Taya Shawki

Taya Shawki is a professional dancer, TV personality, and makeup artist based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden with Iraqi roots, Taya started her artistic journey as young as 3 years old. Taya’s goal-getter mentality landed her jobs with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry — Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Pharrell, Nicki Minaj, and many more. She became the first Swedish dancer to break ground on such a global level, paving the way for other Swedish dancers to do the same.

In 2025, Taya joined the cast of Sweden’s hit TV show Let’s Dance on TV4 as a permanent celebrity judge, bringing her international experience, insight, and creative voice to national television and a new audience across Sweden.

All while pursuing her dance career, Taya became a certified makeup artist in 2012 and has since built a thriving freelance career. After a brief time working at M·A·C Cosmetics in 2013–2014, she went on to establish herself as a published artist in Los Angeles and Dubai, with work featured in VOGUE, Sayidaty, and more. Known for her versatility, Taya moves seamlessly between full glam, editorial, and celebrity looks.

“I just love creating, being a part of something greater than myself, something with an impact. And the way I keep myself pushing for that is by a simple motto: Be so good they can’t ignore you.”