Kat on the Loose — Episode Summary

Episode Title: ACTOR DEOBIA OPAREI
Host: Kat Zammuto
Guest: DeObia Oparei (Actor, Writer)
Release Date: April 10, 2024

Overview

This episode features a candid, wide-ranging conversation between host Kat Zammuto and acclaimed British-Nigerian actor and playwright DeObia Oparei. Known for iconic roles in "Game of Thrones," "Loki," "Sex Education," and "Pirates of the Caribbean," Oparei discusses his journey from a working-class youth in London to international film and theater, his ethos as a creative, experiences navigating stereotypes, his embrace of personal authenticity, and his evolving identity. The episode is rich with deep insights into acting, identity, the importance of storytelling, and personal freedom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DeObia’s Philosophy on Acting and Coaching

• Oparei does not consider himself an ‘acting coach’ but more of a creative midwife or doula, coming from the African tradition of griots—storytellers who preserve and pass down history and heritage.
• He believes acting cannot be taught traditionally; rather, the gift is in helping individuals "open the gates" to their own creativity and emotion.
  • Quote:

    "I know how to open someone's gate. I know how to jailbreak through to that space where they feel a sense of, oh my God, oh, wow, I'm somewhere else... And it also frees me." (07:20)

• He sees his workshops as mutual liberation and growth—he evolves as his participants do.

2. Childhood, Early Influences, and Theatrical Roots

• Oparei’s mother recognized his talent early, enrolling him in the famed Anna Scher’s acting classes.
• Key mentors nurtured his abilities, encouraging him to explore theatre intensely from a young age, shaping his sense of artistic identity by age 16.
  • Quote:

    "I was touring with this youth theatre company...I was from this very working class place in London, and I was going on tour...and being introduced to these great writers at 13, 14: Chekhov, Shakespeare, African writers." (09:51)

3. Breaking into Film & Iconic Franchises

• Oparei transitioned from theater to film via auditions and the visibility gained from standout theater work.
• Despite not attending drama school, his confidence was rooted in lived experience and community theater.
  • Quote:

    "I always knew that I had a right to be there...I was absolutely fearful, something in me just said, just stick it out." (14:08)

• He discusses landing and navigating roles in major franchises—often as archetypes (e.g., "the general") and the challenges of typecasting.

4. Reflection on Typecasting and the Industry

• Increasingly selective about roles; now avoids archetypal, stereotyped casting.
• Insightful discussion on industry typecasting for actors of color and the journey to creating one’s own stories.
  • Quote:

    "It's very easy, you know, that's what the business is until you get to be a name. And I realize, oh, no, I got to start saying no. I have to learn to start saying no and to create the yes." (19:29)

5. Creative Ownership & Playwriting

• Oparei wrote a play produced at London’s Royal Court Theatre, reflecting on the impatience and lessons learned from early career success.
  • Quote:

    "I wrote a play...it got put on. It got produced. Really great theater, and I love that experience...But when I look back on all that now, I just go, God, she was just so spoiled. Because I'd come out the gate as an actor, and then, you know, my first movie was Alien 3." (21:19)

• Now deeply invested in writing, less concerned with prestige than authenticity of the stories told.

6. On Fame, Social Media, and Cultivating Mystery

• Talked about the unique experience of "Game of Thrones" fame: fan hysteria, being paparazzied, and the performative nature of celebrity.
  • Quote:

    "I found that weird...That's all about projection. Because I'm the same person, of course." (33:03)

• Sees fame as a tool:

  "The value that it has is attention...when that attention meets opportunity and there's something to say...that’s wonderful." (34:14)

• Encourages maintaining personal mystery, allowing some things to grow "in the dark" outside of social media scrutiny.
  • Quote:

    "Things grow very powerfully in the dark...you want to tell stories...that are everything—instead of being bleached, sterile..." (36:54)

7. Identity, Sexuality, and Personal Evolution

• Oparei discusses his public coming out (triggered by the George Floyd protests), shifting to identifying as nonbinary, and how colonialism shaped gender constructs in African contexts.
  • Quote:

    "I identify as non binary. I don't identify as a gay man...For me, gender is a construct. It's constructed." (39:41)

• Reflects on the pressure to present a certain way in the entertainment industry, the prevalence of closeted actors, and his journey to self-liberation.
  • Quote:

    "I knew that this was racial capital. I knew that I could walk into a room and blow people away...And so I thought, oh, if I'm myself […] But when it came to casting directors, and I had certain agents at the time, he would say, 'take off this when you go.'’’ (43:53)

• Now rejects labels and binary notions, embracing a more fluid, relational view of self and identity, rooted in ancient African perspectives.
  • Quote:

    "We reduce everything down to, oh, you're this. Oh, you're wearing a skirt, so you're this...to describe this incredibly mysterious, enigmatic journey that we're on called life." (49:31)

8. Life in Los Angeles & Looking Forward

• Splits time between LA and London, praises LA’s open-minded creative environment.
  • Quote:

    "California is really open to that. And I've loved that. And the sun." (50:11)

• Working on a film project, details under wraps, encourages listeners to find him on Instagram for updates or workshop info.

9. Workshops and Impact

• Kat highly recommends Oparei’s workshops for their transformative and liberating effects.
  • Quote:

    "Just your energy and your message and just being around you, it's like, to me, was life changing." (51:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Acting:

  "I don't believe acting can be taught...but I know how to open someone's gate." — DeObia Oparei (06:01)

• On Confidence:

  "I always knew I had the right to be there." — DeObia Oparei (13:54)
  "It didn't feel to me like confidence because I had a lot of fear...But I knew, even though everybody was there and I felt...scared, something in me just said, stick it out." — DeObia Oparei (14:08)

• On Typecasting:

  "It's very easy, you know...that's what the business is until you get to be a name." (19:29)

• On Creating One’s Own Stories:

  "I understand that...I have every right to create my own stories. I didn't have that when I was coming out the gate." (18:50)

• On Fame:

  "It's the emperor with no clothes." — DeObia Oparei (34:14)

• On Private vs. Public Persona:

  "Things grow very powerfully in the dark...as much as I think transparency is wonderful...you can grow things very powerfully in the dark." (36:54)

• On Identity:

  "I identify as non binary. I don't identify as a gay man...For me, gender is a construct." (39:41)

• On Ancient African Identity:

  "They didn't seek identity in their physicality. They sought relationality, relationality to the world. Everything had consciousness." (48:07)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Guest Introduction — 00:59
• Workshop Philosophy & Acting as a Griot — 06:01
• Early Life and Theatre Roots — 09:03
• Breaking Into Film & Theatre Auditions — 12:46
• Navigating Archetypes and Typecasting — 15:49 - 19:49
• On Playwriting and Creative Growth — 21:19 - 25:59
• Game of Thrones and Fame Experience — 31:57 - 34:14
• Private Life, Social Media, and Storytelling — 35:17 - 38:09
• Identity, Gender, and Authenticity — 38:25 - 49:31
• Future Projects / LA life / Workshops — 49:36 - 52:08

How to Connect with DeObia Oparei

• Instagram: [Link available in episode description]
• For workshops and upcoming projects, follow updates via Instagram or Kat’s website [catonthelose.com].

Final Note From Kat:
"Just your energy and your message and just being around you, it's like, to me, was life changing. I love you. I adore you. It’s such an honor to have you. Thank you so much for doing this..." (51:28)

Oparei leaves listeners with a vision of storytelling that is radical, evolving, relational, and rooted in genuine self-expression and ancestral wisdom.