Chidinma Ifunanyachi, a British-Nigerian actress and writer who grew up in South-East London, Camberwell in this interview with Samuel Oamen, she shares interesting insights on her acting career across Nollywood and Hollywood. Excerpts:
How do Cheryl and Chidinma reflect your identity, what experiences shaped your embrace of Nigerian heritage in Britain, and what inspired you to explore identity and cultural heritage in your stories?
Cheryl allows me a certain level of ambiguity. It’s unassuming, non-threatening—a way to move unnoticed. Acceptable. Gentle. English. Chidinma, on the other hand, is unapologetically Nigerian. It’s bold. It’s confrontational.
I remember the first time my white friend came to my house and saw a bucket and a measuring jug in the bathtub. When she asked why we had them when the bathtub worked perfectly fine, and I explained that we used the bucket for showers, she was confused. It was an interesting conversation, to say the least. And what inspired, was that I saw there was a void, and I knew I had to fill it—since no one else was.
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How does your work in Nollywood and Hollywood reflect your storytelling commitment, and how do you navigate challenges as a British-Nigerian actress?
I think everything I’ve done so far shows that I have a certain level of tenacity. I’m controversial, and I don’t fear anything. A person without fear is unstoppable.
Also, I want to navigate these challenges by writing stories that exist outside the stereotypical box. I want to merge both of these worlds together.
How does family shape cultural identity, and how do you see your legacy in promoting cultural understanding?
Family is everything. They are the first humans you meet. Your home is the first school you attend. Whatever you learn at home in your early years shapes you—your thoughts, your beliefs, and ultimately, your perception of your own cultural identity. I hope my work “The Importance of Names” will spark important conversations. And, that one day, I’m invited to schools to speak about ‘otherness’ and ‘inclusivity,’ and that my books and films are used for educational purposes.
What advice do you have for aspiring writers and actors, and are there future projects exploring identity and cultural heritage?
Don’t give up. The tunnel is long and dark, but you are the light within it. I am currently writing a series based on this very issue—an unmarried Nigerian woman living in the UK and all the nuances that come with being 30+ and single. The family pressure, the balancing act between career and personal life—everything that shapes her experience.
