acting natural: interview with actress adepero oduye
“At first I didn’t think there was a place for me in acting. Now I know there is, because I say so. I’ve marked my place. I know a lot of times people say, I don’t think they’re going to let me in. It’s not about waiting for someone to let you in. You just have to show up. I just showed up.”
You may have seen her in the recent McDonald’s snack wrap commercial; playing “a lady of the evening” in Half Nelson; twice over as a guest star on Law & Order; or starring as Pecola Breedlove in the stage play adaptation of Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. Currently, she’s preparing to shoot the feature film debut of Pariah. I (Jenteel) am so excited to have interviewed my dear friend, Adepero Oduye, an amazing actress and one of the most genuine people I know, to get her feedback on being natural.
Adepero at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of Pariah
J: Where are you from?
AO: Brooklyn, NY by way of Nigeria!
J: You’ve been natural all your life. Describe your experiences growing up.
AO: In elementary school, every week my mother would style my hair in cornrows. When I was about 10-11, I began to wonder why my hair wasn’t long. I asked my mother one day why she shaved my hair off when I was one years old. She stated I wouldn’t sit still to get my hair done, so her solution was to chop it off. I was silently seething about it because I thought I could have had long hair if it had never been shaved.
In junior high school, I did a lot of experimentation with my personal style. It was at that time I made attempts to leave my hair out. I remember wearing a fro one day and a boy said that “it looked like a bomb went off in my hair”! I was clueless on how to care for my hair. Furthermore, I was naive about products used for different hair types. I remember trying to make bangs on my natural hair with Queen Helene gel! I wanted my hair like Vanessa on The Cosby Show. Rudy’s hair was out of reach to me because I didn’t have her length. I asked my older sister how I could get my hair like Vanessa’s. She said I would have to get a perm. I thought about getting a perm briefly because Vanessa’s hair could do xyz and was my length. I didn’t fully comprehend the difference between her relaxed hair and my natural hair; that her styles looked “that way” because her hair was relaxed. No one in my house had a relaxer. I also didn’t go to school with that many black people.
I became more aware of the “hair politics” in 8th grade. There were these two Haitian sisters with really long hair. The older sister was relaxed. I could see that they got more attention with their long hair. It was around that time that I started getting braid extensions. It was easier because I could leave them in for a while. But I got tired of it, tired of the whole “process” with extension hair. What bothered me the most was that the extension hair was plastic-y and straight while my roots looked fuzzy. I had my fill of Kankelon! The latter part of my senior year of high school, I wore my hair out. I heard people make comments, but at the end of the day I wasn’t going to straighten my hair to fit in. It went against everything I knew and how I was brought up.
J: Where do you think the strength to be natural during those early years came from?
AO: It was just easier to be myself. It was more work to try to figure out who people wanted me to be, how they wanted me to act and how they wanted me to dress. My hair was and still is one of the things that makes me unique. I must say my father had a huge influence on his girls in that he said none of his daughters could have perms. He was always very open about how he felt about perms: “…Black people trying to look white”. We weren’t allowed to have white dolls either. He said that my mom’s hair was the most beautiful when it was short fro. He instilled a lot of pride in us in being Nigerian and being black. He was a proud African man, so I was always proud of my unique name and being African.
photo credit: J. Murrell
J: You have been acting for several years. How has your natural hair affected your acting career?
AO: Where do I start?! I don’t know how it’s been affected, but things have “come up”. Instinctively, I knew getting into the game of acting, that my hair would be an issue at some point. I was in deep conflict with really wanting to act, but knowing that it wouldn’t be the easiest choice. I knew I had the passion, but looking at myself I thought no one’s going to want to see me on screen. There was no one out there who looked like me: very strong African features, dark skin, African name and kinky hair. It was the combination of it all. The actresses who shared those characteristics always relaxed their hair. There was that voice that shouted, “What are you thinking?! It is so impossible! Why?” But thank God my passion was stronger than that voice. I didn’t want to have to change myself to be anyone else but me.
I was naive at one point thinking my hair didn’t matter. When an acting coach mentioned to me that it would come up, I downplayed it. During a meeting with a potential manager, she stated that I’d “never be able to do commercials with hair like that”. But that was confusing to me because this was when natural hair started growing in popularity. I knew I could never work with that woman. I’ve also had people say to me, “You have to figure out what to do with your hair”. I don’t know if those people thought my hair was loced or what. Many said that my hair stereotyped me and put me in a box. But they couldn’t or wouldn’t describe what that box was. Those experiences were people trying to say that I wasn’t good enough. My mom would say to me “it’s just hair” and not to take it so personally. I could’ve done the easy thing and gotten a weave, made my hair a non-issue, but that wouldn’t have been me. I’m not opposed to different hair styles for a role though. I’ve learned to compromise by going to auditions “in character” wearing a wig. I have realized that as an actress the character is not me. But for the most part, I go to auditions with my hair as is.
J: What have these experiences taught you?
AO: A fellow actress who is white, a great actress by the way, said to me one day, “You’re so lucky, you’re unique”. To hear that coming from her, saying that she looks so common with her blond hair and blue eyes, floored me. I kind of instinctively knew, but that’s when it really hit me. I’m completely unique. I don’t get “lost in the sauce”. I have no choice but to stand out. People remember me. I’m unforgettable. I’m either going to do this as me or not at all. All the opportunities I’ve gotten, I have gotten being myself. At first I didn’t think there was a place for me in acting. Now I know there is, because I say so. I’ve marked my place. I know a lot of times people say I don’t think they’re going to let me in. It’s not about waiting for someone to let you in. You just have to show up. I just showed up. That’s how I look at my career and myself. All of this transformation and growth happened at the same time. My outlook on life, my self image, spirituality…I’m not sure all this growth would have been fostered if not for acting.
J: How do you wear your hair?
AO: For the most part, I wear my hair in twists, as a protective style. I use a homeade shea butter mix [j says, ade hooks me up with nigeria's finest shea butter, mmmm! 
]. It can be fresh twists or 2-wk old twists. I have to make it work! And I have my days! Some days I don’t feel so cute and think that if I had that “wash and go” natural hair it would be easier. I have my moments, I’m human, but it’s not the way to think. Trying to get into people’s heads with how they see you is crazy. Trying to fit a standard. It’s really, really crazy! I was listening to Lauryn Hill’s Unplugged recently and was struck by her words: “What standard is this and who made this sh*t up?!”
J: Since you’ve always been natural, do you have any issues in caring for your hair?
AO: Yes! I’m still figuring out the best way to wash it to get it properly cleansed, decrease tangles and avoid breakage. I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this…maybe it’s build up…but I’ll find lint pieces stuck in it. I’m thinking about combing it out first with conditioner, then washing it. My other issue is with styling. I generally wear twists or twist outs, but hair is the longest it’s ever been in my life. I want to do more than just twists and flat twists. I don’t have the skills to do certain styles and I know that it requires some more styling practice on my part. I realize it requires “doing the work”. It can be overwhelming on the blogs, fotkis, all the products. I know it’s trial and error. I just wish that there were more styles in magazines for my type of natural hair. I’m not interested in styles on natural hair that doesn’t look like mine or if they add hair to the style or if it’s super short.
My hair is a little past arm pit length (apl) stretched. I definitely attribute the length to moisturizing!!!! I moisturize my hair every single day, my ends especially. I also do the occasional trim. I had my first trim ever in life 4 years ago. Although my hair is coarse, it is like fine silk. I had to learn how to properly comb my hair and to tie it up with a scarf to protect it. There’s this misconception that natural hair is so strong, so you think you can be rough with it, but in actuality you have to take special care with it.
J: How has it been watching “the natural movement” grow?
AO: It would be funny when people would make comments like, “Oh you got that natural thing going on like India Arie. or Lauryn Hill!” And I’m laughing, thinking: I’ve been natural before all of this was cool! It’s been most interesting to see natural hair on people who I would have never expected. For instance, I would have never expected you to go natural because I so associated you with your nice, healthy, relaxed hair. You were so creative with it so I thought why? [j says wow, never heard this before!] But, anything that goes along with who you were born to be, I fully support. As the movement grew, I hoped it all wasn’t a fad because this was who I was. I thought, what will happen when it’s no longer a fad? Am I not going to be “in style”? Initially, in my mind, natural was for “certain” people. Nowadays, I’ve seen “that girl, the cool kids in high school” with short naturals, locs, all “granola”-lol; it’s a complete 180°! Even though I had natural hair all my life, I’ve realized that there are so many things that I didn’t know. I’ve learned so much. If I knew back then what I knew now… man! Because of the internet and so many people going natural, there is a wealth of resources and products available to maintain natural hair. Before, you didn’t see people selling shea butter all over the place! There are so many people who can relate to the natural hair experience. I don’t feel alone anymore 
J: You recently visited Nigeria for the first time in several years. We had a post on BGLH about natural hair in Nigeria being viewed in a somewhat negative light. It set off a firestorm of comments. What were your observations of natural hair there?
AO: It had been 14 years since I’d been back. I noticed that people didn’t wear their natural hair “out”. It was very rare to see natural hair out and longer than my length. If it was natural, it was in cornrows or a short fro. I wore my hair in twists while there. Meanwhile, most women wore wigs, extension braids, and “weave-on”. In advertisements, movies, commercials, etc., everyone had a weave. So I didn’t wear my hair like a “Nigerian”. Somebody asked me if I was South African. I don’t know if it’s because they thought my twists looked like locs and maybe they relate that to being South African? I’m not sure. But clearly I didn’t fit into any of their boxes. My clothes, my hair, my height [j says, ade is almost 5’10”]. It was obvious that I didn’t grow up there. Maybe if I wore what they were wearing? I must say though that I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the women I saw in Nigeria. While admiring the exquisite beauty of these women, I silently hoped that those women and girls knew how beautiful they were, despite these supposed standards. One day I was watching The Most Beautiful Girl, Nigeria pageant. There were 30 women representing each state. All these dope Nigerian women and not one had natural hair! I know that if I was in that competition, I would have rocked my natural hair proudly, lol! My opinion is if you’re in Nigeria, consciously or unconsciously, if you have kind of status, or want to look like you have some kind of status, don’t have natural hair.
J: What do you have to say to young naturals or women who are transitioning to natural that are in high school or college who say that they feel pressure to conform? (They cite issues of standing out, not fitting in with their nappy hair and how it’s just easier to follow the norm).
AO: I’ve come to a place in my life where I love everything that I am and that includes my hair. If I can do it in acting, with all my experiences…anyone can. Through all of it, I’m still proud to be natural. I can do what I want to do with the hair that I was born with. Everybody has hair issues. Knowing what works for your hair and what doesn’t puts you at ease. My wish for women, especially black women, is that they love their natural hair. I feel natural hair is beautiful, no matter the texture, and my hair is probably classified as a 4b. F*ck conforming! If you are thinking about going natural, just try it! Just remember, PATIENCE IS KEY! I never really thought that deeply about transitioners until recently. While shopping, I ran into a woman so frustrated with the two textures, so confused on how to complete the process. It was then that I fully realized – it’s all new to them! I understand that it can be an extreme step depending on your texture. I get it. It can be tough depending on who you’re around, but you don’t have to suffer silently. There are so many resources nowadays. Be willing to do the research and learn. Make your hair work for you!
lookin like a true brooklynite!holla!
Thank you Ade for being so candid in this interview, for sharing your strength and for not making excuses for who and what you are. You are living proof that you can do anything that you want to do as long as you stay true to yourself. Love you girl!
~j~
beautiful girl, beautiful hair
Great post! I really enjoyed reading this interview.
This was a nice interview. I don't swear in public but what she said about conformation is spot on.
I recently went to a Nigerian wedding (in UK) and I was the only natural present. I think some people were more interested in my fro than in the bride.
Lovely interview! Definitely reaffirmed some things I was feeling. Man this blog roooocks!
this interview was very encouraging to me… I am striving to be as confident as she is with being natural. Thank you so much!
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Great interview!Her dad reminds me of one of my uncles! lol
She has an awesome father. Every woman needs a father or father-figure like that in her life helping her to accept who she is.
great interview..as a young women starting in the entertainment industry this gives me encouragement.
And yeah our hair does make us stand out and people will remember us.
great interview. she is very beautiful, and her words are inspiring. luv her hair!!
Wonderful interview. Beautiful Lady. It's great that her father was strong minded about not letting his daughters have perms.
Great interview! I love how she pointed to loving her entire self and that hair is just a part of who she is and if she could be natural in the entertainment industry, others could do it in any other aspect. She said it best….f*ck conformation.
Well, Im Nigerian American and I see a lot more of my cousins going natural
Definitely inspiring! I love that she didn't wait for anyone to "let" her live out her dreams
And the hair! soo cute! i WANT those twists badly & i'm lovin the high pony/puff.
i love this chicks attitude & her purple fedora!
Adepero is so beautiful! Gorgeous!
"F*ck conforming!"
Right on!
Please take a moment to check out my documentary film BLACK HAIR
It is free at youtube. 6 parts including an update from London, England.
It explores the Korean Take-over of the Black Beauty Supply and Hair biz..
The current situation makes it hard to believe that Madame C.J. Walker once ran the whole thing.
I am not a hater, I am a motivator.
Plus I am a White guy who stumbled upon this, and felt it was so wrong I had to make a film about it.
self-funded film, made from the heart.
Can it be taken back?
Link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE
she has the most beautiful skin ive ever seen
Your hair is beautiful! I particularly love the picture with the twists
I'm a Brit-Nigerian naturalista (born in Lagos, raised in London). Been natural for about 10 years, although I've had slip-ups along the way (Went through a phase of not knowing what to do with it- hadn't discovered the blogs in those days), so braided constantly for about 3 years in which time it got really long, and then had a moment of madness in a quest for loose curls and got a curly perm! EEK! Regretted it instantly and cut it all off about a month later.
This all happened after I moved back to Lagos 4 years ago, and the main reason was NOBODY understands natural hair here. I got comments at work, I'd have hairdressers pulling at my hair and would walk out with half of it left on the salon floor. Now I just read the blogs and do it myself. I wait for one of my frequent trips to London or New York to get it trimmed. I have learnt to embrace my hair and I have to say I have never loved it so much as I do now (I'm obsessed)
I am one of those annoying people who constantly preaches to others about the benefits of natural hair, and I have managed to convince a lot of people to go for the bc (including my mum and sister-in-law). But besides that, I have started to notice a LOT of people in Lagos going natural now, long short, curly, kinky. It will take a while before it is as mainstream as it is in the UK or the States, and yes, most people still think a long straight weave it the epitome of beauty, but I think we're getting there- one step at a time.
Apologies for the essay I've just written!