Nana is joined in the studio by Chika Ikogwe, an award-winning Nigerian-Australian writer and actor, best known for her performances in Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner, Heartbreak High and Mikki vs The World.

The pair discuss Chika’s career, from working up the courage to tell her parents she wanted to become a performer, to studying acting at VCA and NIDA. They discuss the entertainers who shaped their childhoods and the importance of representation for young Black girls growing up in Australia. Chika explains the different approaches she takes to stage versus screen performances, and how she prepared for her powerful lead role of Cleo in Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner – a role that spoke directly to why she wanted to become a performer.

Nana and Chika also walk through what Chika learnt leading the ABC Kids series, Mikki vs The World and her next steps into writing and content development. They discuss what equality would look like in the entertainment industry, particularly for Black creatives, how Chika’s Nigerian identity filters into her work, and how she defines success now.

Keep up with Chika on Instagram.

Image Credit: Richmond Kobla/Ramona Magazine