Roxy Shahidi Biography: Husband, Net Worth, Awards, Movies, Religion, YogaRox, Age, Children, Height

Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi, professionally known as Roxy Shahidi, is an English actress, screenwriter, and wellness advocate best known for playing Leyla Harding on the ITV soap Emmerdale.

She has held the role across two periods (2008–2011 and 2013–2025) and has also worked in theatre, radio, and appeared on the 2024 series of Dancing on Ice. A qualified yoga instructor, she combines acting with wellness work through her YogaRox brand and related initiatives.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi
• Stage Name: Roxy Shahidi
• Born: March 14, 1983
• Age: 43 years old
• Birthplace: Manchester, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Actress, Screenwriter, Yoga Instructor, and Wellbeing Speaker
• Height: 1.65m
• Parents: Bahman Ghawam-Shahidi, and Linda
• Siblings: 1
• Spouse: Arsher Ali (m. 2010)
• Children: 1
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: 1 to 2 million USD

Early Life and Education

Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi was born on March 14, 1983, in Manchester, England, to an Iranian father, Bahman Ghawam-Shahidi, and an English mother, Linda.

She grew up in the Whalley Range area of Manchester alongside one sister in a multicultural household.

Roxy trained professionally in acting and theatre while also pursuing certification as a yoga instructor, a path she followed for over a decade alongside her early acting pursuits.

Of mixed Iranian and British ethnicity, she was raised in a Christian household.

Career

Roxy Shahidi began her career with early television credits including the BBC Three series Sinchronicity in 2006 and various theatre productions such as Arabian Nights and National Theatre Live: Othello.

Her breakthrough arrived in 2008 when she joined Emmerdale as Leyla Harding, a role she played until 2011 before returning in 2013 and continuing until 2025, making the character a familiar face in British soap opera for nearly 15 years.

Beyond the Dales, she competed as a contestant on the sixteenth series of Dancing on Ice in 2024, showcasing her flexibility honed through years of yoga practice.

She has also worked as a screenwriter and developed her wellness brand, including the YouTube channel YogaRox and a yoga lunch club in Nottingham, where she offers classes focused on self-care and mindfulness for busy lives.

Roxy Shahidi has built a respected profile that merges long-form soap storytelling with personal passions for performance and wellbeing.

Her thoughtful approach to acting, combined with her advocacy for yoga and mental health, has earned her a loyal following who appreciate her authentic voice both on and off screen.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @roxyshahidi

Personal Life

Roxy Shahidi, born on March 14, 1983, at 43 years old, cherishes a stable family life rooted in her long partnership with fellow actor Arsher Ali.

The couple met in 2007, became engaged shortly afterward, and married in 2010; they welcomed their daughter in January 2018, choosing to keep her out of the public eye to protect her privacy.

Roxy has spoken openly about the traumatic aspects of her daughter’s birth while emphasizing the joy and grounding that motherhood has brought her.

Filmography

• Sinchronicity (2006)
• Emmerdale (as Leyla Harding, 2008–2011, 2013–2025)
• National Theatre Live: Othello (2013)
• Dancing on Ice (2024)
• Drama Queens (2024)

Net Worth

Roxy Shahidi has an estimated net worth of 1 to 2 million USD, accumulated through her extended run on the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale, earnings from theatre and television guest roles, income from her yoga instruction and YogaRox brand, podcast hosting, and brand collaborations in the wellness space.