For Orange Is The New Black star Uzo Aduba, better known to faithful Netflix account holders as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren’s success hasn’t been the easiest.
The day Aduba was casted for OITNB was the day she was going to quit acting. Little did the theater actress know that the countless number of auditions for TV shows she dragged herself to would soon pay off in a major way, not only monetarily but ultimately fulfilling her dreams of being a well respected actress. Harper’s Bazaar chose the unrelenting star as one of the women to tell their personal journey in their 2014 Women Who Dare Issue. From her families opinion of her career to winning an Emmy for her cult hero “Crazy Eyes”, and her own definition of daring.
Vixens, continue clicking to find out what makes Uzo Aduba one of Harper’s Bazaar Women Who Dare as she gives daring a new definition.
Photo Credit(s): Harper’s Bazaar
On her families opinion her taking up acting as a full time career:
“My family is from Nigeria, and when I was a kid, my parents wanted me to be a lawyer,” she says. “I thought, ‘You aren’t meant to be an actor. This isn’t for you.’ “
On her she molded her iconic character:
“Suzanne was described to me as innocent like a child, except children aren’t scary,” says Aduba, 33. “Whatever she does comes from a place of curiosity.” The eyes “I focused on last.” She laughs. “Like when she winks, she thinks she’s doing it with one eye, but it’s with both. She just can’t quite nail it.”
On how she characterizes daring:
“Taking all risks and chances. It took me a long time to arrive at that—you know, from my gap teeth to my name. I’m realizing, You don’t need to change anything about yourself. This is who you are, and it’s okay. That’s daring.”