This month’s “Woman of Style” goes to Uzoamaka “Uzo” Aduba, who plays Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in the Netflix original series, Orange is the New Black. She has some serious style chops, and can rock a fit-and-flare dress and also look amazing in a bodycon dress.
Nigerian-American actress Uzo told NPR interviewer Michel Martin that her full first name, Uzoamaka, means “the road is good” in her parents’ country of origin, Nigeria.
She grew up in Medfield, Massachusetts, and attended Boston University. While there, she was a triple threat: a track and field star, an actress and a classical singer. She also grew up figure skating.
Photos: (left) in a chic Jeffrey Dodd LBD with a shoulder cutout, plus wine-colored velvet sandals and statement earrings at the American Pastoral screening in N.Y.C. {Source: People} ; (right) in a mixed-print low-cut maxi dress at the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund 15th Anniversary event in N.Y.C. {Source: People}
“This is for all the ladies in the room … Having a female support next to you, a female strength next to you is going to encourage you to be a better person … it’s going to uplift you, it’s going to inspire you … that is what women do for women.”
Uzo Abdua, in a letter to her 18-year-old self {Teen Vogue}
After having mostly unsuccessful auditions, Aduba got the call that she got the role of “Crazy Eyes” on Orange is the New Black, 45 minutes after she decided to quit acting altogether.
“I know fairy tales aren’t real, but that came pretty darn close,” says Uzo of her first Emmy experience. This red Christian Siriano dress began with a sketch, which now hangs in Aduba’s house.
In the photos below: Christian Siriano’s sketch and the red dress IRL on the Red Carpet for the 2014 Emmys.
Source: Christian Siriano Tumblr 
Source: EOnline!
“I just remember being so enchanted by the color and the cut,” she says. “I was like, ‘Whoa, yes, that’s exactly how I want to feel.’ It felt hopeful, and it felt strong; it felt bold. And I remember, without even having seen it, thinking, ‘I think I’m going to feel really beautiful in that.’”
Uzo Abdua, Variety
In an interview for Refinery 29, Uzo said, “I like strong anything: strong choices, strong voices, strong makeup, strong looks, strong women. I like strong plus a noun — that’s my thing.”
“Red carpets are an opportunity to really dress up. It’s like being able to go to the prom all over again. I like the collaboration because there are so many different departments [collaborating], making the stuff. That is what theater is. That’s what Orange is.”
Uzo Abuda, Hello Beautiful
When it comes to beauty icons, Uzo names three beautiful women as her favorites — Denise Huxtable {Lisa Boney} of The Cosby Show {“she’s incredible”}, Queen Bey {“she is slaying it right now”}, and Naomi Campbell {“she is fierce”}. {Hello Beautiful}
In an interview with Marie Claire magazine, Uzo shared some things that others may not have known about her. Here are a few:
Song that always makes her cry: “I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Bonnie Raitt.
Last thing she binge-watched: The Crown.
Movie with the greatest ending: Love Actually (gets me every single time!).
On her bucket list: Visit every continent in the world.
If she could live anywhere abroad, it would be: Paris, Nigeria, or London. Yes, that’s three but I love them all like children!
What every woman should try in her lifetime: Never letting anyone’s impression of you stop you.
One thing she’s exceptionally good at: Whistling through my two front teeth. I’ve had a lifetime of practice.
The beauty essential you’d have to pry out of her cold, dead hands: Nivea cream. Not lotion. Never has there been a better solution to dry skin.
She wrote a poignant essay entitled “Mind the Gap” in the July 2014 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine about learning to love the gap in her teeth and redefining beauty on her own terms.
Uzo is a beautiful woman, and her gap-tooth grin just adds to her beautiful personality. She’s going to continue to do great things!
Let Me Hear From You!
What do you think about this month’s “Woman of Style”? Who do you think should be featured next? Let me know in the comments below!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
{Featured Image: Cosmopolitan}
