Introducing Actress, Writer, and Philanthropist Princess Adenike

Princess Adenike has had the opportunity to work on a number of incredible projects. Her love for storytelling has taken her on a journey of a lifetime. She recognizes television & film as a powerful medium to get important messages across.

As an actress Princess has gone on to star in Wutang: An American Saga, Ray Donovan, Power: Ghost, Suspicion, and more. She most recently appeared in an important supporting role as  “Nikki” in Nikyatu Jusu film Nanny, a film that bridges black culture with African folklore, Nanny recently went on to win the Grand Jury Award at Sundance. This was history, as Nikyatu Jusu was the first black woman to win this award in horror. Princess would love to discuss the audition process, being on set, why the role was so essential to the story, and her experience working with the wonderful Nikyatu. As a writer, Princess Adenike’s screenplay Ethereal, a heartfelt time period piece, recently became a semi-finalist at the long-standing impeccable Big Apple Festival, she would love to exclusively discuss the future plans of the screenplay. In addition, she is currently pitching a television series based on a female hip-hop producer in the early 2000s, she has garnered support from Sean Famoso of LVRN music label, HBO’s Marc Johnson, hip-hop artist Blackway, along with Slated executive producer Mark Martiak. Last, but not least she is the founder of the nonprofit campaign “One Girl At A Time”, an initiative supporting women of all ages on their journey to self-discovery through the arts.

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Check out our interview with the talented Princess Adenike below:

Where are you originally from?

My ethnic background is Nigeria. I was born in Toronto Canada, but grew up in Queens New York.  All I know is New York really. I came out to New York when I was around two years old.

What prompted you to pursue entertainment in film?

Is it something you always knew you would be doing? It really all started with my mother.  As a child she dreamed to be on television whether as an actress or television personality.  So once she noticed I had a big personality, she started taking me to any casting calls she can find.  It was the early 2000s, things were different back then, it was hard to connect the dots especially since she didn’t grow up in the United States. I had my first commercial audition when I was five years old, but I always struggled with anxiety as a kid so auditions were tough for me. My first love was singing, I had a singing group with my childhood bestfriend. We performed at talent shows, showcases and more. I focused more on singing because auditioning was really difficult for me because of nerves, and my mom didn’t know how to obtain an agent and manager, so she put me into National American Miss. National American Miss was nice because it helped with my confidence.  In middle school I took a drama class, and my drama teacher Mr. Hudson felt like he saw something in me. He gave me an opportunity to compete in a program called Fidelity Future Stage, it was for theater and screenwriting.  I ended up being apart of the 6 finalist who would be mentored in an acting and writing track. I got a chance to see the play Memphis and then attended a few workshops. This was the moment I really knew I wanted to be a performer and tell stories.

Who were some of your influences as a child?

Raven Simone. I loved her when I was younger. Every time That’s So Raven came on, all I could see was myself. I would literally stand up imitating her, reacting her scenes.  Also Nollywood played a huge part in my influences. I admired Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Genevieve Nnaji a lot.  I mimicked their performances so much.  Nollywood was a huge influence because my parents didn’t watch too much American movies, it was always a Nollywood movie on. Every Friday and Saturday night.

What made you jumpstart your career in entertainment?

In high school I started attending Breaking Into Hollywood Studios, it wasn’t really a program to learn your craft more of an industry program, meaning they teach you about the business of acting. I realized the business of acting is just as important as learning my craft. The goal of the program was to help you get an agent or manager by auditioning at their showcase.  I was 16 when I participated in the showcase, I did the audition and then got a callback from a commercial agent. When I got there did my callback audition and they loved it. Unfortunately a few days later she decided I was getting too old and will soon be 18, they represent mainly kids and had just a handful of teenagers. So that’s how I ended up not being signed by them. It was sad, but I did realize I didn’t even need a showcase to find a agent or manager.  So this is when the grind really started, that setback made me come up with an entire game plan on how I was going to obtain representation. Towards the end of high school and early college, I did a lot of student films, and local theatre productions. I was building my resume and reel. I needed something to show agents and mangers.  I got new headshots. Once I had all my materials, I started emailing about 20-30 agents and managers a day for 7 days straight.  Finally two got back to me, I went with the team who seemed the most passionate about me and also strategically  they didn’t really have anyone on their roster that was my age and looked like me. So they were a perfect fit.

How is your experience being an independent artist and actress in this industry?

When I was independent and didn’t have representation it was tough, as I explained above. You really have to just put yourself out there. Even now with my representation, I am constantly networking, trying to be around the right people, building genuine relationships and being kind, because you never know who’s going to connect that dot for you.

You also have a nonprofit “One Girl At A Time”. What started this initiative for you?

I started One Girl At A Time when I was 14 years old. As a young girl I was really sick of the toxic culture that young girls are always surrounded with. There’s always pressure, competition, dealing with self esteem issues, trying to fit into society norms, being a victim to men who use women as a tool for their own egos. So I really wanted to create some sort of safe haven for girls to freely express themselves, building a sisterhood where we can share and release our trauma. Overtime as I started to get older, it quickly because an organization for women of all ages where we support women on their journey to self discovery through the arts. Being a girl in a mans world is tough, sisterhood is important.

You starred in Wutang: An American Saga, Ray Donovan, Power: Ghost, Suspicion, and more. How is it working on such notable projects? 

It’s been exciting, but also nerve racking. You get on these sets and your surrounded by all these super talented famous actors, directors and producers, and you’re still at the start of your career. It’s a humbling feeling, but also a feeling of immense gratitude. Sometimes I catch myself freaking out in the inside, and I’m just in my trailer praying to God to be with me through it all, just telling myself I got this and I am here for a reason. It can sometimes feel like imposter syndrome, but I’m here and they booked me because I’m capable. What’s for me will always be for me.

And what are other projects that you would like to be a part of?

I think for now I really wanna be on Rasing Kanan, but there’s this rule of not double crossing in the Power Universe hahaha. I’m praying someone can help me bend the rule, I am from Queens, grew up in Queens. It’s my whole culture being put up on TV. Its dope seeing your neighborhood and town on television. Also Sascha Penn has done an amazing job with Raq played by Patina Miller, the layers on her character is so dope.  I would love to work with him! Also P-Valley, funny thing is I have read for a few roles on their a couple of times. I’m hoping eventually for s3 something will hit. It was the same process for Power lol! I would love to play a raunchy character, I have a thing for wanting to play women who are in tuned with their sexuality. Sexual liberation is everything, just showcases so much confidence. It will be a dream to be given a role like that.

What are some of the goals you have for your career in entertainment and your nonprofit campaign “One Girl At A Time”?

I hope I can spread One Girl At A Time worldwide, really hoping I can open up a performing arts program for schools in Nigeria, to support young girls and boys. Nigeria is full of so much talent, so much.  I’m would love to bring a One Girl At A Time Program, focused on the arts.  In terms of entertainment, I just wanna tell underrepresented, overlooked stories. Whether it’s through acting or writing, either way my work should always make a difference. I know it’s early in the game for me right now, so I’m not really picking my roles, whatever I book, I’m grateful and just go with the flow. But in the future, I hope I can be very intentional about the roles I take on.

Who are you currently influenced by?

Right now I’m really into Nicole Kidman in terms of my craft. I watched her in Big Little Lies and then went down a rabbit hole studying her. Her earlier stuff is so dope.  In terms of overall career, Issa Rae. I love her. She’s a trailblazer, and multifaceted woman, which is something I identify with as well.

What can we expect from you over the next year?

The world premiere of movie Nanny directed by the wonderful Nikyatu Jusu. It’s an absolute dream to be apart of this film.  Many people don’t know about it yet because it just went though Sundance Festival first, and it won the  Grand Jury Prize, the biggest win at Sundance. I’m so excited to see it hit the theaters or streaming platforms, not sure which one yet. Either way it’s going to a big deal for the culture.  Although I play a smaller role, it’s essential for entire arc of the story. “A small but mighty role” as Director Nikyatu Jusu says. Hahaha she so sweet and an amazing spirit.

What message do you want listeners and viewers to receive from your work?

Be you. Be you. Be you. Always be yourself. It’s what gotten me this far, even when your acting. Let your authenticity show through. In every role I play, you see Princess in there somewhere. I bring me to every role. Every project I write. There’s always me in it, even the not so fun parts of myself. It’s what make it’s authentic. And authenticity is what people can connect too.

Is there anything you would like to share with other go getters and dream chasers like yourself?

Pray. Pray. Pray. Acknowledging that God is the reason, whatever you believe in, make sure you’re in touch with yourself spiritually. It will help ground you for the bad times. In addition,Don’t just work hard, work smart. Plan always, always have a game plan. Plan everything, and be prepared for the plan to not always go how you plan. But the first step is to plan, a plan is the first step to greatness.