From Nike and Google commercials to the internationally recognized Madrid Short Film Festival, Hilary Ijieh’s fearless creativity is redefining what global storytelling looks like.

At just 21, Hilary Ijieh left behind her life in Cape Town, South Africa, to chase a dream that had been calling her since childhood. Of Nigerian descent, with a Yoruba mother and an Igbo father, Hilary grew up surrounded by stories, culture, and courage. Her journey took her from South Africa to Los Angeles, where she earned her MFA in Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy, graduating with a 4.0 GPA amid a global pandemic and the loss of her father to COVID-19.

Despite such heartbreak, she emerged stronger than ever. Today, Hilary has worked with brands like Nike, Meta, Shutterstock, and Google, appeared on sets such as Abbott Elementary, The Joker, and Winning Time, and earned international recognition on the festival circuit with films like Bare with BRCA and Black Woman White Man, the latter winning her Best Supporting Actress at the Madrid Short Film Festival.

Her story is one of resilience, representation, and radiant creativity, the kind of journey that reminds you why Hollywood’s heart still beats for dreamers.

Q: Your journey began in Cape Town and took you all the way to Los Angeles for your MFA. What was the most challenging part of leaving home at 21, and how did that experience shape your determination to succeed in Hollywood?

Hilary: The most challenging part was definitely picking up and leaving everything I knew to pursue a life and career on the other side of the world. I was, and still am, so lucky to have people who supported my goals, even when it wasn’t easy.

I moved in January 2020, and within five weeks, the world shut down. Suddenly, I was taking acting classes over Zoom from my tiny LA apartment. But through it all, I learned that things take the time they take, and that I don’t have to be in a rush. Life isn’t linear. I’m learning when to rest and when to run.

Q: What role does your cultural background play in the stories you want to tell and the representation you hope to bring to the industry?

Hilary: My story is special, I was born in post-apartheid South Africa to Nigerian parents. Racism, xenophobia, sexism, and my mother’s fear all shaped how I moved through the world. It wasn’t easy for immigrants to succeed during that time, but my parents found a way, and I’m the result of their hard work.

I have such deep love and respect not only for my Nigerian heritage, but also for South Africa and the chosen family I built there. I want to honor all those who came before me by telling my story, and in turn, theirs, honestly and earnestly.

Q: From background roles on sets like Abbott Elementary and The Joker to leading a national commercial for Google Shopping, what moments stand out to you as turning points in your career?

Hilary: Definitely the callback for the Google Shopping commercial. I remember walking into a room full of executives and somehow just knowing it was mine. I connected instantly with the director, it felt like he knew I was there to solve his casting problem. That moment taught me that what’s meant for me will find me.

Another turning point was creating And They Were Roommates (ATWR), a SAG-affiliate web series I co-wrote, produced, and starred in with my friend and fellow South African, Angelique Munyange. It started as a passion project but became something much bigger. That experience made me realize that I can build my own opportunities; I don’t have to wait for them.

Q: Your films Bare with BRCA and Black Woman White Man have both circulated internationally. What did that recognition mean to you as an actor?

Hilary: Honestly, I like to pretend I’m not being perceived; it helps my mental health, so getting real recognition was surreal. Actors face rejection constantly, so that kind of external validation felt amazing.

Black Woman White Man ended up being screened in nearly a dozen festivals around the world, and when we first made it, it was just a group of friends trying to tell a story. To see it travel that far and win at Madrid, that was wild. It reminded me that you never know what’s going to resonate, so I try to approach every role with enthusiasm.

Q: You’ve worn many hats — actor, model, vlogger, and even scareactor at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. How do these experiences feed into your artistry?

Hilary: You never know which random skill will land you your next job! I got cast in HBO’s Winning Time because I knew how to roller skate. I showed up with purple eyeshadow and a red lip and ended up sitting right behind one of the leads.

My other skills, dancing, singing, hosting, athletics they all help. I even got to scare Pedro Pascal once while working at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which was definitely one of the most fun gigs I’ve ever had!

I think the best thing an actor can do is go live. Every experience adds something to your craft.

Q: Looking ahead, what kind of roles or projects excite you most, and what message do you hope your journey sends to others?

Hilary: I’m really drawn to action roles. I’m sporty by nature, so the idea of training or doing stunts is exciting. But I also tell other actors to stay open, don’t box yourself in. You never know what role might stretch you or teach you something new.

And above all, don’t let rejection or shame stop you. Everything you want is on the other side of being cringe. Life will move with or without you, so start living it now.

Q: You also share your journey on YouTube and TikTok. How does that part of your career inspire you?

Hilary: I love connecting with people who are walking a similar path. There aren’t many African-born actors in LA sharing their stories openly, so I keep my DMs open for anyone who has questions about studying film, moving to the U.S., or navigating culture shock.

I’ve even met five followers who ended up studying at NYFA because they found my videos. That’s been the sweetest part, realizing my story can help someone else take their first step.

Q: Finally, what advice would you give to other young African actors dreaming of Hollywood?

Hilary: Don’t wait to be discovered at a café, this journey takes real work, and you’ll need a strong support system. Don’t let your “cast-ability” define your self-worth.
And please, don’t feel shame. Not for stepping away from your craft, not for being different, not for trying. Everything you want is on the other side of fear. Even if you can’t move to LA yet, there are opportunities around you: community theatre, local agencies, and morning tongue twisters. Take advantage of your immediate world. Every small step counts.

Hilary Ijieh stands as one of the most dynamic voices of a new generation of global storytellers, bold, grounded, and unapologetically authentic. From her beginnings in Cape Town to the bright sets of Hollywood, she has built a career that bridges continents and cultures with effortless grace. Whether she’s lighting up screens in a Google commercial, sharing the stage with icons on HBO’s Winning Time, or bringing depth to award-winning festival films like Black Woman White Man and Bare with BRCA, Hilary’s artistry commands attention. She radiates charisma, courage, and heart. Her journey proves that when talent meets truth, there are no borders, only limitless horizons.