We were lucky to catch up with Amarachi Odinma recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amarachi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project that I have worked on, is my current project. It’s called “After Happily Ever After’ on BET network. This project has allowed me to express the realest, most authentic version of myself. It is a reality show about exes finding a new love for their past partner. I am one of the exes, who has gone through a recent divorce. It took a lot of digging deep and soul searching to allow my uninhibited emotions to show on television. I can speak for many projects that I have done, but those portrayed a character, a persona. However, this time, I was able to express my authentic personality.

Amarachi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Amarachi Odinma.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had passion for the creative arts in my heart.
I have a tape recording from when I was 5 years old talking about being on TV. My parents immigrated from Nigeria to give my siblings and I a better life. After their divorce, I was raised by my hard working single mother in West Michigan. I can remember her immersing us in constant creative recreational activities which helped shape my love for the creative arts.

As I matured, I realized that having a career in entertainment takes more than just dreaming. It takes hard work, persistence, action and education. After switching gears from studying nursing in college, I decided to chose to coursework that would align me with my personality and creative vision. I studied Journalism and Film, even though I knew those jobs were scarce and hard to find. I moved to LA with two suitcases 9 years ago and I haven’t looked back since. ‘

Since moving to LA, I have worked as a journalist, as a red carpet host for companies including Viacom networks and I am a published plus-sized model (Thickhouse, TSR). I have also worked as an actress and have appeared in minor roles in feature films. I am a very busy lady, as a single, divorced mother of two young boys. It has been a lot of work navigating my career, family life and recently, the dating world (check out my show on BET for all of the details :))

Aside from my reality TV career, I recently opened a cosmetic beauty line called Amara Beauty (Amarabeautyglam.com), where I produce and stock my custom beauty products. I am very excited about this venture and I believe many women with a natural taste in everyday glam, can find a product they will love!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

First and foremost, I am an advocate for women. I believe that society should stop putting limitations and restrictions on a woman’s value based on her age, race, martial status or size. We need to do a better job of not allowing these factors to discredit women’s wisdom as a result of these negative cultural stereotypes.

I also believe society can support women creatives by providing more grants, funding and scholarships for formal education whose curriculums focus on women pursuing careers in the creative arts.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Non-creatives cannot understand the passion burning in a creative’s heart towards their goals and vision. It can sometimes be hard to share ones career goals with people that do not have the same mindset. It takes a lot of passion and motivation, and we need support to continue on this arduous journey.

Sometimes friends and family can consider creatives as not serious, and that can be very hurtful and demotivating. I help that some encouragement can be garnered from this for creatives on their path related to the journey. I believe with God’s grace we can all achieve our goals and aspirations.

Contact Info:

• Website: hostamarachi.com
• Instagram: @amarachiodinmaofficial
• Facebook: Amarachi Odinma
• Twitter: @amarachinf
• Youtube: Amarachi Odinma-#rachivation
• Other: amarabeautyglam.com linktr.ee/amarachiodinma

Image Credits
Brian Olivia TSR Thickhouse BET Productions Anastaysia Sazhina Getty Images