Yankee Wahala Hero:
Awushie Nanevie
Awushie has been a loyal participant on the Yankee Wahala series and has starred in 10 episodes. Her willing and cheerful personality has made her an asset on the show. Recording sessions with Awushie is usually a laughter-fest in the studio. Apart from acting, Awushie also provides validation on some of the scripts. One of the goals of the Jeka Team is to make the scripts as realistic as possible. Awushie is always eager to read the scripts and provide feedback.
Awushie was born in Ghana. She is the last born of seven children. Awushie is used to having adults around her at every point in time in her life. During this interview, Awushie spoke fondly of an idyllic childhood where she was petted as the baby of the family.
“Everyone was doting on me and I was the favorite. And if they [her siblings] wanted something, they would send me to go ask Daddy for this or that, and he would say yes; when they asked Daddy, the answer would be no. So of course they would always send me. It was fun growing up with them. Then everyone grew up, moved out of the house and got married. I also ended up here.”
Living in the U.S. came with its own set of challenges, including the fact that she had to combine school and work. It did not come easily but overall, Awushie is grateful to God for taking her through all of it.
Awushie got involved in Yankee Wahala after an invitation from one of the JEKA Team members, CNN Lokko. CNN and Awushie have been close friends since childhood and had acted together in school and with their church youth group. Awushie considers herself a shy person, and so was delighted to hear that no one would see her face, nor would she have to see an audience.
Awushie enjoys listening to Yankee Wahala episodes whether she acted in it or not. In most of the stories, she can either relate to one of the characters, or identify characters who are like people she knows.
“It is so realistic in our everyday life. It is not something that is abstract that is way out there like “hmm, can this every happen…?”
At times, it is as if she is reliving a moment, when the character she is playing says something that resonates with her. Sometimes the character says things she would not have dared say herself but is able to do so in the guise of the character she is playing.
Awushie agrees that some of the episodes are more geared toward a Ghanaian audience who are more likely to get the cultural-based humor in it. Other episodes are general; appreciated by most, regardless of country or culture.
Awushie’s parting message at the end of the Yankee Wahala’s Heroes' interview is as follows:
“I guess I am just waiting for more scripts to come out so that I can act in them. I like to do it. It is fun. I can’t wait!”