Archie Madekwe's Parents Divorced When He Was a Child Facts about His Family & Ethnicity

Actor Archie Madekwe's parents played an instrumental role in shaping his life and career. They have taught him crucial lessons about embracing vulnerability, which he confidently carries.

Archie Madekwe's parents, although no longer together, have played significant roles in their son's personal growth, particularly regarding his emotional well-being. The couple split up when he was little, but they still made him feel loved.

However, that helped him mature faster. The young actor has since maintained a relatively private stance regarding his personal life and his parents, although he did open up about them in a previous interview.

Archie Madekwe at the press night after-party for "Further Than The Furthest Thing" on March 16, 2023, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

How the Divorce of Archie Madekwe's Parents Shaped His Emotional Resilience

Archie opened up in 2020 about his unconventional childhood, shaped by his parents' early divorce. He reflected on how this experience fostered a strong sense of independence within him. He said:

"It wasn't always the nicest of surroundings but, throughout all of those experiences, I felt so loved. I felt very supported, and I guess maybe that gave me the freedom to pursue the job I'm now doing in a way that not everybody has access to."

Coping with the complexities surrounding his parents' breakup made him mature quickly and assume a guardian-like role beyond his years. As a result, he became aware of his emotions at an early age.

Archie Madekwe at the "Gran Turismo" Photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival on May 26, 2023, in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Archie last cried when he watched "Honey Boy," an autobiographical film inspired by actor Shia LaBeouf's life. The film stirred memories of Archie's own childhood experiences. Despite the initial discomfort with the film, he appreciated the emotional release, which helped him let go of something he had been holding onto.

From South London, Archie has mixed-race origins.

Based on his own experience, Archie shared the importance of showing emotions even at a young age. He believed that parents should always remind their children that it's completely okay to express their feelings and experience whatever emotions they're going through.

The young star also shared his thoughts about the phrase "boys don't cry," often used to stop children from crying. He stated that this phrase may seem simple but can have real and lasting effects on children.

If parents become more aware of how the language and ideas they share shape their children's outlook, it can result in less pent-up anger for kids. He said it may take time for parents to adopt this change, but such a shift is crucial for societal progress.

While his parents are no longer together, Archie maintains a strong bond with them, but he shares an exceptional connection with his mother and once shared a funny memory about her.

In a light-hearted manner, Archie mentioned that his mother was not overly excited about the sudden popularity of the name "Archie," as she had thought of it before it became a trend.

Archie Has a Cousin Involved in Acting

Archie forges ahead in his acting career and is not the only member of his family in the industry. Before achieving stardom, he had someone serve as his influence in the entertainment world: his cousin, Ashley Madekwe, an actress who gained fame in various TV shows, including "Revenge" and "The Umbrella Academy."

They both attended England's performing arts academy, The BRIT School, known for its creative atmosphere. Archie recalled that he didn't initially view acting as a serious career path. According to him, the school encouraged artistic freedom, and the focus was on making theater and art, not on the business side of the industry.

Archie Madekwe and Ashley Madekwe at the Vanity Fair and Lancôme Celebrate The Future Of Hollywood on March 24, 2022, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Archie admitted that he only became aware of agents and their roles in his last year at the school. He signed one contract when he turned 18, realizing the challenges of securing representation in the acting world.

Archie Madekwe and Florence Pugh at the launch of Lotus London, the first flagship in Europe for Lotus cars, on July 27, 2023, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Archie Advocates for Justice through Art

From South London, Archie has mixed-race origins from his parents' diverse Nigerian, English, and Swiss backgrounds. Despite his unique origins, he strives to diversify his roles to break free from the stereotype of being the "guy from the block."

He has also shown that acting is just one facet of his multifaceted persona. He has also begun actively participating in social advocacy, although he's hesitant to call himself an activist.

One of his initiatives involved collaborating with Converse and the charity Youth Ink to provide arts education for young people within the justice system. In this endeavor, he joined forces with 20 to 30 participants.

Through the activity, he raised awareness of the roles in the entertainment industry and dispelled the misconception that acting is only for the middle class. The group also took on activities like directing and creating short films.

While reflecting on this program, Archie stated that his goal is to create a sense of community for those who may not have stable home lives. As he continues to achieve more in the industry, he remains committed to his humanitarian vision of making the world a better place.

The actor is also passionate about other causes, including diversity and representation, climate change and the planet, mental health, toxic masculinity, and more. He had also talked about wanting to set up workshops and classes around drama, storytelling, and writing.

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