What does pursuing a dream actually look like in practice? What about having someone fully behind that dream? Or perhaps even reshaping the dream entirely?
Those questions ran through my mind while speaking with Uzo Aduba, the Emmy-winning actress known for playing Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on "Orange Is the New Black."
Below is an excerpt from her winter 2015 conversation featured in Darling Issue 14. It left us feeling energized, inspired, and certain that the dream is genuine and absolutely worth pursuing. We felt it was a fitting reminder because… well, who wouldn't welcome a sprinkle of her hopeful outlook? You'll pick up on it through the screen, guaranteed.
Inside The Conversation
Pure Magic With Uzo Aduba
Conversation by Sarah Dubbeldam
Spending time in Uzo Aduba's company genuinely made me a better person. Her happiness spreads, her hopefulness is uplifting, and her dedication is impressive. Aduba's remarkable abilities cover television, film, and stage, and on the day we met, she was getting ready for the Emmys the following day—and shockingly to no one, she took home the trophy!
It marked her second Emmy for portraying Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" on Netflix's "Orange Is The New Black." With her SAG honor and 2014 Emmy, she made history as the first African-American actress to claim the award in both categories. Looking ahead, Aduba will appear in NBC's The Wiz Live! I can't wait to catch the premiere on December 3.
Walking away from our talk, I felt empowered to stand taller as a woman and trust that everything unfolds for a purpose.
Sarah Dubbeldam: How would you sum up [2015] in a single word?
Uzo Aduba: If I had to capture this past year with one word: blessing. Blessing, gift, magic—a magical, gifted blessing. That isn't even a word! [laughs]
SD: I'll offer you more vocabulary then. What made these three words resonate with you?
UA: Above all, I've experienced so many extraordinary things. Blessings entered my world that I simply couldn't overlook how fortunate and blessed it was to do what I adore, contribute to what I'm passionate about, create art, and let that be my profession and the road laid out before me.
I reside in New York City, and I won't get overly theater-obsessed, but as Stephen Sondheim penned in the musical "Company," " … another hundred people every single day, another hundred people get off of the train and get onto the bus."
Each day brings individuals stepping off buses, trains, planes, heading to New York to chase what they love and having the privilege of doing so … it doesn't escape me that this isn't the sight I witness daily, so I'm thankful and appreciative to be in that position.
So, to also be involved in a project I genuinely believe in and love—from the show—and now shows—that I'm part of and the experiences that come my way, it simply feels enchanting, just enchanting. Like, rabbits emerging from hats or something.
SD: Your mother emigrated from Nigeria to America, so how has her worldview and approach to life influenced your own career and life choices?
UA: The simplest response would be work ethic. There's simply no one I've encountered in my life who has ever labored harder, given up more, or pushed harder for the dreams and needs of her children than my mother.
And I believe that stems from having survived a civil war, lived through a civil war, fled a civil war … she possessed fierce resolve, even after being widowed at an unthinkable age, way too young with two children, and remained determined to succeed.
My mother always said throughout my life, "My American dream is my children being able to live their dreams." I never had to guess what hard work looks like, I witnessed it daily throughout my existence, and what rewards can come from it. So it definitely flows into who I am as an artist. I think it flows into how I tell stories, interpret stories, and view women in stories.
My mother always said throughout my life, 'My American dream is my children being able to live their dreams.'
I recognize that strength that women carry and can unleash with intensity and grace and dedication that I'm not sure I always see portrayed. When I relocated to New York City, my mother led with that philosophy.
She didn't say much about my pursuing the arts. She was completely supportive; she just wanted to ensure I put in the effort.
Growing up, she repeatedly said, "I never heard of nothing coming from hard work." And I know, for some reason on that particular day when she said it, even though I'd heard it my entire life, it was the thought that stuck with me—I must work hard.
SD: You don't fit a typical mold when it comes to your talents. You have "Orange is the New Black," but you're also set to appear in "The Wiz Live" in December, and you even considered law school as a backup. You act, you sing, you even have an interest in law … what fuels your passion for things? And what brings you the greatest joy in your work?
UA: Hmm, that's a tasty question. Well, what fuels my passion? I think I'm drawn to anything that feels one-of-a-kind. I don't really follow anything that's herd-driven.
I love something with a signature, with a voice you can hear clearly. I'm genuinely drawn to things like that. That's likely why I chose the ["Orange is the New Black"] script.
That was my thought process, like "That doesn't resemble anything else! That kind of rainbow-tinted thing." [laughs] There's probably some psychological analysis about growing up in a Nigerian household in a very traditional New England town [laughs]. I'm genuinely drawn to things that feel distinctive, individual, and bold.
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They don't necessarily have to shout, but they make their presence known somehow. And I often say, regarding my art, what I'm discovering I love doing is interesting stories. I'm drawn to stories I refer to as "the missing." We've never witnessed that narrative shared that way before. Or, we've simply never encountered that narrative.
I think I'm drawn to anything that feels one-of-a-kind. I don't really follow anything that's herd-driven.
SD: Is that how you feel about your role on "Orange is the New Black"?
UA: Absolutely. I feel that way not just for myself but also for many of the women on that show. But specifically regarding Suzanne [my character], I find something fascinating about attempting to enter the mindset of someone who is so profoundly misjudged from the outside, and could be swiftly and simply dismissed without a second look, and realizing that she's someone who genuinely has a heartbeat, possesses authenticity, individuality, and honesty.
Despite the mistakes, there's no hidden motive, it's not executed with manipulation. They're simply trying to give their best that day.
SD: What would you say to a woman genuinely working to uncover her passion? And once she discovers it, how can she achieve it?
UA: The first thing I'd say is to strip away any of the conventional standards surrounding success, money, status, title, all of those things, and consider what it is that you simply enjoy doing. I love to act. I love to create art. And, between us, you wouldn't need to pay me to do it. I love doing it. I love it that deeply. The activity you can't envision yourself not doing, I think is the simplest gateway to passion.
SD: But many women don't pursue that because of fear or other factors.
UA: Yeah, I think various reasons cause women (and people in general) to avoid pursuing their passions: fear, commitments to relationships, family … whatever. I firmly believe that we as women should be free to explore and do whatever motivates and drives us, and have a full, inclusive life and lifestyle.
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The weight shouldn't fall solely on us to supply all the elements that contribute to a well-rounded life. I think women should pursue and tackle whatever satisfies them in their existence. Also, I'd tell women that you must bet on yourself. And a dedication to hard work is extremely important.
If you want to turn your passion into your work, then you must be ready to work hard on your passion. If you trust in your passion and it's something you want to pursue wholeheartedly, I think it's your duty as a human being to invest that trust and passion in yourself first, and have faith.
Forget about whether no one else can bet on you, forget about whether nobody believes. If you believe, that's the only thing you need to carry in your spirit.
…I'd tell women that you must bet on yourself.
SD: That's a wonderful answer, I love that. So, as you've achieved more success, has your perspective shifted on what accomplishment means? How should we view success and fame? What character traits must you hold onto when you experience success?
UA: I think you need to hold onto firstly a strong family unit. Whether that's your immediate or chosen family, it doesn't matter. But, whatever that unit is that surrounded you long before "the noise," as I call it, that needs to remain evergreen and ever present.
Those are the individuals I know, who are my unconditional love. That's my source, that's where my root is and where my support stems from. I think you must keep a source flowing through you somewhere, or simply a belief. Belief in something alive, completely.
I think regarding the work, you must keep yourself surrounded by people who will tell you the truth, even if it's not something you want to hear. That's not to say you'll be happy to hear it. You must be able to hear it and trust that they have your best interests at heart.
I think the final point is to not become so caught up in the idea of you, versus who you actually are.
Images via Ben Cope for Darling Issue 14
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