![Insecure star Yvonne Orji is proof that Naija no dey carry last](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-7.jpg)
19 May 2020
Insecure star Yvonne Orji is proof that Naija no dey carry last
Less than five years ago, Yvonne Orji was just another comedian looking to catch a big break in the entertainment capital, Los Angeles. She had moved down there after a stint in New York, where she initially moved to after deciding that she was going to pursue comedy full-time. Now, Orji has gained worldwide recognition from playing Molly, a character fans love to hate on HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy show, Insecure, currently streaming on Showmax.
From Igbo parentage, Yvonne was born in the oil-rich city of Port-Harcourt, where she lived with her three brothers and parents till she was six years old.
Speaking with Interview Magazine of her time in Nigeria, Orji said:
“I was born in Nigeria, and we lived in this very small apartment, but we had so much fun. It was me and my three brothers… We would go to the polo club and go swimming with our cousins and our friends. Life was so simple back then in Nigeria. I mean, when you’re a kid, life should be simple. But it was just about getting up and having fun with your family.”
Moving to America
She would later relocate to the United States along with her family in 1989 after her mother got a job working as a nurse at Howard University Hospital. From then on, like most Nigerian immigrant children in America, Orji was encouraged to pursue a career in Medicine or Law, and she settled for the former, but not for long.
Orji shares that she attempted to do Medicine, but after failing organic chemistry on her way to Medical School, she decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Public Health to appease her parents. In the middle of this, she entered for the Miss Nigeria in America contest, and it was at this point she got inspired to do comedy. In her HBO backstory Orji says:
“While I was getting my masters I entered a pageant, it was the Miss Nigeria in America pageant…two weeks before the pageant, they called and asked what my talent was. Now when you’re a child of immigrants, you’re not allowed to have talents. Your only talent is to get straight As. The only thing I knew how to play on the piano was ‘Mary Had A Little Lamb’ and I just didn’t think that would cut it. So I was like ‘God I need a lifeline’ and loud as day I heard the voice of God say ‘do comedy’. And I was like no, cause what am I funny? And I heard the Holy Spirit say ‘What else do you have?’ And so I said nothing, and he’s like one day you’re going to trust me or you’re not.”
Fame is calling
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-1-674x449.jpg)
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-8-673x449.jpg)
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-2-693x449.jpg)
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-3-629x449.jpg)
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-4-653x449.jpg)
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-5-647x449.jpg)
![](https://cdn.stories.shwmx.co/media/2020/05/Yvonne-Orji-on-Showmax-6-674x449.jpg)
Orji would go on to do comedy at the pageant and so began her journey – but not before briefly moving to Liberia to practice Public Health. In a bid to avoid telling her ultra-conservative Nigerian parents that she was dumping medicine for comedy, Orji traveled to post-war Liberia. Before leaving for Liberia, she released a video on YouTube that would eventually connect her with Insecure executive producer, Issa Rae.
“Before I went to Liberia in 2008, I released this thing on YouTube. It was like, ‘If Obama was the President, then Africans from everywhere are going to turn crazy.’ Even though he was like, ‘I’m Kenyan,’ I was like, ‘No, there’s going to be a Nigerian that says, ‘Obama, no, you are my brother! I know your sister!’ and Obama’s like, ‘Huh?’ I didn’t know who Issa was, but she told me she watched that, and she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is every auntie that I know in Senegal! It’s hysterical!’ She started following me on Facebook and I had no clue,” Orji shared with Interview Magazine.
By the time Orji moved to LA in 2011, Rae’s web series Awkward Black Girl had taken off and after watching the show, Orji tweeted at Rae who responded by inviting her over to her house for game night. So began the relationship that would later see Rae offer Orji the role of Molly to audition for, and eventually get cast.
A career choice is not the only thing Orji credits to her faith. Despite her somewhat wayward character on Insecure, Orji has admitted to being a virgin in real life and plans to remain one till marriage. She credits her stance to her strong faith and getting saved in university.
With a soon-to-be released HBO comedy special and a book in the pipeline, Orji’s future in Hollywood is looking very bright and the best part is she’s carrying her heritage along with her every step of the way. Part of her comedy special was filmed in Lagos and her home state. Sharing the trailer of the show, Orji wrote:
“Naija made me, America raised me. So it was only right that for my first @hbo comedy special, I PUT ON for both of my homes. What a moment it was to bring cameras all the way to Lagos AND deep in the village to get a sneak peak into the family that birth my funny. And then finally bringing it full circle to the DMV and taping in front two sold-out crowds at the Howard Theater. It’s been a LOOOONG journey, but how sweet it is, to finally be able to say, #MOMMAiMadeIt!”
Orji’s story is indeed the stuff dreams are made of, and with her undeniable energy and die-hard hustle spirit, she is proof that Naija no dey carry last.
Insecure seasons 1 to 4 are streaming on Showmax.
One Weeks on Showmax
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice: Meet the moms
More Mzansi gold
![Manila von Teez in Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FBeaulah-Queens-van-die-Kaap_Manila-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Manila von Teez on Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap
Drag superstar Manila Von Teez talks about being on Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap. New episodes land every Thursdays on Showmax.
![Showmax QVWi device](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FLifestyle-Render-Leap_S2-798x449.png&w=3840&q=75)
Showmax and South African manufacturer QVWi partner to transform TVs into smart TVs
Showmax partners with QVWi, a Skyworth Digital Company, to upgrade older TVs into smart TVs with the latest technology at an affordable price.
![Dark Side of Glory on Showmax](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FDark_Side_Of_Glory_S1_2024-798x445.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Must watch trailer: true-crime doccie Dark Side of Glory
Watch the explosive first trailers for Dark Side of Glory, a true crime documentary about the shocking cases of murder in the world of sport. Premieres 31 July on Showmax.
![Melusi Mbele in The Butcher's Soul](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.stories.shwmx.co%2Fmedia%2F2024%2F07%2FThe_Butchers_Soul_2024-798x449.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Must-watch trailer for The Butcher’s Soul coming to Showmax
First look at the explosive trailer for The Butcher’s Soul, starring SAFTA winner Melusi Mbele. Premiering 2 August on Showmax.