Carmen Ejogo popped into the world in Kensington, London, with roots stretching from Nigeria to Scotland—a real mix, honestly. She kicked things off on UK television back in the early '90s, hosting Saturday Disney, which, if you remember, was a staple for British kids waking up way too early on weekends. But she didn't hang around just the UK scene for long. America called, and she answered with a string of film roles that had her working alongside big names like Eddie Murphy in Metro and Martin Lawrence in What’s the Worst That Could Happen? Also, you can’t forget her turn with Kenneth Branagh in Love’s Labour’s Lost. That’s some serious range. She even had her own gig, The Carmen Ejogo Video Show, on BSB’s Power Station—kind of a deep cut, but hey, it happened. One of her more intense roles came when she played Sally Hemings in Sally Hemings: An American Scandal, diving right into some heavy historical drama. Later, she showed up as Sister Anderson in the Sparkle remake, bringing her own flavor to the cult classic. And then there’s her music side—yeah, she’s not just an actor. She’s done vocals with the likes of Alex Reece (that’s her voice on “Candles”) and even teamed up with Tricky on “Slowly.” If you’ve seen Sparkle (2012), you’ve definitely heard her—she’s all over that soundtrack, belting out tracks solo and with co-stars. Oh, and she’s a member of Mensa, so don’t try her on trivia night. Carmen’s just got layers, you know?
Belongs to Mensa International, which—let’s be honest—isn’t just any club. We’re talking about the world’s OG high IQ society, packed with folks who ace those logic tests most people barely even understand. It’s a group where brainiacs hang out, compare mental gymnastics, and maybe even brag a little about how fast they can solve puzzles or spot patterns. Mensa’s been around forever, gathering geniuses from every corner of the globe, all united by the fact that their IQ scores are in the top 2%. They’re not just solving riddles for fun either; members get to join meetups, exclusive events, and, yeah, probably a few heated debates over who’s got the best strategy for chess or Jeopardy. So being a member isn’t just about bragging rights—it’s proof you’ve got the mental chops to run with the smartest of the smart.
So I’m playing the president of this wizard association in the new Harry Potter flick, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). We shot most of it in England, which honestly felt surreal—like, walking around in these epic sets, knowing it all ties into this iconic universe? Wild. The movie drops in November. I’ve gotta say, it’s pretty cool being a part of something that’s expanding such a beloved world. There’s been a lot of chatter about diversity, right? And, yeah, the old-school wizarding stories were super British and, let’s be real, pretty white. It means a lot to me, being able to show kids from all backgrounds that they belong in this world too. My career’s been all about changing things up, so getting to help broaden the scope of this magical universe feels like a win. Plus, the energy on set? Totally electric—everyone knew we were making something special.
October 22, 1973
5′ 6″ (1.68 m)
Konidela Ram Charan
Kensington, London, England, UK
Yes, Juno Wright
Elizabeth Ejogo and Surekha
51 years old