Background
I am from Lagos State. My siblings and I
were brought up in Isale Eko, where we lived with my father. My mum
passed away when I was really young, so I basically became the mother of
the house. I became responsible for the upkeep of my siblings and
father. I did the cooking and was saddled with the responsibility of
taking my brothers to school. Till date, I still care for my siblings
and parent and I am protective of them. My brothers often have to remind
me that they have come of age.
Education
I studied Catering and Hotel Management at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu.
Acting
I believe I was destined to become an
actress because I never planned to become one. It happened that while I
was still a student at the Lagos State Polytechnic, popular actor and
director, Antar Laniyan, and some other actors, came to shoot a movie
scene on campus. I recollect that it was a Wale Adenuga production. I
walked up to him and told him I was interested in becoming an actor and
the rest is now history.
Breakthrough
I started with Papa Ajasco by Wale Adenuga Productions. In addition, I featured in So Wrong, So Wright, This Life, The Valley Between,
and some others. I also produced my own movie titled T’omi T’eje, which
was inspired by my National Youth Service Corps experience. For one
reason or the other, some corps members, who enlisted for the scheme at
the same time that I did, were unable to complete the programme. The
essence of the movie that I produced was to draw attention to some of
the challenges corps members face during their service year.
Scripts
Even though I am usually given scripts
where I have to play tough roles, I’m a versatile actress and can fit
into any character. I love roles that challenge me. However, I’m an
advocate of decency, and there are things that I just can’t do. There
was a time my child confronted me for smoking in a movie. It happened
that way because I usually tell them that cigarettes are bad for the
health. It was a herculean task explaining that I had to smoke because
my character in that particular movie necessitated that I smoked.
Nollywood
There’s tribalism in the industry. Most
Igbo producers are more comfortable working with their Igbo folks. It is
even the Yoruba actors that go after Igbos as long as the person can
interpret the role.
Hollywood
I would absolutely love to feature in a
Hollywood production. If the script contains nudity, there are
stunt-doubles who play such roles. I don’t have to strip; you’d just see
my face, but someone else would be naked.
Motherhood
Because my mother died when I was a
little girl, I make sure that I discuss with my children all of the
time. I also encourage them to see me as a friend because my mum was
quite strict.
Controversies
I’ve never been a controversial person. I watch what I do, where I go and who I associate with.
Fans
Some fans find it difficult to
differentiate between you and the roles you play in movies. That is one
of the challenges I face as an actress and it is a major one. Some
people come up to me to say, “You’re too wicked. What you did is not
good.” Some also behave in an unfriendly manner whenever we meet.
Style
Style to me means looking good without going nude, and I also love shoes
Source: Punch
