Tell me about your family?
I’m the first child in a family of five. My mum is from Ogun state
and dad is from Lagos. In my father’s family , if you are not an efico
(very brilliant in school) you are nothing. I wanted to do the arts but
no one would hear of it. I attended Mayflower Secondary School and did
my ND in Food Technology at Moshood Abiola Polythecnic. I didn’t go for
my HND, because I started business early and I didn’t want to
over-burden my mum then who had responsibilities of sending my four
siblings to school.
Is it true that you dated Wemimo?
That is very funny because Uncle Wemmy (Paul) never asked me out. I
will say something I’ve never said to anybody to you today. My first
movie ever was Wemimo’s film, Aiye Jobele. I acted seven scenes and went
back to school to tell my friends to watch out for me. I went with
pictures I took with some of the stars including Saidi Balogun, Baba
Wande and others. To my greatest shock when the movie came out, I didn’t
see any of my scenes. My roommates gathered to watch looking for me in
the movie. They asked if it was true I was in the movie. I cried and
went to a business center and called Wemimo. He asked why couldn’t I go
and meet the DOP I was friendly with on set. What happened was, I think
he had something in mind but he never asked me out. I was closer to a
man behind the scenes who asked me out then. I didn’t even date him; we
just struck a good friendship. He’s an elderly man and his name is Uncle
Sunday Ogunyemi. Wemimo said since I saw the man as the alpha and
omega, I should go and meet him. I cried that day and told him that he
will still spend a fortune to beg me to act for him. I believe it’s
still going to happen.
How did you get into the industry?
It was after watching Ale Ariwo. Uncle Wemmy was a major
stakeholder in the industry then. I called him and he told me to come. I
went to his office at Ibadan and registered. That was how I got into
the industry. The people I met on set then told me to come to Lagos and
work with them. That was the beginning of the journey. I did Itakun and
from there got several referrals.
Did you get paid for Itakun?
I was paid my transport fare (general laughter).
Which movie gave you prominence?
That was the first movie I produced, Aje Egbodo. It was an all-female cast movie. It was about lesbianism.
Was that how the rumour that you are a lesbian started?
Don’t mind them. How can I be a lesbian and write a story to preach
against it? They said I’m a lesbian while another blogger said I’m a
serial lover. Which one should we believe? (general laughter).
Have you ever been approached by a lesbian?
Yes, I was after the movie came out. When they made their passes , I
made them understand that I’m not into lesbianism. Yoruba, Igbo and
Hausa lesbians made passes at me. They usually started by being
friendly. You will get the message when they do odd things and would
come out clearly when they know you are already suspicious or aware.
But seriously, what’s the big deal about giving in once to one of these ladies. It won’t kill you, will it?
I’m not interested. I’m so-so straight. I’m very finicky, I can’t do that.
What’s the big deal about a girl fondling your boobs, she’s a girl. It’s safe, isn’t it?
It’s a big deal. It’s not safe. It’s demonic. How can a girl be fondling my boobs? No way. They’re for the opposite sex.
Who says they’re for the opposite sex?
That’s what the Bible says. I’m a Christian.
Are you happy?
I am.
Is there something you would like to change?
It will be the way people judge me without knowing me.
Is it true you are rich because you are a drug courier?
I’ve never seen it before, except the powder and cassava flour we use in movies.
Have you ever dated a drug baron?
I don’t know. I’m saying that because you know men can hide a lot
of things but none has ever come out to say he’s into narcotics.
Have you ever sniffed drugs?
Never. I don’t even understand why people say that. I don’t have
two cars, I’m still a tenant, I don’t have diamonds. I wonder how people
come up with these stories. I’ve been doing business as far back as
1998, don’t you think the business would have grown since then?. Those
who know where I come from won’t be surprised at my progress? I still do
buying and selling and I have a crèche, Paydab in Surulere. I run a
business with my mum. She sells toys.
Has anybody ever broken your heart?
I’ve never been heart broken but I always find myself breaking hearts.
What do you look for in a guy?
A guy that can be real. I don’t want someone who says he is what he is not.
Is it true you are a serial lover?
The writer is dumb. You call me a serial lover and you mention one
or two names. Serial means many. He should roll out more names.
How many men have you dated?
Sam! How can I tell you that? I started late though. I didn’t have a boyfriend until I got into higher institution.
Have you dated someone in the industry?
Yes, one person.
Who’s the person?
He’s behind the camera.
Why didn’t it work?
It wasn’t as if we were heading anywhere. We liked ourselves and appreciated our works.
Have you ever cheated on your boyfriend?
Yes.
Why?
When I realized he wasn’t real and not what he said he was. In my
mind, I moved on even without telling him. I move on in my mind before
telling the person I’m dating. If I make up my mind, that’s it.
Did he catch you?
No, just like you don’t get caught (general laughter)
Has your boyfriend ever cheated on you?
Which guy does not cheat? Guys are born to cheat.
Did you feel bad?
Yes, most definitely. I won’t leave my man because he cheated. I
won’t. That’s the way men are. They can tell you, you are the only sugar
in their tea. Don’t mind them. There’s honey they are mixing with it…
(general laughter). I don’t want to see it. You know some guys are so
irresponsible that they splash it in your face.
God make me this lucky o (General laughter). The most dangerous
women are women who don’t appear bothered because you don’t know what
I’m thinking in my head. That is far better than shouting and raking.
Who are you dating now?
Nobody. I need a break.
Have you ever dated K1 or any of his friends?
I have never dated K1 or any of his friends. I don’t know any of
his friends. I got to know him when a friend suggested him as an artiste
for my premiere. I went to him and he agreed. He even assisted me by
calling his friends to attend and support me. A number of them came and
supported us. He’s like a father figure.
If K1 asks you out, will you oblige him?
No, I won’t and I believe he won’t. He’s like a father. He won’t
spoil the relationship with such advances. He has never introduced me to
his friends. That would belittle him.
I read somewhere you said you would like to have a child for him?
Never. I don’t know where that is coming from.
Where did you grow up?
Lagos and with my mum.
What of your dad?
They are separated.
Do you talk?
Yes, we do.
Does your dad feel bad that you are closer to your mum than him?
He’ll be the one to answer that. He’s proud his daughter is an actress.
Did you feel bad that you didn’t grow up with your dad?
Terribly bad. I feel bad. I miss the fact that I didn’t have that
fatherly care. Maybe there were things I could have done differently.
When are you getting married?
I don’t know. At the moment, I’m not dating any man. Most men out
there don’t love you for who you are. Some men will come to you and
start dating. After a while, they will come around and say, you have to
stop acting. Didn’t you know I was an actress when you came around
before? But I’m not in a hurry, and I don’t see myself ending up with a
married man. I have single guys asking me out, it’s just that some of
them are playboys.
Between a married man and single guy, who is better?
A single guy is better. He has the time for you. A married man will
first of all cater for his family. I can’t marry a married man.
What kind of person is your mum?
She’s the best in the world. I have colleagues who go to my mum and
just spend time with her. She is that kind of a person. She’s a real
mother.
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