
• Age: 34 years old
• Birthplace: Thrissur, Kerala, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Actress, Model
• Height: 1.63 m
• Parents: Mr. Nelson and Mrs. Nelson
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Not married
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Helen Nelson was born on April 29, 1991, in Thrissur, Kerala, into a middle-class Malayali Christian family. Her parents have always stayed away from the limelight, and no official records reveal their names or professions. She has not publicly spoken about siblings.

Oviya completed her schooling in Thrissur and later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Functional English from Vimala College, Thrissur. She belongs to the Syrian Christian community of Kerala and was raised with traditional values, though she rarely discusses religion in interviews.

Career

Helen Nelson stepped into acting as Oviya with her Malayalam debut in Kangaroo (2007) while still in college. After a few minor roles, she moved to Chennai and landed the breakthrough lead in Sarkunam’s rural romantic comedy Kalavani (2010).

Her portrayal of a spirited village girl opposite Vimal turned her into an overnight sensation, earning praise for her effortless dialogue delivery and chemistry. She followed it up with hits like Marina (2012), Kalakalappu (2012), and Moodar Koodam (2013), carving a niche in light-hearted and comedy-drama genres.

The turning point came in 2017 when Oviya entered the Bigg Boss Tamil house as a contestant. Her candid behavior, emotional outbursts, and memorable one-liners made her the most loved participant, even after her voluntary exit due to mental stress.

The “Oviya Army” phenomenon exploded online, and she emerged stronger with brand endorsements and music video appearances. Post-Bigg Boss, she starred in films like 90ML (2019), Ganesan Kalyana Mandapam (2023), and made a notable comeback with Black Coffee (2024), proving her staying power.

Oviya continues to enjoy a massive digital following and selective film projects that highlight her versatility. Her fearless attitude toward controversies, including the 2024 morphed-video scandal that she swiftly addressed legally, has only solidified her image as a no-nonsense star.

With over a decade in cinema and an unmatched reality-TV legacy, Oviya remains a cultural icon for young Tamil audiences and a symbol of resilience in the face of industry pressures.

Social Media

Instagram Handle: @oviyaarmy

• Facebook Handle: Oviya Official
• Twitter Handle: @OviyaArmy

Personal Life

Helen Nelson has never married and keeps her romantic life private. Despite occasional link-up rumors with co-stars, she has consistently denied being in a relationship and describes herself as happily single.

Oviya lives between Chennai and Kerala, enjoys traveling, and is known among friends for her love of pets and cooking. In October 2024, she filed a police complaint against unknown persons for morphing and leaking a private video, showcasing her determination to protect her dignity.

Filmography

• Kangaroo (2007)
• Puthiya Mukham (2009)
• Kalavani (2010)
• Marina (2012)
• Kalakalappu (2012)
• Sillunu Oru Sandhippu (2013)
• Moodar Koodam (2013)
• Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013)
• 90ML (2019)
• Kalavani 2 (2019)
• Oviyavai Vitta Yaru (2022)
• Ganesan Kalyana Mandapam (2023)
• Black Coffee (2024)
• Sambhavami Yuge Yuge (2024)

Net Worth

Helen Nelson, known as Oviya, has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Her income streams include film salaries, brand endorsements for jewelry, clothing, and beauty products, reality-show appearance fees from Bigg Boss Tamil, and revenue from music albums and social-media collaborations.