Folake Olowofoyeku is winning hearts in homes across America. The Nigeria-born actress plays Abishola — a Nigerian cardiac nurse and single mother living in Detroit — on CBS sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola. With humanity and humor, the series follows the budding love story between Abishola and American compression sock businessman, Bob, played by Billy Gardell. The romantic comedy explores complex themes of culture and family, captivating audiences with its authentic and relatable protagonists.
Unsurprisingly, Olowofoyeku’s role is being recognized on the award show circuit, as well. At the NAACP Image Awards earlier this year, she was a nominee in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category alongside Issa Rae, Yara Shahidi, Regina Hall and Tracee Ellis Ross.
We spent a day in LA with the actress, shooting Tory’s Summer 2021 collection and getting Olowofoyeku’s take on auditions, music and her proudest moments.
My favorite part of filming Bob Hearts Abishola…
Being part of the Chuck Lorre universe and working with an amazing crew and cast.
Between takes, you’ll usually find me…
Working on the next scenes. Changing or fittings for upcoming scenes. Catching up on work emails and scheduling. Trying to squeeze in a quick bite to eat. Trying to plan my next prank on Shola Adewusi!
My schedule is already full of ‘pump’ so I’m usually trying to get into a meditative and zen state of mind instead. On my drive to work, I’m usually listening to a “Healing Music” playlist I created. If I am coming off a vacation or having had ample rest, I listen to Nigerian pop or old school hip-hop.
A song, album or artist that changed my life…
Michael Jackson, Fela and Slash.
If I could star in any movie, past, present or future…
Future: I’d star in Interview with the Vampire; part 2.
Most memorable audition…
My easy, breezy, fun and life changing audition with Nikki Valko and Ken Miller!
The proudest moment of my career thus far…
At our production office at Warner Brothers studio watching the final cut of the Bob ❤️ Abishola pilot with Al Higgins and Eddie Gorodetsky.
And the thing I am most proud of in life…
Persevering and trusting my intuition.
A person I admire…
My mother, Chief Mrs Felicia Ebun Omotade Oni Olowofoyeku, and my father, Chief Babatunji Olowofoyeku.
