Yetide Badaki, the Nigerian-American actress who brought Bilquis to life in Starz’s hit series American Gods, has a real-life story that rivals any role she’s played. Born in Nigeria, Badaki’s childhood was a whirlwind of international moves. She hopped to England at age 3, boomeranged back to her homeland at 6, then touched down in America as she hit her teens.
Her role in American Gods became a platform to showcase her Nigerian heritage and address broader issues of representation. In a 2017 interview with TshisaLIVE, she shared:
Africa is a part of me. I grew up in Nigeria. I can still remember its sights and sounds, the smell of the places I visited and the people which made such an impact on my life. Africa is alive within me, it is in my skin, and I hope to share it with audiences through my new role.
Badaki, 44, saw her character as an opportunity to challenge perceptions and promote unity. She emphasized the importance of recognizing our shared humanity despite our differences.
Reflecting on the significance of her casting, Badaki pointed out how it sparked important conversations about representation in media:
It’s bringing it right to the forefront of the conversation, so the question becomes well why can’t a black woman be that person, why do people not see us in this way?
Besides, securing her U.S. citizenship was no easy feat. This three-year process was filled with obstacles. “America is a tapestry and each person who comes in from somewhere else is a new thread. When I finally got citizenship I cried again, this time with joy, she told The Guardian. “It saddens me when people don’t realize how applying for citizenship is mainly a show of love for this country.”
She Comes From a Great Family Roots
Badaki was born to Kiki Edwards, the CEO of the Dementia Care Society of Nigeria, and Femi Badaki, a consultant at Azures Consulting on September 24, 1981.
Her brother, Ayodeji, is a lawyer with his firm, the Badaki Law Firm. He even helped her prep for a role as a space lawyer in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Sharing the experience on Instagram, she credited him as a “major influence on NEERA KETOUL.” She added,
the exact same older brother I used to watch STAR TREK: NEXT GENERATION with back in Nigeria.
Another important figure in her life is her younger sister, OreOluwa. She’s a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College.
Similarly, her late grandmother, Leticia Laniyou—affectionately known as “Mama” by Yetide—was a notable figure in Ottawa’s African, Caribbean, and Black communities. Her contributions were still well-recognized, particularly since she helped establish the African Canadian Association of Ottawa in 2015, becoming a respected voice and leader in the community.
Sadly, she passed away in August 2023 at the age of 100.
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Her Parents Were Initially Concerned About Her Career Choice
At 16, Badaki entered McGill University as an English major. However, she soon discovered her passion for theater, which led to a significant conflict with her family. She recalled the moment she decided to change her major:
When I told my father I was switching from environmental science to theatre studies, his response was well then you’re on your own. There I was, disowned and freaked out.
Despite her parents’ apprehensions about the unpredictable nature of the entertainment industry, Badaki remained determined. She admits:
My parents were concerned initially, because they felt there was a lot of mystery around the performing arts. Getting involved in theatre and Players Theatre productions was an act of rebellion for me.
Even years later, as Yetide found success with American Gods, her father’s reluctance persisted. She joked about his refusal to watch the show, while her mother surprised her with her openness:
My mum, on the other hand … I kept on asking her ‘are you sure you’re ok with watching this scene?’ Eventually, she wrote just one line back to me: ‘Apparently you are more of a prude than I am’.
It’s worth noting that her father and mother are divorced now, but this hasn’t impacted her relationship with either of them, including her stepmom. She said that her dad and stepmother even “came to my graduation at Illinois, which was a huge deal.”
At McGill, Yetide caught the attention of Professor Myrna Wyatt Selkirk, who directed her in a Brecht play. Selkirk witnessed her transformation from a reserved student into a standout performer. This key experience opened doors for Yetide, leading to roles with prominent theater companies in Chicago and ultimately earning her an MFA from Illinois State University.
American Gods Inspired Her to Come Out as Bisexual
For Yetide, playing Bilquis on American Gods (2017-21) wasn’t just a career move – it was a journey of self-discovery. In 2021, she came out as bisexual, attributing her courage to the show’s open discourse on sexuality. In an interview with Gay Times, the actress shared:
I’ve always known I was different, but I didn’t have the words for it. Being on American Gods, surrounded by such diverse characters and open conversations about sexuality, it just clicked for me. I realized, ‘Oh, this is who I am. I’m bisexual.
She also commended the show for its commitment to LGBTQ+ representation, particularly praising characters like Salim and the casting of Devery Jacobs and Dominique Jackson. “We have these amazing LGBTQ+ characters and storylines,” she explained. “It’s not just for show – it really makes a difference.”
The actress further emphasized how the show’s inclusive environment personally affected her. “I feel like this show is always willing to have these conversations, and always willing to open it up. I’ve experienced firsthand how that kind of open discourse allows for personal freedom.”
She Had a Boyfriend Before
Yetide Badaki is reportedly single now, but evidence from her past suggests she has had her fair share of relationships.
In 2014, she posted a photo on social media where she is holding hands with an unidentified man at a historic ruins. Her caption read: “We were at the ruins of the Roman Coliseum in Carthage, Tunisia. My little sister caught a picture of us exploring.”
Despite this glimpse into her personal life, the identity of her past companion remains unknown.
