If you don’t know anything about the viral sensation out of Ghana called “An African City,” you may have been living under a rock. The Web series, created by Nicole Amarteifo and Millie Monyo, follows the lives of ex-pats in Accra, from their career and entrepreneurial pursuits to their journeys to find love in today’s Africa.
The show has been likened to HBO’s Sex & The City, and features five diverse women, one of which is Esosa Edosomwan, popularly known as Esosa E. She plays breakout character Ngozi, a spiritual vegetarian saving herself for marriage in an era where sex sells and young go-getters sow their wild oats—both professionally and personally—across the globe.
The character may be just an act for this entertainment star but not all of Ngozi’s reality is far from Esosa‘s. The Cornell and Columbia University graduate is of Nigerian descent who has forged a sustainable global career from fashion to filmmaking. She’s written and directed several short films including 50 Bucks in Argentina, which was an official selection in the 2011 Cannes Film Short Corner, MTV-U Film of the Week, and Best Short at the Nigerian Entertainment Film Festival. She’s also worked as a freelance fashion designer and as a model for editorials, print and commercials for clients such as Ford, Iman Cosmetics, Essence Magazine and more. Add to that she’s a vegan who swears by a raw diet and has a passion for promoting healthy eating and living for people with diverse palates and cultures.
BlackEnterprise.com caught up with this international millennial power woman to talk about her latest venture, a third book called Got Veg? How to Thrive on a Plant-Based Diet, what’s next for ‘An African City,’ and how she’s been able to customize her career journey to suit her multiple talents and interests.
BlackEnterprise: Many know you from ‘An African City,’ but let’s get to before that. How did you become an actress and what sparked your passion and interest for the industry?
Esosa E: I started acting a really long time ago. I fell into it. After school, I was in the New York area and did a lot of short films—really cool art films—and I worked in a project with Kevin Everson. These projects took me all over the world— including to the MOMA and Whitney—on the art film circuit. I’ve also been in Nollywood films, including Mother of George and films screened in Nigeria.
[Related: ‘An African City’ Producer Talks How Global Career Journey Sparked Hit Web Series]
When I moved to the Washington D.C. area, a lot of people from New York were calling me for work. I had done two pilots, one for Brooklyn Shakara with actor Gbenga Akinnagbe [of The Wire] and then shortly after that we did the African City pilot. I had all these projects going … and you just never know what’s actually going to take off.
It’s been an interesting ride. Yes, An African City is what I’m known for but I’ve done a lot of films. It’s great becausee I feel like the more you work the more you learn. I’ve always had a very specific vision as an actress.
Whenever people would start that language about black women not being able to work, I’d always tune it out. My vision was always to be working internationally and doing work I felt moved the African diaspora of filmmaking to a new level. And I’ve been involved in a lot of projects that do that.
On the next page, read how Esosa E was able to customize her studies to pursue her dream careers and her journey working with global entertainment leaders …
[WATCH] Esosa E & Global Entertainment Leaders at Nigerian Entertainment Awards
You went to top schools Columbia and Cornell. How did your experiences there play into your career journey in entertainment?
I went to Cornell for fashion design. Since I was a kid, I was intent on being a fashion designer. I was always selling scarves and little outfits, doing photo shoots—-just always into that kind of things. At the end of high school, I auditioned for a play, got cast and got nominated for an award at the Kennedy Center. It was a bit strange [how I got into] the whole acting thing.
When I got to college, I was grateful that I didn’t go to a school exclusive to fashion studies because Cornell offered me the opportunity to immerse myself in everything I was interested in. I did theater classes, writing courses, short films—anything I felt interested in, but I was still heavy in fashion, doing two fashion shows per year. I also trained in acting, and later decided to go to Columbia for business. It was somewhat family pressure in the beginning, but I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur as well. I felt it very deeply. My dad’s one, I grew up always helping the family business and I was always selling things as a kid. I expected to work for myself. At Columbia, I actually went to the dean and said, ‘Hey I’m really into filmmaking. Can I make my own curriculum?’ The thing about education, for me, is that majors are cool but I feel like if I’m paying for my education, I should be able to study what I’m drawn to. I was able to talk my way into film classes and studied a variety of MBA and film courses. I enjoyed studying management and just making my own way.
You’ve been able to work with Nollywood and Hollywood actors, producers and directors from around the world. How can a budding actress or actor build those global networks for opportunities?
There’s really not a set formula, however one of my biggest strengths is building solid relationships with filmmakers all over the world. It’s not like I really planned it. Whenever I’ve had the opportunity to send my films overseas … I’d just keep in touch with people. It’s important to keep relationships going, especially when there’s a connection. It’s not a forced thing.
The past
couple of years, I’ve found that I more and more do not audition, and even if I do audition, it’s like they’d already thought of me for that role, and that’s because of relationships I’ve cultivated through the years.Put yourself in spaces where you can meet international crowds and don’t limit yourself. Get into the global mindset that it’s not a big deal to pop over to London for an event. I understand that when you’re in the beginning stages of your career, you may feel you don’t have the finances to do that, but [oftentimes] things tend to work themselves out. I was always able to find a way to get to where I needed to go and opportunities would literally show up.
I think people spend a lot of time trying force things a bit too much, but it is possible to get clear about the things you like to do, the people you like to work with and follow [the path to acquiring those things and relationships.]
On the next page, find out how Esosa E sticks to her diet and what’s next for season two of ‘An African City’ …
Your latest venture is your book. Why venture into diet and nutrition advocacy and book publishing?
I’d moved to the Virginia/D.C. area to clear my head a few years ago, and I had really bad skin at that time. My diet helped to transform it and people would ask me what I did. I started my blog, Raw Girl in a Toxic World, with no readers, and it grew to thousands of readers from around the globe. Finally, I wrote my first book, The Acne Free Diet, and my second, Parasites be Gone. I got the idea for Got Veg after getting questions from readers about natural remedies and plant-based diets. I wanted to write something that would break down what a plant-based diet actually is, make it relatable, and get back to basics. I also wanted to provide actionable plans for what readers can immediately do for this type of diet.
The book also gives you information on the levels of the diet and all the nutrients you need to be optimum. And it’s not just plant eaters that need this. Meat eaters need it too. How tos on setting up your kitchen and recipes are included too. I wanted it to be fun and accessible.
Also, I always back things up with research. I’ve studied at the master’s level in nutrition, health and biochemistry. I’ve also had many awesome experiences interviewing health experts, and I’m one to live what I preach. I like to make it apparent by example that I’m walking the talk.
You’re of Nigerian descent, and there are so many traditional delicious dishes that include meat or meat products. How do you stick to your diet with the palate that you grew up with—that’s part of that comfort-food, cultural experience?
When I first started it was this desire to be 100% raw, but the best place to have a healthy diet is to be flexible within perimeters. I don’t eat processed food and animal products–those are my boundaries—but if I’m in Ghana and I have to eat something cooked and its vegan, that’s fine. I feel the best when I’m eating raw, but your diet shouldn’t be so rigid that you can’t survive in different environments.
Awesome. So what’s next for Esosa E? Does Ngozi actually lose her virginity in season two of an ‘African City’?
I’m the lead actress in a film shooting in Philadelphia called Friends of Rome. I’m excited about that. It’s a really talented director, interesting cast and amazing story. I love the character so much.
And shooting for the second season of An African City is about to start as well. Nicole would kill me if I told any details! Ngozi? Losing her virginity? Perhaps.
Check out more on Esosa E and her latest book, Got Veg? How to Thrive on a Plant-Based Diet at www.RawGirlToxicWorld.com.