Uzo Aduba stopped by Good Morning America to discuss her new memoir.
The Orange Is the New Black and Mrs. America actor’s book, The Road Is Good: How a Mother's Strength Became a Daughter's Purpose, was published Tuesday by Viking. The memoir covers Aduba’s childhood growing up Black in a mostly white suburb, as well as her acting career; a critic for Kirkus wrote, “Fans will enjoy this generous account of life as a Nigerian American daughter, sister, and actress.”
GMA co-anchor Robin Roberts noted that the memoir is not just Aduba’s story, but also her mother’s, and asked the actor why.
“So much of my story is built on my mother’s story,” Aduba said. “She poured so much of herself into me, from her lessons, from coming to the United States from Nigeria…and all of the support she was giving to myself and my siblings every day of our lives to ensure we were the fullness of her American dream.”
Roberts asked Aduba about a section of the book in which she describes getting the news that she had been cast on Orange Is the New Black.
“I couldn’t see a way forward, Robin, for myself in this business,” Aduba said. “I thought I had reached the end…and I went home ready to become a lawyer.…5:43 p.m., my phone rang, and my life changed. My agent at the time called and said that I had booked a show called Orange Is the New Black on a little, unknown streamer at the time called Netflix.”
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
