Canadian Actress Chi-Chi Onuah talks about her start in entertainment, her heroes and getting into LAMDA

She’s an incredible triple threat actress, singer and mover. Her performances have captivated audiences across the country. Now her dream leads her to move to London, England after being chosen over thousands of applicants to attend the UK’s best drama school LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).

Canadian actress Chi-Chi Onuah is a truly gorgeous and fantastic performer taking drama to her next level. Her wonderful performances in theatre and on stages across Toronto and beyond has led her to win prestigious awards and recognition in North America.

Including her upcoming performance as Isabelle (a nod to Shakespeare’s “Romeo + Juliet”) in “Sweet Sorrow” at Coffee Oysters Champagne in Toronto, and it’s a privilege to find out more about Chi-Chi, the goals she has for herself, who her heroes are, and her journey so far.

Support Chi-Chi and her journey to LAMDA and Donate to her GoFund Me Page

1. Greetings Chi-Chi, congratulations on your promising acting career, it’s a great body of work and we love it. Could you tell us about how it first came about? Chi-Chi : Hey! Thank you so much for all your love and support. I would say that all my life I have had this energy to perform. Perhaps my first real spark of seeing that I could really lean into storytelling was in grade 5 when I was cast in my elementary school’s production of Oliver Twist as one of the alternate Artful Dodgers. That was the first time that I had been cast in a supporting role with my own microphone—a very big deal to an 11 year old! We even had a local newspaper photoshoot and because the role of Dodger had been triple cast, I even had my own night where I played Dodger! I still remember Mr. Terry, who was one of our school teachers and who had been cast as Bill Sykes, told me after the show that he enjoyed my rendition of Dodger and that it was a fun time playing opposite my character. That moment has always stayed with me.

2. We appreciate you. Who were some of your favourite actors, actresses and directors growing up and why?

Chi-Chi : I appreciate you and this space you have created. There are so many actors for me to name that have shaped me into the artist that I am today: Brandy, Raven, and Will Smith especially stand out in my mind. Brandy’s Cinderella with the late great Whitney Houston is the definitive Cinderella film for me, and it was the first time that I saw someone that looked like me being the leading lady. This is a film I always find myself returning to for inspiration, hope. That’s So Raven was my show! I wanted to be Raven's friend and shop through her closet! Plus, seeing a young Black girl lead a TV show showed me that it was possible for me, too. One of my favourite scenes that Will Smith has performed is a very short scene in The Pursuit of Happyness: it’s a non-verbal moment, but Will’s character, Chris Gardner, is holed up in a bathroom with his son in one hand and his legs bracing the bathroom door, blocking anyone from coming in. You can feel him just fighting to keep it all together and as an actor, watching that tragically beautiful moment, that visceral energy is something that I carry with me and want to imbue my work with. When it comes to directors, Kenny Ortega is the first that comes to mind! While I am not a traditionally trained dancer, I do feel like I graduated from the Kenny Ortega Academy of Performing Arts! From constantly watching the dance-alongs to The Cheetah Girls and the High School Musical trilogy to watching Michael Jackson’s This Is It tour, Kenny Ortega is truly a legend, especially when it comes to choreography and directing. It would absolutely be an honour to work with him on a musical project one day.

Photo 2 - Credit - Michael Cooper - Medea-Canadian Opera Company

3. You’ve starred in spectacular theatre productions on stage such as the lead in Romeo & Juliet, Othello, Richard II, Lovely Miss Lina and many more. How would you describe your growth as an actress over the years?

Chi-Chi : Why, thank you! Clearly there is a theme emerging: heightened text is an area of storytelling that I really gravitate towards it feels like magic to speak in a manner that is not familiar to my own, and yet I find ways to make it make sense. To know that I am going to be getting my MA in Classical Acting at one of the world’s top 10 drama schools, and in London…younger me would think I'm a total badass! Additionally, when you list my credits altogether, it may appear that I am constantly booked, but I have taken the slow, scenic route to arrive at this moment. I would describe my growth, in a word, as “bloom.” With how fast social media moves these days, it is too easy to forget that flowers do not bloom year-round, that you need to allow yourself to be planted, and grow at your own pace. My highlight reel of work that I have done so far is something that I am very proud of and so blessed to say that I have done all of these things. But if you knew about the countless “no’s” I have received, largely due to the fact that I am a Black woman…it has been an uphill battle and I am so thankful and grateful to those who have come before me to make the road I currently walk a little smoother. My prayer is to help make it an even smoother path for those waiting in the wings.

Photo 3 - Credit - @gesila.lightplaysociety - Richard II-Dauntless City Theatre

4. Now you recently got into the prestigious LAMDA drama school in London, England. What was your reaction like and how has the journey been so far in raising funds? Chi-Chi : It has been such a surreal year so far! My initial reaction was absolute shock. I remember checking my phone on Family Day in Canada and I saw there was 1 missed call and a voice message from someone in the UK, and I missed the call by 30 mins! I spent the next 24 hours trying to manage my expectations, but the next day when I got another call from the UK, I asked Tamara (love her!) to repeat herself 3x because I simply couldn't believe what I was hearing. After that life changing phone call, I had a dance party, said a thank you prayer to God, and called my parents. Oh, and I treated myself to a nice meal! As an international student, it has been a daunting effort to raise funds to cover my tuition, living expenses, visa application, and healthcare, just to name a few. My family and friends have been showing much love in-person as well as online, and I can’t say thank you enough. I started a GoFundMe as soon as I got the news because I knew that it would need to be a community effort to help make my dream come true. If anyone is able to donate, even a few dollars, I would truly appreciate it. | GoFundMe

Photo 4 - Credit - @jamesgibsonbray - 44th Dora Awards with @tapa_to

5. As a Black talent coming up, we know it hasn't been easy in the industry. What advice would you give the young generation who want to have success in the entertainment industry?

Chi-Chi : The advice I would give to anyone, but especially young Black artists, would be in the form of these quotes: - “Run your race” Find your focus, whatever gets you excited to create, and go at your own speed. - “Delayed does not mean denied” I am a strong believer in God, and I truly believe (even though it can be frustrating in the moment) that God makes you sit out a season because He needs you in the rehearsal studio, on the basketball court doing drills, refining your craft and creating an unshakeable focus so that when it’s your time, you're ready to go! - “Stay ready so you don't have to get ready” - André De Shields A living legend, a kind soul, and someone I am so blessed to have seen in the original production of Hadestown. When legends drop pearls of wisdom, pick ‘em up! Bonus Quote: “Don't talk about what you’re going to do. Don’t just dream about what you’re going to do…you be it. Be about it. Be about that action and go do it” - Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter The blueprint. One of one. My inspiration for being both an artist and a human being. Honestly, just go look up the moving commencement speech Beyoncé gave to the class of 2020 on YouTube. And then get to work.

6. Lastly, what can we expect from you moving forward, any more projects on the way, starring in music videos, short films or more theatre live shows?

Chi-Chi : Before I trade Toronto for Trafalgar Square, I will be performing in Sweet Sorrow, an immersive theatrical experience, presented by Coffee Oysters Champagne in Toronto. Inspired and in a similar style as NYC’s popular Sleep No More production, Sweet Sorrow is a 1920s speakeasy themed and dreamlike retelling of Romeo and Juliet, where the audience masquerade-style masks and follow a thrilling and enticing non-linear story as it unfolds before them. The show runs weekly on Sunday evenings, and as the alternate Isabelle, the fated Juliet, I am currently scheduled to go on from July 20-August 3, so if you want to see my last show in Toronto for a good while, I invite you to pop on by! And do make sure to ask for the wine tour… | Learn more on Instagram: @atoitoronto @coctoronto Follow Chi-Chi Onuah on Instagram, Twitter / X and Tik Tok