Uzo Aduba — The Bare Magazine

We were honored to spend some time in LA recently with three-time Emmy award winner and all-around incredible human Uzo Aduba. Not long ago, Uzo couldn’t have imagined meeting the love of her life, let alone being pregnant with their baby. Back then (according to her Instagram feed), she had a screen saver of an Oprah quote: “This year I am choosing to live beyond my wildest dreams. I wonder where they’ll take me.” Annnnnd here we are! The actor is, in fact, married to her sweetheart and they are expecting. See where following Oprah’s advice gets you? So scroll down and check our chat on her pregnancy style, beauty/health and self-care routines. We also touched on her philanthropic work with Heifer International and, of course, her Bare essentials. She blew us away with her engaging, personable and ravenously curious spirit. As you’ll read, she has seemingly infinite amounts of love. Back at you Uzo.

The Bare Magazine: You've had some epic developments in your life! Would you have guessed five years ago you'd be pregnant and married to the love of your life right now?

Uzo Aduba: No! I would not have guessed that I would be pregnant and married to the love of my life. I believed, hoped, and prayed that story might find me and that my personal life would grow and develop into what it is now. But I in no way thought the day I met Robert was the day I would meet my husband and the father of my children. But I’m really happy that I did.

Bare: You have accomplished so much professionally. Does it feel good to savor this personal/family time?

UA: Absolutely. You know, I think for me I’ve always been reaching for … looking for a work-life balance that I find satisfying in both areas and fulfilling. Being able to work and experience so much in my professional life so far, it feels really great to know that my personal life continues to expand in such a rich way, too. I’m really happy to see that change happening for women. It’s becoming less of an “either-or.” You know, I always had a rich personal life through my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, and friends, but to watch my own family develop and grow has been a true blessing and gift that I will treasure for the entirety of my life.

Bare: Take us through your pregnancy regime .... supplements, exercise, doctor visits, daily diet, staples ....

UA: I had put my health in the backseat for quite a few years, and this pregnancy really had me reprioritizing it #1 to support the pregnancy, #2 because I want to see as many days as I can be blessed with of my child’s life. That really sparked an intense up drive for my personal/individual healthcare. I started making sure I was doing low-impact exercise daily. I go for long, I call them “meditative walks” in the morning with my dog, Fenway, to clear my mind, get my body moving and my blood flowing, and get some exercise in.

I pay attention to what I am consuming and putting into my body regarding food. I want everything to be nourishing for the baby and myself, to give me the strength to make it through this pregnancy. That involves a high-protein breakfast, a light lunch typically, and then a piece of salmon, some vegetables, and maybe a roasted potato or brown rice for dinner. The only supplements I take are prenatal vitamins, and I tried really, really hard to make sure I slow down my pace as far as my mental consciousness.

I sit down, slow down, not trying to overtire myself or put stress or strain on my mind, body, or spirit. That is a real priority. And then I do a nighttime ritual. I made a playlist of songs with my husband. We play that before bed and sing along to it for the baby.

Bare: Are there any comfy clothing brands that you’ve been wearing on a regular basis?

UA: Yes. Seraphine is the name of one clothing brand. They’re a maternity brand that still looks like regular clothes that I really like a lot. I like their dresses. I like their cozy pants; they have a relaxed style that I’ve enjoyed. They look like regular clothes but still have room where a pregnant mama needs them. When I go for my walks, I wear my Lululemon tights. They have a nice stretch and nice material that I enjoy.

Bare: What have you cut out or cut back on that you miss?

UA: Sushi. Full stop. (laughing). I love sushi. I didn’t know how much sushi I ate until I got pregnant because I’m really clear how much I’m not having. I love sushi. I would say carbs. I’m not a big sugar person, but I reduced/lowered my carbs for glucose levels during pregnancy, trying to make sure my glucose levels weren’t too high, and yeah, I think that’s pretty much it. Definitely, sushi is leading the pack there.

Bare: On our shoot we were blown away by your amazing memory and sense of curiosity. Do you feel that learning about people and being able to call upon memorable moments is part of what makes you so incredible at what you do?

UA: I don’t know. It’s possible. I have a genuine interest in people. I love people. I love talking to people, hearing people’s stories, and meeting new people. I remember faces and experiences with people more than they think I do. But I enjoy those conversations. I like listening to people and their stories and what they tell me. I’m sure that imprints somewhere on my artistic DNA and finds its way into my work in some capacity. It’s not done so I can feed my work. It’s done with a genuine interest and love for people.

Bare: Will you be spending time in LA and NYC with the new baby? What do you love about each coast?

UA: I absolutely will be spending time in both cities. In Los Angeles, I love the speed. I love that it’s slower a little bit. I love the room and the space to grow .... the sunshine and the quiet. I love our life and community here, who are just a wonderful, warm network of people I’ve come to know over the years.

In New York, I love that we have both of our families based on the east coast. That’s huge. Being able to spend time there is a top priority for us. So that our baby gets to grow and know their cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents, it excites me immensely that they will know a richer version of who they are and where they come from.

Bare: Have you indulged in any special pregnancy treatments?

UA: Yes. I've been going to Burke Williams Spa to get a prenatal massage. It’s been very therapeutic during this time. I also have a facial with Osea Skincare coming up during my postpartum, which I’m excited about. I do stuff at home as well. The “amazing Mindy Kaling” sent me her product from her line, “Lion Pose,” which I just started using as part of my day-to-day skincare routine. It’s great.

Bare: Your sister is pregnant too. Are there any tips/wisdom you can share that you two have learned through your journey so far?

UA: There are too many to count. What I’ve learned when you’re pregnant is to find your mother tribe. They are out there. I’ve never met more incredible, loving, and supportive women than mothers. I’m now joining the tribe, and it’s been incredible to watch how much love is extended to you when you’re going through this season of life through those women who have been through it. More than anything, find that tribe … it’s so wonderful that I have that tribe within my house.

My sister has been great with checking in on me and seeing how I’m doing, and we send a lot of information back and forth because we’re in the same stage of life, which I appreciate. It’s not just her alone. I have a lot of women in my life who have been there during this season, which I truly appreciate.

Bare: You mentioned your philanthropy work with Heifer International. What drew you to this organization and how can people learn more?

UA: I was drawn to Heifer International because of their work in supplying people with the opportunity to get a hand up and not a handout, in terms of helping them build generational pathways for themselves through livestock and farming. I thought it was so amazing that the organization wasn’t just showing up and providing food, and that the recipients were then tied to the constant help of Heifer. But instead, it’s an organization that teaches agricultural work, how to raise and keep livestock, and to breed those animals so you can multiply their number which leads to a greater supply, not only for themselves but for their community.

I also love that if you benefit from Heifer’s assistance, you must pay it forward to another community member. So you go from being helped to helper. I thought that really did a powerful thing in terms of the emotional confidence it built up for the people who have benefited from the organization. To learn more, you can go to Heifer.org or fundraise at Heifer.org. That website can point you toward how to help sponsor a family.