I’ve always had a thing for performing — even before I knew what that really meant. As a kid growing up in Houston, I was the one always cracking jokes in class, telling stories at the wrong time, just trying to make people laugh or react. My parents used to say I always had to be the center of attention. Looking back, I think that was the first sign.
But coming from a Nigerian household, being the “funny kid” didn’t exactly line up with the expectations we had at home. My mom was a caregiver, my dad a correctional officer — hard work and discipline were the foundation of everything. And when it came time to choose extracurriculars, the natural path, given my size and athletic ability, was football. Even though there was a quiet part of me that wanted to try theater, I wasn’t quite ready to veer off the course my family had in mind.
So I suited up. Football gave me structure, purpose — and surprisingly, a similar thrill to performing. Running out under stadium lights, feeling the crowd, making big plays — it felt like a show in its own right. I poured everything into it. I ended up being nationally ranked and earned multiple Division I scholarships. For three years, I played college ball with dreams of going pro.
Then I got hurt. A serious back injury changed everything. That moment could’ve broken me — I won’t lie, it shook my identity — but it also gave me space to remember that younger version of myself, the one who used to light up watching movies with my family or telling stories in class. That old passion started coming back into focus.
So I made a decision. I told myself, finish your degree like a regular student — no pads, no games — and then go after acting with the same intensity you gave football. I knew I couldn’t treat it like a hobby. If I was going to do this, I had to commit fully. That meant starting from scratch and giving it everything I had.
I moved to New York City and enrolled at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. I had no blueprint, no safety net — just that same mindset I carried through years of athletics: work hard, show up, don’t complain. That work ethic became my edge. People think acting is all about talent, but really, it’s about consistency, collaboration, and showing up prepared — just like sports.
Since graduating in 2019, I’ve been steadily building. I’ve had the chance to write, direct, and star in short films like Bad Match and Heaven Spot, and lead in the mini-series Mr. Hill’s Adorable Wife. I had the surreal opportunity to perform live in the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Moby-Dick — a massive stage, high pressure, and a performance I’ll never forget. Most recently, I wrapped a feature film alongside some incredibly talented individuals. I can’t share too much yet, but it’s a project I’m proud of— and one that marks a new chapter in the journey.
I still carry my roots with me — Houston pride, my Nigerian heritage, my family’s values. But more than anything, I live by one truth: you water a plant long enough and it’ll grow. That’s what I’ve done — whether on the field or on the stage — and it’s what I encourage anyone chasing a dream to do. Keep watering. Stay patient. Keep showing up. The growth will come.
Find out more about Cordell at CordellIjoma.com
