Ifeanyi “Anyee” Ogwo is an award-winning Canadian actress based in Toronto, Ontario, who has quickly risen in the film industry with her captivating performances and dedication to her craft. She began her acting career in 2020, securing a supporting role that paved the way for her growing success.
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In 2022, Ifeanyi brought depth and nuance to the character of Elizabeth in Crosses, demonstrating her ability to embody complex roles. Her breakthrough came in 2024 with the psychological thriller The Life Coach, produced by Canadian filmmaker Patricia Bebia. The multi-award-winning film showcased her powerful portrayal of Gary Johnson’s mother, earning critical acclaim and cementing her reputation as a versatile and compelling actress.
Beyond the screen, Ifeanyi is recognized for her authenticity, empathy, and goal-driven approach to storytelling. Her dynamic presence and unwavering commitment to her craft continue to captivate audiences, solidifying her as a rising star in the entertainment industry.
In this exclusive interview with Esther ijewere, she shares her story.
Defining Moment in Acting Career
I would say watching myself on giant cinema screens trumps everything I have experienced since I started acting in 2019! Our film, The Life Coach, has been making rounds in Canadian cinemas since last weekend, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive! It surpassed my expectations and even how far I thought I would go in my acting career. I am just so in love with my craft and finding opportunities to express it that I didn’t even realize how far it could take me. Moreover, hearing the viewers’ feedback about how powerfully my character in the film moved them or how it resonated with their situation made me realize the gravity of the assignment we have undertaken with this film and why the message needs to go as far as possible into the world. The knowledge that people are already experiencing mindset shifts and are willing to confront the hard topics the film addresses just blows me away!
Role in The Life Coach
I would say life had prepared me for that role in ways I didn’t realize at the time. I am a mother in real life, and I have always felt drawn to children with developmental delays. Growing up in Nigeria, I had classmates who had such difficulties, and I clearly recall how they were misunderstood and mistreated by other classmates and even their families. Even though I didn’t understand it at the time, I knew it was wrong and always wished for an opportunity to change things. So, it was no surprise when I entered the workforce as an adult, I found myself gravitating towards human rights advocacy where I could be a voice for the voiceless. In my line of work, I witnessed and was moved by the plight of women in my community bearing the societal burdens of keeping a perfect home and solely handling the challenges that come with bearing those our society terms as “imperfect” children. I knew I had a responsibility to contribute to dismantling those stereotypes and changing the narrative; this film has provided me a strong platform to do so. Additionally, at the time of filming, I was facing deep losses in my life, one of which was the death of my father. I was still in my stages of grief, so I was able to pull from that well of emotion to give life to the character of Adani. All these kept me grounded in my delivery of the role.
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Most Challenging Role
Hands down, my most challenging role was in the short film Crosses. I played the role of a mother who had once lost her chance at love and life and found herself faced with the possibility of losing a second chance that had presented itself. Coincidentally, at the time of filming Crosses, I was again dealing with the loss of a loved one, this time, my mother! The role required me to convey pain and display grief, just like in The Life Coach – but as an actor, that was my first experience handling that range, and even though I was dealing with grief at the time, I had such a struggle with it. However, don’t underestimate the power of a great team. The cast and crew were super supportive, and it turned out to be an award-winning project!
Being a Woman of Rubies
A Woman of Rubies understands her worth and walks in faith, knowing she is here to serve with love and purpose. Like a ruby, she shines, not to overshadow others but to uplift them. Life’s trials have forged her into a resilient and purpose-driven force, turning pain into strength. She embraces kindness, defies stereotypes, and leaves a lasting impact for future generations.
Adani, Gary’s mother in The Life Coach, embodies this spirit. Despite her struggles, she stood strong, pouring her wisdom and love into her son, shaping his success. She is a true Woman of Rubies, a hero in every sense.
Cultural Advocacy in Media Representation
As a race, we all have shared stories that intersect and make us first and foremost human. It is not until we straighten those blurred lines that distort our images that we can ever see ourselves reflected in the lives of other people. Two years ago, I was involved in a BIPOC project led by the Associate Producer of The Life Coach, Babatunde Agunloye. I loved how that project captured the interconnectedness of people from different cultures – all breathing the same air and all bleeding red. It is my hope that we can find common spaces to grow as a people, break down walls that prevent us from seeing each other clearly, and live without bias, stigma, or fear of one another. I love how The Life Coach film exposes ableist attitudes that reduce people with disabilities to their perceived limitations. For too long, those attitudes have hurt us, stunting our growth both as individuals and as a people. This is why I am so happy to be a part of this project and movement for change.
Nollywood’s Growth in Canada
Nollywood is a rich source of cultural knowledge; it is helping audiences learn about our cultural heritage as Nigerians, how or where it intersects or stands out from popular culture. For those of us in the diaspora, seeing our stories reflected in Canada gives us a sense of identity and belonging in a multicultural context. It makes me stand so proud as a Nigerian Canadian. Also, the beauty of Canada is in the power of its diversity, which we should always use to our advantage as storytellers. That way, we break down stereotypes and create a platform to examine traditionally held beliefs that may have impacted our growth as a people, either positively or negatively.
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Inspirational Women
First would be my mother, who was my spiritual/faith inspiration. She set the background/platform for my spiritual growth that has shaped me into the woman of faith I am today. My next woman of inspiration is Maya Angelou, whose selflessness and resilience showed us the power of the human voice to greatly change and impact lives. Like Gary Johnson in The Life Coach, she didn’t have her voice at a young age due to circumstances she had no control over; however, when she found her voice, she used it to illuminate common human struggles and speak for the voiceless. The third would have to be the body of girls/women who struggle daily with internal and external insecurities or seemingly insurmountable odds yet show up and give the best they can in whatever way possible.
Advice for Aspiring Actors
It’s never too late to start; just know your why and be ready to fail forward! You will get rejection, but don’t take it personally; take it forward and be kind to yourself. It also helps to know yourself very well, even if it means taking a personality test to understand the type of person you are and the limitations that may keep you from giving your best. Finally, keep honing your craft because when preparation meets opportunity, the rest, as they say, is history!
Upcoming Projects
I am currently preparing for a stage production at the end of April with the Thorold Community Theatre. This would be one of my most challenging stage roles yet, as it requires that I learn a whole new fictional language, so I am pretty excited to see how it all plays out. Other than that, I am open to and looking out for lead roles in more Canadian and Nollywood productions.
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