How I Handle Advances From Men-Nollywood

Damilola Adeyemi

How I handle advances from men —Nollywood actress Damilola Adeyemi

Damilola Adeyemi may not strike you as a known face but she’s definitely one up and coming Nollywood actress and producer to look out for. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, she speaks on her foray into acting, her first effort as a producer, marriage, among other things.

WHEN did you start your foray into acting?

I started August 2009. I finished from University of Maidugiri 2008. I studied Creative Art. Before then, I went to University of Jos where I studied Theatre Art, Diploma. When I finished in 2008, I joined Odunfa in 2009. I went to their school because they have a training school. I was there for three years. So 2010 I produced my first movie Ojo Ola while I was still in school. The movie paraded stars like Fathia Balogun, Funsho Adeola, Ogogo, late Bisi Komolafe, my humble self among others

When was the first time you caught your teeth before the camera as an actress?

It was in 2009 in the movie Awa Obirin produced by Funke Akindele. That same here I acted in another movie Anu Omo, produced by Sunny Alli.

Why did you venture into production so early?

I did because I thought that if I get married and I’m not into acting I could just have something else to fall back on. I’m glad that a lot of people think that my first effort was good.

Does it mean that you fiancé has a problem with you acting?

No, he doesn’t have any problem with my acting. In fact we go to location together.

How did you get the money to finance a movie as a starter then?

Apart from personal funds, my fiancé and my parents supported me financially.

How do you handle attention from male fans?

Yes, it’s very normal to get attention from the opposite sex but it depends on how you play your game. I would rather make them my friend without bringing them very close to the extent of dating them. Yes, they persist at times, but when you don’t give them any green light they give up but when you give them that green light they let go after sometime. Again, I’m not the types that like to go out. If I go out definitely I will have a lot of toasters but I don’t go out I prefer sleeping. That’s a fact; I prefer eating, sleeping and watching movies. And I love Korean movies. I find it very difficult to go out.

If you don’t socialise, how come you are in the acting industry?

I don’t club anymore. I did that when I was in the University. Oh I really clubbed. But my clubbing of a thing was with friends but now I see life different. Right now, I feel I need to be focused. There is time for everything. Maybe because I clubbed in the past I find it very difficult to club now because I feel there is nothing to it. I’m the first born of my family and I have five siblings who are looking up to me so I need to set a good example for them. Then again, I don’t not have my father’s hundred percent support so I need to be care in order not to disappoint him. But now that he has started seeing me on TV I think he loves it. When my movie came out he bought about 50 copies which he gave out. And when they started showing it on DStv he was the first person to call me that he watched my movie on DStv. My father was the first person to tell me that he saw my movie on Youtube that I could watch it since I can’t even get it to buy. But even at that I’m still very careful and concern about what I do.

You sound as if wedding is around the corner. When exactly are you getting married?

Strangely, I don’t plan getting married this year or next; let’s see what happens next year. I have a lot in the pipeline for now. So marriage is not on my card for now. But of course, if my guy says he’s ready next year, fine! It depends on him and his pocket. It not as if I want a fairly tale wedding but if I’m having one or two kids I want to be able to give them the best.

Acting wise, who are your mentors?

Then, it was Funke Akindele alone because she’s so natural but now I’ve added Toyin Aimakhu to the list because I love everything about her. There is no character you give her that she cannot play so I love her and I keep praying for her and Funke Akindele too that beyond this industry, they should be recognized internationally, in Hollywood. I love Funke since the days of I need to know but my love for her grew the day I was watching a movie with my dad and he said, E wo Omo bo se fine. After saying that he turned to me and said if you like when you become a star, go and bleach your skin. Since then I developed that strong likeness for her.

You appear to be reserved by nature…

I’m not quite. When I’m with my friends I make noise. When I’m around people I’m not familiar with I am calm but when I’m with my friends when it is time to make noise, I make noise. I’m very, very naughty but you cannot just be naughty to everybody. People that are close to me know I’m very naughty and playful. Even when I was servicing whenever I enter our NYSC office, there is one particular guy, because his name Muritala, I call him Muri. I sort of taunt him so whenever I’m coming into that office he will tell his secretary to tell me to come back. But instead me to leave I will go behind his window shout out his name Uncle Muri. Things like that but there is time for everything.

Sexual harassment in the industry, would you say you’ve had you heard your fair share?

To be sincere to you I have never being sexually harassed. I have never encountered anything like that.

So to you, it’s not real?

No, it’s real but maybe because I don’t go to location where I’m not invited for. Even when I go for locations that I’m being invited for once I’m done I leave immediately. I don’t loiter around for anyone to see me and start to make passes at me.

What is your dream role?

House Girl

Why?

When you act the role of a house girl, people tend to focus on especially if you’re funny or stubborn. I’ve not played the role of a house girl; I’m looking forward to it.

What are your hubbies?

Travelling and sleeping. The earliest time I wake up in the morning is 9am though I sleep late, most times 2′oclock. I also love to read novels and my best author is John Grisham.

Most up and coming actresses will tell you it is not easy to deal with the ego of established actresses. What is your experience like in that regard?

It’s very normal for you to respect your seniors. When you try to belong, you will most times get your fingers burnt. But when you appear unassuming, and they like you naturally then you won’t have problems with them. Secondly, I’m a very busy type. I have a lot that I’m doing that for me to running after someone. I don’t mean to be proud. Then, it’s not always that I see them.

Do you think anything would change when you land your own fame?

Nothing will change because I know the house that I come from. Then all my life I grew up in Jos, and I think the way they live is the way I’m living my life too. I’m like that. I’m used to them. Because when I finished Jos, I went to Maidugiri, I think I was the only Yoruba girl in my room in the hostel. So what to do expect? You have to live the kind of life they live. And the kind of life style they live, they are very humble. Even if they are millionaire’s children they still humble themselves. Then, the person I’m dating too, he’s like half Hausa, half Yoruba. He grew up in Maidugiri too, so it will be very hard for me to change. The only changes that I see occurring is the fact that I might become very busy but I will still live the kind of life that I live because my father and mother are very humble.

What is your idea of love?

I prefer the 50-50 kind of love. You love me, I love you in return. If the person loves me more there will be problem. Don’t you know too much of love leads to jealousy? But if it’s 50-50, it’s based on understanding and that’s better. It is okay when it equal.

But most women will tell you they want to marry a man who loves them more?

With the kind of job that I do when a man loves me more there is the tendency to want to take him for granted. But when it is 50-50, you are conscious of what you do and how the other person is likely to react to it.

How far can you go interpreting your role?

There is limit to everything in life. There is life after a movie role. That’s my personal opinion though. I can’t act wearing pant and bra. I can wear shorts, short gown but I can’t be close to being nude.

What if you man says you should quit acting…?

Hmmm, I’m not sure I can. It’s just that I will limit the kind of role I will play. But if he insists, I can yield his request and continue with just producing movies.

What’s your favourite food?

Eba and Okoro soap.

What was growing up like?

I come from an average home. But my mom was a very strict person but now she has relaxed. My mom was a teacher. If you had to go out you had to put it into writing and if in writing you make any mistake you won’t be obliged. Growing up I hated my mom. But believe it was hard to play pranks on my mom. But I was naughty. I was always fighting, growing up. But things that most adolescent do then I didn’t have any room to do them. My mother was a teacher so knew how to deal with youthful exuberance. When a mother wakes you up very early and talk sense into your head it has more effect on you then when she beats you. Even still now, whenever I want to misbehave and I remember things that my mom used to tell me then I just adjust. Things I couldn’t do when I was with my parents I still don’t do them now that I’m leaving alone.

Were you such a tomboy?

I wasn’t a tom boy but most of my friends are guys.

When was the last time you beat up someone?

That was in 1999 and that was my last fight because immediately after that I travelled to Jos.

What will make you fight someone now?

Nothing, I would rather smile over it and avoid you.

What if your guy beats you?

My guy can never beat me.

Have you ever dated someone who tried to hit you?

No, but if my guy hits me, I wouldn’t retaliate and I will destroy everything in the house but thank God he can never do that. The person I’m dating can never raise his hand up and beat me. I thank God for that.

When was the first time you fell in love?

That was 2002 in Jos. I was doing Diploma then. But after something I realized, we couldn’t go far because he hated acting.