“I believe that in life, you have to explore all opportunities.”
Olutosin Itohan Araromi, also known as Ola, is living out this thought exactly.
As a former reigning Miss Nigeria USA, her love for pageantry has permeated just about every aspect of her life.
From offering pageant-coaching services to young girls in the diaspora wanting to get into pageantry, to simultaneously being a Therapeutic Support Supervisor full-time and Applied Behavior Analyst Therapist for children with autism part-time, “I always try to make sure my schedule is full. I believe you should do as much as possible, especially while you're young and have the energy.”
Before attaining features in multiple online and print magazines, and strutting down the runways of New York Fashion Week, her journey to reclaiming her identity echoed a similar tone compared to other first-generation Americans.
Here is her story.
The youngest of 3 siblings, Olutosin was the first person in her immediate family to be born in America.
In the early 90s, her family emigrated from Lagos, Nigeria to New Jersey, USA. And in May of 1993, Olutosin entered the picture.
Elementary school in Irvington was followed by a family move to West Orange, which was more diverse than the former school district she attended. In addition to a substantial Black population, Latinos, Asians and Whites became her everyday crowd from middle school onward.
Through it all, she felt different.
“I really didn’t say I was Nigerian. I’d always cut my name down so that people could understand it better. I was bullied late elementary school until mid-middle school because of my skin color and even my name. Instead of Olutosin, they’d call me ‘Over Toasted’.”
“I didn’t really know where I fit. I was just too American to be African, and sometimes too African to be American.”
But fortunately for Olutosin, being ashamed would flip to a strong sense of pride of culture once college came around.
Afro-beats and Montclair State University
At the 2nd largest university in New Jersey, Olutosin hung with a mixed crowd at the predominately White institution.
During her first years, the emergence of Afro-beats was taking over campus parties. WizKid, Davido, and other West African artists were in heavy rotation, and Olutosin’s conscious took notice.
“Going to different mixers and parties with Nigerians is what made me really love the culture again, appreciate it, and identify with it even more…Afro-beats helped me understand Yoruba [language] a little bit more and helped me get into who I was.”
By late sophomore year, Olutosin reclaimed her identity.
She then decided on a major that would allow her to help and empower people outside of a classroom – Human Services (with a concentration in Health and Family Services and a minor in Psychology).
Pageantry
Prior to being Miss Nigeria USA, Olutosin recalls getting into pageantry at a fairly early age compared to other competitors.
In her late teens, Olutosin found herself in a predicament. “As a teenager, you should always do something extracurricular. I did cheerleading in middle school, but stopped. I didn’t play basketball, volleyball or anything. So pageantry was an outlet that I used to express myself.”
So at 17-years-old, Miss New Jersey’s National American Miss (in the teen category) became the first pageant that she partook in. Although she didn’t place, she realized one important thing: “At a young age, you can make an influence.”
During the competition, Olutosin came across girls of a similar age who were inspiring. Some held 4.0 GPAs, others obtained full-rides to college, did work for the UN, or started a non-profit…just all-around intelligent young ladies.
Through this, “I definitely saw pageantry as a way for me to come into myself and be confident and proud of who I am…I used to be so scared to speak in front of people, but now I can literally jump in front of a room of 200 people and speak eloquently.”
“Besides God and my mom, pageantry is really what has shaped me into who I am, and even for my future plans in life.”
Miss Nigeria USA
In 2015, the Miss Nigeria USA pageant was a chance to showcase her skills. And long story short: She came, she saw, she conquered. Olutosin gracefully reigned as Queen from September 2015 to May 2016.
“What made me really prideful of my country was that I was an ambassador for my people in the diaspora.”
During her reign, Olutosin was in her final year at Montclair. “Let’s just say senior year was one of the hardest. [laughter]”
She juggled school full-time, worked 2 jobs, and held the crown – which called for making guest appearances at events, community service, and participating in scheduled interviews.
In May 2016, Olutosin graduated with a Bachelor’s in Health and Family Services.
Life after the crown
“As a former beauty queen, I identify with my people and always try to show the positive light of Nigerians. So many people just associate Nigeria with fraud and Boko Haram. They don’t hear about the great food, music; how smart our people are. So if I can do anything for my country, I can at least show the positive side.”
“Queenship is really after the crown. When you don’t have that crown on, what are you doing? Are you still making an impact?”
Yes, she most certainly is!
In addition to working in her specialized field, modeling, humanitarianism and entrepreneurship are also a very active part of her life and future business endeavors in Nigeria.
Earlier this year, she launched Olutosin Pageant Coaching Services – equipping young girls with interview, walking and public speaking skills in order to present the best version of themselves during pageants.
As someone who once stood in a confused middle ground, today, Olutosin is 100% confident in who she is and where she comes from. “I love both of my cultures. I love being a Nigerian-American. And most of all, I love showing people about Nigerian culture.”
Her advice to someone who may be struggling with their cultural identity:
Wherever you are from, be proud of who you are and know that your uniqueness is what makes you ‘you.’ Stay true to who you are, and know that you have a divine purpose in this world.
Try to find that purpose; find your passion. Once you find your purpose and your passion, other opinions won’t matter too much because you know why you’re here. And you know why you’re doing it.”
Her advice to her 16-year-old self:
“Stay true to who you are and always know that God is on your side…Never let anybody knock you down.”
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- Images courtesy of Olutosin Itohan Araromi
- For the latest information, follow Olutosin on Instagram: @iamolutosin