Yvonne Orji: Starting From The Bottom & Landing Insecure

Mona and JR sit down with Emmy winner and comedy powerhouse Yvonne Orji, who hilariously unpacks what it truly means to start from the bottom. From her Nigerian upbringing, where her parents dreamed of her becoming a doctor, to the sheer terror of breaking the news that she was chasing a career in comedy instead, Yvonne shares how defying expectations brought plenty of struggles-and plenty of laughs. She recounts the early days of her comedy hustle, learning on the job as an actress on HBO’s Insecure, and how the role of Molly was the break that almost wasn’t. Plus, she opens up about her complicated, often comical relationship with Jesus, which inspired her book Bamboozled by Jesus. Get ready to laugh, learn about Nigerian culture, and be inspired by her incredible story of resilience.

[@sydonnierobinson5688]

I love when she imitates her parents. She is hilarious 😂

[@VegasKandy48]

Yesss😂😂

[@mymixkicks7223]

Why do I love the name of this podcast so much????

[@deborahwilliams7489]

FEAR - false evidence appearing real. Ladies, this was a powerful 56:09! I laughed and cried and sometimes both. Yvonne is truly a powerhouse of talent and deserves all good things moving forward. Shame Laurel, Maryland caught a stray though, lol!

[@jscript22]

As a first gen Caribbean American THIS interview speaks to me! When Yvonne said “ your 70% is someone 120%” yoooo I feel seen lol. I’m a whole doctor and feel like I have only met 30% of my goals.

[@brittanymcneil50]

2gs

[@TatianaInBalance]

I was already a fan of this podcast, but this episode exceeded my expectations! The conversation, the vibe, and the laughter. I loved the relaxed atmosphere; it felt like just girl friends catching up, and all you needed was a glass of wine. I could not stop laughing!🫶🏽

[@Dr.Chi_]

Yoooo!! That Nigerian Mom thing being the voice of your Ego is sooo real. 😂😂😂

[@chessmack]

This interview was such a breath of fresh air. 💕 Love Yvonne Orji!

[@Fluuuv]

Yvonne is a hoot 😂😂Her Nigerian diaspora experience is so spot on.

[@lateishaclement]

This episode, right here, was so fire! I loved the glow up, so to speak, that really derived from continued (and consistent) faith. I've read "Bamboozled by Jesus." But, that didn't deter me from getting gems from hearing Yvonne tell her story again. There's always something you can learn by repetition. I will continue being consistent because this is truly inspirational. I also think (no, I believe) I need to reread her book because it's timely, in this season of my life, again. It's evergreen. Thank you ladies for this amazing interview!

[@jesusisable7052]

We would have took you back girl we love you in little laurel Md you better put us on the map ❤😂🎉

[@lindsainicole]

I could have watched this for several hours. I can’t get enough of Yvonne Orji!!!

[@bugginout3169]

I love a fresh conversation with no fences. It’s like setting off on a road trip with no map and taking every side road. This was so much fun!

[@rhondapowell-sargeant]

I loved this interview. It was like listening to three friends conversing about life. Awesome! ❤❤❤

[@sandracole6706]

I absolutely love watching you ladies! Your podcast is such a breath of fresh air-classy, inspiring, and so needed in today’s media landscape. Thank you for showcasing a side of the culture that truly deserves to be seen. Dr. Sandy

[@nataliepedota5459]

Love Yvonne Orji💚 What a pleasant surprise!

[@osobbotan9774]

The gems dropped in this episode were everything! I’m such a perfectionist and have a big fear of failure, but hearing that my 120% is someone else’s 70% was so eye-opening. My goal this year is to let go of the fear and stop chasing perfection!

[@ourbreakthroughpodcast9353]

I freaking LOVE her!!! That’s all.

[@lydianimley8693]

Congratulations, Yvonne! I am very proud of you. Your story is extremely inspiring. There are some things that you said in several segments of your story that make a whole lot of difference for me to hear. The ones told between the 45th - 50th minutes (your first movie set) are hilarious, but also so spot on for me, reminiscent of the time we worked together at PSI, Liberia (2008/2009)! Even though we were friends before PSI (when you first came to Liberia), when you came to volunteer at PSI, I was going through such a horrible time in my personal life. So, when you were just being you, I use to get so angry at you - same sentiments as you felt on that movie set! I remember trying to resign a couple of times. I am so glad that I hear you speak this way now. Your faith stance is also very beautiful!

[@marlajefferson7244]

What an episode! So many gems.,

[@JulissaMPerez]

I could listen to this all day. Thank you for bringing us joy.

[@eunicejp7624]

Yvonne!!! ❤ nice show Ladies love from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@onyeo.4345]

Igbo Kwenu!!!😂🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

[@linda_lawson]

Congrats on getting Yvonne! Love her.

[@Showstoppers4kid]

I didn’t know I needed this interview in my life. Fighting back the tears as I write this because first of all I thought I was the only person that talked to God and if God didn’t tell me to do it, I didn’t do it, but actually, I did it. I listen to the devil and regretted it later, but I love thatYvonne listens to God cause I do too and he’s telling me all the time what to do is sometimes I’m not listening to him, but sometimes I do even when he I didn’t wanna do it.

[@tynishadavis2537]

This was THE BEST!! 😂

[@knl5330]

Love Yvonne Orji!! She is Hilarious! Laughed so much when I saw her stand up in person.

[@thomas.r.wilson2867]

I love the outfits you girls are wearing, 🤩😍🤩💯👍

[@nca4794]

Laurel vs LA.😂 Ngl I'd choose Montgomery County, MD over Laurel AND LA. Great conversation. I've been on a pivot for almost three years, with the past 10 months solely dedicated to my purpose. It's tough some days, but Yvonne hit the nail on the head when she said she doesn't want someone else eating her fruit. When you've come so far, it's scarier to give up when you know you're close to your breakthrough than you were yesterday. That's what keeps me going. That, and feeling confident that I'm finally exercising my gift. 🙏🏾

[@pattymcsnackers]

Yvonne! I love listening to her talk! Keep soaring girl!

[@adjuaadama6623]

I'm sitting here watching this in Laurel, MD. cracking up! Much love to Yvonne. 😆 I will say that - regarding the comedy scene - when I first moved here in 2002 Laurel used to have a venue on Main Street next to Rt. 1 that would host some of the biggest names in black comedy. This is where I saw D.L. Hughley and Sommore back then, and I believe Monique performed there as well, among others. We sit about half way between D.C. and Baltimore, in between 295 and 95, so we get a lot of through traffic between them, and back then it was nice to not have to go into the city to see big name shows. Unfortunately, that only lasted a few years, and that venue was torn down.

[@BeautyMarkCoaching]

Molly is iconic!! She is an amazing actress ❤️❤️

[@bodtc]

YO is just so much goodness! Love her and I love how she interacts with our Father God 😅

[@graceolagunju7174]

This episode was amazing!! It literally has me in laughter! Love Yvonne Orji!!!

[@WhatsNews2Day]

Do you tithe on Gross or Net!? I’m hollering and in tears laughing!!!!😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Dr.Chi_]

🇳🇬🙋🏾‍♀️ I chose the path where you go to medical school AND married a doctor AND gave birth to 2 sons….THEN break the divorce to my parents…ALL of this is hitting.

[@alisiadowning8675]

Anywhere Orji is speaking is for me!

[@shimalovespeaks3472]

If there’s any possibility for a Kiki with a louder guest, would it be impossible to test audio clarity before getting started with the interview? The acoustics in this space are probably great for choral performances - not so much for the kind of casual conversations you’re facilitating. Looking forward to future uploads! ❤

[@tfh5575]

this comment is sending me

[@margarettnwankpah927]

She knows how to hustle! That mind set is survival mode = success!

[@Designwithchomba]

This was such a beautiful episode and so inspiring found it at the right time❤

[@lifewithjess6713]

Caribbean first generation watching this while in medical school 😂😂

[@marcelinekakudji5826]

Love her!!! She is hilarious!!❤❤

[@zaritawalker80]

PG County! Great interview.

[@dianamwale2241]

I just lovvveee Ynonne Orjiiiiii😂😂😂

[@sendingloveandlight140]

Great Interview 🎉

[@africanessence]

Igbo kwezuonu! Nde Owerri represent!! Hi Yvonne :) love the episode :)

[@AlieshiaTV]

Omg I was like what happened to the episode. Glad it’s back!

[@Passion84GodAlways]

OMGOSH!!!! Y'ALL GOT YVONNE ORJI!!!! I CAN'T WAITTTTT!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🙏🏾

[@saraya3757]

Yvonne is hilarious

[@Poohsister8]

I love ❤️ 😍 💖 ❣️ 💕 💘 that anchor voice!

[@ms.maxwell]

This was wonderful!

[@ItsJustMiyaM]

Great episode! I really enjoy the platform you're building and I look forward to what's to come.

[@tiffanyagyarko6295]

amazinggg guesttt!! amazinggg interview

[@threejeans6084]

This was so much fun to watch! But, I'll never forget...do you tithe on gross 😂?

[@Freethepeoples123]

loved this episode

[@olaitano412]

Yvonne!!!🇳🇬

[@NyleveRenee]

Amazing!!! ❤❤❤

[@cynthia8517]

Hi Ladies! I love your show, but the sound of this episode is not good. Blessings to a continued successful journey 🙏🏽🙌🏽

[@Poohsister8]

Nigerians unite!

[@GG-hereheyguys]

Loved this ❤🎉

[@Lifeisagift5774]

Igbo kwenu!!!! Heyyyyy!!!!!! 👋

[@heyerikan]

Yayyy!!!

[@BlaqJuelz]

This is the first well maybe second full interview I've watched and you both are more relaxed here. Its not so formal. This may work better for yall

[@Kmvxh4wn]

Girl....Why she dogging Laurel so bad. LOL. But also she's right 🤣

[@jenng5925]

Love this episode! Did you use a different camera for this episode? The lighting is different.

[@lanitavance8209]

Maybe. Because they're sitting in front of the window

[@AlieshiaTV]

Gmail is free 😂😂

[@balance733]

thiS lookS/soundz interestinG...✨💌✨

[@lydial7530]

The acoustics on the pod of this interview was not great but enjoyed the episode. As a 1st gen American I feel like we all have the same story.

[@tfh5575]

omg the doctor path while in undergrad…so relatable

[@AlieshiaTV]

The last place I want to be is in a kitchen lol

[@rukiamire8746]

Love the pod! But the audio quality in this episode is trashh :(

[@discourcewithdee]

they’re clearly at a different location.

[@tomiwa395]

This was amazing. However speaking in tongues isn’t biblical. I know that was mentioned during this conversation.

[@boipelop6522]

🫶🏾

[@mrs.hopson9426]

Is it me or does she look like the actor on girlfriends

[@melissad.9050]

They do have similarities, would say twins but I see it😊

[@ericaco6093]

I want to love this Podcast but the mics are not it.

[@LowkeyAlchemy]

I'm sorry that wig is too distracting. I know how y'all like to tussle so I'll see myself out. 🚶🏾‍♀️

[@HighlyFavor3dWon]

This was OUTSTANDING, LOVESSSSS ME SOME YVONNE ORJI 👑🎊🤌🏾💐🥳 Prayer's fpr continual blessings your way!

[@avbroooo]

AutoPAY, that's a flex we all deserve to play! Much success to all who read this comment too. May The Lord immensely bless YOU. 🫶🏾