Out and About with D.K. Uzoukwu

D.K. Uzoukwu is a name you will want to remember.

In our latest Out and About interview, the talented up-and-coming actor discusses his journey to Hollywood, his passion for storytelling, and his role in the groundbreaking new Prime Video series Clean Slate. Created by Laverne Cox, Dan Ewen, and George Wallace, this Norman Lear production—one of the final projects from the late television legend—blends humor and heart as it follows Desiree (Cox), a proud trans woman who returns from NYC to Alabama after 23 years to reconcile with her old-school father, Harry (Wallace).

D.K. UzoukwuCourtesy Kim Newmoney

Clean Slate couldn't have come at a more perfect time. When a portion of the population is blatantly encouraged to harbor hatred for the trans community, stories like these are vital reminders that trans people are here to stay, and their narratives deserve to be told. D.K. Uzoukwu plays Louis, a closeted gay choir director and Desiree's childhood friend, whose warm welcome offers a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges of small-town dynamics. A first-generation Nigerian American from Bowie, Maryland, Uzoukwu's upbringing and early love for the arts shaped his passion for portraying deeply human stories. From his theater roots to a promising career in TV and film, he's carved out a space for authentic and inclusive narratives—something that Clean Slate delivers in spades. The series even features a cameo from the OG meme-generating queen herself, Nene Leakes, adding a delightful touch of humor to its poignant storytelling.

Check out our interview below and stream all episodes of Clean Slate now on Prime Video.

The Cliff Hotel in Jamaica is a favorite for D.K. UzoukwuCourtesy The Cliff Hotel Jamaica

Favorite hotel?

Full disclosure, I haven’t really done a lot of traveling in my adult life because I’ve been fully broke for most of it, but I have started to and plan on doing more! Last year, me and some of my very good friends including Danielle Pinnock, took a trip to Jamaica where Danielle’s family is from, and we stayed at The Cliff Hotel in Negril. The most picturesque place you’ll ever find. It’s a beachside hotel with bungalows and a bar built into the pool. My favorite part was the natural wave pool on the edge of the ocean where we watched the sunset. Transformational experience.

Favorite season

Fall. I’m a fall baby. I love everything about it. I miss it, now that I live on the west coast, but it’s the best mix of cool weather and cooler fashions. Best season ever.

If you found yourself stranded on an island, which three celebrities would you desperately hope to have with you and why?

A. Barack Obama. Because if he’s stranded, he won’t be for long. The Secret Service will find him!

B. Bear Grylls. He like, lives outdoors, right? He’d know how to survive. He’s definitely on my team.

C. Danielle Pinnock. She’s my best friend but also extremely resourceful. She’d figure out how to radio the nearest town in under two hours. She’d also be pissed that I’d have make-believe stranded her on a make-believe island.

And which three items do you wish you'd have brought along?

White Chocolate Peanut Butter from Peanut Butter and Co., a case of cream soda Olipop, and a roll of tissue probably would’ve been helpful.

Can you share a travel tip or hack that has made your journeys more enjoyable or convenient?

For my tall people, you know you’re allowed one carry on item and one personal item? And you usually store the personal under the seat in front of you? Yeah, don’t do that because then you have even less legroom! Find a way to make your personal item like a satchel or a purse that you can keep on you while you sit, and you can keep the space in front of you free for you to rest your long legs. Saves me so much pain and discomfort.

New Zealand, home of the Sky Tower in Aukland (pictured) tops D.K. Uzoukwu’s travel wish listCourtesy Tourism New Zealand

Are there any destinations on your bucket list that you haven't had a chance to visit yet?

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to travel to New Zealand. I grew up on Xena: Warrior Princess, which was shot there, and that locale is just unmatched.

If you could star in a music video for any artist of your choosing, who would you pick, and what would you want the concept to be?

I always imagined being a dancer for Missy Elliott. Doesn’t matter what the song is because that beat will be fire regardless. But I’d be the leader of a rival dance group, and we’d just dance battle in front of Missy ‘til we all join forces and become the biggest, baddest dance force of all time. The song would probably be called Shake That.

Can you share a moment when travel allowed you to connect with your own heritage or culture in a profound way?

When I was a kid my parents took the family back to their home country of Nigeria, back to the towns they were raised in. As a nine year old, staying in the same rural homes my mother and father were raised in was the most humbling experience, and made me grateful for their many sacrifices. It also gave me an appreciation for my culture and where I come from that I still carry with me to this day.

D.K. Uzoukwu stars opposite Laverne Cox in 'Clean Slate,' the heartfelt and humorous Prime Video seriesCourtesy Prime

Clean Slate uses humor to tackle complex themes of identity, acceptance, and family. How do you balance the comedic and dramatic elements of the show in your performance as Louis?

What I love about working on a Norman Lear comedy is that it’s never a hard task to find the humor in complex themes. That was and always will be his brand of comedy. And credit to Dan Ewen and Simran Baidwan, our creator and co-showrunners for sticking the landing with the comedy aspect. Louis jumps off the page as a fun, spirited character so I found it very easy to find that balance.

Louis is a deeply layered character—a closeted choir director navigating his own journey while supporting Laverne Cox's Desiree. How did you prepare for this role, and were there aspects of Louis' story that resonated with your own personal journey?

There were definitely a lot of similarities between me and Louis; we both grew up in religious households (D.K. was raised Catholic) and spent time in choirs (D.K. was part of an honors chorus that performed at the Kennedy Center for several years). Obviously, his sexuality is a big part of his story, and I think what resonated most to me was how it informed his relationship with his mother. I found those scenes between me and Telma Hopkins really emotional to play at times. Because Louis is a choir director for his church, I spent a lot of my time digesting any and all gospel music I could find, which wasn’t a hard task because I grew up on it. Singing for the role was not as easy, so I did go through some voice lessons to nail those notes. I hope I did those songs justice!

What do you hope audiences—particularly LGBTQ+ viewers—take away from Clean Slate?

My biggest hope is for any and everyone to be entertained; to laugh their socks off at us. It’s such a feel-good comedy with heart, and I believe anyone watching will be able to see themselves in these characters.

D.K. Uzoukwu plays Louis in the Prime Video series 'Clean Slate'Courtesy Kim Newmoney

Your character, Louis, is one of the first to welcome Desiree back with open arms. What do you think that says about their friendship, and how do you hope audiences will relate to this relationship?

I think that first reunion says that Desiree and Louis have a best-friend bond, and we all want a friend that can receive us in our lowest moments. I hope audiences see how Louis looks up to Desiree; that even though her NYC venture didn’t work out, she was still able to live her life on her terms, and that’s motivation for Louis to get out of his comfort zone.

The show takes place in the Deep South, which comes with its own unique cultural and social dynamics. How did the Alabama setting shape your approach to portraying Louis?

The show does take place in Alabama, but we actually shot in Savannah, Georgia. It’s such a beautiful town with amazing and friendly locals. It’s also very LGBTQ-friendly so it felt like a very safe environment to find and craft Louis. Laura Frecon, our brilliant costume designer, was also huge in helping shape Louis. As you watch the episodes, you’ll see his wardrobe go from more conservative when he’s more reserved and consigned to his choir director role, to a wardrobe with a bit of flair and pops of color once he’s a bit more comfortable being all of who he is by season’s end.