2026-07-06 19:34:35 ‘Crazy Eyes’ actress Uzo Aduba is crazy about fans – NEW WTOP Skip to main content

‘Crazy Eyes’ actress Uzo Aduba is crazy about fans

By WTOP Staff

NICOLE EVATT
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Orange Is the New Black” actress Uzo Aduba is flooded with marriage proposals these days.

“People on the street, people on Twitter ask, ‘Can I be your prison wife?’ I’m like you know, ‘Name the day and the time,'” Aduba joked.

Aduba plays Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren on the Netflix Inc. original series about a women’s prison.

She’s nominated for an Emmy Award for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series along with her “Orange” co-stars Laverne Cox and Natasha Lyonne.

Fan reaction also includes questions about her character’s unique hairstyle and her most memorable quotes. “‘Chocolate and vanilla swirl,’ always. Throwing pie, dandelions, that they’re not crazy, they’re unique,” she said. “For it to be received the way it has been, it’s humbling.”

For Aduba, the role is much more than Suzanne’s quirky hairdo and scene-stealing one-liners. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, the Nigerian-American actress said she’s thrilled to be involved in a show that is pushing boundaries and shattering stereotypes.

AP: Is the discussion about the lack of diversity in Hollywood overblown?

Aduba: I don’t think it’s overblown if I’m speaking candidly. I think the attraction is the freshness of it, the uniqueness of it. I think that’s what the thirst is for, something else and different and new with regards to diversity, with regards to gender, with regards to orientation representation, with regards to the number of each of those things on a singular show. I think all of those things brought together is what is exciting and thrilling for people to see on the show.

AP: The series has a number of celebrity fans, including your friend Lupita Nyong’o. How did you meet?

Aduba: We met some years ago in this play ‘Eclipsed’ (written by) another friend of ours Danai Gurira, who’s on ‘The Walking Dead.’ … We did (the play) together and she’s just so phenomenally talented and just so beautiful from her heart to her work as well. Just like phenomenal.

AP: Nyong’o has had an extraordinary year, including her Oscar win.

Aduba: It makes me proud. It just makes me happy. It makes me want to beam because I root (for her), and if I could have pom-poms, like you know what I mean, I would carry them. … You feel like this is a person whose head and spirit is of the right place. … And you stepping into this (success), it’s like yes, that’s exactly how it should be.

AP: There’s a stereotype about women in Hollywood not getting along. Has that been your experience?

Aduba: There is a myth out in the world that women can’t work together. And I don’t know if it’s a chicken or an egg thing or what, but … it’s not true. … I think it’s an idea that is put out there maybe to divide and conquer. … It’s something that I just have to write off as being a lie. If you bring good people together, regardless of their gender … they’re going to collaborate and support each other and that’s going to happen. And that’s what I feel like I’m a part of on ‘Orange.’

AP: What was it like to receive an Emmy nomination?

Aduba: The word is bananas or crazy (pause) eyes. … I just love to act. I like to make good work. And I like to tell good stories, and I’m just thankful, humbled and grateful that people are enjoying it as much as we enjoyed making it, you know?

AP: Do you have an Emmy dress picked out?

Aduba: I have no idea yet. I dream in color and I have visions of feelings and energies that I would love to feel.

AP: How would you like to feel on Emmy night?

Aduba: Beautiful and full. Those two things: beautiful and full.

_____

Follow Nicole Evatt at http://twitter.com/NicoleEvatt

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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