Today we’d like to introduce you to Ayoola Ayolola.
Hi Ayoola, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my journey in music and got introduced to the public in West Africa through a music competition called Project Fame West Africa, which I won. That opened the door for me to explore music and, eventually, acting, and I’ve been fortunate to work in some really meaningful film and TV projects like Skinny Girl in Transit, The Men’s Club, Killing of a Nation, and The Chosen, both here in the U.S.
In 2020, I stopped shuttling between Nigeria and the US and moved to the States permanently during the pandemic, which was a big transition. I had to reinvent myself in a new environment, and that pushed me deeper into storytelling and a blend of music, narrative, theatre, and personal story that I’ve been developing and performing.
In a nutshell, I’m an artist who’s passionate about telling human stories, especially those that connect cultures and speak to identity, love, faith, and what it means to grow.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think any meaningful journey is ever completely smooth.
One of the biggest challenges was reinvention. Making a permanent move to the U.S, I went from being well-established in Nigeria to starting again in a place where no one knew my history, my work, or what I’d built. That can be humbling. And to do that in a time where everything felt uncertain was even tougher.
Another struggle has been balance, holding on to artistry while navigating real life. Staying grounded, protecting my mental health, remembering why I started.
But the challenges sharpened me. They forced me to develop patience, resilience, and a stronger sense of identity that isn’t tied to applause or perception. And I think that depth shows up in the work I create now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I describe myself as a storyteller. I express that through music, acting, and now through creating my own stage and screen projects. What ties everything together for me is emotion and truth. Whether I’m singing or playing a character, I’m always trying to communicate something real, something people can feel.
I’m known for roles in projects like The Men’s Club, Skinny Girl in Transit, Killing of a Nation, and The Chosen, among others. And then there’s my live performance work, Ayoola Live, The Purple Couch, which is a live storytelling and music experience that infuses, concert energy, humor, and vulnerability. It’s like sitting in someone’s memory, but with a band behind them.
What I’m most proud of isn’t actually any single show or role. It’s the fact that I’ve kept evolving. Moving from Nigeria to the U.S., starting over, and still choosing to create from a place of honesty, that took courage. I’m proud of that growth.
What sets me apart, I think, is that I’m not performing to impress, I’m performing to connect. I don’t just want you to watch, I want you to see yourself in the story. I work in a way that makes the audience feel like we’re in the same room, the same heartbeat, experiencing the same thing.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I appreciate most about Houston is the community energy. It’s a place where cultures really blend, you meet people from all over the world, and you don’t have to minimize who you are to fit in. That makes it a great city for creativity and for building meaningful relationships.
What I like least is just the distance between everything. The city is wide, so it takes effort to stay connected and find your creative circle. But once you do, the support and collaboration here are really special.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayo_olla/
Image Credits
Ayoola Ayolola
