Uzo Aduba: Restoring Joy & The Road Ahead with Her Mother's Legacy

Get ready, because this week in The Coop, we’ve got the one-and-only—Uzo Aduba. You know her as the unforgettable Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren from Orange is the New Black, but Uzo’s story is so much bigger than her iconic characters. Her new book, The Road is Good, dives into a life filled with resilience, joy, and the unstoppable strength and spunk she inherited from her mother.

Growing up as a Nigerian-American in a Boston suburb, Uzo faced challenges fitting in but learned to embrace her identity (and gorgeous tooth gap), thanks to her mother's wisdom and love. Her mom’s lessons—like insisting people learn her name instead of changing it—taught Uzo about self-worth and pride. Uzo nearly walked away from acting, but on the very day she quit, she got the call for Orange is the New Black and life’s trajectory took a powerful, joyful turn.

Oh, and did we mention Uzo is a classically trained opera singer, former figure skater, AND a track star? Holy talent, people.

This episode is packed with joy, grit, and laughs as we explore staying true to your roots, and your Mama. So, trust the stage—let the universe do its thing—and join us in The Coop for this unforgettable and heartfelt conversation with Uzo Aduba.