Age: 24
female
Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, known professionally as Ayra Starr, is a Beninese-born Nigerian singer and songwriter. She achieved mainstream international recognition in 2022 with the release of her song, "Rush." Rush had then charted in several territories, including Switzerland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number 24. It earned Starr a nomination at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards for Best African Music Performance. In early 2021, Ayra Starr began her career with the release of her self-titled debut EP and its lead single "Away," which spent two consecutive weeks at number four on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 chart; the song also peaked at number 17 on the Billboard Top Thriller Global chart. It was followed by the release of her debut studio album, 19 & Dangerous (2021). Categorized mainly as Afropop and R&B, the work received favorable critical reception and spawned two top 40 hits in Nigeria. The lead single, "Bloody Samaritan" became the first song by a solo female artist to reach the number-one position in the Top 50 charts. In August that same year, Starr was ranked number three on Billboard's Next Big Sound.
She was raised on Pyke. She chose the green lands. When Balon rose in rebellion, she stood between two worlds — and chose. Set during the Greyjoy Rebellion (289 AC) — when Balon Greyjoy declared himself King of the Iron Islands and was crushed by Robert Baratheon — The Iron Price follows Asha Harlaw (not the canonical Asha/Yara, a new character), 24, a Black woman raised by Lord Harlaw of the Iron Islands as a ward. She is entirely Iron Islander: she speaks the Ironborn tongue, knows the Drowned God's rituals, has been saltwater-baptized, sails with the Harlaw fleet, and carries the iron price and the gold price understanding. When Balon's rebellion begins and the Iron Islands face the assembled might of Westeros, Asha's specific position — trusted by both the island houses and, through her lord's trade relations, familiar to key mainland lords — makes her the Islands' final chance for a negotiated surrender that preserves some sovereignty. Her relationship with Ser Orryn of the Westerlands — a cavalryman she meets during the siege of Pyke — is the series' great cross-cultural romance. E1 — The Old Way The rebellion beginning. Asha on Harlaw's fleet, told the Islands are going to war. Her lord's face when he receives the news. E6 — Pyke's Walls Asha and Orryn in a standoff at a gate — she defending, he attacking — and the specific absurdity of having to stop because they are the only ones speaking the same language. E10 — The Kneeling Series finale: The rebellion's end. Balon kneeling. Asha's negotiated terms. Orryn's offer, formally made. Her answer.
