At just barely five years old, Emmanuella Samuel became one of the most recognisable faces in a new era of short-form comedic content. As a former member of the Mark Angel group of comics, her videos, with her sharp wit, were constant fixtures in the pre-TikTok years.
She was nominated twice for the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award: in 2018 as Favorite African Stars alongside Davido and again in 2021 as Favorite African Social Star, which she won.
As a teenager, she has moved away from the sharp-mouthed Emmanuella the public first met and came to love. But she has not moved away from skit-making, as she regularly jumps on trends on TikTok. All this she does while attending secondary school. How does she balance it all?
In this week’s #MadeinNigeria, she opens up about being a child star, going to school, and why her old friends are scared of her now.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
How did you start making content?
I started when I was about four years old. At the time, it wasn’t something I took too seriously—I was just having fun. I’d mimic people, act out scenes, and entertain my family without even realising I was creating content. But as I got older, I started paying more attention to it, and eventually, it became something I knew I wanted to do for real.
What has the journey been like so far?
The journey hasn’t been easy at all. People see the fun parts—the recognition, the exciting projects, the love from fans—but they don’t always see the sacrifices. I’ve had to let a lot of things go because of work. Sometimes, I miss out on normal teenage experiences because I have a schedule to keep up with. But at the end of the day, I love what I do, and that makes the hard parts worth it.
How do you balance work and school?
It’s not easy at all, but I make it work. I only take on projects during weekends and school holidays to make sure my work doesn’t affect my studies. I also have a great team that helps me manage everything. Back in the day, I used to read like my life depended on it because I didn’t want to fail. Even now, I take my academics very seriously—I’ve worked too hard to let one side of my life suffer because of the other.
What does it mean to be a teen star in Nigeria?
It comes with a lot of expectations. In school, I find it hard to come out of my class during break time because everyone wants to talk to me or take pictures. It’s exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Everyone wants to be my friend, and sometimes, I can’t tell who genuinely likes me for me and who just wants to be associated with my fame. But I love the attention—I just make sure not to let it get to my head.
What’s an interesting encounter you’ve had with a fan?
There have been a lot, but one of the funniest happened at an international event in the Caribbean. I was just walking in when some people saw me and started bowing like I was some kind of goddess. At first, I was confused, then I just burst out laughing. It was flattering but also really funny.
What’s it like working as a teen star in an industry full of adults?
Honestly, it’s great. Most of the adults I work with show me love and encourage me. They don’t treat me like a child but as someone who has something to offer. It makes me feel valued and respected in the industry, and I really appreciate that.
What kind of reactions do you get from fans?
Words can’t even explain it. The love is overwhelming. Sometimes, I’ll post something and the response is just mind-blowing. People send me messages telling me how much they admire me, how I inspire them, or how something I did made them smile. Those moments remind me why I do this.
How have your friends treated you differently since you became famous?
A lot of them have changed. Some of my old friends are scared to come around me now—like they think I’ve changed or that I see myself as better than them. In reality, I’m still the same person. But I understand that fame can make people act differently, and not everyone knows how to handle it. At this point, I have only a few close friends, and I’m okay with that.
What do you love the most about being famous?
Definitely the attention and appreciation that comes with it. There’s something special about knowing that people see and celebrate your hard work. It makes all the sacrifices worth it.
What do you dislike the most about being famous?
I can’t just move around freely like my peers. Sometimes, I just want to go out, chill, and be a normal teenager, but that’s not always possible. There’s always someone watching, and that comes with its own pressure.
How has fame changed your life?
In both good and bad ways. On the positive side, it has opened doors for me and given me opportunities I never imagined. But there’s also the downside—sometimes, I read comments on my posts, and they make me want to cry. Other times, I see something nice, and I can’t stop smiling. It’s a mix of emotions, but I’m learning to focus on the good and not let the bad get to me.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently under a new management team called RawTalent.com, and we’re working on taking my career to the next level. If you’ve been following my page, you’ll notice a transformation in the kind of content I put out and the quality of my production. This is just the beginning—I’m excited for what’s coming next.
