Ayo Edebiri, a Nigerian-American actress, shared her deep sadness over the notion that her gay and Muslim friends might not reach heaven. She revealed her decision to depart from the Pentecostal church she was born into during an interview with Vanity Fair, shedding light on the pivotal reasons behind her shift in religious perspective after relocating to New York.
Growing up in America with immigrant parents, Edebiri described her upbringing as stringent and devoutly religious. Her mother was a member of a Pentecostal church, where teachings centered on modesty and prohibited adornments like jewelry, exposed skin, or tight-fitting attire. Additionally, the church’s emphasis on the impending return of Jesus heightened her feelings of anxiety.
“It was horrible for my anxiety, I was petrified of death. I was petrified of the rapture,” she said.
She also grappled with the belief imparted by her church that her gay and Muslim friends would not attain heaven. “It was genuinely distressing and causing me a great deal of stress and sadness,” she confided to the publication. Feeling overwhelmed, she felt the need to take a hiatus.
As a result, she opted for a break from the church and its teachings. While she occasionally accompanies her parents to church, she remains on this hiatus.
Since rising to prominence as an actress, Edebiri has made significant waves in Hollywood. Her role in the popular series “The Bear” has earned her acclaim, including a Golden Globe, a Critics Choice Award, and an Emmy Award.
