Saleka Shyamalan is a 29-year-old American singer-songwriter, actress, and composer who gained worldwide attention as Lady Raven in the 2024 thriller Trap.
Born into the famous Shyamalan filmmaking family, she has built a completely separate music career in R&B and soul, proving she is much more than the daughter of a famous film director. From her first single, “Clarity,” to composing 14 original songs for Trap, Saleka is one of the most promising multidisciplinary artists to watch in 2026.
Quick Bio Table
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Saleka Night Shyamalan |
| Stage Name | Saleka |
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1996 |
| Age (2026) | 29 years old |
| Birthplace | Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Nationality | American (Indian heritage) |
| Ethnicity | Indian-American |
| Father | M. Night Shyamalan (Filmmaker) |
| Mother | Bhavana Vaswani (Psychologist) |
| Sisters | Shivani Shyamalan, Ishana Night Shyamalan |
| Education | Literary Arts and Music, Brown University (Class of 2018) |
| Genres | R&B, Soul, Pop |
| Debut Single | “Clarity” (September 2020) |
| Albums | Seance (2023) |
| Acting Debut | Trap (2024) as Lady Raven |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1M to $10M USD |
| @saleka |
How Old Is Saleka Shyamalan in 2026?
Saleka Shyamalan was born on August 1, 1996, so she is 29 years old as of February 2026. She will turn 30 in August of this year.
She grew up in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, one of the suburbs of Philadelphia. Her father is a film director known for movies like The Sixth Sense and Signs, so creativity was always in the air at home. However, Saleka chose to pursue music on her own terms. She started playing classical piano at a young age and wrote her first songs at just 16.
Saleka Shyamalan Biography
Saleka is the firstborn daughter of filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan and psychologist Bhavna Vaswani. Her Indian-American heritage, with her father being born in Pondicherry, India, has shaped much of her cultural identity and artistic sensibility.
She attended The Baldwin School in Pennsylvania and later earned her degree from Brown University in 2018, with a major in Literary Arts and Music. That academic background sharpened her songwriting considerably.
She hit the ground running after graduation, recording her early material at MilkBoy Studios in Philadelphia. Her debut single, “Clarity,” was released in September 2020 to positive reception, and music outlet Refinery29 named her a new artist to watch.
She has served as an opening act for big names including Boyz II Men, Summer Walker, Baby Rose, and Giveon on his North American Give or Take Tour in 2022.
Her sister Ishana Night Shyamalan is also a filmmaker who has directed several of Saleka’s music videos, including “Graffiti,” which crossed one million views on YouTube. The Shyamalan family is truly a generational creative powerhouse.
Saleka Shyamalan Net Worth
Saleka’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $10 million USD as of 2026, though she has never confirmed exact figures. Her income comes from multiple streams:
| Income Source | Details |
| Music Sales and Streaming | Albums, singles, and playlist placements |
| Live Performances | Tours and opening acts |
| Film Soundtrack Work | Trap, Old, Servant |
| Acting | Role as Lady Raven in Trap (2024) |
| YouTube Ad Revenue | Small but growing |
For context, her father M. Night Shyamalan is estimated to be worth around $80 million, with his films earning over $3.3 billion worldwide. Saleka’s trajectory suggests her own net worth will grow significantly as her profile continues to rise.
Saleka Shyamalan Music: Her Most Popular Songs
Saleka produces, writes, and performs all of her own music. Her sound blends soulful R&B with cinematic pop, layered vocals, and deeply personal lyrics.
Notable Songs:
“Clarity” (2020) — Her debut single that first put her on the map.
“The Sky Cries” (2021) — Written for Servant Season 2, with the music video directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
“There Is a Place” — A fan favorite from the Servant soundtrack.
“Graffiti” — Music video directed by her sister Ishana, with over one million views on YouTube.
“Release” — An energetic ballad that showcases her full vocal range.
“Lady From the Harbor” — Title track from the Trap film soundtrack.
“Can’t Get Enough” — A groove-forward track that highlights her versatility.
Her songwriting is deeply personal. She has talked about how she draws from real emotions and builds sonic worlds around them. Her atmospheric style draws comparisons to Summer Walker, SZA, and early Jhené Aiko, with a theatrical quality that reflects her connection to the film world.
Saleka Shyamalan Album: Seance (2023)
Seance is Saleka’s debut studio album, released in 2023. It is a cohesive, immersive record built around themes of connection, love, and spiritual resonance.
| Aspect | Details |
| Release Year | 2023 |
| Genre | R&B / Alternative Soul |
| Recorded At | MilkBoy Studios, Philadelphia |
| Theme | Passion, vulnerability, invisible forces |
| Reception | Critically praised for its cohesion and maturity |
Critics praised Seance as a fully realized debut, which is rare in itself. The sound mixes live instrumentation with modern electronic elements, giving it a timeless quality that does not chase trends. The album visuals were equally cinematic, featuring moody photography and high-concept music videos.
In 2024, she was just as prolific on the Trap film, delivering 14 brand-new original songs, making her one of the most productive songwriters attached to any single film that year.
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Saleka Shyamalan in Trap (2024): Lady Raven
Trap is the project that introduced Saleka to a truly global audience.
What Is Trap About?
In this 2024 M. Night Shyamalan psychological thriller, Josh Hartnett plays a father who takes his teenage daughter to a pop concert. He soon realizes it is a police setup designed to capture a serial killer hiding in the crowd. Saleka stars as Lady Raven, the pop star headlining the concert.
Saleka’s Role as Lady Raven
| Detail | Info |
| Character Name | Lady Raven |
| Film | Trap (2024) |
| Director | M. Night Shyamalan |
| Co-Star | Josh Hartnett |
| Songs Written for Film | 14 original songs |
| Filming Style | Live concerts with real audiences |
What made Lady Raven so convincing was that audiences were not watching an actress pretending to be a pop star. They were watching a real performing artist who owned the stage. The concert scenes were filmed in front of live audiences, which added a layer of authenticity to the film.
Saleka wrote and performed all 14 songs specifically for the movie. Tracks like “Lady From the Harbor” and “Release” were released on streaming platforms as part of the marketing campaign, introducing her music to millions of new listeners.
It was a poetic collaboration, a director known for twists and a musician he raised together creating something genuinely special.
Saleka and the Servant Soundtrack
Long before Trap, Saleka was already a key creative force behind the Apple TV+ series Servant (2019 to 2023), produced by M. Night Shyamalan.
She wrote original music across all four seasons of the show. Within the show’s storyline, her songs were performed by a fictional character named Vivian Dale, an artist who had died young. That in-world mythology gave the music an extra layer of eeriness that fit the show perfectly.
Key Servant tracks include “The Sky Cries” from Season 2, “There Is a Place” from Season 3, and a four-song EP released on March 25, 2022.
She also contributed to the soundtrack of Old (2021), further cementing her role as one of the central creative collaborators in the Shyamalan universe.
Saleka Shyamalan’s Family
The Shyamalan family is among the most creatively gifted in the entertainment world.
| Family Member | Role |
| M. Night Shyamalan (Father) | Acclaimed filmmaker, known for The Sixth Sense, Split, and Trap |
| Bhavna Vaswani (Mother) | Psychologist, social worker, and executive producer |
| Ishana Night Shyamalan (Sister) | Filmmaker who directs Saleka’s music videos |
| Shivani Shyamalan (Sister) | Keeps a lower profile, with her own artistic interests |
The creative bond between Saleka and Ishana is especially strong. Ishana has directed several of Saleka’s videos, and the two sisters grew up watching horror films together, which clearly influences the cinematic darkness in Saleka’s aesthetic.
The family also gives back through the M. Night Shyamalan Foundation, which supports community leaders across Africa, Asia, and North America. Saleka has spoken publicly about her involvement in these efforts.
Saleka Shyamalan on Instagram
Saleka is active on Instagram under the handle @saleka, where she shares a carefully curated mix of professional and personal content. Her feed reflects her style, moody, cinematic, and artistically intentional.
During the Trap promotional campaign in 2024, her Instagram became a hub for behind-the-scenes concert footage and Lady Raven teaser content. Her following grew considerably during this period as new listeners discovered her through the film.
She comes across as genuine on social media, occasionally interacting with fans and giving glimpses into her creative process in a way that feels real rather than staged.
Final Thoughts
Saleka Shyamalan is the kind of artist who seems built to last. She has the songwriting ability, the vocal talent, the creative family connections, and now the mainstream visibility from Trap to sustain a serious long-term career. At 29, she is still early in what looks like a very big story.
What sets her apart is how seamlessly she blends cinematic sound with emotionally honest lyrics. She does not sound like anyone else, and that is the most valuable thing any artist can have.
FAQs
How old is Saleka Shyamalan in 2026? She is 29 years old in 2026, born on August 1, 1996, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She will turn 30 in August 2026.
What is the net worth of Saleka Shyamalan? Her net worth is estimated between $1 million and $10 million USD, earned through music, touring, film soundtracks, and her acting role in Trap.
Who is Lady Raven in Trap? Lady Raven is a fictional pop star played by Saleka in Trap, the 2024 thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Saleka wrote and performed 14 original songs for the role.
What is Saleka Shyamalan’s debut album? Her debut album is Seance, released in 2023. It is an R&B and alternative soul record that was praised for its emotional depth and cohesive vision.
Is Saleka Shyamalan related to M. Night Shyamalan? Yes, Saleka is the eldest daughter of director M. Night Shyamalan and psychologist Bhavna Vaswani. Her sister Ishana Night Shyamalan is also a filmmaker.
Where did Saleka Shyamalan go to college? She graduated from Brown University in 2018 with a degree in Literary Arts and Music.
What shows has Saleka Shyamalan provided music for? She has written original songs for all four seasons of the Apple TV+ series Servant (2019 to 2023), the film Old (2021), and Trap (2024).
What is Saleka Shyamalan’s Instagram? She is on Instagram as @saleka.
