Joseph Benjamin Reveals Why He Became a Taxi Driver in the US.
In a surprising revelation, Joseph Benjamin, the renowned Nollywood actor, has shed light on the unexpected turn his life took after relocating to the United States in 2016. The 46-year-old actor shared his journey during a recent episode of the Teju Babyface Deep Dive podcast, hosted by comedian Teju Babyface on Monday.
Benjamin’s decision to become a cab driver in the US was motivated by a series of unforeseen challenges that he encountered upon his arrival.
Read Also Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to Decline Ministerial Appointment Amid Security Clearance Concerns
He had moved to the US with the promise of pending acting gigs, believing he was on the verge of a smooth transition. However, shortly after arriving, his plans were upended when the proposed deals fell through due to financial setbacks on the other end.
Speaking on the podcast, Benjamin recounted, “I got to America on a promise that I had some gigs waiting for me. So I thought I was going to have a soft landing there. I packed up everything from Nigeria, bought a one-way ticket, and came to America.” He continued, “I was put in a well-furnished house and all of that. Then two days later, the person who I was supposed to book a deal with said to me, ‘Those our financiers have pulled out. They have an issue.'”
Read Also Bola Tinubu’s pushback over academic records is suspicious – Atiku’s US lawyer
This sudden twist of events left Benjamin grappling with uncertainty, as he found himself faced with the daunting prospect of paying rent for his accommodation without a stable source of income. The financial challenge he encountered was compounded by the stark contrast in living costs between Nigeria and the US.
He explained, “The amount of the one-month rent was equivalent to a one-year rent in Nigeria. I’m like, ‘I’m not earning any money so what do I do?’ I don’t know what to do. So, shot into that life, I had to figure out what to do. I had nowhere to go. Nothing to turn to.” The actor also shared that he had received invitations to return to Nigeria for work, but he lacked the financial means to do so.
In order to make ends meet, Benjamin embarked on a transformative journey, embracing unconventional means to pay his bills. He turned to driving for ride-sharing platforms like Uber and Lyft, as well as working as a delivery person for Amazon. “And then someone gave me a car. I’m like, What do I do with the car? And they said Uber. I was driving for Uber and Lyft to pay my bills,” he revealed.
Despite the challenges, Benjamin managed to find resilience and even discovered moments of connection with his fellow Nigerians in the US. He recounted the interactions he had with passengers, saying, “I carried a lot of Nigerians, my name on the Uber App was Joseph. The moment they get in or three minutes into the journey, they know I’m the one.”
The actor’s tenacity and determination in the face of adversity serve as a testament to his unwavering commitment to forging his path in a new country. As he worked tirelessly to make ends meet, he encountered encouragement from passengers who recognized his potential and shared words of support.
Joseph Benjamin’s candid revelation highlights the unpredictability of life and the extraordinary measures individuals may need to take to overcome unforeseen challenges. His story serves as an inspiration to others who may find themselves navigating unexpected detours on their journey towards success.
