Tiffany Haddish And 9 Other Stars Who Are Proudly Eritrean

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While walking the red carpet at the 90th Academy Awards on Sunday night, comedian Tiffany Haddish stood out, but not for her usual colorful antics. Instead, the 38-year-old caught everyone’s attention due to the traditional Eritrean ensemble she wore. As she shared with press, her father told her that she would be at the Oscars one day, and when she went, he encouraged her to honor her people. Her dad, who was from the country, passed away in 2017.

“He said one day I would end up here and if I ever ended up at the Oscars to honor my people so I’m honoring my fellow Eritreans,” she said.

Haddish may have picked up the traditional attire during her trip to Eritrea recently:

The star is one of many in the entertainment industry to represent the Eastern-African country. Check out nine other stars who are proudly Eritrean.

Swizz Beatz

Born Kasseem Dean, the producer’s father, whom he didn’t have much of a relationship with growing up, was from the country.

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J. Holiday

Born Nahum Grymes, the “Bed” singer is the son of an Eritrean father.

Qwanell Mosley

A member of Day26, Qwanell “Q” Mosley’s parents are of African-American and Eritrean heritage.

Azie Tesfai

The actress, who plays Nadine Hansan on Jane the Virgin, is the daughter of both a mother and father from Eritrea.

Nipsey Hussle

Ermias Asghedom, otherwise known as Nipsey Hussle, is the son of an African-American mother and Eritrean father.

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Ella A. Thomas

Thomas, who has appeared on the shows Ten Days in the Valley and Mistresses, and also appeared as Lorraine Hansbury in Nina, is the daughter of an Eritrean mom. Her father, who was in the Air Force, met Thomas’s mother when he was stationed in the country.

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Grace Mahary

The model, who made her breakthrough in Trey Songz’s “I Invented Sex” video but since then, has already walked 200 runways, is the daughter of two Eritrean parents.

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Nat Berhe

The free safety for the New York Giants is actually the first player of Eritrean descent to be drafted into the NFL.