Osas Ighodaro is a Nigerian-American actress, producer, host and humanitarian. She won the Miss Black USA Pageant in 2010 and founded The Joyful Joy Foundation, raising funds and awareness for the fight against malaria.

Additionally, she co-hosted the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award. Ighodaro has emerged as the highest- grossing Nollywood actress of 2018. She was awarded the Best Actress in a Drama at the 2022 AMVCA for her role in the movie Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story.

GQ had a chat with Osas to discuss her acting career.

GQ: What sparked your interest in acting?

Osas Ighodaro: My self-esteem was very low when I was young. So, my parents enrolled me in modelling school to boost my confidence. I did so well that the president of that school offered me a scholarship to its acting classes. That was my first encounter with the amazing craft of acting. At the time, I was 13 years old, and I haven’t looked back. Acting is one of the many loves of my life!

GQ: You’re one of the highest-grossing box office actresses in Nollywood. Does success affect your creativity?

OI: It’s very much the cherry on top of my love for the craft! I always stay grounded and know work comes first above all else.

actress, nigeria, nollywood — Osas Ighodaro, Image: Supplied

GQ: Describe your experience of shooting The Ghost And The Tout Too?

OI: It was truly a blessing. My mother passed away a few months before we started filming, so I was really down and out, very depressed. Filming this comedy truly helped me to laugh again and get back to work. It was a great project with an amazing cast. I’ll always be grateful for working on it.

GQ: Why do you think viewers resonate with this film?

OI: Everyone wants to laugh and escape. The cast is amazing, from the likes of Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi to Mercy Johnson Okojie and me. It’s a film everyone can connect with and enjoy.

GQ: What does it mean for you as an international actress to live in Nigeria and yet be in a film that’s streaming on the global platform Netflix?

OI: It means the world! I consider myself an international actor whose work can be viewed worldwide because of this amazing platform. It’s an actor’s dream, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.

actress, nigeria, nollywood — Osas Ighodaro, Image: Supplied

GQ: In your opinion, what qualifies as good acting?

OI: Of course, doing the work. Doing it so well that those viewing or even acting in it forget you’re even acting. They become so invested in the story that they connect with what or who you’re portraying.

This article originally appeared in GQ print October 2022 issue. It has been edited for online use