She danced into our hearts on “Maltina Dance Hall” — now the actress, producer, host and philanthropist is directing the spotlight.
At 13, Osas Ighodaro was quiet and self-conscious. Her confidence hovered just beneath the surface, flickering — waiting for the right spark to bring it to life. Determined to help, her parents enrolled her in modelling classes. It helped — kind of.
But what truly changed her life was a scholarship to an acting class. Laughing softly at the memory, she says, “My parents were just trying to help me bring out the best in myself. Modelling helped me start to see myself, but acting gave me light. It gave me my voice.”
Osas’ first taste
Her first time in front of the camera in the acting class was awkward in the most relatable way. “They gave me a script to read, and I remember looking down the whole time,” she says, grinning. “I didn’t even realise acting meant you were supposed to take it in and perform it. But I saw it as a challenge — a way to express the emotions I didn’t know how to say.”
It wasn’t just a class. It was a door. And beyond it, Osas caught a glimpse of the life she was meant to live.
Growing up in a Nigerian household in the Bronx, acting wasn’t exactly laid out as a viable career option. “My parents didn’t expect acting to become my profession,” she explains. “They thought it would boost my self-esteem, and then I’d return to school and become a nurse or something safe.”
But something had shifted. “I fell in love with it. And I couldn’t let go.”
Another moment that planted the seed came during a family outing to the cinema to see “Sister Act II: Back in the Habit.” “My dad took all of us—my sister Joy, my brothers—to watch it. I remember the choir singing ‘Joyful, Joyful’ and my sister, who’s now late, turned to me and said, ‘They’re singing about me!’ She was so sure,” Osas laughs, then pauses. “It stayed with me.”
That film gave her permission. “Watching those kids on screen, acting, singing, expressing themselves—it made me think, ‘I can do this too.’ I grew up in the Bronx, and even though our experiences weren’t identical, I understood the energy. The passion. The way they were told ‘you can’t,’ and they kept going anyway.”
The movie and memory associated with it became even more meaningful after her sister, Joy, passed away from malaria years later. She was pregnant and contracted malaria while on a visit to Nigeria, and tragically, two lives were lost. “When she died, naming my foundation, the Joyful Joy foundation, after her felt like the only thing that made sense.”
And then, almost a decade later, came the full-circle moment. “The day after we launched the Joyful Joy Foundation in New York on May 22, 2013, AJ Calloway took me to Whoopi Goldberg’s house. Memorial Day weekend. Just like that—I met her. I held her Oscar and cried. I was like—wow. Life really does come full circle.”
New York hustle, big breaks, and a pageant that changed everything
In her late teens and early 20s, Osas attended university and earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism, with minors in Theatre and Entrepreneurship. After graduating, she pursued a master’s in Acting at the Actors Studio Drama School in New York.
“I begged my parents — just give me one year,” she recalls. “Let me try acting full-time. If it doesn’t work, I’ll go back and do my master’s.” She ended up doing both.
During that grind period in New York—auditioning in the snow, balancing odd jobs—she got the opportunity to star in a student film, “Across a Bloodied Ocean”, directed by a then-rising Kemi Adetiba. “That was my first time carrying a film,” she recalls. “It made me fall even deeper in love with the craft.”
Then, around 2010, came the turning point: the Miss Black USA pageant.
“I did that—and I won. I became the first Nigerian to win that competition in its 20-year history — 30-year history now,” she says. “That title changed everything. It gave me visibility. Confidence. People finally started to see me.”
Read also: Lala Akindoju is making a mark on Nollywood, from stage to screen and beyond
The unexpected detour that became a defining chapter
In 2012, Osas travelled to Nigeria intending to stay for six months. Her aunt had urged her to audition for “Tinsel”, a popular Nigerian soap opera. She sent in a tape, and got the role.
She describes “Tinsel” as a masterclass, saying, “The turnaround time was wild. I got new scripts every day, long scenes, zero shortcuts. You had to know your lines, understand your character, and deliver—fast. It became my acting classroom.”
But the transition wasn’t easy. “I had a lot of culture shock. Even though I’m Nigerian, I was still adjusting to how things work here, on set, socially, everything. People just saw this girl from America with phoné (short for phonetics – a Nigerian slang for speaking with a foreign accent), suddenly on “Tinsel” and hosting “Maltina Dance Hall,” she recalls. “But they didn’t know the journey of me begging my parents for a year to pursue acting, working odd jobs, auditioning in the snow and rain, trying to find a way in. The rejections, the grind, the growth. It wasn’t an overnight thing.”
From “Tinsel”, Osas danced her way into screens across the country as the vibrant host of “Maltina Dance Hall.” Her striking presence, effortless charm, and undeniable screen appeal made her an instant favourite. With standout performances in “Rattlesnake”, and “Man of God”, Osas quickly transformed from a bright-eyed newcomer into one of Nollywood’s most sought-after stars.
She intended to stay for only half a year. “Now it’s been 13 years,” she laughs. “That wasn’t my plan. But clearly, it was God’s plan.”
Motherhood, loss, and rewriting the rules
The last few years have been transformational. Osas lost her mother and became one herself, stepping into her power, not just as an actor, but as a producer.
“I used to accept lower pay. I used to let things slide,” she says. “Not anymore. Being a mother changed everything. I’m a lioness now. If a production doesn’t make space for my daughter and nanny, I don’t do it.”
Her upcoming films, “Three Cold Dishes” and “Safari”, mark a shift in her career — she’s no longer just reading scripts. She’s part of the decision-makers behind the scenes.
“I’ve stepped into producing, and I love it. I want to tell stories that inspire, that entertain, that give people something real,” she says.
Initially, she almost walked away from “Three Cold Dishes.” “I had to speak French, and I was scared. I even offered to help the director find someone else,” she says. “But he told me, ‘You’re doing it.’ And I’m so glad he didn’t let me back out.”
The film, which touches on human trafficking and reclaiming power, is one of her proudest moments. “We shot in Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire—it was a journey.”
Read also: How Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo found her voice in front and behind the camera
The heart behind the spotlight
Behind the glam and accolades, Osas is a fierce mother. Her daughter Azaria is never far from her thoughts — or her sets. Motherhood has shifted her priorities and given her new clarity. “It made me confident. Fierce. I don’t second-guess anymore.”
She credits much of her inner strength to her mother, who passed away a few years ago. “My mum was the kindest, most selfless woman. She gave her all — sometimes too much. I’ve learnt from that. I still want to give, but now I also protect my peace.”
Building more than a name
Osas’ foundation — the Joyful Joy Foundation — is a deeply personal chapter of her life. One moment in particular remains a cornerstone of its impact.
“We were doing an outreach in Bauchi — just a pop-up,” she recalls. “This heavily pregnant woman walked in. She looked like she could collapse at any moment. We ran a quick test and discovered that she had malaria. We treated her right there, that same day. And I remember thinking, This is why we do what we do. This is why Joy’s name lives on.”
Her voice softens as she says, “My sister passed away from malaria. She was also pregnant at the time. So seeing this woman survive because we were there…that’s why we do it. That’s the purpose.”
However, running a foundation isn’t as glamorous as it might look. “The work is hard. Fundraising is tough. Especially now, with the rising cost of things. But my goal is to do at least one outreach a month — more if we can.”
Her signature style (and that one item she can’t live without)
When it comes to fashion, Osas is intentional — but playful. “I see fashion as another form of expression. It’s like acting. What role am I playing today? Am I giving ‘boss lady in a suit’ or ‘glamorous goddess’?”
Her most loved item? “Shoes. Always. I love clothes too, but shoes just speak to me. They make or break the look.”
And her skincare must-have? “Vitamin C serum,” she says without hesitation. “I don’t skip it. It gives me that glow.”
What’s next for Osas?
Osas has her eyes set on bigger creative risks. There’s a role in development that she’s particularly nervous and excited about.
“I can’t say too much, but it’s a role that will stretch me. It’s raw, it’s different, and honestly? I’m scared. But I know it’s part of my journey.”
And yes, the Oscar dream is very much alive. “Of course, I want to win an Oscar. Doesn’t every actor? But more than that, I want to keep telling stories that matter.”
A legacy in motion
When asked about the legacy she hopes to leave behind, Osas hesitates — not because she doesn’t have an answer, but because of the weight of the question.
“I’m always wary about the legacy question,” she says slowly, carefully. “There’s no picture-perfect answer. Everything I do now — how I live and show up — I’m doing it to honour my mum. I know what she left behind. I know the impact she made on my life. So if my legacy will mirror anything, I want it to reflect that same spirit.”
She pauses, more certain now. “I want my legacy to be about giving back. About representing Nigeria on a world stage. I just need to continue to do things that make me happy, help people, glorify God and inspire.”
For Osas, legacy isn’t a destination. It’s in the choices she makes every day. In the risks she takes. The boundaries she redraws. The dreams she says yes to — even when she’s afraid.
“I just want people to know that I gave it my all. That I didn’t sit something out because I was scared. That no matter what came my way…I showed up. I did it.”
Credits
Photography: @ahamibeleme
Makeup: @t.alamodebeauty
Hair: @touchofibee
