Olowofoyeku was born in Nigeria to Nigerian politician Babatunji Olowofoyeku and Felicia Olowofoyeku. She is the youngest of 20 children.[1] One of her older brothers is the musician and guitarist Toby Foyeh. Olowofoyeku was named after the first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Folake Solanke.[6] Olowofoyeku has spoken about the importance of names in Yoruba culture. Her first name means to use non-monetary wealth to pamper, and her surname means a rich man uses a chieftaincy title to top off their wealth.[7]
In 2001, at the age of 18, Olowofoyeku emigrated to the United States, where she came to live with her sister.[2]
Although initially studying economics in anticipation of becoming an attorney, Olowofoyeku received a B.A.[9] in theater from City College of New York.[10] While she was a student at City College, she played NCAA Division III college basketball for the CCNY Beavers.[1]
Career
After graduating from college, Olowofoyeku got her start in off-Broadway theater in New York City.[11]
Also in 2017, Olowofoyeku appeared opposite Gaby Hoffmann in the last season of the TV series Transparent, as her love interest, Lyfe.[12]
Since September 2019, Olowofoyeku has played Abishola opposite American comedian Billy Gardell in the Chuck LorreCBS sitcom, Bob Hearts Abishola. Lorre created the show with British-Nigerian comedian Gina Yashere, who writes for the show and plays Abishola's best friend, Kemi.[13]Bob Hearts Abishola premiered in 2019 and is the first American sitcom to feature a Nigerian family.[14][15] On January 25, 2023, the sitcom was renewed for a fifth and final season which began airing on February 12, 2024.
Music
Olowofoyeku plays Afro-beat electronic music under the moniker The Folake. She plays guitar and piano. She has also worked as a sound engineer.[6] Olowofoyeku has a diploma in audio engineering from the Institute of Audio Research.
Olowofoyeku speaks fluent Yoruba and English.[2][14] She resides in Los Angeles. She is a big fan of science fiction and the work of Octavia Butler, and counts Butler's 1980 book, Wild Seed, as a favorite.[2] Her nephew Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku was one of the three on Kugali team that created a Nigerian animated mini-series Iwájú for Disney+, released in February 2024.
^ abcHewitt, Zoey; Olowofoyeku, Folake (7 December 2016). "Folake Olowofoyeku Interview"(Video interview). AfterBuzz TV. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2019 – via YouTube.
^ abFrieman, Richie (6 January 2017). "Folake Olowofoyeku". PensEyeViewNew.com. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
