Even
though I was born in Lagos, I am from Sagamu, Ogun State. I am the
second of my mother’s three children. I was singlehandedly raised by my
mum because she and my father separated.
Education
I attended Our Lady of Apostles Private School, Yaba, for my elementary
education and Remo Secondary School, for my post-elementary education. I
earned an Ordinary National Diploma in Accountancy from Moshood Abiola
Polytechnic, Abeokuta. I bagged a degree in the same discipline from the
Lagos State University, Ojo.
My first acting gig was
Papa Ajasco and Company. After acting for television for two years, I began to feature in movies.
The first movie I took part in was Rotimi Makinde’s
Aso Iyi. By the time I finished that production, I had another offer to act in Bayowa Films’
Ige Adubi. I was one of those few lucky ones who kept getting roles back-to-back. I also featured in the movie
Nkan Ini, by Yetunde Wunmi. I have produced some movies including
Ogede Didun, Tenteni, and
Oluwatimilehin, to name a few.
Love and marriage are the reasons I relocated to the United Kingdom.
However,
I love living in Nigeria and if it were possible, I would want to
live in Nigeria full-time again. In the United Kingdom, the winter
season and the ‘do it yourself’ lifestyle is definitely a struggle, but
the economic, social, health, emergency response and recovery agencies
as well as equal rights, high standard of education and opportunities
that abound are incomparable to what is obtainable in Nigeria.
Challenges
I
always leave my kids and travel to Nigeria for work, so it’s quite
tedious and challenging for me. Whenever I am away from the United
Kingdom, my husband cares for our children in an excellent manner.
Celebrity marriages
It
takes a lot to sustain a marriage and the truth is that when a break-up
happens, it is not always the fault of the celebrity involved.
Sometimes, the break-up might be due to the action or inaction of the
celebrity’s spouse. Other factors like interference from in-laws, the
media, family and friends, may also lead to conflict.
Roles
As
a mother, wife and Yoruba lady, I don’t jump at every role that I am
offered; I am quite picky. When you are given a script, it is your
choice as an actor to be able to read through, analyse it and say, “I’m
sorry, I cannot play this role.’’ Because I have a family that I do not
want to let down, I would never play a role that my husband, children
and other members of my family won’t be proud of.
Motherhood
I
have been able to create a work-life balance with the support of my
family. I couldn’t have been able to do it without the support of God,
my husband and children. They understand that I have to work. Motherhood
is not easy for working mothers but I thank God that I have been able
to create a balance especially now that I live in the United Kingdom. In
a year, I am usually away for about six or seven months working.
Fashion
I
am not obsessively concerned with fashion but I like to look good. I
wear what I like and the good thing about living abroad is that when one
goes to a shop, you can try on clothes. I like wearing short dresses
and they are my fashion fetish.
Mentors
I
have a different perception when it comes to the issue of role models
and mentors. You must realise that they are human and can make mistakes
too. There was someone I looked up to until the day he did something
that put me off completely. It was too much for me to bear. Before now, I
used to have mentors ,but right now, I don’t want to look up to
anybody. I might see someone and appreciate what he or she does. Since I
can be very emotional, I don’t get too attached to people or what they
do. They might mentor you in a good way, but that should also come with
some form of caution. The only mentor that I have right now is God.
Current productions
I have a group called Opeyemi Aiyeola Rehearsal Group, which
nurtures talents. I have a script for my next movie but plans for the
production are still in the incubation stage. When I finally shoot the
movie, it will be a film fit for the cinemas.
At the beginning of this year I was empty I believed that I had lost
you. I could no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel, I
started to believe everything the devil tried to pin on me that I was
ugly & worthless & bad but every time I saw you I couldn’t
ignore the light in your eyes & the unconditional love in your
warmth.. God saw me through PPD & knowing I had to be strong for you
kept me going. I walked into 2016 without you, but we are walking into
2017 together! #GodIsBiggerThanMoney #HappyNewYear #JustBelieve2017 #ThatsMyBestFriend
