Adepero Oduye

Who is the actress Oscar Queen, Meryl Streep gave a shout out to as an actress to watch at last year's Golden Globes awards show? I'll tell ya!

She is Adepero Oduye.  Adepero was born to Nigerian parents in Brooklyn, New York.  Growing up, she took expected steps toward becoming a doctor and attended Cornell University as a premed student.  However, she couldn't pretend she wasn't drawn to acting and during her last semester at Cornell,  Ms. Oduye enrolled in acting classes. One fateful day, she saw a flyer for a short film, Pariah and decided to audition for any part in the movie.  She actually hoped to at least get hired as an extra.  Dees Rees, the director of the movie thought otherwise - she saw Adepero and was convinced she had found her star. Pariah tells the story of Alike, a 17 year old Brooklynite searching for a girlfriend and coming to terms with her sexuality.

Pariah was extended from a short film to a feature film and after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Focus Features acquired the distribution rights of the movie. Pariah got a wide release in December 2011 and Hollywood paid attention.  Critics praised Ms. Oduye's performance as "breakout" and "on the verge."  She has graced the pages of magazines like Essence and Vanity Fair.  In fact, she was on the cover of Vanity Fair's18th Annual Hollywood issue featuring Hollywood's next generation of "it" girls like Jessica Chastain (The Help), Rooney Mara (Girl with the Dragon Tatoo), Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games)  and Paula Patton (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol).

Adepero Oduye on acting:

"I was drawn to acting. I'm not sure why but it was something I wanted to pursue and try."

On self-image:

"I remember thinking, I don't know if anyone will want to see me on screen. But deep down I knew it had to happen as me.  And no one else.  If it can't happen with me, the way I look or my hair, or my name, then it can't happen at all." Sound familiar?

On style:

"I've always had natural hair and I always will.  I never shy away from prints and color.  I guess that's the Nigerian in me.  I don't wear anything black."

On her mother's reaction:

"My mother has said, 'Pariah needs to come to Africa because they are killing people here because they are gay.'  She never talks about LGBT issues anywhere. But my participation in Pariah has opened her mind up to a little more.  If that can happen to my mother, anything is possible."

On stardom:

"It's all surreal.  I'm never thankful enough. I feel thankful to be embraced by all of this.  I'm taking it all in and smiling a lot."


NEXT PROJECT:
She will star in the television remake of Steel Magnolias alongside Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott, and newcomer Condola Rashad.  The movie will premiere on Sunday, October 7 at 9:00 p.m. on the Lifetime Television Network. 

I know I will be watching!





Sources: huffingtonpost.com, essence.com, vanityfair.com and Essence.

(NAIJA) STAR!!

ADESOLA OSAKALUMI

If you are like me, then you probably get excited when you come across Nigerians (and individuals with a Nigerian heritage) that showcase their talents in different ways and are successful (or striving to be successful) at what they do. It’s a different kind of excitement when I come across Nigerians in America that are doing the same. 

I was (hardly) working when I came across an article about “Fela!” star Adesola Osakalumi.

Adesola Osakalumi is the current star of the award winning Broadway Musical “Fela!” produced by Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett-Smith about the legendry Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti.  You might argue that Adesola was somehow destined for his role in the musical because his parents knew Fela personally.  They helped distribute Fela’s music in the United States.  In an interview with Essence.com, Adesola said, "my father and uncles did business with Fela. I did get to meet him once in passing. I didn't say anything, but he was very charismatic and very focused,” and added “It's a strange and ironic connection. Sometimes you're involved in things and you don't know what that next step will be, but it looks like some steps were ordained in advance.”

Other Facts about Adesola Osakalumi:

·         His mother was a principle dancer with Africa I Dance Theater, a touring company founded by his uncles and subsequently joined by his father.

·         He fell in love with dancing at a young age and has choreographed and danced for many commercials and for celebrities such as Mariah Carey and Usher.

·         His film credits include Idlewild and Sex and the City 2.

Hopefully, one of these days, I’ll get to see “Fela!” and maybe get to see him in action.  Adesola hopes to get more opportunities in T.V. and film and I personally hope to see and hear more about him showcasing his talents.  I shall definitely be on the lookout for him and will not hesitate to give him a shout out on my blog. J In the meantime, you can check out his website here.

Speaking of Fela the legend, one day I was waiting in line at Chipotle when I heard of songs playing at the restaurant. It was a pleasant surprise.

Has anyone seen “Fela!” on broadway?