Nigerian-American actress and comedian Ego Nwodim shared candid insights about her experiences with fan feedback and career milestones during The Hollywood Reporter’s Comedy Actress Roundtable on May 29, 2024.
At the roundtable, Nwodim joined fellow comedians Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Michelle Buteau, Quinta Brunson, and Renée Elise Goldsberry to discuss various aspects of their careers. Nwodim recounted some of the harsh comments she received on social media during her early days. “I started doing comedy podcasts before SNL, and people would find me on Instagram. One comment said, ‘I’m pissed off you look like this,’ and I thought, ‘Okay,’” she shared.
Despite the negative feedback, Nwodim spoke positively about her transformative moment on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). She described her portrayal of Lisa from the TV show “Tula” as a significant breakthrough, even though she didn’t write the sketch herself. “Playing Lisa from ‘Tula’ felt so natural and fun. People who knew me or had listened to my podcasts said it was the most authentic thing they’d seen me do on the show,” Nwodim said.
She highlighted the importance of trusting the process, especially during a challenging week. “That week, I only got seven hours of sleep on a writing night, which was unusual. I felt like I had done everything I could, working really hard. Lauren always tells me, ‘The audience doesn’t care who works the hardest,’ and that would frustrate me,” she said.
Nwodim emphasized that letting go and embracing the moment led to an unexpectedly rewarding experience. “I surrendered to the process. I didn’t write that sketch, yet it became a significant moment for me on the show. Initially, we didn’t even think the sketch would make it to air,” she concluded.
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