Excerpt from Disruptors 4
I was born and raised in South London and grew up in a Nigerian household, balancing two cultures and navigating spaces where I often felt like I was straddling both worlds. As a child, I was confident and deeply creative. My parents placed a strong emphasis on education and discipline. I was always drawn to academia, performance and storytelling. This meant juggling a law degree and a modelling career that would eventually lead to my life in film.
A defining challenge came when I began experiencing symptoms of what I would later discover was endometriosis. This affected my health and shaped my journey as a teenager and adult. Managing this while pursuing a career in entertainment taught me resilience and the importance of advocating for myself, no matter the odds. These experiences now fuel my advocacy for women’s health and inform my approach to storytelling, both on-screen and through my entrepreneurial ventures.
I strive to challenge narratives that marginalise or silence voices that need to be heard. The catalyst was my diagnosis of endometriosis. The lack of awareness and support around this condition drove me to speak out — not just for myself, but for other women facing similar struggles.
For me, being a Disruptor is about using my voice to shine a light on issues that are often overlooked. Whether it is through my work as an actress, where I champion authentic representation, or my advocacy for women’s health, I strive to challenge narratives that marginalise or silence voices that need to be heard. The catalyst was my diagnosis of endometriosis. The lack of awareness and support around this condition drove me to speak out — not just for myself, but for other women facing similar struggles.
I realised that silence only perpetuates stigma, especially in the African context. Speaking up is a step towards change. This is a key focus of my debut social impact project, BLOOD, a psychological thriller that highlights the horrors of endometriosis and period health.
Zainab Balogun, a British-Nigerian Actress, TV Host, and Executive Producer at ZABA Productions. As an Endo Survivor, she uses her platform to raise awareness. Her credits include starring roles in popular Netflix and Amazon Prime productions and hosting duties on "The Voice Nigeria." Zainab founded ZABA Productions, a multimedia company with a focus on purpose-driven content. Currently, the company is developing "Blood," a psychological thriller based on the true horror of endometriosis and period health.
Notable clients include Laurent-Perrier, L'Oréal, and Dubai Tourism
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