Drea Okeke wasn’t always the content creator, host, and entrepreneur her fans know her as today. “I originally wanted to become famous and an entertainer, but if that didn’t work out, I’d become an engineer,” Okeke tells Her Campus in an exclusive interview. “Life took its course, and it happened the other way around. Engineering was a stable income.”
Okeke always knew the content creator life was for her, though, and pursued social media while maintaining full-time employment as an engineer. She’s used her platform not only to make people laugh, but to showcase her Nigerian culture through hilarious sketches. “I had worked for over two years, and when you’re talented and meant to be doing something, you feel it in your bones,” Okeke says. “You just have to be able to take that risk. I think what inspired me to take the risk is seeing other people in my circle blowing up on social media, and I’m like, ‘If they’re doing it, I can do it, too.’”
In addition to working and creating content, Okeke went back to school and received her Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from USC. After years of hard work, Okeke finally started seeing the fruits of her labor and decided to become a full-time content creator.
Okeke first gained recognition on Vine and quickly became one of the most followed creators on the app. But when Vine shuttered, Okeke had to start all over on TikTok. She quickly grew as a top creator, though, all thanks to the sketches about her culture. “I know the kind of stigma that Africans had when I was growing up. It was not cool to be African,” Okeke says. “It’s always been a big part of my identity. My culture is something that my parents instilled in me, and they made me proud of being African.”
Named one of Forbes’ Top Creators in 2023, Okeke turned her love for her Nigerian culture and comedy into a multimedia empire. She spoke to Her Campus all about her social media journey, her advocacy work, and what’s next in her career.
The following responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Although you’ve posted various videos over the years, the ones about your Nigerian culture have gained the most popularity. What’s your biggest takeaway there?
The biggest takeaway is people are so open to learning. I’ve seen comments and people saying, “Oh, I’m not even Nigerian, but I enjoy this video.” I’m huge on culture and love learning about every type of culture. It opens the door for cross-cultural collaboration, especially when I’m doing this in different countries. That’s the highlight for me.
What’s your favorite type of content to create right now?
My favorite is the slang series I do, where I teach people Nigerian slang or ask them to pronounce Nigerian names. I like that the most because I interview random people on the street and love talking to them.
My audience enjoys seeing Nigeria be amplified, and it’s exciting to see people on the street either get our names wrong or say them correctly. We keep it lighthearted and laugh about it no matter what. I’ve been privileged enough to travel the world, and the same way I learn about different cultures, I enjoy exposing my culture.
You’ve been named one of the best TikTokers to follow by The Cut, a 2023 Forbes Top Creator, and made 2024’s Forbes 30 Under 30 list. How does it feel to have these incredible honors on your resume?
It feels good. The [2023 Forbes Top Creator] is the one I’ve always wanted. Even in college, I’d be checking the Forbes list. I’d watch Forbes interviews, thinking, “I want to get there one day.” After taking that leap of faith in quitting that engineering job and becoming a full-time content creator, it’s nice to be walking proof for people like, “Oh, I can do that, too.” This is attainable, and it’s nice to see Black people hold these accolades, but I want it to be more people of color.
There are a lot of creators who are doing great things and are never getting noticed. Some people have it that easy, and some people don’t. I’m one of those who had to keep going, working through the process, the doubts, and everything. I love being able to hold that title, and I hold it with such honor. I hope people see my story and say, “Oh f*ck yeah, I can do that sh*t, too.”
Tell me about your work funding college scholarships for first-generation African American students. How did this initiative come to be?
I’m big on giving back. I knew I wanted to give back through education when I started making more money. I partnered with a company called My Scholly. I collaborated with them and created a scholarship for first-generation students, including those from immigrant parents or immigrants themselves going to college. One of the scholarships went to a first-generation Ethiopian-American, and their parents were in Ethiopia, so it was a huge help. The second student who received the scholarship was in Nigeria, but she was doing online school, and the school was in America. I spoke with them on a video call, and they were both so emotional about the scholarship. It was about $7,000 split between them and went a long way.
It’s been almost a year since you shared your struggle with alopecia. What inspired you to share your story? What was your initial reaction to seeing so much support from fans?
I got to a point where I wanted to embrace my insecurity fully. It was a journey with self-love because if you meet me, I’m very confident. I remember when I would do braids, I’d see a lot of patches in my hair, and I’d feel so down when I saw it. When I finally went to a lady my friend referred me to, I decided to record the process and had no plans to post it. Seeing the results of my hair, I was like, “Whoa.” When I saw my reaction, I said, “OK, let’s post the video.” I was hopeful it would inspire somebody to embrace their insecurity as well. Girl! It inspired way more people. I thought the video would probably get 10,000 views. It got hundreds of thousands of views.
It’s good to be vulnerable online, and we tend to appear perfect when the reality is that we’re all flawed in some way. It was nice to show that side of myself. Now I’m much more comfortable on camera and can take my wig off. I don’t know if it took sharing to make me more confident. Maybe it was, but it’s all the little pieces that got me here.
What’s next for you? What are some goals you want to achieve in the near future?
I see my brand expanding into hosting media and entertainment events, including red carpet interviews with high-profile celebrities. I also want to increase my involvement in public speaking engagements and seminars. I’m considering organizing my own seminars, particularly tailored toward creators. My journey has been incredibly inspiring, and I’m passionate about helping others succeed. I want to be someone who reaches down and helps bring people up. I’m an open book and have so much wisdom to give.
I’ll keep creating content but, at the same time, step into my hosting era.
What would be your dream award show to host?
My brain said all of them. I’d be happy to host the Grammys and Oscars. I like hosting red carpets, but I don’t want to be behind the camera. You need to see me. I’d love to host a talk show one day, have guests play games, and also have vulnerable and honest conversations. We could have some juicy tea on there, too. I’m thinking something like Oprah or Ellen.