We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ayo Abigail a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayo, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Honestly? I think I always knew I wanted to be some kind of creative. I distinctly remember when I was first learning to read, I used to read the lines of the books as if they were lyrics to songs. Songs that I would in turn perform for my parents (often by force) every night before bed! I think I was always looking for some reason to put on a show, you know? I was always looking for a reason to make people stop and think, “What does she have going on in that big ol’ head of hers?” And I guess as time went on, I just found better, more fulfilling ways of doing just that.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Ayo Abigail. I am a 20-something Nigerian-American actress, content creator and occasional model. I started my career in 2019 at the start of the pandemic. At the time I was in school but had to leave to due to financial hardships. I used content creation as an outlet to express myself and stay busy. I quickly realized that my content connected me to other darker complexioned Black women who wanted to explore fashion, shave their hair or just see themselves represented on social media and amongst popular brands they bought from.

I have been styling, modeling, directing and shooting my own content (now for the past 2 years and had the privilege of working with brands like Cotton, Juicy Couture, Elsie and Fred and Sephora. I love sharing aspects of my life, my random thoughts and honest creator journey with my community. They’ve seen me through 4 major moves from LA to London to Lagos to Amsterdam and continue to support and encourage my work throughout—they are my tribe and I love appreciate them dearly (even when I sometimes go ghost for 4,000 years on my socials).

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

I think if as a whole we could legitimize the pursuit of creative careers and provide more in-house resources (at earlier stages) for different creative routes…that would be wonderful; especially in marginalized communities of color. If Army recruiters are able to have hour long talks about what options are available to prospective students; graphic designers, folly artists and social media managers should have a spot as well.

I believe if from young age our creative minds are nurtured and fostered in all spaces, we would be in a much better place as a humans. That’s why I am a huge proponent of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics) over STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). As amazing and truly admirable as a career in STEM is and always will be, for many people—it’s just not an option. Art however, may just be. Imagine now if those people are given the necessary attention and resources to explore that.

It may be wishful thinking but I think that if artists and creatives at every stage and in every space felt just a little more seen…a little more necessary…things could be better.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My Faith. I believe wholeheartedly that God has a specific plan for my life. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I have the passions that I do. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I have been blessed with the opportunities to be in the spaces that I have. While it has been anything but a cute and comfy journey, the lessons that I have learned, the people that I have met, the discoveries I have made about myself and my life…have made every moment worth it. And while I can’t honestly say I know where I’ll be or even who I’ll be in this next season, I know that God will continue to guide and guard me every step of the way. So I’m just going to keep believing and reading until I get to the end of this story.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/AyoAbigail
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayoabigail/?hl=en
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/theayoabigail/?eq=theayoabiga&etslf=5102

Image Credits
@Wearebeco