Karen Obilom is a Nigerian-American actress, writer, director, and hair-cum-makeup artist who became famous for her roles in Games People Play (2019), Doom Patrol (2019), and Insecure (2016). She has also served as a makeup artist for According To (2015) and Grimshaw (2018).
While her talent, hard work, diligence, and dedication have been her driving force in her career and the major reasons she is a known star. There are facts about her you probably never came across. Here is more about one of Hollywood’s incredible black actresses.
Who is Karen Obilom?
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The currently 30 years old She Obilom was born on 16th of August 1994 in Austin, Texas, the United States of America to Cecilia and Philip Obilom. She grew up together with her three sisters and a younger brother. She would have had two brothers, but she lost her big brother, Kennedy Ikenna Obilom in 2011 at the age of 19.
Karen Obilom belongs to one of the most widely spoken languages in Nigeria, Igbo (Ibo). Her parents originated from Imo State, South Eastern region of Nigeria
Amazing Things You Need To Know About Karen Obilom
10. Karen Obilom fell in love with acting in first grade
The American actress fell in love with acting in the first grade. What ignited her desire for acting was a play about black culture called “The Colored Museum”. After watching the play, she told her parents of her desires which led to enrollment in acting classes.
Although she started with stage fright that stopped her from conversing on stage, she improved through constant practice and the support of her parents.
9. She had difficulty in having an early breakthrough in Hollywood
The Nigerian-American actress attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Hollywood and graduated in 2014. While in college, she was consistent with a passion for acting.
6 months after graduation was tough for her, especially because she had no agent. Instead of staying idle, she did a couple of researches online and went through many acting websites. She networked and even sent several emails, but there was no response from many of them.
In addition, because of the enormous challenges she faced while trying to land roles in Hollywood, she started to work as an extra and do some background roles. However, she chose not to back down and later realized that the route to success is different for everyone.
In the long run, she got an agent and was able to book some commercials like McDonald’s and Credit Karma. She went on to get a flexible ambassador’s job, and this allowed her to focus more on auditions.
Also See- Rosanne Katon – Biography Of The Actress And Model, 7 Amazing Facts About Her
8. Karen Obilom auditioned for Insecure once but didn’t get it
Karen Obilom revealed in an interview that she only auditioned for Insecure once but didn’t get it. When she heard of another audition, she attended. She recited the same lines she did on the episodes, and the casting director gave her a high five by the time she was done.
Even though she did not see it coming, she got a call that she was cast for the show while she was shooting a pilot.
7. She may have similar ancestry with T.D Jakes and Forest Whitaker
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Karen Obilom although is an American citizen traces her ancestry to Igbo ethnic group. In recent times, several people especially celebrities are tracing their genealogy through DNA tests. While people like Oprah Winfrey trace them to Kpelle people who were in western Africa, others trace theirs to Igbo – Karen’s ethnic group.
Among people to share this ancestry of Igbo include American author, bishop and filmmaker, T.D Jakes who has shared his DNA test result a number of times as well as his experience in Nigeria. Also, actors Forest Whitaker, Blair Underwood, Paul Robeson, and Danny Glover trace their genealogy to Igbo.
In addition, there are other Hollywood actors who share the same ancestry of Igbo with Karen Obilom. Some of them include Nnamdi Asomugha, Michael Evans Behling, Yvonne Orji, Uzo Aduba and British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor.
6. She joined in one of Africa’s most popular social revolutions in recent times
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In October 2020, the End Sars movement which was against police brutality started in Nigeria on social media. Soon, it gained attention with people, especially youths coming out in their hundreds of thousands across different states of the country.
Many local and international organizations supported the movement and so did celebrities including Rihanna, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys among others. The movement further gained popularity especially when the army was said to open fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos and killed a score of them.
Karen Obilom did not stay out in joining in speaking against the social injustice in Nigeria and as well as the police brutality.
She also supported other movements such as #BlackLivesMatter and #BlackGirlMagic.
5. Her Favourite Vacation Destination is Mauritius
Although she is a Nigerian-American, the actress has chosen to fall in love with Mauritius – an East African island nation. In addition, her most-loved hotel is reportedly in the same nation. It is a resort called Constance Prince Maurice.
4. Who is she dating?
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She is in a relationship with actor, writer, producer, and director Darryl Wesley. It is not clear when the pair first met or started dating. However, what we are certain about is as of 2019, she said they were working on a full-featured film called “Along Ways From Okay”.
3. How rich is Karen Obilom?
Karen Obilom is earning a decent amount of money from her career in the movie industry. Apart from acting, she has worked as a makeup artist and hair/makeup artist in 2015 and 2018 in major works in the entertainment industry.
Although it is certain that she has made a living out of her career, her exact earnings is not known. Her net worth proves also difficult to trace but may be estimated at about $100,000.
2. How tall is she?
Even though there is no confirmation to this, many sources claim that she stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches (1.70m) tall. Her body weight is also reportedly 65kg (140lbs).
1. She has featured in more than 10 films in TV series
Obilom has played different characters in several works that range from movies to TV shows.
Movies
- Resort to Love
- House Party
- Show Me What You Got
- Bachelorette Party
- Cultural Clash
TV Shows
- Games People Play
- Doom Patrol
- Further Away
- Insecure
- NCIS: Los Angeles
- The Vampyr Resistacne Corps
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