Named a ‘Star Of Tomorrow’ by Screen Daily earlier this year Lauryn Ajufo’s star is most definitely shining bright!
Lauryn is in the early stages of her career but it definitely has been a rewarding and promising one. Her break-out role was in the award-winning film Boiling Point directed by Philip Barantini who also cast her in his upcoming feature Accused. She will soon be seen in Netflix’s Fuck It Bucket and Luther alongside Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo. Lauryn currently stars in ITVX teen drama Tell Me Everything.
Tell Me Everything is a drama exploring the stresses of mental health for today’s teens it follows Jonny Murphy, who is trying his best to navigate through this world and his friends Louis and Neve (Ajufo) and newcomer Mei as they search for their own identity, exploring sexuality, and experimenting with relationships, drink, drugs and sex.
We spoke to Lauryn about the series and how important it is to discuss the trials and tribulations of teenagers sooner rather than later…
Please introduce yourself …
Hi! I’m Lauryn Ajufo, Nigerian at heart yet born and raised in South London and I’m an actress.
Describe your life right now in a word or one sentence …
Euphoric.
Tell us about “Tell Me Everything” and what drew you to the project …
Tell Me Everything is ITVX’s brand-new teen drama exploring issues such as mental health, sexuality and the pressures of social media that teens today may face. I’ve always wanted to do a teen drama, I grew up watching Gossip Girl, 90210, and Vampire Diaries so it was a no-brainer that this was something I’d be interested in. Besides my character, Neve is super cool.
The show deals with quite a few issues such as grief, drugs, the effects of drugs etc … How did you prepare for the role? And how important do you think it is for these subject matters to be looked at from a teenager’s perspective?
There were a lot of discussions amongst ourselves within the cast and Mark the writer. Reflection also played a huge part in the preparation, you kind of look back and reflect on scenarios you or someone you know has been in and incorporate that into your performance. It’s also super important for these matters to be seen from the perspective of a teen because self-doubt, trying drugs and drinking mostly start very young therefore it’s best to have these discussions now rather than later.
How does your character Neve develop as the story expands, her best friend has undiagnosed depression and is acting out and she tries to support him as best she can but how does this affect her?
As the series develops you gain an understanding as to why Neve is very sociable and portrayed as the party girl out of the group. You may say it’s escapism from the pressures of life. In saying that she does have maternal attributes which are shown when she consoles Johnny, however, it does take a toll on her and affects her progress.
What does the story mean to you personally?
Neves’s story personally means a lot to me. There are many young black women and girls who may feel isolated being the only black person in a predominantly white environment and Neves’s story shows that you shouldn’t let that dim your light. That it’s a beautiful thing to embrace who you are and where you’re from and most definitely something to be proud of. No matter where you are, wear your crown and remember you’re that girl.
Tell us a memorable moment on or offset.
A memorable moment for me is when we went for our first lunch together. It was just so sweet and fun. I tried my first Baby Guinness.
Highs, lows, solutions (tell us the high points, any obstacles to getting the film completed and how you resolved the obstacles) …
Working with Zainab Jaye, the Hair & Makeup designer on Tell Me Everything, was one high point for me. Creating different hairstyles and playing with colours was just such a great experience. There weren’t any lows for me.
What’s your current plan B? (if it all goes wrong what’s the plan?)
I don’t have a plan B because plan A won’t go wrong. In the words of Maame Adwoa, a Tik Tok queen “Plan B? Repeat plan A. There’s no plan B because there’s no ifs or buts”.
What’s made you Sad, Mad, Glad this week?
What’s made me sad this week is that I’m back from my Amsterdam holiday. Mad, the amount of my money I spent in Amsterdam and glad I made it back safely from Amsterdam.
What are you watching right now?
I am currently watching Wednesday.
What are you reading right now?
I just finished Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola such a beautiful book. Now onto Honey & Spice and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover.
What are you listening to right now?
Anyone and everyone RnB, alt/indie. Jvck James, Ambré, Hotel Ugly, Phabo, UMI, Kehlani the list is never-ending!
The last thing you saw on stage?
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy. Just absolute perfection.
What’s on your bucket list?
That’s a good question. Let me think about that one.
Celebrate someone else (who do you rate right now?)
I want to celebrate my dad. I don’t know anyone else who grafts as much as he does. I really do admire his passion, love and yearning to constantly educate himself and be a better version than yesterday. Don’t tell him I said that though.
Celebrate yourself … (make us proud of you).
Many say I should be proud of everything I’ve achieved so young and I am but I’m most proud I have family and friends who have never given up on me. The love and support is what truly keeps my going.
Where can we find you?
You can find me on all socials @laurynajufo.
What’s next for you?
Patiently waiting for the release of Luther and the new Netflix series The Fuck It Bucket. Two projects I’m so grateful to be a part of.
Tell Me Everything is out today streaming on ITVX