Yvonne Orji is a massively acclaimed actress. She’s won a number of awards and even secured an Emmy nomination for her role on Insecure. Though the show ended in 2021 it’s still the most defining and impressive role of her career thus far. Since the show ended she’s appeared in a number of comedy films and TV shows doing both live-action acting and voice work.
Now in a new interview, Orji is once again expanding on an element of her personal life that has fascinated fans for years. In an interview with Essence, she discussed still being a virgin at 39 years old. “Let me tell you right now…pray for him, whoever he is; ya’ll need to pray for him because there’s a lot of pent-up energy up in here,” she joked about whoever she eventually does get married to. She went on to explain how the costume designer on Insecure helped her make the show’s sex scenes look realistic. Read the entire interview below.
This isn’t the first time that Orji’s virgin status has been a matter of public intrigue. She first revealed to fans that she was still a virgin as a 33 year old all the way back in 2017. The actress confessed at the time that her plan was to wait until marriage, something she seems to still be sticking to. She also expressed the importance of talking about her decisions. She wanted to destigmatize the choices she was making, something fans have appreciated.
A few years later a fan on twitter called Orji the “meanest” celebrity she’s ever met. When Orji saw the tweets online, she apologized for the unintended consequences of the situation. “”Hey Crystal, I’m saddened that’s how you left the event feeling after an encounter with me. Truly wasn’t my intention to make you feel anything less than the beautiful woman you are,” she replied. What do you think of Yvonne Orji’s thoughts on still being a virgin at 39 years old? Let us know in the comment section below.
Gone are the days when Saturday Night Live was the only show of its kind. On August 2, 2019, HBO debuted a unique sketch comedy program made and performed exclusively by Black women: A Black Lady Sketch Show. Creator Robin Thede and her talented cast have been rewarded for their genius with no less than 13 Emmy nominations.
The series has been praised for its talented and diverse cast, recurring characters, foreboding post-apocalyptic framing devices, and abundance of jokes. It highlights the comedic chops of Black women and provides an inspiring example of a program that places them in the forefront without making their skin color an issue. In addition to being revolutionary, it also innovates traditional sketch comedy by taking it to odd and unexpected places. Don’t expect conventional skits here; A Black Lady Sketch Show features fantasies with genies, otherworldly purgatories, and even episodes featuring amnesia. All in all, if you have an appetite for the strange and wacky, this show is for you.
1. No Makeup
When Thede’s character arrived late for work every day due to her lengthy makeup routine, her colleagues proposed she forgo her daily beauty rituals or risk losing her job. This all-too-familiar scenario has been experienced by many women when one time without a full face of cosmetics leads to questions like, “Are you sick?” and “You look tired.” Taking the concept to an exaggerated level, Thede’s response to ditching makeup resulted in her near-deathly appearance, serving as a reminder that sometimes foregoing concealer is not worth the risk.
2. Bad B*tch Support Group
It is difficult to stay a bad b*tch all the time, but fortunately, the “Bad B*tch Support Group” is here to help. They discuss problems like looking prim and proper for their man and dressing in head-to-toe highlighter, lashes, and three-inch heels. Maya opened up about how sometimes she desires to just ‘be ok’ rather than fabulous. This comment shocked the other ladies, yet Angela Bassett reassured everyone that it was alright not to be perfect now and then, but still not be basic.
Suddenly, a twist started when sinister music began, and they noticed two representatives from a fast fashion retail company spying on them through a two-way mirror. It was a trial to test some drug that would make women feel that impossible beauty standards were achievable. After all, if Fashion Nova couldn’t sell its clothes to bad b*tches, who else?
3. Chris & Lachel: Exit Row
Chris and Lachel, coming fresh off their wedding in Season 1, reappear in Episode 5 on a mission to make their honeymoon. Yvonne Orji stars as a flight attendant asking for an affirmative answer from the couple seated in the exit row, following Chris’ struggle to verbalize in the preceding sketch. But Chris and Lachel give her quite a runaround, replying with “bet” and “yerp” instead of a simple “yes.”
Lachel takes a different approach, attempting to barter for snacks and a blanket. Chris builds upon this by suggesting a pretzel blanket. The dilemma is solved when Broderick Hunter catches Lachel’s eye, prompting them to switch seats. It’s not a smooth start to newlywed life, yet they’ll manage it on their trip.
4. Courtroom Kiki
In the Season 1 finale of A Black Lady Sketch Show, “Courtroom Kiki,” a memorable skit made its mark. With guests Issa Rae and Yvette Nicole Brown, it became one of the most discussed aspects of the show. It featured a room of all African-American women, including Rae playing the defendant and Brown acting as judge. After two decades on the bench, Brown noted a sight she had never witnessed. Though the case resulted in favor of Rae, it was celebrated with jubilation by the whole court. A unified chant of “Black lady courtroom, clap clap!” was heard in joyous unison.
5. Get The Belt
Reniece had an unenviable task – to remain obedient and dodge her mother’s belt. With her brother failing, she was determined not to suffer a similar fate. She assiduously completed her mother’s simple tasks, setting herself up for success. However, when her mom nodded off, Reniece ensured she would be the victor by indulging in her own show. Fortunately, disaster was averted upon her brother’s entry, who left the door wide open. Yet, despite appearing guilty, Reniece, fortunately, escaped punishment. Thede, one of the announcers, saved her from harm.
6. Purgatory Soul Food
Dennis and Brunson went to a local Black eatery, “Eat All-nite,” to get some lunch on Saturday. However, this place had issues: limited biscuits, not enough staff, missing dishes, plus a pay-to-pee policy. Undaunted by the obstacles, they remained determined to show their support. Then the problems kept mounting: bring-your-own utensils, a $65 spending minimum, and someone trying to steal leftovers. Despite all that, their meals were delicious, and the waitress was friendly. Yet they kept returning to the restaurant’s entrance no matter which way they tried to leave. The oxtails, however, were superb.
7. Product Purge
A Black Lady Sketch Show astounded viewers with the Emmy-winning “Save My Edges, I’m a Donor!” This hotly anticipated sketch featured the unique idea of a communal purge held to return unsatisfactory products. The 12-minute period allowed people to return anything with no restrictions or paperwork. Led by a large cast, the scene had boisterous enthusiasm and dynamic action.
Director Bridget Stokes expressed her admiration for this sketch in an interview with Essence: “I was particularly impressed with everyone’s performance. Everyone worked together in great unity to make sure that each stunt and move were executed perfectly.” The skit ended on a familiar note, allowing participants to use their refunds for more purchases.
8. Reunited & It Feels So Weird
Old friends reunited in Fiji, joyfully greeting one another before all being shocked by a stranger’s unexpected arrival. Messica makes her presence known, chloroforming Brunson as she claims to be part of their group. Amazement follows as an identical set of women also step forward, prompting bewilderment. The original gang no longer doubts Messica won’t tag along on their holiday.
9. Funeral Ball
At a memorial service for the beloved, the departed are remembered jubilantly with a twist. Black tradition calls it not a funeral but a “homegoing service” or “celebration of life.” Dancers from the voguing scene in A Black Lady Sketch Show were cast alongside those from the ballroom. They celebrate the commonalities between Black and queer communities, uniting them all in laughter and joy. Moments like these remind us that inclusion is as essential to comedy as the jokes themselves.
10. Rude Poisoning
At the family reunion, tensions ran high. Tyler James Williams and Kim Wayans appeared in this sketch to show the conflict between loving reunions and generational differences. When arguments began to bubble up, Williams resorted to playing Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison” to lighten the mood. It worked; everyone was drawn into the beat and unable to keep from dancing. Even as Williams and Dennis argued, the music paused hostilities.
Yvonne Orji has broken new ground with a new comedy special, A Whole Me, that premieres on HBO at 10 pm on October 1st.
“Not only is October 1st, Nigerian Independence Day but shout out to HBO for giving me the dopest release date for my SECOND HBO special! It’s bout to be a whole lottta Jollof and Afrobeats thumpin!,” said Orji.
The new, full-length special follows her 2020 debut special. Mama, I Made It!,A Whole Me, which promises to bring the audience all the drama, vulnerability, and realness that her previous shows have given.
Documenting Orji’s evolving views and experiences of universal themes we all encounter, like “dating, adulting, and why guys need better friends,” the special brings some much-needed levity to life and dating in the modern age. Orji brings her signature style to the special. Her unabashed vulnerability and mix of genuine heartfelt authenticity bring healing to the star and take the audience along for the ride.
Performed and filmed in downtown LA, Orji takes the audience into a therapy session and narrates the entire performance. With a lively mix of scripted vignettes and live stand-up comedy, the actress offers her point of view with sensitivity and frankness that gives exceptional, genuine warmth and depth.
Orji explores her own history, giving her unique takes on the complexities of growing up the child of Nigerian immigrants, her hilarious takes on issues such as estate planning and the covid pandemic, and the brutal horror of attempting to date in an online world. All things her audience finds deeply relatable.
No stranger to HBO comedy specials, Her debut special for HBO was 2020’s “Mama I Made It!“. This break-out installment explored Orji’s progression from a pre-med student to the unlikely position of stand-up comic, her incredibly strict Nigerian-American upbringing, and all the unforeseen, heartfelt, and funny experiences that brings.
Best known for her role as Molly on HBO’s “Insecure” Orji would receive an Emmy nomination for her portrayal in 2020.
She has also hosted Amazon Prime’s “Yearly Departed,” a comedy special that gives some funny takes on the year-in-review. HBO’s dating reality series “My Mom, Your Dad” also used the star as a captivating host.
The up-and-comer also has some exciting work in development. Her next project includes some really high-profile industry names. Orji is in development for a semi-autobiographical comedy series called “First Gen.” This will premiere on Disney Plus and features the talents of Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo as executive producers for the show.
Yvonne Orji is definitely someone to keep an eye on. With two exciting specials on the horizon and one success already under her belt, it is hard to deny that Yvonne Orji is a talent on the rise.
