Pepi Sonuga has always had a passion for storytelling. From playing pretend as a child to building a career in Hollywood, she has now found herself in a defining moment starring in Six Triple Eight, a historical drama directed by Tyler Perry. The film tells the story of the 6888th Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion that served in World War II, whose mission was to clear a massive backlog of undelivered mail under harsh wartime conditions.
Since its release, the film has been a major success, garnering over 52 million views in its first four weeks on Netflix. At its heart is a powerful ensemble of women, led by Kerry Washington, with Pepi portraying Elaine White a character she describes as elegant yet complex, a woman navigating war and racial discrimination with quiet strength.
In an exclusive interview, Pepi shared her journey in bringing Elaine to life, the significance of this film for Black women, and why her Nigerian heritage remains central to who she is.
Landing the Role of Elaine White
For Pepi, the opportunity to be part of Six Triple Eight was deeply personal.
“Oh my gosh, I was so surprised that I had never heard of these incredible women,” she said. “I just knew I wanted to be part of this project in any way possible.”
Interestingly, she originally auditioned for a different role. Months later, she learned that Tyler Perry had seen her audition, loved her performance, but felt she wasn’t the right fit for that part. Instead, he wanted to find a role that suited her better.
“In Hollywood, people make promises with the best intentions, but sometimes things don’t work out,” Pepi explained. “But Tyler is the boss, so he made that executive decision. Six months later, I got the call that I’d be playing Elaine White.”
It was a surreal moment—one that solidified her belief that she was meant to tell this story.
Bringing Herself into the Character
Portraying Elaine White required deep preparation. Unlike her character, Pepi did not grow up in a religious household, so she immersed herself in research about the Black church in the 1950s, listening to gospel music and studying the experiences of women like Elaine.
However, she later realized that she had unknowingly brought parts of herself into the role.
“The part that stands out the most is definitely the Naija side,” she shared. “I can’t speak for all Nigerians, but the way I was raised, there was a strong sense of structure, discipline, and a certain way you carry yourself socially. I see all of that in Elaine.”
For Pepi, Six Triple Eight is more than just a film it’s a moment in history.
“I see this film as a gem,” she said. “One of the most important things to me is the representation of Black women because I am a Black woman. I can never be anything other than that, and I’m not always happy with how we are represented in media.”
She believes that true representation is not about changing narratives but expanding them.
“I want to showcase the diversity of Black womanhood so little girls can see that there are so many different ways to be a Black woman.”
Working with Kerry Washington and Tyler Perry
Pepi had nothing but admiration for her co-stars and director.
“Kerry was so inclusive,” she said. “She would say, ‘Put on your PJs, come to my hotel, let’s hang out, let’s talk, let’s share advice.’ She’s also our Nigerian in-law, so we claim her!”
About Tyler Perry, she added, “He’s an enigma. So professional, so powerful. It was an honor to work with him.”
Staying Rooted in Nigerian Culture
Though she moved from Lagos to the U.S. at 11, Pepi has never lost touch with her Nigerian roots.
“Nigeria is such a precious part of my identity that I can’t let it go,” she said. “People sometimes say, ‘You’ve been in Los Angeles for 20 years, so you’re from there.’ And I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m from Nigeria.’”
Her love for Nigerian culture extends to music and food. When asked to pick between Adekunle Gold and Burna Boy, she laughed, “No, no, no! Both, both, both!”
Her top five Afrobeats artists? “Davido, Wizkid, Tems, Rema, and Ayra Starr. Oh, and Tekno! We’ll be jamming to his songs till the end of time.”
As for food, her favorites are Egusi and Pounded Yam, with a special love for peppered snail and Agbalumo.
“I need some Nigerian friends to start mailing me Agbalumo,” she joked.
What’s Next for Pepi Sonuga?
Looking ahead, Pepi Sonuga is working on something deeply personal.
“My next project is a love letter to Nigeria,” she revealed. “It has everything to do with my home, and I can’t wait to share more soon.”
As her career continues to rise, one thing is clear Pepi Sonuga is not just making waves in Hollywood; she’s proudly carrying Nigeria with her every step of the way.
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