Uzo Aduba Stuns on the September Cover of Essence

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OITNB star Uzo Aduba is strong and fierce on the September cover of Essence. The 35-year-old actress who is a “fitness junkie” is a proud winner of two Emmys for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren. Speaking on her career as an actress, she says:

 

This business will try to convince you that you’re not enough, that you’re not pretty enough, thin enough, talented enough, interesting enough, experienced enough, and I say, ‘Enough. Enough with that!’”

 

 

Aduba went on to say that it was difficult coming to terms with her Nigerian roots as a young girl growing up in Boston –  she once asked her mother if she could change her name to Zoe. Acting was what made her really find herself she says.

 

Becoming the OITNB star we know and love was not an easy journey for the talented actress. She had several failed auditions and was ready to give up when she got the call for her role on Orange is the New Black

 

“My heart never quit,” she recalls. “And that was the first time I felt my heart give out on me.”

 

 

Despite her successful career as an actress, Uzo remains grounded and refuses to take her success for granted.

 

“There are millions of people in this world who choose to watch out show, and without that choosing, we would not exist,” she said. “Thank you for being open enough to allow us into your home. Thank you for seeing us and seeing that we matter.”

 

For more on Uzo Aduba, keep your eyes peeled for the September issue of Essence which will be available from Mid-August