Clotilde Delavennat

EARLY LIFE

Clotilde Delavennat has stated that wanting to be an actress was part of her for as long as she can remember. Growing up, she would write “ACTRESS” in capital letters whenever teachers asked about career aspirations. She has credited her supportive parents for never interfering with her dreams and always believing in her. She is multilingual, speaking French (native), English, Spanish, some German, and has worked on Italian. She has also learned some Nigerian Pidgin English through her work in African cinema.

CAREER

She has worked extensively as an actress, and also as a producer on films like the African Movie Academy Award-winning 'Soul Diaspora'. She has served as a French dialect coach on major shows such as 'Interview With The Vampire' and the Emmy-winning 'How to Get Away with Murder'. She is also the writer, director, producer, editor, and lead actor of her first film, 'The Things We Do'. She also starred in Ijé: The Journey (2010), Hollywood Street (2014), Strangers (2019, short), Five Love Pieces (2017), The Dancer (2012), When the Lights Go Down (2010), Pregnancy Express (2014), and others. In interviews, she has spoken positively about Nollywood’s importance on the world stage and expressed interest in working with more Nigerian directors. She has highlighted the value of African storytellers controlling their own narratives and praised platforms such as the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

PERSONAL LIFE

Clotilde Delavennat has described herself as a European immigrant navigating the entertainment industries of Hollywood and Nollywood. She has expressed a strong interest in diverse cultures and the power of film to educate, inspire, and create change. Clotilde Delavennat is married. Her husband is the musician, singer-songwriter, and schoolteacher Renzo (also known as Dennis Lorenzo), who gained widespread recognition as a finalist on season 27 of NBC's The Voice and a previous contestant on American Idol. The couple resides in Los Angeles, California, and they raise three daughters together. They also support each other's artistic endeavors; Renzo composed the musical score for her independent project, The Things We Do.

Clotilde Delavennat is regarded as a rising talent who successfully navigates Hollywood and Nollywood. She has publicly stated that films can change the world by educating, inspiring, and offering catharsis. Her dream roles include fantasy characters (such as a fairy or elf in an epic like The Lord of the Rings) as well as complex dramatic parts. She has cited influences including Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Viola Davis, Marion Cotillard, Michelle Williams, and Juno Temple.