Meet Georgina Elizabeth Okon | Actor|Voiceover Artist|Singer|Storyteller|Host|Writer|Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Georgina Elizabeth Okon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Georgina Elizabeth, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
When I was growing up in Nigeria, I was always sketching and filling my schoolbooks with drawings, colors, shapes, fabrics, and textures. Art was my natural language. But when it came time to choose a course of study, I took the “sensible” route and enrolled in Animal Husbandry because I had strong grades in math and science. It was a miserable disaster—I felt like I’d landed on an alien planet. I didn’t last a year before begging my mom to let me study Fashion Design instead. That was my first big lesson: I couldn’t run from creativity—it was wired into my DNA.

After fashion school, another turning point came when I was randomly invited to fill in for an actress who had dropped out of a play at the National Stadium in Lagos. I told them they must be mistaken—I wasn’t an actress. But the director insisted he saw something in me. I surprised myself by stepping into that role, and to my shock, I loved it. I didn’t realize at the time that a spark had been lit—one that would eventually lead me to acting, voiceover, and finally filmmaking.

I pursued an artistic career because every time I tried to choose the “practical” path, art and storytelling ambushed my life, reminding me who I really am. Creativity isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
About My Art

I am an actor, voiceover artist, storyteller, writer, and first-time filmmaker. I’ve always been a creative being, but I now realize that decades ago in Nigeria, my calling as a performer was speaking to me even way back then.

I was randomly invited to fill in for an actress who dropped out of a play at the National Stadium in Lagos. I told them they must be mistaken — I wasn’t an actress. But the director insisted he saw something in me.

I stepped into that role, and to my surprise, I loved it — that was my very first experience as a performer, not realizing that years later I would be pursuing acting, voiceover, and filmmaking.

I later left Nigeria to pursue a career in Fashion Design in the UK — another creative path — but eventually it became clear that performing was the calling that had been quietly following me for years. In 2010, I left the UK and moved to the US to pursue acting.

My early work drew heavily on my Nigerian/West African background, especially in voiceover — which opened up opportunities for Nigerian and African accents, and eventually led to animation, video games, lip-sync dubbing, – voicing foreign-language shows into English for companies like Netflix.

I’ve performed on stage as well — my very first stage role was “The Snake” in The Little Prince. There’s no hiding on stage. You know immediately if the audience believes you. That live connection is exhilarating.

This year, I had the opportunity to explore movement in a dramatic dance film, bringing in my Taekwondo background to shape the physical language of the role. It stretched me in new ways, and I loved it.

I started out as a dramatic actor, but after healing from a deeply traumatic experience in a comedy class, I eventually started booking comedic roles — and I genuinely love not being pinned down to one lane.

And of course, this year I added “writer” by co-writing my short film Etched with my writing partner, Shannon Mitchell.

What Sets Me Apart

I’m someone who doesn’t give up — ever — and that resilience is fueled by my faith. “All things are possible to those who believe.”

I also have a deep hunger to grow, learn, and expand, which has led me to work across various acting mediums — voiceover, stage, dance, writing, producing, directing, and even editing.

Leaving the UK to pursue an uncertain future in the US forced a level of focus and determination I wouldn’t have developed otherwise. I had no backup plan. I sold my house, gave away everything, and truly had nothing to return to. That kind of journey either shapes you or breaks you.

And my unique perspective — as a British-born Nigerian now based in Los Angeles, and as someone who has lived a full life — gives me a deep well of experience to draw from. My faith is my foundation. If God doesn’t go before me, I’m not going anywhere.

I tell stories from that place.

What I’m Most Proud Of / Most Excited About

Above all, I’m most proud of Etched.

I co-wrote, produced, co-edited, directed, and acted in it — even though I was terrified. For years I was trapped in fear, but God broke me out of that prison this year.

I had no crew, no budget, and only an iPhone XR (required for the Reimagine iPhone Film Fest). I had three days to shoot — the only days my incredible actor, Gregory Thompson, was available — and then six days to edit with Olu Shasanmi, who had never edited a film before.

It was faith, prayer, and God’s grace — nothing else — that brought Etched to life.

And by HIS hand, the film went on to win:

A Showcase Prize at the Reimagine iPhone Film Festival (May 2025)

Best Mini-Film, Best Writing, and Best Actor at the Christian Online Film Festival (Dec 2025)

An award at the Last Evangelist Film & Music Festival (Nov 2025)

To me, it’s proof of what God can do when we release fear and choose to trust Him.

I’m excited to continue submitting Etched to festivals and to see where else it can go. I’m also excited to tell more stories — stories I can act in, and stories that allow me to collaborate with other talented creatives. But right now, my focus is taking Etched as far as it can go. There is no limit.

How I Got Here Professionally

Simply put: God.
That’s how I got here.

I didn’t choose this path — I would never have chosen it. I was in my house in Essex, UK, when I heard a clear audible voice (I believe it was God) say, “I’ve called you to Hollywood.”

At first, I thought I was having a nervous breakdown from stress — I had just closed on a three-bedroom house. But the call didn’t go away, and eventually I obeyed.

But it wasn’t just me. It took a whole village:

My family in the UK, US, and Nigeria

My friends around the world

My church communities

People who supported me financially

People who gave me places to stay — sometimes for hours, days, weeks, or months

My managers and agents, past and present, who believed in me and invested very heavily in me

My acting coaches, scene partners, teachers, and industry communities

For years, I was auditioning while under enormous stress — immigration issues, financial instability, housing insecurity — and I was barely hanging on. But God kept me going.

Was It Easy?

Absolutely not.
Pursuing any dream means going against the grain. At times, it felt like all hell had broken loose. There were seasons I felt completely decimated.

How I Overcame the Challenges

My faith in God.
Prayer.
Community.
And refusing to quit.

Family, friends, church, faith communities, and acting communities — all of them carried me when I had nothing left. And sometimes it took asking others to pray for me because I had no strength of my own.

What I Want the World to Know About Me

I didn’t choose this path. ACTING was the last thing on earth I ever thought I would be doing — especially at this stage of life. I even went as far as saying for years, “The US is the last place on earth I would ever live.”

Well… look how THAT worked out.

I’m learning to stop defining or limiting myself, because who I am — and what I am capable of — is an ongoing process and a journey that keeps unfolding.

NEVER SAY NEVER.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit, here’s how I’d show her the best of Studio City and North Hollywood — plus a few special day trips to make it unforgettable.

Day 1 — Monday

Breakfast: Aroma Coffee & Tea (Tujunga Blvd).

Shop: Tujunga Village boutiques — Diana’s, Limelight, Hoity Toity, Verona, Panache, Gramercy.

Smoothie pick-me-up: Whole Foods Market Café (Ventura Blvd).

Vintage thrift hunt: Buffalo Exchange, Wasteland, Crossroads Trading Co. (Ventura Blvd).

Dinner: Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill.

Night: Salsa & bachata at Rain Bar & Lounge.

Day 2 – Tuesday

Morning hike: Fryman Canyon.

Tour: Warner Bros. Studio Tour (behind-the-scenes).

Lunch: Poquito Más.

Afternoon/evening: Screening at Radford Studio Center or free time.

Nightcap: Starbucks on Ventura for hot chocolate.

Day 3 – Wednesday

Morning hike: Hollywood Cross Trail (start near Ford Theatre).

Sport: City Pickle LA (pickleball).

Lunch: Sweetgreens.

Evening: Dinner and live music at The Federal Bar.

Day 4 – Thursday

Morning hike: Mulholland Drive (Marie Canyon Trail / nearby Mulholland trails).

Snack: Salt & Straw.

Afternoon: Universal CityWalk (shops, photos).

Evening: Dinner at Poquito Más or other neighborhood pick; optional comedy or live music.

Day 5 – Friday

Leisure: Revisit fav spots, last-minute shopping in Tujunga Village or Ventura Blvd.

Afternoon: Optional extra pickleball, coffee, or boutique browsing.

Evening: Concert at the Hollywood Bowl (classic LA experience).

Day 6 – Saturday

Pick one relaxing day trip option (all are great single-day escapes):

Dana Point — harbor walks and coastal scenery.

Descanso Gardens — botanical calm and seasonal blooms.

Newport Beach — beaches, piers, casual seaside dining.

Solvang — Danish village charm, bakeries, wine tasting.

Catalina Island — boat ride, Avalon, snorkeling/sea views.

Day 7 – Sunday

Morning: Frontier Church, Pasadena — attend Sunday service.

Afternoon: Return home to relax, gather bags, share last memories.

Departure: See her off to the airport — warm goodbyes and plans to visit again.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, I dedicate my shoutout to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. HE is the reason I am on this journey, and I am so grateful for HIS grace, mercy, compassion, faithfulness, Strength, and everlasting love every single day.

I also want to thank my family — the Okons — in Nigeria, the UK, and here in the US. Your love, prayers, support and encouragement mean the world to me. I could never do this alone, we are on this journey as a family.

To my many friends back in the UK, here in the US, and all around the world — thank you from the bottom of my heart for your constant love, support, and belief in me, and for carrying me through so many chapters of this creative journey.

A special thank you to my church community (past and present), for demonstrating, over and over again, the love of God and for being a true lifeline to me.

To my managers (past and present), agents, and my acting coach— thank you so much for believing in me, even during times when I struggled to believe in myself, and for the huge investments you have made and continue to make in me.

And finally, to the acting and filmmaking community, thank you for the countless collaborations, partnerships, and creative moments that have helped shape me as both an artist and a person. I look forward to many, many more.

Website: https://www.georginaelizabethokon.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kjarandassociates/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.fisher.71697

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@geegee2012act

Other: https://youtu.be/Se6–8vQES8?si=YcB4leijaUl9X6zf
https://filmfreeway.com/projects/3944113
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKm2w4ipCXPXaCmFkhmcnTnmXwD0A1qPcpz4UU0/?igsh=NjZiM2M3MzIxNA==
https://medium.com/@ogggbetwinner/the-story-behind-etched-my-award-winning-short-film-by-georgina-elizabeth-okon-da88732cb686
https://substack.com/home/post/p-168181583?source=queue
https://www.facebook.com/LastEvangelistFest
https://www.maxitmagazine.com/article/etched-a-short-film-about-faith-and-forgiveness
The Cinema Gym Podcast-Actors Becoming Filmmakers




https://youtu.be/_-ay-RK0264?si=Pr6_yjQlgM9pTdac

Image Credits
Personal Photo- Bradford Rogne

additional Photos
1. Georgina Elizabeth Okon- still from my short film “Etched”
2. Georgina Elizabeth Okon
3. Jasmine Marie Rutledge
4. Georgina Elizabeth Okon
5. Sarah Murphee – Funny People Cry Too
6. Marian de Pontes
7. Frankie Frances
8. Jasmione Marie Rutledge
9. Dara Frazier
10. Joe Lam- still from his short film “Fugitive Zero”
11. National Stadium, Lagos
12. National Stadium, Lagos
13. National Stadium, Lagos
14. Jasmine Marie Rutledge
15. Christof Laputka – Artwork from audio drama “The Invenios Expeditions”