Please tell us briefly about yourself and the projects you’ve starred in.
I’m happy-go-lucky and free spirited. I love ice
cream and all things Broadway. Faith, family, great friends,
music, good food and travel make life interesting. Some projects
I’ve worked on include: Hush, Dowry, Saro the Musical, Wakaa the Musical,
Tribunal, Lunchtime Heroes, Gidi Up, Inspector K to name a few.
ON HER PERSONALITY
Where did you grow up and what was life like growing up as a child?
I grew up in Ibadan and Lagos as one of
5 girls. Growing up was fun. There was lots of song, dance and laughter in
our home. Being part of large family meant there was never a dull moment.
As a teenager, what plans and dreams did you have for yourself?
I wanted to be a dancer, doctor, computer scientist,
psychologist, marine biologist, meteorologist, teacher, and pop star. I was
very imaginative.
How would your close friends describe you?
Loyal, a risk-taker, talented and a bit of a drama queen.
Kindly tell us about your beliefs and what you stand for as an individual?
I believe in kindness, forgiveness, compassion, generosity
and love.
What aspect of yourself would you change if you could?
To never be afraid of anything, ever.
What’s the most remarkable thing about you?
Probably my personality. People are often surprised by how
petite I am when they meet me in person. I come across much ‘bigger’ than I
actually am.
What episode of your life would you term as the most difficult and how did you overcome this difficulty?
Losing my mom 7 years ago. I’m not sure how or if a person
ever “overcomes” losing a parent. There’s no playbook that prepares you for
when something like that happens. It’s still incredibly painful and I miss her
every day. I’m grateful for my family and the support we provide for each
other.
If you had the opportunity to inspire someone with an event that changed your life, what would that story be?
Again, I’d say losing my mom was a life changing event for
me. I was reminded that life is short and you never know when your time on
earth will be up. It forced me to re-evaluate my choices
and take bolder steps towards achieving my dreams.
ON HER CAREER
What inspired your love for theatre?
I grew up in an artistic family where I was able to express
myself creatively. Some of my favourite movies growing up were musicals. Being
in that kind of environment certainly nurtured the gift that God put
there.
Mention 2 things you’ve learnt and hold dearly as an actress?
First, I’ve learned that you should pick your projects
wisely. It’s really okay to say “No” to certain jobs if they don’t align with
what you want. Second, don’t get caught up in the comparison game. Stay in your
lane, work hard and let your work speak for you.
Would you call acting a satisfying and lucrative profession?
Everyone has various reasons for wanting to be an actor.
Only a small percentage of people who pursue this path ever become truly
famous. Trying to make a living off of your art can be challenging so it’s
important to know why you’re doing it in the first place. It often takes many
years of ‘hustling and grinding’ before you get to the point where it feels
like it’s finally paying off.
I hear you’re a SINGER and an ON-AIR-PERSONALITY. How do you manage your passions?
There are times when multiple jobs come at once and you have
to juggle schedules. For the most part, employers are accommodating about that
as long as expectations are communicated. I love being able to create whether
I’m acting, singing or working behind the scenes.
Tell us about some of the challenges you faced in the course of developing your career as an actress. Did these challenges inhibit you in any way?
In the real world, you get told “no” a lot. You go on
auditions and you don’t get cast or book a job, sometimes for months at a time.
You become quite familiar with rejection. Those periods helped me develop a
tough skin and forced me to work even harder. I get discouraged sometimes but
I’ve learned not to worry about things I can’t control.
How do you fuel your passion?
The ability to create anything at all is satisfaction in
itself. Bringing an idea to life or creating a character that didn’t exist
before is a type of magic.
As OYE in the recently concluded TV series – HUSH, you played a pivotal role. What was the experience like projecting that character?
Playing Oye was an experience that I’ll never forget. Oye
was a complex character – independent, driven, aggressive, intense,
annoying, strong, confident and street-smart. She had a lot of depth to
her and there was so much to work with. I’m incredibly honoured that I was
chosen to bring her to life.
If Nollywood made a movie about your life, who would you pick to play your character?
I still have a lot more living to do. Ask me again in
50 years.
What do I need to know as someone interested in acting as career?
Training really does make a difference so look for
opportunities to do that, whether formally or informally.
Rejection isn’t failure so keep going and never give up,
passion is important and will get you through the rough times. Your journey is
your journey so face your front, do the work and don’t compromise your
values. Network and surround yourself with those who are doing what you’d like
to be doing, you never know what could happen.
Have you ever felt victimized or intimidated as an actress?
No, can't say that I have.
ON FAMILY/ Relationships
Has being single helped you focus on what’s crucial at this stage of your life?
I believe in thoroughly enjoying every stage of life as it
comes. Time flies and you never get it back, so be present in each moment and
live life to the fullest whether you’re a teenager in secondary school, or
married with children.
What’s your idea of the ideal man?
No one is perfect so “ideal” is relative. However, someone
who is led by Christ, emotionally intelligent, exposed, kind, verbally
expressive, artistic and loves to cook would be pretty awesome.
Give us a glimpse of what you hope your wedding would be like?
I’m very open to eloping, I really wouldn’t mind skipping
the drama altogether.
Has being a celebrity affected your relationships in anyway?
I don’t believe so. I have my close-knit circle of family
and friends who I love dearly. I have a clear sense of who I am as a person and
I know what I value and consider important.
Do you sometimes wish you were not famous, if not why so?
I don’t know what it means to be ‘famous’. There are
levels to the thing; I don't believe I have arrived yet...
