
Yvonne Orji Shares Pressures Of Growing Up Nigerian: "I Was On My Way To Med School"

On HBO's Insecure, Yvonne Orji plays Molly, a career-driven badass with killer style and a sharp tongue. In reality, Yvonne Orji still exemplifies all of these traits, but instead of making her mark at a high-end law firm, she's making waves in the comedic industry.
Raised in a Nigerian household, Yvonne explained that her parents had strict expectations for her life, none of which included stand-up comedy. In an interview with Stephen Colbert, she said:
"Well, I was on my way to med school. My parents are Nigerian immigrants and they are like 'you must be a doctor' and I was like 'I will try'. I took organic chemistry and I was like maybe no. It was the first time I got an F."
Despite her disinterest in her studies, Yvonne pressed on and eventually earned her master's degree. She even went as far as traveling to Africa to evade her parent's wishes to pursue a career as a medical professional.
"I couldn't tell my parents I didn't want to go to med school so instead I got my masters in public health and still couldn't tell my parents, so I went to Liberia post-conflict because it was easier to work in a war-torn country than tell my parents I don't want to go to med school.
"I entered this Miss Nigeria in America pageant. And I didn't know you needed to have a talent. I was like I was not going to tribal-dance on stage. So I prayed, and I was like 'God I need help', and the loudest I heard was 'do comedy' and I was like 'no'."
Eventually, Yvonne listened to that voice and shared with her parents that she wanted to pursue a career in comedy. She was recently on The Breakfast Club and explained that the fear of her parents' disappointment and her inability to listen to God's plans almost cost her the life of her dreams.
"I had to get a whole master's degree before I could do comedy bruh. I couldn't even bring up the word comedy until I was like, 'Ma, I got two degrees. I owe Sallie Mae a lot of money, can I please now go do this other thing I love?' I know people in med school, like I wanna be a doctor first, but I really want to do graphic design. Well you can go do that now!"
Now, Yvonne can proudly say that she's paid Sallie Mae back (in full), submitting to God's will for her life have offered possibilities that she could have never imagined.
"I feel like God is just… melodies from heaven, are just raining down on me. I feel like I'm in a good place but because I'm so African, I feel like it's not even enough. I feel like I'm just getting started, I'm just scratching the surface. I have that leave nothing on the court mentality. Like what's next?"
Along with filming for the newly confirmed Season 4 of Insecure, the young actress is also writing a new book. She told Charlamagne:
"It's personal and also relational, in terms of God and how God like ruins every plan that you had, in the best way. You plan it, and He laughs at it. He's like, 'Oh, that's the best you can do? 'When the bible says, 'Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard,' it's like if you can see it, it's like, 'Well, I told you I was gonna do stuff that you can't even see or imagine, why would you think that [your plan] would be good enough? Because I got some stuff you can't even imagine."'
You better preach, Yvonne because Lord knows that was a word we all needed to hear today!
Take a note from Yvonne's book and but some trust in your gut and faith in your talents. Sometimes what we have planned for ourselves is minuscule compared to what God has in store for our lives. Check out the interview in full by pressing play on the vid below.
Yvonne Orji Talks ‘Insecure’, Strict Parents, Stand-Up Comedy + Morewww.youtube.com
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Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Spring is upon us, and with this time of year comes the annual closet cleanout we so desperately need and collectively look forward to. As the chill of winter finally gives way to sunnier days, it’s the perfect opportunity to clear out what no longer serves us in life and our closets. A symbol of new beginnings and transformations, the shift in seasons is the perfect time to declutter our space while releasing the old to welcome the new.
During the process of evaluating our wardrobes, we determine what we can live without while looking forward to what it is we truly need. With trends constantly coming and going, it’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of “must-haves” that barely last a season. To help you create a closet you actually love, one that feels stylish, effortless, and true to you, we’ve curated 10 essentials that will ground your style and keep you ready for whatever the season brings.
1.White Tank Top
The must-have ribbed white tank is the number one staple everyone needs in their spring and summer wardrobe. Perfectly paired with denim, soft trousers, maxi skirts, and more, the combinations are indeed endless. A ribbed tank is relatively inexpensive, even with a quality find that provides plenty of wear and durability.
2.Denim Maxi Skirt
As mentioned above, a maxi skirt is a perfect foundation for a fashion-forward casual outfit. Denim maxi skirts, with their nod to the 2000s era, have proven to be a versatile staple that can be dressed up or down depending on your mood and plans for the day. Keep it casual by pairing a denim maxi with sneakers and a simple white top for everyday errands, or elevate the look with a sleek heel, cut-out top, and moto jacket for a more polished, modern take.
3.Straight Leg Denim
When it comes to denim, the straight-leg silhouette has officially cemented its place as a go-to style. Offering a slim, streamlined fit without the look and feel of skinny jeans, this cut pairs perfectly with everything from boots to sneakers. With a range of washes from light blue to indigo, the slim-leg denim is a timeless wardrobe essential that blends comfort and style easily.
4.Statement Jewelry
Minimal jewelry had its moment, but lately, bold accessories have taken center stage. Statement pieces have the power to elevate even the simplest outfits, adding instant personality and polish. If not wearable art, it's stackable jewelry, with the chunkier being the better. If you’re not ready to give up the minimal look, add in a statement necklace layered with minimal chains and hoop earrings to achieve an effortless, cool girl look.
5.Loafers
If you’re a chunky boot lover, loafers are the perfect swap for warm weather. Style with chunky socks when wearing a skirt, or slip into a classic pair with oversized, long-length, low-rise jeans. Loafers have firmly earned their spot as a year-round staple, offering the perfect blend of style, comfort, and versatility.
6.Oversized Sunglasses
Nothing about this year is about blending in or being subtle, which is why designer frames from Loewe, Gucci, and Tom Ford continue to set the standard for bold, statement-making looks when it comes to eyewear. Just like most accessories, frames are bigger and bolder, thanks to classic aviator styles and oversized sunnies with face-shaping silhouettes.
7.Shoulder Bag
There's something about the shoulder bag that continues to captivate the fashion world. It's small yet conveniently fits all necessities with a limitless range of colors, shapes, and patterns to match any look. It’s also the perfect balance between the micro mini and the oversized tote. If looking for a classic designer bag for spring, its size and shape will be worth the investment, as this silhouette will never go out of style.
8.Button-Down Long Sleeve
The button-down long sleeve is one of the most loved closet essentials. The versatility is unmatched, and the price is unbeatable for the amount of wear one can achieve in this staple piece. Worn open, closed, layered underneath a corset, or wrapped around one's waist, there's more than enough reason to benefit from owning a crisp white button-down top. Pair with leggings and heels for a casual chic moment, layered with statement accessories for a classic spring look.
9. Dad Trouser
Trousers are a great option for women who love to stretch the limits of chic workwear. The "Dad Pant" is a classic tailored aesthetic with a high-rise fitted waist and extra-long hem, a length perfect for high heels, sneakers, or chunky sandals. Opting for lightweight fabric is also perfect for year-round temperatures. Wear long trousers with a fitted white top, and an oversized black or beige blazer with pointed-toe heels for a sophisticated look day or night.
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Featured image by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images
Originally published on March 16, 2023