Tiffany Haddish has quickly made her way into mainstream Hollywood as a top Black actress and comedian. From spending nights sleeping in her car just years ago, the Girls Trip star is now landing roles with some of the industry’s biggest names.
What many may not know, however, is that Haddish is of Eritrean descent. While she was born and raised in Los Angeles, the star’s father was born in Eritrea. Just a few years ago, she visited his home country to reconnect with her family and sadly, bury her father.
Haddish’s father always instilled in her the importance of repping her heritage. During the 2018 Oscars, she appeared on the red carpet decked out in traditional Eritrean garb.
“My father is from Eritrea and he passed away last year, he said one day I would end up here,” Haddish told reporters on the red carpet. “He said that if I ever end up at the Oscars to honor my people, so I’m honoring my fellow Eritreans.”
She recently took the step to officially become a citizen of the same country as her father and has now been granted citizenship.
Last week, she traveled to Asmara, Eritrea to participate in the 28th anniversary of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front. The week-long celebration marks the country’s independence from Ethiopia. Thousands of people fill the streets and participate in colorful carnivals to celebrate the May 24th victory.
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Late rapper Nipsey Hussle was also of Eritrean decent. Hussle’s father, Dawit Asghedom, was born and raised in the country before coming to the states and starting his family.
The rapper was proud of his heritage and visited in recent years to connect with his family. Hussle described the journey as one that truly changed him for the better. Several photos and videos have been shared across social media of the visit.