Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Benjamin.
Hi Joseph, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My Name is Joseph Chibuzor Benjamin. I am an Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Public Speaker, and Master Of Ceremonies.
I was born and raised in Nigeria and immigrated to the United States in 2016. I worked in Nigeria in the Film and Television Industry for over 20 years where I was the Host of the Biggest Music Reality Show in West Africa (Project Fame West Africa). I was at the height of my acting career when I moved to the United States.
I came to a point where there was a tugging in my heart to reach for more. I have always been a risk taker and not afraid to get out of my comfort zone. So I began the quest to move to the United States of America. At the time I was newly divorced and could not come to terms with living away from my children.
Relocating helped me to regain a healthy mental balance. My desire has been to make inroads in Hollywood but the road has not been easy. This is my story!
I was excited when I booked a number of projects with a production company in the United States that had a catalogue of projects they were going to work with me on. I have nurtured a dream to bring my career here and make a name for myself and it looked like those dreams were about to come through.
I sold my car, gave out 90 percent of my possessions, emptied my bank account and gave away most of my money. I felt I would be earning Dollars and didn’t need to bring as much money to the United States. I bought a one-way ticket and left Nigeria with $1500 in my pocket. I felt all I needed was to have enough money to take care of my first couple of weeks before I start earning dollars. I also knew that most of my accommodation logistics had been taken care of by the company, well so I thought.
Most people thought I had lost my mind at the time. I was asked why I would leave my home and career to go to a place where no one knows me and start afresh. My response was, “I am the career, wherever I go, the career goes”. I said this not knowing what to expect when I got to the United States.
After an 11hr flight, I arrived in the United States and was taken to a fully furnished house where I was told I will be responsible for the rent after a month. I did not think that would be a problem since I knew I would be working and earning money.
After resting for a couple of days I asked when we would be starting production in anticipation of the projects I had been brought in to work on. However, I was met with a rude awakening. I was told the production company had suffered a setback from investors, therefore they were putting all the projects on hold. “WHAT! you are kidding me right”? That was my response, I was in an utter state of confusion. Where do I go from here? What will I do? How do I pay my bills here? How do I pay for my children’s school fees in Nigeria?
So here I was with no source of income and could not even go back to Nigeria even if I wanted to. I was getting messages from producers in Nigeria who wanted to work with me. Most people didn’t know I had relocated and thought I was away on vacation. So with my American dream looking bleak, a far cry from reality and more like an illusion, all I could do was look up to God. But I did not realize that this was purposed by design. God orchestrated all this to get my attention. I had been drifting so far away from Him and my purpose. I had become self-absorbed, so much so that I was getting consumed by all I wanted and was relying on my own strength and capacity. I was losing myself in the process.
So He had to shut it down to shut me down. Even with a lack of income somehow month after month I was paying my bills. God used the people around me to be a blessing. Back home in Nigeria the pressure was high. I could not keep up with my children’s school fees so they had to stay home for a while.
I had to start looking for a way to earn money. During my research on how to get acting gigs, I found out I need an agent. This was new to me as I have never had to audition for roles throughout my career. For me, this meant that I had to start from the bottom but with being in a new industry I didn’t have a choice. So here I was, with 20 years of acting under my belt, one of the top actors in Nigeria, having to start from scratch and actually auditioning for roles. I humbled myself and went through the process. I wasn’t sure where to start from but with guidance along the way I was able to get some face-to-face time with different agents. However, they all told me the same thing. That with the amount of experience I had, I needed an agent with a stronger imprint in this market, who would submit me for principal roles.
After one of such meeting with an agent, I took an Uber back home and on the way, my driver and I start talking. She told me about her own journey, how she was also on the same path and told me that I would fit so well In a Tyler Perry Production. I got excited because I have always wanted to work with him. She then proceeded to connect me to her mentor Mr. Lance Nichols who is an actor and coach. I sent him an email and he connected me to his Agents, one of the best in the Southeast market, People Store.
This was definitely a divine encounter. People store requested for me to come in for an interview and cold read. They were sold and immediately put me on their roster. I was speechless and overjoyed. Finally, I thought my American Dream was no longer looking like an illusion. Then here comes the part I was not prepared for. THE WAIT! I thought getting the Agent will set things rolling immediately. I was desperate and needed to start doing something. But I had to go through the auditioning process. And let me tell you, that part is tedious. It is countless hours spent on perfecting a part, submitting it and waiting for a callback. I did not get callbacks for many of these auditions. I hired a manager to help coach me through these auditions and had her reach out to casting directors to ask if I was doing anything wrong, and the answer was always the same….that I was a great actor. So why were these auditions not translating into bookings? Little did I know that God was taking me through a process of breaking, rebuilding and positioning.
As I waited, other doors were being opened. I started driving for Uber and that in itself became a channel for me to become a blessing to people. I kept running into people who recognized me from my movies in Nigeria. Many would take selfies with me. They were amazed that an actor of my caliber would be driving an Uber. But that led me to pour into their lives, to encourage them and literally become a blessing to many of them. My car became my stage, where I would counsel, advise and pray with people. My life and story was such an inspiration to them. Those who recognized me always left my car inspired and motivated.
One of the things that also kept me going was my love for music. During this waiting period, I kept writing music. This has resulted in me writing over 200 songs, out of which I have published 3 on YouTube with more to come.
During this time, one of my friends invited me to a church in the Loganville area. This opened the door to meeting my spiritual father, Dr. Frank Ofosu-Appiah, of All Nations Church, Kharis House. A place where I am deeply rooted and serve in the choir. This is also the place I met and married my beautiful wife with whom I reside with our 5 children in Loganville. Dr. Frank Ofosu-Appiah has been an amazing pillar of support and God has used him to bring sanity, direction and stability into my life.
My Life and Story has given strength and encouragement to a lot of people. This has always been my desire; to impact the world with my life. Fast Forward, I started booking some Co-Star roles on some Network Shows (Claws, Green-leaf, Last call, Atlanta) and I have started making trips back and forth to Nigeria to work. I travel throughout the United States on various acting gigs, most of which, interestingly are of Nigerian origins. I own an Audio-Visual production company which specializes in video Edits, voice-over productions and production consultation.
I came to the United States to pursue a career but God brought me here to position me for the purpose He has for me. But it had to start with a breaking and a rebuilding. My life’s purpose is to please the One who created me. To bring hope and help people increase their mental capacity, and become better versions of themselves every day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I think what sets me apart from others is my originality, also understanding who I am in God has helped me remain unwavering.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory would be going shopping for the holidays. It was a time always looked up to. I also enjoyed listening to life stories from my step-father. I miss life with him.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjosephbenjamin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMJOSEPHBENJAMIN
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-benjamin-a75b5b73
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjbenjamin
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/JosephBenjamin
