Dr. Clare Anyiam-Osigwe was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Dr Clare.
Dr. Clare Anyiam-Osigwe As Cover Story Interview – December 2025 Magazine Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
I’m Dr. Clare Anyiam-Osigwe B.E.M – a British-Nigerian filmmaker, wellness expert, allergy specialist, author of Clarity, co-founder of BUFF Business Group (Festival, Awards & Studios) and founder of the allergy-friendly vegan skincare brand Premae. I sit at the intersection of story, science and soul: I help people rewrite their life scripts, heal their bodies from the inside out and see themselves reflected honestly on screen.
Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?
I grew up navigating a lot of instability, including time in foster care, and my father died when I was 9. I learnt early how it feels to be unheard and misjudged. That experience planted the seed for my work in advocacy and healing. In my late teens and early twenties I battled chronic illness – severe candida and multiple food and skin sensitivities, which affected my confidence, my energy and my appearance. Out of sheer desperation I started experimenting in my kitchen, and that’s how my first allergy-friendly skincare formulas were born. Professionally, I’ve often been “the first” or “one of the only” Black women in the room – in dermatology, in beauty entrepreneurship, and in film. Getting my debut feature No Shade into UK cinemas as just the 6th Black British woman in 123 years of British cinema was a triumph, but it came after years of closed doors, colourism, racism and being underestimated. Balancing motherhood, marriage, entrepreneurship, clinical practice and directing for TV and film has also been a very real struggle. I’ve burnt out before. That’s partly why I wrote my #2 Amazon Best-Selling debut book Clarity : to show that you can come through chaos and build a life that feels aligned, not just impressive.
What do people usually not know about you?
I’m actually very introverted. I can speak on big stages and direct on busy sets, but I recharge in quiet corners – like my flower-filled balcony where I read physical books every evening. I’m proudly Igbo and deeply connected to my Nigerian roots, even though I was born and raised in North London. I once cut my 4C hair right down because my scalp needs a complete reset – I understand, firsthand, the emotional side of hair, beauty and identity. Despite all the “multi-hyphenate” labels, I’m very simple in my daily life: home-cooked food, family time, and consistent rest are my non-negotiables now.
What sets you apart from others?
Three main things: A rare bridge between clinical science and creativity I’m an allergy and dermatology specialist, product formulator and educator and an award-winning film director and screenwriter. I can talk to you about immunology and nervous-system regulation in the morning, then direct a romantic drama about colourism in the afternoon. That fusion of film, skincare, and wellness is unusual and powerful. Proven track record of pioneering “firsts” I founded Premae, the world’s first Allergy UK-certified, vegan, allergy-friendly beauty brand, and was honoured with a British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth II for services to dermatology. I then became one of the very few Black British women to secure a UK theatrical release with No Shade, and now I’m building BUFF Studios and BUFF Books to platform underrepresented voices on screen and in print. My Story–Science–Soul method Whether it’s a client, a reader or a viewer, I help people heal on three levels: Story – rewriting the narrative they carry about themselves. Science – testing, treating and nourishing the body. Soul – reconnecting with purpose, joy and faith so life actually feels worth living.
What are your upcoming major events?
Depending on when this is published, my current and upcoming focuses include: Film & TV Projects – I’m directing my second feature film Finding Forever in 2026. We’re in pre-production so get in touch if you can invest. I am continuing my work in television as an Executive Producer and distributor after directing episodes for Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and BBC’s The Break. The next two films we are distributing are Sundance winning Johnathon Majors “Magazine Dreams” directed by Elijah Bynum which is out in UK cinemas from this Friday 5 December. and 2025 BUFF Award winning feature film “Heavyweight” starring Nicholas Pinnock and Jordan Bolger directed by Christopher M. Anthony, our mid January 2026. Clarity Book Experiences – Clarity launched through BUFF Books and I’m hosting “Sip & Sign” events, talks and wellness conversations in the UK and internationally, inviting readers to rewrite their life scripts in real time with me. The birth of the Wellness Film Festival – as co-chair of the British Urban Film Festival, I’m involved in special 20th anniversary screenings, panels and we launched our taster day of wellness-led practices, film conversations highlighting stories around identity, mental health and community. Dr Clare Clinic & Retreats – I’m expanding my clinical and coaching work into live and virtual immersions, helping people with skin, gut and nervous system issues using my Story–Science–Soul approach. (Details are usually announced first on my website and Instagram.)
What expert advice would you like to give?
Listen to your body like it’s your closest friend. Recurring skin issues, bloating, fatigue, anxiety – they are messages, not mistakes. Before you silence them, get curious. Simple allergy and intolerance testing, nutritional changes and nervous-system support can completely change your life trajectory. Rewrite, don’t repress, your story. Many of us are living inside scripts we never actually chose, scripts about being “not enough”, “too much”, “too late” or “too damaged”. The minute you become conscious of the script, you can rewrite it. That’s the heart of Clarity: your past is information, not a life sentence. Protect your nervous system like an asset. Sleep, boundaries, nature, breathwork, joyful movement, therapy, faith, community – these are not luxuries, they are strategic tools. I have done the burnout thing; I don’t recommend it. Design your life so that rest is built-in, not something you “earn” when you crash. Build a life that matches your values, not the ‘feed’. Social media is a highlight reel, not a blueprint. Define your own version of success – how you want to feel at home, in your body and in your relationships – and let that guide your decisions more than trends.
Your social media handles and website links?
- Website https://www.drclareao.com
- Film BUFF Studios: https://www.buffstudios.co.uk
- Wellness Film Fest: https://www.wellffest.com
- Skincare – Premae: https://premae.org
- Social Media – Instagram:@drclareao
- X (Twitter):@clareanyiamo
- Brands & Projects Instagram :@premaeskincare
- YouTube: BUFF Studios – @thebuffstudios
Tom Harrecks is an Author at TheCelebrity.Online Magazine who has a vast experience of covering interviews in various international media agencies.
