Interview with Andi Osho, Actor & Comedian

Accomplished actor, writer and award winning stand up comedian, Andi Osho has appeared on Live At The Apollo, Michael McIntrye’s Roadshow and Mock The Week as well as guest starring in Eastenders, Holby City, Casualty and several other acclaimed BBC comedies and dramas. She is a regular blogger and podcaster and currently lives in LA.

Describe a typical day for you?

A typical day for me is that there is no typical day. I try to get to the gym about 4 times a week, largely because that’s what you’re supposed to do here.

There are so many colourful characters and I”m only going to a LA Fitness type place. Imagine all those celeby type places! My goal is to do something everyday that contributes to my career or my work. I always try and move something forward. In the entertainment industry or any freelance or self-employed set up, you’re always plate spinning.

So I might take a look at a script I”m working on or be learning lines for an audition, or be sitting twiddling my thumbs wondering what my next audition will be. My current obsession is with my crowd sourced short film, Brit.I.am. I’m relying heavily on social media to search for members of the British public willing to put themselves on film for me.

It’s been a big challenge but so much fun and very rewarding.

What do you feel are your biggest achievements?

To date? Well, I guess making a good living from working in entertainment is a big achievement. It’s the usual story, as a kid I had fantasies about acting and writing films and telling jokes, but my reality (or what I believed in my head) was that those weren’t realistic dreams so I got a job on the sensible side of the camera.  About 10 years ago, I decided that wasn’t good enough and I took a leap of faith and went to drama school and the rest as they say, is gravy. I’m very proud of myself for continually taking leaps of faith. I’m like a comedy lemming.

What’s in your handbag?

Right now?  My sunglasses (in their case so I don’t scratch them because they’re expensive. I never buy pricey glasses so I’m particularly precious about them – am I explaining too much!?!), my water bottle (it’s very warm at the moment  – sorry UK) and my very dorky little pencil case which people are always laughing at me for but I used to always be  rummaging for pens as I have a massive handbag. Oh, there’s one lonely lipstick at the bottom, poor thing.

What are your ambitions in life?

First and foremost, contentment. I’ve seen what life looks like when you get the material goals you set out for and it wasn’t as great as I’d imagined. If you’re not happy without them, you won’t be happy with them so contentment is my primary goal, always. After that, I’m working towards making progress with my acting and writing work. I’d love to get a series commission or get a feature film green lit. Also, I’m excited at the prospect of being in a hit US TV show, even if I only get one line “Here’s your coffee, Dr House” I would totally nail that one line.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I’ve got ideas about what I’d like to be doing but I’m very open to seeing which way the wind blows me. I’d definitely like to be writing more and taking on meatier roles in terms of acting but who knows. I really enjoy talking and working with people to help move their lives forward. What if, Oprah said she needed a protégé, I wouldn’t say no to that. I was watching some old Oprah shows and you forget how funny she was. I’d love to do something like that.

What advice would you give a budding comedian/actress?

Take advice from others and learn from your mistakes (and theirs). They’re victories waiting to happen. Stay humble and if you believe in your heart it’s what you’re meant to do, never give up. Do something every day to take your craft forward (and that sometimes means taking a rest!)

Finally, happiness is…

Being in the moment and being alright with what’s so.

Andi is also blogging her experiences of being in LA at eastendtowestcoast.blogspot.com and she has a podcast that comes out every couple of weeks called Big Talk. She is also doing live gigs in the UK from July because, “I miss gigging in the UK and I miss the UK humour, man!”

Andi is also blogging her experiences of being in LA at eastendtowestcoast.blogspot.com and she has a podcast that comes out every couple of weeks called Big Talk. She is also doing live gigs in the UK from July because, “I miss gigging in the UK and I miss the UK humour, man!”

Photographer credit: Idil Sukan, ©Andi Osho