Sunday 29 June 2014
Jide Kosoko's daughter welcomes baby boy
Yewande Adekoya: I almost gave up acting
Yewande Adekoya recently emerged as the Best New Actress at the City People Entertainment Awards. She has Featured and produced several movies including Igbo dudu, Omo Elemosho, Kudi Kelpto, Emere ...
Here is an interview she granted ThisdayLive on her career, family and sundry issues
Emerging Best New Actress….
I feel great and honoured to be named as the best new female actress at the recently held city people entertainment awards. I think the award is an affirmation that I’m doing the right thing and I am on the right path in my career, because when you start getting recognition for what you do, it means you are really good at it. So, all I need to do now is to put more effort so that I can offer my fans more of me. I’m happy generally because the five nominations I got for my movie, Omo Elemosho from AMAA awards 2014 is more or less like an endorsement for me as a film producer while the Best New Actress of the year award given to me by City People is an endorsement for me.
I’m working on an epic movie…
At the moment, I’m working on an epic movie. I’m glad people accepted my last movie ‘Kudi Klepto.’ In fact, they loved it and I’m grateful for that. This is why I’m trying my best to give them something better than what they’ve ever seen from me. So help me God. But for now, let’s keep our fingers crossed. I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet. But trust me; it’s going to turn out amazing. Before now, I’ve produced about seven productions of my own which include Life Secret Season 1 and 2; Igbo Dudu, Omo Elemosho, Kudi klepto, Emere and Irawo Meji which I co-produced with my husband.
My journey as an actress...
I started acting in 2002 when I joined the Alfabash Music and Theatre Group. We were majorly into stage performances and although I had been acting and telling stories since I was little, I could say I took a bold step in 2002 to join a theatre group. My very first production was in 2006, titled: ‘Life Secret.’ It was an English movie, which I later converted into a Soap the same year. So, I went ahead to produce the second season in 2007 and it was aired on 22 local stations in 2008, as well as on African Magic in 2010 and 2011 season. Later, a colleague of mine advised me to take up producing in Yoruba, which I gave a shot. So, I produced ‘Igbo Dudu’ and the reception was awesome. So far, I have featured in over 50 movies. At the moment, I’m a full time actress and film producer. But very soon by the special grace of God, I will start a new line of business. Though several times in the past, I had thought of quitting, but if God said ‘it’s your way, you will find yourself still drawn to it no matter the difficulties you might be facing.’
I almost gave up acting….
I’ve had my down times I must confess, financially and socially but I thank God. When he says this is the way, no matter how stormy the journey is, he will surely pull you through. I’m in God’s hands and He has been the one directing my journey and He has been consistent. It has not been easy at all and if I didn’t have a genuine passion for acting, I would have dusted my certificates and walked into a TV or radio station for a job. I have been turned down several times for no particular reason and I almost gave up on acting. But despite the challenges, I kept on going and I thank God that He eventually made a way for me. Those that once told me to my face that I could never make it as an actress in the movie industry are those that now approach me saying positive things about my talent and I thank God for that.
Fulfillment…
I am just getting started. I have so many dreams and aspirations and God will definitely see me through.
My childhood…
I’m the first out of five siblings and I was born in Lagos State. Growing up was cool for me, because my parents gave us everything we needed and wanted, but they are very principled and I appreciate the way myself and my siblings were brought up.
They empowered us and equipped us well for what we are going to face in the world as adults.
Marriage, family and acting…
God has been good, and my husband is very supportive. He understands the nature of my job. Let me just say God has helped me to find a balance.
Bisi Ibidapo-Obe: I have no regrets taking to acting.
Culled from Sunnewsonline
How would you describe yourself?
I am Bisi Ibidapo Obe, aka Bisi Omologbalogba. I am an actress with about 20 years experience. I am from Ilesha, Osun State.
How did you come into the movie industry?
I loved acting right from my secondary school days. I was inspired by the late Bimpe Adekola aka Ireti. Though my dad wanted me to go to the university, my love for acting was very strong. In my quest to be an actress, I met an actor popularly called Araosan, who gave me the link to the Odunfa Caucus where I met Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, Yinka Quadri, Abbey Lanre and others. I told Ogogo my mission and he asked me to pay the sum of N350 for registration which I did; today, the rest is history.
After your training, which was the first film you appeared in?
That was Edunjobi, a Yinka Quadri film in which the late Bimpe Adekola played a double role; I acted in the court scene.
A waka pass role?
Yes, but I became popular with the film Ojo Ibi, produced byYemisi Jaiyeola, while Bisi Omologbalogba shot me into the limelight. My first production was Oyinade which was followed by Omojesu and Ijeunagba.
Why haven’t you been prominent in most films released lately?
I have been selective for a very long time. Even when it comes to my own productions, I take my time so as not to do a bad film. I don’t just accept any script because my career is very important to me.
Have you really made money from acting?
We thank God, at least, I can take care of myself.
What has been the highest and lowest fees you have ever charged in the course of your career?
I cannot really say which was the highest and which was the lowest fees I have charged because the Yoruba film industry is communal in nature and we are like one family. But one thing I don’t like about the communal thing is that some of my colleagues and producers capitalise on the nature of our industry to pay actors peanuts. But just the same, it’s still a good and viable industry.
Did your parents discourage or support your acting career?
My dad was very bitter. He even threatened to disown me but my mum supported me. I will always be grateful to the late Bimpe Adekola, who took it upon herself to speak to my dad, who later agreed to my choice of career. Today, my father is proud of me and I have no regrets taking to acting.
What are the challenges of being an actress?
First and foremost, let me talk about the film industry. The industry has become an all-comers affair unlike when we started out those days and we had caucuses. In those groups we underwent training. For example, during my days at Odunfa, I trained for about three years before I could play a waka pass role. But nowadays, everybody you come across has turned producer. As for the challenges, I thank God for making me an actress and I can boast that all that I have is through acting and there are no regrets whatsoever. But the only disadvantage is that we don’t enjoy our privacy and we are the target of journalists and others. However I have no regrets.
From your experience, would you say there is sexual harassment in the movie industry?
I don’t believe in sexual harassment. People talk about the movie industry because we are in your faces. Do you know what happens in the universities and hospitals? Do you know what happens among doctors and nurses? If you date your boss it’s no big deal as long as it’s a mutual thing. But as for me, I have never experienced sexual harassment.
Is it true that actresses’ marriages don’t last?
Like I said earlier, because we are in your faces, our marriages are reported whenever there is problem. If a woman walks out of a marriage, you don’t need to blame her because she might be having life threatening issues. So, it’s better for people to look inwards and investigate before concluding that actresses don’t make good wives. I’m yet to get married; I don’t know how matrimony feels like. For me, I will take my time before going into it and I pray God to give me the bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.
How soon are you getting married?
I want to get married but when is what I don’t know. For me, God’s time is the best.
Who is your kind of man?
My prayer is let God choose for me from anywhere. It could be from the movie industry or anywhere else because I don’t want to go into marriage and get out of it within a short period. I want my man to take me as Bisi and not Omologbalogba, the actress.
Do you have crush on any Nigerian star?
No, it could sound funny but it’s the truth. I love R. Kelly and my friends know that I buy his CDs.
Why did you diversify into boutique business?
Since I don’t go to location all the time I need other businesses that will bring some cash for me to make ends meet. For your information, this is not the only business I do; I am also into supply among other things. The reason for going into boutique business was because I discovered that those living around Magodo travel far and wide to buy pants, bras and other things and this culminated in my decision to locate this kind of a store here.
Why did you include sex toys?
I did not open a sex toyshop. I sell men and women under wears and a few other things. I also have a section for body massage, body polish and other things that are related to that. On the issue of sex toys, I have this to say, if I sell sex toys so what? Nigerians are a bunch of hypocrites. They make issues out of non-issues. When I travelled to London I saw some newly wedded couples buying sex toys but back here, Nigerians believe that those that buy sex toys are harlots. In fact, there is dignity in the use of sex toys.
Do people patronize you?
I am not into the sales of only sex toys but there is a big market for them.
Is selling sex toys based on your personal experience or your friend’s?
No.
Is it true that Nigerian men are not romantic and that is why women buy sex toys?
I don’t know anything about that. But I do know that most of those who buy sex toys are couples. I have seen quite a number of couples walk in to buy these sex toys here.
Where do you see Bisi Ibidapo-Obe in the next 10 years?
Nice place by God’s grace. I am moving higher and higher; as long as there’s, life there’s hope.
There is the belief that most actresses, especially those using flashy cars do some runs aside acting. How true is this?
You don’t expect us to burn our candles at both ends. We get money from what we do which is acting. Ibiti eniyan ba ti nse lo ti nje (You eat from the labour of your hands).
Any plan for your own production soon?
Yes, and that would be very soon.
How would you describe yourself?
I am Bisi Ibidapo Obe, aka Bisi Omologbalogba. I am an actress with about 20 years experience. I am from Ilesha, Osun State.
How did you come into the movie industry?
I loved acting right from my secondary school days. I was inspired by the late Bimpe Adekola aka Ireti. Though my dad wanted me to go to the university, my love for acting was very strong. In my quest to be an actress, I met an actor popularly called Araosan, who gave me the link to the Odunfa Caucus where I met Taiwo Hassan Ogogo, Yinka Quadri, Abbey Lanre and others. I told Ogogo my mission and he asked me to pay the sum of N350 for registration which I did; today, the rest is history.
After your training, which was the first film you appeared in?
That was Edunjobi, a Yinka Quadri film in which the late Bimpe Adekola played a double role; I acted in the court scene.
A waka pass role?
Yes, but I became popular with the film Ojo Ibi, produced byYemisi Jaiyeola, while Bisi Omologbalogba shot me into the limelight. My first production was Oyinade which was followed by Omojesu and Ijeunagba.
Why haven’t you been prominent in most films released lately?
I have been selective for a very long time. Even when it comes to my own productions, I take my time so as not to do a bad film. I don’t just accept any script because my career is very important to me.
Have you really made money from acting?
We thank God, at least, I can take care of myself.
What has been the highest and lowest fees you have ever charged in the course of your career?
I cannot really say which was the highest and which was the lowest fees I have charged because the Yoruba film industry is communal in nature and we are like one family. But one thing I don’t like about the communal thing is that some of my colleagues and producers capitalise on the nature of our industry to pay actors peanuts. But just the same, it’s still a good and viable industry.
Did your parents discourage or support your acting career?
My dad was very bitter. He even threatened to disown me but my mum supported me. I will always be grateful to the late Bimpe Adekola, who took it upon herself to speak to my dad, who later agreed to my choice of career. Today, my father is proud of me and I have no regrets taking to acting.
What are the challenges of being an actress?
First and foremost, let me talk about the film industry. The industry has become an all-comers affair unlike when we started out those days and we had caucuses. In those groups we underwent training. For example, during my days at Odunfa, I trained for about three years before I could play a waka pass role. But nowadays, everybody you come across has turned producer. As for the challenges, I thank God for making me an actress and I can boast that all that I have is through acting and there are no regrets whatsoever. But the only disadvantage is that we don’t enjoy our privacy and we are the target of journalists and others. However I have no regrets.
From your experience, would you say there is sexual harassment in the movie industry?
I don’t believe in sexual harassment. People talk about the movie industry because we are in your faces. Do you know what happens in the universities and hospitals? Do you know what happens among doctors and nurses? If you date your boss it’s no big deal as long as it’s a mutual thing. But as for me, I have never experienced sexual harassment.
Is it true that actresses’ marriages don’t last?
Like I said earlier, because we are in your faces, our marriages are reported whenever there is problem. If a woman walks out of a marriage, you don’t need to blame her because she might be having life threatening issues. So, it’s better for people to look inwards and investigate before concluding that actresses don’t make good wives. I’m yet to get married; I don’t know how matrimony feels like. For me, I will take my time before going into it and I pray God to give me the bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.
How soon are you getting married?
I want to get married but when is what I don’t know. For me, God’s time is the best.
Who is your kind of man?
My prayer is let God choose for me from anywhere. It could be from the movie industry or anywhere else because I don’t want to go into marriage and get out of it within a short period. I want my man to take me as Bisi and not Omologbalogba, the actress.
Do you have crush on any Nigerian star?
No, it could sound funny but it’s the truth. I love R. Kelly and my friends know that I buy his CDs.
Why did you diversify into boutique business?
Since I don’t go to location all the time I need other businesses that will bring some cash for me to make ends meet. For your information, this is not the only business I do; I am also into supply among other things. The reason for going into boutique business was because I discovered that those living around Magodo travel far and wide to buy pants, bras and other things and this culminated in my decision to locate this kind of a store here.
Why did you include sex toys?
I did not open a sex toyshop. I sell men and women under wears and a few other things. I also have a section for body massage, body polish and other things that are related to that. On the issue of sex toys, I have this to say, if I sell sex toys so what? Nigerians are a bunch of hypocrites. They make issues out of non-issues. When I travelled to London I saw some newly wedded couples buying sex toys but back here, Nigerians believe that those that buy sex toys are harlots. In fact, there is dignity in the use of sex toys.
Do people patronize you?
I am not into the sales of only sex toys but there is a big market for them.
Is selling sex toys based on your personal experience or your friend’s?
No.
Is it true that Nigerian men are not romantic and that is why women buy sex toys?
I don’t know anything about that. But I do know that most of those who buy sex toys are couples. I have seen quite a number of couples walk in to buy these sex toys here.
Where do you see Bisi Ibidapo-Obe in the next 10 years?
Nice place by God’s grace. I am moving higher and higher; as long as there’s, life there’s hope.
There is the belief that most actresses, especially those using flashy cars do some runs aside acting. How true is this?
You don’t expect us to burn our candles at both ends. We get money from what we do which is acting. Ibiti eniyan ba ti nse lo ti nje (You eat from the labour of your hands).
Any plan for your own production soon?
Yes, and that would be very soon.
Sunday 22 June 2014
Egbo Inu
Egbo Inu tells the story of three young men that met in the university and became close pals, two of them were a bad influence on the third, who was a mummy's boy. The story is well scripted and interpreted by the actors. At the end of the movie, you would keep guessing about why things turned out the way they did. I think the story also highlights the importance of parents being close to their children, to become friends with them rather than exercising authority over them.
Starring: Gabriel Afolayan, Rachael Oniga, Sunkanmi Omobolanle, Lola Idije, Akeem Sokunbi, Joke Muyiwa.
Starring: Gabriel Afolayan, Rachael Oniga, Sunkanmi Omobolanle, Lola Idije, Akeem Sokunbi, Joke Muyiwa.
Toyin Aimakhu: A lot of people don’t know me; they just judge me from the screen
Culled fom Sunnewsonline
Toyin Aimakhu can best be described as a romantic. The popular Yoruba actress, who is married to an actor, Adeniyi Johnson, shares with The Entertainer her life, career, marriage, challenges and many more. Excerpts.
What is Toyin doing lately?
I just shot a move entitled, ‘Eta’. It is a story about a triplet and I played the three characters. Also, ‘Alakada’ will be coming out by July.
What was your growing up like?
It was sweet sort of though, I am from a poor background, it’s a past issue now; I give God the glory. I grew up in a small community, like a village but it was fun. Trust me because we were so healthy, we ate fresh food and there was nothing to worry about.
Were your parents farmers?
No, they were not but that was what they could afford at that time. Though, we did a little farming, my mum is a pastor and founder of churches. My dad used to work with Ibru in Benin but has retired a long time. He is also helping in the church as well.
What was it like being poor?
Well, I didn’t know we were poor; I just got to realize it. You know there are some people who are poor and you look at them that they are poor but they don’t see it. It was later I realized that we were poor. It was later I realized that that was why we couldn’t eat spaghetti because we couldn’t afford it, and we ate rice once in a week. But to me it was fun and it was just a normal way of living. It was when I was growing up that it really dawned on me. When I got to school, I also noticed but really it was fun for me growing up that I hardly took notice that we were poor.
When you were in school were you a popular kid?
Not really, but when I was in St. Annes Secondary School, I drummed. I was a drummer girl. Then, I played handball and football. I was even in the Oyo State team.
How is married life?
Marriage is sweet because I got married to my friend; we fall into the same age range. But now things are different, you can’t do things without informing the other person. Sometimes when I want to make some decisions and he is not around or his phone is not going, I have to wait. I also have to act like a mother but I am enjoying it all.
Which do you enjoy, is it being single or married?
Of course, I prefer being married. You can enjoy being single because you don’t have anyone questioning you. But being married is sweeter because there is someone out there who cares so much about you. You are coming home to meet someone and there is someone out there who can go an extra mile for you, and you know, it is every woman’s dream to get married. So, it is better off than being single in some ways.
You are both actors, how did you meet him?
I actually met him on set.
Was it love at first sight?
No, he was my junior colleague and he is still my junior colleague anyway. He just walked up to me and said he liked my movies and I said ‘thank you’. You see, I am a kind of person that is very free with everyone. I don’t keep to myself, even if you are an upcomer, I don’t care who you are. I am just me and I am free with everybody. When my car was stolen, he had the opportunity to ask me about it, and we became friends. At that time I was single, I had issues with my ex, so we became friends and we got talking and I realized he was even three years older than me. I also realized he is a fantastic guy and very intelligent. I was like let’s give it a trial.
There is a tattoo on your hand, in the name of your husband, why?
Well, it is his name. I just did it. You know a lot of people don’t know me; they just judge me from the screen. But the thing about screen is that, when you see ladies, actresses or actors that kiss a lot in the movies or that go extra length, they are always the calm and the decent ones. I am not saying that others are indecent but it’s always like that, a lot of people don’t know me, they don’t even know who I am. They only see me on screen, well, that must be the mistake I made, being real with my roles. For instance, now I am telling people who are training under me that ‘most times you can’t get too real with some roles because this is the mistake I had made myself’.
You have to cut down some things; maybe at that point I didn’t see someone to tell me. So, they don’t even know me, they don’t know who I am, a lot of people judge me from the screen. But I am not what a lot of people think. I don’t even go out. I just started going out when I got married. The reason I didn’t go out when I was single was because when you go out a lot, you meet a lot of people and you get confused. That is why some people, today they meet a rich man and tomorrow they meet someone richer. So, at that time, I didn’t want to get confused. I just wanted to stay at home and later meet a good man. Now that I have met my man, I go out more often because even if you are richer than whatever in this world, I have got my man and wearing my wedding ring.
What are the challenges you have been faced with in the industry?
A lot. You see, a lot of people see you in a movie and they judge you based on the characters you played. You know, they deal with you according to the roles you play in the movies. But it’s not like that because I just did my job. Even when I got married they were like ‘isn’t she an actress?’ There is a sort of stigma on us and they forget that what some girls out there do is far worse than what we do. But we are in the limelight. I am not a young girl. I am an adult. I graduated like nine years ago.
So, I want what I want and I can tell you the guys I have dated. I am a lover girl, when I am dating someone everybody knows because I don’t know how to hide my relationship. When we have problems, people will be like, ‘see, she is not dating this person again’. But sit down and count the guys I have dated, they are not even up to five and I have never dated any married man in my life. Let any woman come out and say I have dated her husband. I have never done that. When people go on blogs and say sh-t about me, some people just go on the internet and say rubbish about people, let them come out and challenge me. Those are the things we face; they say actresses get married to married men. What about people who are not actresses that do the same?. I am not saying it is right or wrong, I am just saying that everyone has his or her opinion. However, I understand we are role models and a lot of people look up to us.
Recently, it was all over the Internet that you were pregnant, are you pregnant?
Do I look pregnant? I think it is the dress, you can see I look slim here. It is a positive thing and I am happy. I can’t wait to be a mother. When you are married in Nigeria the next thing is getting pregnant, but my husband is young and I want to be with my husband now. When the kids start coming, the attention will shift, so let me love my husband and we will have kids. But if I get pregnant now, it is fine. It’s going to come, please help me tell them to chill.
What great lessons did your parents teach you that you couldn’t forget?
Do what makes you happy but think of people around you. And also pray.
You said earlier that your mother is a pastor?
She is not just a pastor; she is also a founder of churches. She has like five churches.
What was your parents’ reaction when you told them you were going to be an actress?
They didn’t like it at first but my mum just called me and gave me some words of advice, that I should hold the family’s name in high esteem. They don’t watch movies but sometimes people watch and they tell them, and when they ask me about some roles I played, I try to explain to them or sometimes I just tell them that’s not me. I won’t lie to you; I have played roles in movies that I regret. Trust me. But what will I do? Will I kill myself? Of course not. I just smile over it and look the other way. You know, it is because of the passion I have for this job, I play some roles and I want them to look real. When I leave the set, I will be like ‘why did I do this?’ Or when I watch some of my movies, I will ask myself ‘why did I play this role like this?’ Often times I wonder why I have not met my husband long time ago to correct me about some things. Was I dating the wrong people back then? Why is it that some of my senior colleagues didn’t tell me about this?
How did he propose to you?
He proposed on a cheap canoe (laughs). We were coming from Ikorodu and there was this mad traffic. We were running late and we had to do a job quickly. We had to park our car at Badore and hop on the canoe. He proposed right there. When we were coming back and even if I wanted to say no, I dare not because we were on the sea (laughs). But I was happy; I knew I was going to get married to a young man because I told God ‘if I don’t get married to a young man, I would rather remain single than marry a married man’.
What blew me away in your acting was the movie, Alani Baba Labake. You were so deep in your acting, what really inspires you?
I never wanted to be an actress because it was not my dream; it was not my passion. I never saw it coming. I wanted to be a physiotherapist, I wanted to go to University of Ibadan because I had friends there, but I had problems with my admission and my result wasn’t complete. So, I had to go to Ire Polytechnic and later OOSU. I just wanted to help people. But it happened that my late brother had a friend and he had an uncle who was a marketer then. So, when I lost my brother, the guy sent someone to give me something and he told me that if we needed anything that I could come to him because someone had already told him that my late brother was our breadwinner.
That day, as I wanted to drive off, he asked me who owned the car. And I told him it was my friend’s car and that she was in University of Ibadan. He then asked if I knew Bukky Wright and I said yes, he now said that Bukky Wright wanted to shoot a movie in Ibadan and that she needed someone who knew Ibadan very well. I was so elated when I met Bukky Wright. I remember when they were shooting they were all waiting for someone who I guess was Ireti Osayemi; so they asked me to stand in for her. But when they saw the way I acted, they were very impressed. The next day, Muyideen just walked up to me and said he wanted someone to play Rachael Oniga’s younger sister, because back then I had this Ibadan girl makeup. I created a dark spot on my face, a sort of mole. So, Muyideen asked me if it was real and I said ‘yes it was real’. I said that because I was a very playful girl. They said they needed a fresh face. I asked him if he would give me money and he said yes. I asked him about the location and he said Lagos. I was a bit withdrawn about coming to Lagos but I eventually came and that was it.
Was there a time you wanted to pull out of acting because you got so overwhelmed with the challenges?
No, there was no time like that. I have never been harassed. As a matter of fact, I dated someone in the industry, that was some few years back and it was because I wanted to date him. We liked each other and we decided to date. We had a relationship, so I was never abused, nobody asked me for sex. When some people say that, I am like maybe it’s because of their appearance, because when I get to location, I greet everyone with respect.
Toyin Aimakhu can best be described as a romantic. The popular Yoruba actress, who is married to an actor, Adeniyi Johnson, shares with The Entertainer her life, career, marriage, challenges and many more. Excerpts.
What is Toyin doing lately?
I just shot a move entitled, ‘Eta’. It is a story about a triplet and I played the three characters. Also, ‘Alakada’ will be coming out by July.
What was your growing up like?
It was sweet sort of though, I am from a poor background, it’s a past issue now; I give God the glory. I grew up in a small community, like a village but it was fun. Trust me because we were so healthy, we ate fresh food and there was nothing to worry about.
Were your parents farmers?
No, they were not but that was what they could afford at that time. Though, we did a little farming, my mum is a pastor and founder of churches. My dad used to work with Ibru in Benin but has retired a long time. He is also helping in the church as well.
What was it like being poor?
Well, I didn’t know we were poor; I just got to realize it. You know there are some people who are poor and you look at them that they are poor but they don’t see it. It was later I realized that we were poor. It was later I realized that that was why we couldn’t eat spaghetti because we couldn’t afford it, and we ate rice once in a week. But to me it was fun and it was just a normal way of living. It was when I was growing up that it really dawned on me. When I got to school, I also noticed but really it was fun for me growing up that I hardly took notice that we were poor.
When you were in school were you a popular kid?
Not really, but when I was in St. Annes Secondary School, I drummed. I was a drummer girl. Then, I played handball and football. I was even in the Oyo State team.
How is married life?
Marriage is sweet because I got married to my friend; we fall into the same age range. But now things are different, you can’t do things without informing the other person. Sometimes when I want to make some decisions and he is not around or his phone is not going, I have to wait. I also have to act like a mother but I am enjoying it all.
Which do you enjoy, is it being single or married?
Of course, I prefer being married. You can enjoy being single because you don’t have anyone questioning you. But being married is sweeter because there is someone out there who cares so much about you. You are coming home to meet someone and there is someone out there who can go an extra mile for you, and you know, it is every woman’s dream to get married. So, it is better off than being single in some ways.
You are both actors, how did you meet him?
I actually met him on set.
Was it love at first sight?
No, he was my junior colleague and he is still my junior colleague anyway. He just walked up to me and said he liked my movies and I said ‘thank you’. You see, I am a kind of person that is very free with everyone. I don’t keep to myself, even if you are an upcomer, I don’t care who you are. I am just me and I am free with everybody. When my car was stolen, he had the opportunity to ask me about it, and we became friends. At that time I was single, I had issues with my ex, so we became friends and we got talking and I realized he was even three years older than me. I also realized he is a fantastic guy and very intelligent. I was like let’s give it a trial.
There is a tattoo on your hand, in the name of your husband, why?
Well, it is his name. I just did it. You know a lot of people don’t know me; they just judge me from the screen. But the thing about screen is that, when you see ladies, actresses or actors that kiss a lot in the movies or that go extra length, they are always the calm and the decent ones. I am not saying that others are indecent but it’s always like that, a lot of people don’t know me, they don’t even know who I am. They only see me on screen, well, that must be the mistake I made, being real with my roles. For instance, now I am telling people who are training under me that ‘most times you can’t get too real with some roles because this is the mistake I had made myself’.
You have to cut down some things; maybe at that point I didn’t see someone to tell me. So, they don’t even know me, they don’t know who I am, a lot of people judge me from the screen. But I am not what a lot of people think. I don’t even go out. I just started going out when I got married. The reason I didn’t go out when I was single was because when you go out a lot, you meet a lot of people and you get confused. That is why some people, today they meet a rich man and tomorrow they meet someone richer. So, at that time, I didn’t want to get confused. I just wanted to stay at home and later meet a good man. Now that I have met my man, I go out more often because even if you are richer than whatever in this world, I have got my man and wearing my wedding ring.
What are the challenges you have been faced with in the industry?
A lot. You see, a lot of people see you in a movie and they judge you based on the characters you played. You know, they deal with you according to the roles you play in the movies. But it’s not like that because I just did my job. Even when I got married they were like ‘isn’t she an actress?’ There is a sort of stigma on us and they forget that what some girls out there do is far worse than what we do. But we are in the limelight. I am not a young girl. I am an adult. I graduated like nine years ago.
So, I want what I want and I can tell you the guys I have dated. I am a lover girl, when I am dating someone everybody knows because I don’t know how to hide my relationship. When we have problems, people will be like, ‘see, she is not dating this person again’. But sit down and count the guys I have dated, they are not even up to five and I have never dated any married man in my life. Let any woman come out and say I have dated her husband. I have never done that. When people go on blogs and say sh-t about me, some people just go on the internet and say rubbish about people, let them come out and challenge me. Those are the things we face; they say actresses get married to married men. What about people who are not actresses that do the same?. I am not saying it is right or wrong, I am just saying that everyone has his or her opinion. However, I understand we are role models and a lot of people look up to us.
Recently, it was all over the Internet that you were pregnant, are you pregnant?
Do I look pregnant? I think it is the dress, you can see I look slim here. It is a positive thing and I am happy. I can’t wait to be a mother. When you are married in Nigeria the next thing is getting pregnant, but my husband is young and I want to be with my husband now. When the kids start coming, the attention will shift, so let me love my husband and we will have kids. But if I get pregnant now, it is fine. It’s going to come, please help me tell them to chill.
What great lessons did your parents teach you that you couldn’t forget?
Do what makes you happy but think of people around you. And also pray.
You said earlier that your mother is a pastor?
She is not just a pastor; she is also a founder of churches. She has like five churches.
What was your parents’ reaction when you told them you were going to be an actress?
They didn’t like it at first but my mum just called me and gave me some words of advice, that I should hold the family’s name in high esteem. They don’t watch movies but sometimes people watch and they tell them, and when they ask me about some roles I played, I try to explain to them or sometimes I just tell them that’s not me. I won’t lie to you; I have played roles in movies that I regret. Trust me. But what will I do? Will I kill myself? Of course not. I just smile over it and look the other way. You know, it is because of the passion I have for this job, I play some roles and I want them to look real. When I leave the set, I will be like ‘why did I do this?’ Or when I watch some of my movies, I will ask myself ‘why did I play this role like this?’ Often times I wonder why I have not met my husband long time ago to correct me about some things. Was I dating the wrong people back then? Why is it that some of my senior colleagues didn’t tell me about this?
How did he propose to you?
He proposed on a cheap canoe (laughs). We were coming from Ikorodu and there was this mad traffic. We were running late and we had to do a job quickly. We had to park our car at Badore and hop on the canoe. He proposed right there. When we were coming back and even if I wanted to say no, I dare not because we were on the sea (laughs). But I was happy; I knew I was going to get married to a young man because I told God ‘if I don’t get married to a young man, I would rather remain single than marry a married man’.
What blew me away in your acting was the movie, Alani Baba Labake. You were so deep in your acting, what really inspires you?
I never wanted to be an actress because it was not my dream; it was not my passion. I never saw it coming. I wanted to be a physiotherapist, I wanted to go to University of Ibadan because I had friends there, but I had problems with my admission and my result wasn’t complete. So, I had to go to Ire Polytechnic and later OOSU. I just wanted to help people. But it happened that my late brother had a friend and he had an uncle who was a marketer then. So, when I lost my brother, the guy sent someone to give me something and he told me that if we needed anything that I could come to him because someone had already told him that my late brother was our breadwinner.
That day, as I wanted to drive off, he asked me who owned the car. And I told him it was my friend’s car and that she was in University of Ibadan. He then asked if I knew Bukky Wright and I said yes, he now said that Bukky Wright wanted to shoot a movie in Ibadan and that she needed someone who knew Ibadan very well. I was so elated when I met Bukky Wright. I remember when they were shooting they were all waiting for someone who I guess was Ireti Osayemi; so they asked me to stand in for her. But when they saw the way I acted, they were very impressed. The next day, Muyideen just walked up to me and said he wanted someone to play Rachael Oniga’s younger sister, because back then I had this Ibadan girl makeup. I created a dark spot on my face, a sort of mole. So, Muyideen asked me if it was real and I said ‘yes it was real’. I said that because I was a very playful girl. They said they needed a fresh face. I asked him if he would give me money and he said yes. I asked him about the location and he said Lagos. I was a bit withdrawn about coming to Lagos but I eventually came and that was it.
Was there a time you wanted to pull out of acting because you got so overwhelmed with the challenges?
No, there was no time like that. I have never been harassed. As a matter of fact, I dated someone in the industry, that was some few years back and it was because I wanted to date him. We liked each other and we decided to date. We had a relationship, so I was never abused, nobody asked me for sex. When some people say that, I am like maybe it’s because of their appearance, because when I get to location, I greet everyone with respect.