Zulay Henao


Zulay Henao is a Colombian-American film and television actress. She's co-starred in a number of films such as Illegal Tender, Fighting, Takers, Boy Wonder, , The Single Moms Club, True Memoirs of an International Assassin. In 2014 she began starring as one of the lead characters in the Oprah Winfrey Network series, If Loving You Is Wrong.

Early life

Henao was born in Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia. She and her family emigrated to New Jersey. After high school she served three years with the U.S. Army. Henao enrolled at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts to study acting.

Career

Henao appeared in two small films, and in 2007 made her television debut in an episode of Lifetime drama series, Army Wives. In the same year she also guest-starred on '. Also in 2007, Henao had supporting roles in films Illegal Tender and Feel the Noise. In 2008 she starred in the horror film Grizzly Park where she meet her best friend and co star Julie Skon, who was pregnant with her first child Layla White during the filming, and appeared opposite Charles S. Dutton in a Lifetime Original Movie Racing for Time.
In 2009, Henao had the female lead role in the sports film Fighting alongside Channing Tatum, and also appeared in the science fiction film S. Darko. In 2011 she starred in the independent psychological-thriller film, Boy Wonder. Henao also has appeared in Takers and '.
In 2013, Henao began starring as regular on the Oprah Winfrey Network sitcom, Love Thy Neighbor. She left the show after a single season. Henao starred opposite Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Amy Smart in the 2014 film The Single Moms Club, directed by Tyler Perry. She later was cast in same role of television adaptation of film, called If Loving You Is Wrong. Also in 2014, Henao was cast as adult film legend Vanessa del Rio, in an untitled biopic directed by Thomas Mignone. She later left the project and was replaced by Vivian Lamolli. In 2019, she had a recurring roles in The Oath and Stumptown.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Film 101Unknown Role
2005ClearviewGloria Rojas
2007Illegal TenderMora
2007Feel the NoiseCarol "CC" Reyes
2007Saturday MorningUnknown Role
2008The Heart Is a Hidden CameraNatashaShort film
2008Grizzly ParkLola
2008Racing for TimeCarmenTelevision film
2009FightingZulay Velez
2009S. DarkoBaelynDirect-to-video
2009The Magnificent Cooly-TAngie
2010TakersMonica Hatcher
2011Boy WonderTeresa Ames
2011Havana HeatAgent Brianna Evans
2011Nikki
2014White SpaceLynn Navarro
2014The Single Moms ClubEsperanza
2015DestinedGiselle Porter
2016True Memoirs of an International AssassinRosa Bolivar
2016Meet the BlacksLorena Black
2017Grow HouseMadison
2018Beyond White SpaceLynn Navarro
2019The House Next DoorLorena
2019Grand IsleDetective Newton

Television