The award-winning actress speaks with JOAN OMIONAWELE on various issues. Excerpts:
What was the walk into stardom like?
I bless God, it started from my childhood days. I developed it by going into theatre studies at the University of Ilorin.
How did Tunde Kelani find you to cast you in his movie, Arugba?
I searched for him (laughs). I went to his office because I heard he was looking for a dark-skinned girl for a movie. I was auditioned and, fortunately, I was chosen for the role.
As a little girl, what was your dream job?
When I was in the primary school, I wanted to be a doctor. I did not know what I had, but I always found myself singing and acting plays. It was obvious that I did not know what I was doing. But when I got to secondary school, at a point I wanted to study Law, and later it became Mass Communication. At some point, God used my mum to discover the art in me, because I was bent on going for the sciences; I wanted to be seen as a brilliant girl. But my mum said to me, ‘Bukky, you are more of an arts person; you sing, dance. Your best subject is English Literature. You don’t pass Mathematics; so what do you want to do in the sciences?’
So how was that able to convince you to dump the sciences?
As I crossed to the senior secondary class, I discovered that I never wanted to part with my English and literature teachers, and that was how I decided to stay in the arts class. Before I left school, I knew I was going to be an actress, even if I didn’t study Mass Communication. I love acting with a passion. I think that’s all I want to do.
Even if I become a broadcaster, I am still going to act. As God would have it, I was admitted to study Theatre Arts at the university.
You recently produced your own movie. How would you describe the experience?
Wow! I thank God. It was so challenging because it was my first time being a producer; but it was an illuminating experience for me.
The first day you were called to handle a professional script…
It was a dream come true, because this was something I had always wanted to do. When I was in the university, Tunde Kelani was someone I always wanted to act with, and the first major movie I got was a Tunde Kelani movie. It was a big dream come true for me!
How did you feel on your first day in front of a camera?
Tunde Kelani is one of the calmest directors we have in the movie industry. He would always make you feel comfortable, so as not to feel intimidated in front of others. I was able to relax and do my own thing.
Why do actresses of the present age appear nude? It is gradually becoming a trend.
It is an individual choice. If you feel comfortable appearing nude, that’s fine.
Have you ever been harassed by a producer to get a role?
(Laughs) I wouldn’t call whatever I have experienced sexual harassment; I would just say it is part of my experience.
What are the rigours of being an actress in the Nigerian movie industry?
Though it is fun, maintaining stardom is very expensive. The profession is very expensive. For instance, you are given a costume and you don’t want to appear horrible to your fans, you would have to get something for yourself and look presentable – and that costs a lot.
And once you wear that outfit, that is the end because you cannot wear it to another event; otherwise, the bloggers will be the ones to announce that Bukky Awoyemi wore this to a particular event two weeks ago and she is repeating the same outfit this week. Simply put, we spend more than we earn.
What are the qualities you look out for in a man before you say yes to him?
The fear of God, intelligence. He doesn’t really have to be rich, but he must have foresight and prospects. He must have a vision and must know what he wants with life. He must be good looking and must have a good fashion sense.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I want to produce more movies that will be better than my previous movies. The movie I produced recently was just an experience. I don’t see it as my best.
What was the walk into stardom like?
I bless God, it started from my childhood days. I developed it by going into theatre studies at the University of Ilorin.
How did Tunde Kelani find you to cast you in his movie, Arugba?
I searched for him (laughs). I went to his office because I heard he was looking for a dark-skinned girl for a movie. I was auditioned and, fortunately, I was chosen for the role.
As a little girl, what was your dream job?
When I was in the primary school, I wanted to be a doctor. I did not know what I had, but I always found myself singing and acting plays. It was obvious that I did not know what I was doing. But when I got to secondary school, at a point I wanted to study Law, and later it became Mass Communication. At some point, God used my mum to discover the art in me, because I was bent on going for the sciences; I wanted to be seen as a brilliant girl. But my mum said to me, ‘Bukky, you are more of an arts person; you sing, dance. Your best subject is English Literature. You don’t pass Mathematics; so what do you want to do in the sciences?’
So how was that able to convince you to dump the sciences?
As I crossed to the senior secondary class, I discovered that I never wanted to part with my English and literature teachers, and that was how I decided to stay in the arts class. Before I left school, I knew I was going to be an actress, even if I didn’t study Mass Communication. I love acting with a passion. I think that’s all I want to do.
Even if I become a broadcaster, I am still going to act. As God would have it, I was admitted to study Theatre Arts at the university.
You recently produced your own movie. How would you describe the experience?
Wow! I thank God. It was so challenging because it was my first time being a producer; but it was an illuminating experience for me.
The first day you were called to handle a professional script…
It was a dream come true, because this was something I had always wanted to do. When I was in the university, Tunde Kelani was someone I always wanted to act with, and the first major movie I got was a Tunde Kelani movie. It was a big dream come true for me!
How did you feel on your first day in front of a camera?
Tunde Kelani is one of the calmest directors we have in the movie industry. He would always make you feel comfortable, so as not to feel intimidated in front of others. I was able to relax and do my own thing.
Why do actresses of the present age appear nude? It is gradually becoming a trend.It is an individual choice. If you feel comfortable appearing nude, that’s fine.
Have you ever been harassed by a producer to get a role?
(Laughs) I wouldn’t call whatever I have experienced sexual harassment; I would just say it is part of my experience.
What are the rigours of being an actress in the Nigerian movie industry?
Though it is fun, maintaining stardom is very expensive. The profession is very expensive. For instance, you are given a costume and you don’t want to appear horrible to your fans, you would have to get something for yourself and look presentable – and that costs a lot.
And once you wear that outfit, that is the end because you cannot wear it to another event; otherwise, the bloggers will be the ones to announce that Bukky Awoyemi wore this to a particular event two weeks ago and she is repeating the same outfit this week. Simply put, we spend more than we earn.
What are the qualities you look out for in a man before you say yes to him?
The fear of God, intelligence. He doesn’t really have to be rich, but he must have foresight and prospects. He must have a vision and must know what he wants with life. He must be good looking and must have a good fashion sense.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I want to produce more movies that will be better than my previous movies. The movie I produced recently was just an experience. I don’t see it as my best.
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