May 16, (THEWILL) – Nollywood actress and influencer, Bimbo Ademoye speaks with Shade Wesley-Metibogun about life as a thespian, her love for family and sundry issues. Excerpts:
Have you always wanted to be an actress?
Yes. I have always wanted to be an actress since I was seven years-old. I was my own judge during an audition conducted by me. I would act in front of the mirror and correct myself, inject one or two things as I displayed my skills. It was fun for me while growing up. I thank God that the dream has come to pass now.
What was your family’s reaction when you told them that you were going into acting?
They were supportive. My dad came for my first audition and waited for six hours. I wasn’t that young then, although I had just finished school. My dad is someone who will support whatever his children want to do. My sister studied Accounting and Economics at two different universities. Today, she is an event planner. My brother studied Bio-Chemistry and had his Masters in Chemical Engineering. He is a soldier today. My dad is our biggest support system. He is always there for his children.
What are some of the challenges you have encountered in your acting career?
For me, everything started on a positive note. I can say that I have been very lucky. I came into the industry through an amazing woman, Uduak Isong Oguamanam. I didn’t have to sleep with film producers to get roles. She was more like a mother to me when I started out. She took me under her wings and was very protective. So the journey has really been a smooth one for me.
You are flawless when acting comic roles. Did you start as a comic actor?
To be honest with you, everybody wanted me to play the sexy secretary or the actress that snatched someone’s husband or the one that snatched the other person’s boyfriend. But it was Uduak who took a chance on me. She gave me a role different from what I was used to and since then, it has been amazing. People started calling me to come and act this comedy role for them, come and feature in this and that. It has really been very wonderful since then. I can say I owe that woman a lot for the opportunity she gave me.
Which are you most comfortable with, the comic roles or the very serious roles you play
Comic roles. I like to make people laugh. It’s something that comes natural to me. I really enjoy making people laugh a lot. But it is more important to prove that I am more than a comedian, I am also an actress. That is why I try to take up serious roles sometimes too.
How does it feel to be nominated for the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award?
It feels so good. I am super excited. It feels good to be nominated three consecutive times in the same category. I am really looking forward to clinching the award. Everyone wants to win, but if it does not happen, it’s still okay by me. Every single person in the category is my person. Nancy Isime is my girl, Bisola Aiyeola is my sister, my best friend, Funke Akindele-Bello is an idol and I love Sarah Hassan from Kenya. I am fine with whoever wins in that category, but it wouldn’t be bad snatching it from them. If it doesn’t happen, I am okay with it as well.
A lot of actors cross over from the English movie genre to the Yoruba genre. Are you also looking at acting in some Yoruba movies, too?
When I started out, it was in the English movie genre, but I have appeared in two Yoruba movies. One was strictly a Yoruba movie, the second one is by the legendary and amazing Kunle Afolayan. I can’t wait for people to see the movie. It is titled Anikulapo. It’s coming out very soon. I haven’t really done a lot of Yoruba movies, not because I don’t want to but because I am not ready to go in that direction,. When I am ready, trust me, I will go there and take over.
You are also a movie producer. Would you say your investment in movies has been worth the while?
Let me be honest with you, I haven’t started recouping all the money I invested in those movies. I am just doing it because I want to learn more as a filmmaker. I believe the time will come to recoup whatever it is I might have invested and I believe that I will do well in it too. I am just doing my best to make good movies, whether I make the money or not. It’s just the love and passion that keeps driving me. One of my movies is called Lola’s Gift, it will start airing very soon. I am also one of the executive producers of the most talked about movie, Gangs of Lagos by Jade Osiberu, it is coming very soon, too. I am also one of the producers of the soon to be made Sugar Rush II. I was an actor in part one of Sugar Rush and I have just finished a movie I co-produced, it is called The Landlord. We are already at post production.
As a filmmaker, what are you most grateful for?
A lot of people thought I started earlier than some of my colleagues. I am super grateful for my talent, I am super grateful for everybody who watches my movies. I appreciate every one of them, there is no me without them. It is not possible to film myself and be watching and give myself millions of streams. I can’t turn on the television set and be watching myself. I am super grateful for every single person who has appreciated my craft and I don’t take it for granted.
Can you compare Asaba Nollywood to what applies in Lagos, which is the hub of entertainment?
Well, I haven’t done anything in Asaba before. I started in Lagos here, but I don’t believe in segregation. We all have our markets. I will gladly go to Enugu State and shoot a film if the opportunity comes. I will gladly go to Asaba and make a film if I am given the chance. I am all about my craft, I really don’t care how big or small the place is or how big or small the movie is. I will put in the same amount of energy that I would give a movie produced on a N100 million budget and that of a lesser budget. You never can tell which one will be recognised. My first film back in the days was shot with about N2 Million and in that same year, I played a role in a movie that was shot on a N50 Million budget, which wasn’t recognised. So, you never can tell which one will shoot you into the limelight that is why I don’t segregate. It’s the same industry.
What do you think are the qualities of a good movie?
A good storyline and perfect casting are the qualities of a good movie. Like I said earlier, I don’t care how much your budget is. Just give me an amazing actor that will give me the same amount of energy that I will give to him or her. Make sure your storyline is top notch and you must follow your story line. Don’t give me a script and when we get to the movie location, you are saying something else entirely. As long as you can follow your storyline, I will look at the village setting and the city setting, then, I am good to go.
What are some of the things you would consider before accepting a character?
I have been very choosy about the role I play nowadays. It is because I need something that is very challenging. Everybody knows that I am funny at this point. So, I am tired of funny scripts. People can tell what they will see from me. That is why I need something different, let me show you that I can make you cry or keep you surprised. I am not saying that I am tired of comedy but let me slowdown on that path a little bit.
Now that you are fishing for a more challenging role, if you are offered a role where you are required to go naked, will you take it?
Never! My dad is watching. I can’t play such roles.
What are the things you look out for when playing romantic roles?
Please don’t give me an actor that has mouth odour. I am just joking. Just give me an actor who has the same level of energy as I do. If you can pretend like you love me, I too can pretend like I love you, too. But if you are acting as if you cannot stand me, I will also pretend as if I cannot stand you. Someone that is supposed to be my husband must share the same energy with me.
Which actor have you worked with that brought out the best in you?
Uzor Arukwe is an amazing actor and he has an amazing personality. He is everything. If you are shooting till 2 am and you are complaining that you are tired, Uzor is one of the few that will look for means to make you comfortable. He will do all within him to keep you moving. He is one of the people to have in your corner.
On social media, you get people rolling on the ground with laughter. Are you considering starting skits, too?
I am not a comedian really. I do it for the money, let me be very honest with you. There is a lot of money on You Tube and I am also moving towards that direction. Content creation that would look like a skit is fine by me. Content creators make large sums of money in dollars in a week.
You have one of the most amazing body figures in the industry. How do you do it?
I have to be very honest with you, I have gained a lot of weight right now, but a waist trainer helps to maintain my figure.
Do you have a phobia for anything?
Yes I do, I have a phobia for heights. I can never seat by the window in a plane. If I am by the window, it’s either you cover it or you change my seat, I don’t want to see anything strange.
You display your family with so much love on social media, especially your dad and your nephew. You must be very close to them
I come from a very loving family. It makes me happy when people notice because I do it effortlessly. They all mean a lot to me. My sister is my world. Everyone knows that I am obsessed with my nephew. I call my dad my soul mate. I talk to my dad every day, maybe like ten times in a day and I talk about my family every day, too. You can’t be in this occupation forever. Sometimes things may not go so well in life and your family will always be there to stand by you. I am really big on family.
What advice do you have for up-and-coming actresses, as regards sex for roles in movies?
Nobody should give sex or money just to appear in a movie. Just do your thing. It is difficult to tell them what to do because what works for me may not work for them. I will just say put in your best and follow your passion. Let life unfold by itself in your journey.
About the Author
