Sophie Okonedo

Sophie Okonedo first gained recognition while playing Cressida in Trevor Nunn’s production of Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida at London’s National Theater. Okonedo’s dedication to acting on stage led her to have a blossoming career in television and movies. Her breakout roles include Dirty Pretty Things and Hotel Rwanda, which skyrocketed her to international fame and got her an Oscar nomination.

Okonedo was born in London to a British mother and Nigerian father. When she was 18 years old, she chanced upon a writer’s workshop ad in Time Out magazine. Soon after, she realized she was better at giving dramatically rendered readings than composing her own. Her writing coach Hanif Kureishi is given credit for encouraging her to start an acting career and join the Royal Court Theater. Okonedo has proved to us how allowing ourselves to explore our different aspects can eventually help us discover what we’re truly meant to do in life.