Rising to the top of one’s game in any field comes with a lot of sacrifices and commitment but it is a journey that fast-rising actress and movie producer, Damilola Omotoso is willing to take without holding back. Lizzy, as she is fondly called, is not only winning hearts as an actress, she’s gradually making inroads into the movie production market with some gusto. She tells SEGUN ADEBAYO about her career, life and expectations in this interactive session.
You are gradually becoming a popular name in the industry, how does this make you feel?
To be very honest, it means a lot to me and I’m grateful to God. While I am yet to get to where I am going, the progress I am making and the success being recorded are worth thanking God for. This is one journey that has really not been easy but I am enjoying the ride and I am taking every step trusting God to keep guiding me.
Would you have believed that you could get to this level this quick?
Yes, I have always aimed for the top even while I put in the work. The journey to the top is a long one and it takes dedication, commitment and courage to get there and stay relevant. I am ready to keep getting better at what I do and we will see how things go from there.
How have you being coping with the celebrity life and its attention?
I think I am coping well for now because the attention is bearable and the pressure is still minimal.
Was acting what you have always loved to do or you found yourself in the industry by accident?
I have always loved acting since I was in primary school. I think any one close to me could testify to that. Acting is what I love doing and it’s just part of me.
What exactly do you like about being an actress?
Being an actress is a dream come true for me. So I love everything about it.
If you think of the journey so far, what would you say has been the most thrilling part of the experience?
The fact that I can become anybody or practice any profession on set depending on the character given to me makes the job fascinating. As I said, I am loving every part of what the job offers; it has been interesting.
You have featured in a couple of movies but people still don’t rate your game high. Are you not under any pressure?
At all, I’m not under any pressure because I didn’t choose this profession for people to rate me or for me to compete with others; I chose it because it is what I love and enjoy doing it .
How do you cope with pressure from men in your industry, especially those who might like you because you are pretty?
I turn them down respectfully and become friends with most of them because you need to have a good relationship with people, though you can’t be friends with everybody, if you really want to survive in the industry.
Being pretty they say is not enough to last long in the industry, but your beauty seems to be opening doors for you. You are always on high demand by producers, what’s your take?
It’s not about beauty alone. As I said earlier, relating with people helps a lot because movie-making is not what a person can do alone. Another thing that works for me is the fact that I’m a producer and I’m able to showcase what I’m capable of doing and that creates more job opportunities for me.
How sustainable is the brand you are building as there will always be new faces coming into the game regularly?
One thing I believe is that when you don’t do regular things, you will always stand out. No matter the population in the movie industry, I have been committed to building a brand that is not regular.
You have a penchant for entertaining your fans on social media and it seems to be working for you, how are you coping with the pressure?
There’s no pressure at all. All the contents I create to entertain my fans on social media is what I do whenever I’m less busy. So it’s just another way of having fun and at the same time putting smiles on people’s faces.
People say they love you because you put a lot of yourself out there; is that a strategy?
I don’t believe in strategies; I’m just being me.
Tell us about your first experience being an actress and what was it like?
The first time I got a role, I was given three scenes and I had to rehearse repeatedly before going on set because I was on set with two big stars but I did well and I was proud of myself.
You are also a producer, what brought about the idea of becoming a producer?
I write stories a lot and for every story I write, there’s always a picture of how I want it to be interpreted in my head. The only way to achieve that is by shooting it myself. Secondly, it’s a means by which I showcase my talent too. So far so good, I have been able to shoot over four good movies.
How exactly did acting start for you?
I met a senior colleague during a movie shoot in my home town. I went to him and told him how much I loved acting and wanted to join the industry, and then he asked if I could travel around for work and I said yes. And, that was it!
Tell us about your movie, Ajindo; what is the movie about?
Ajindo is a movie that teaches a lot of lessons about life and the existence of another universe aside the one we live in.
You are a stylish woman, what does it cost you to look beautiful and maintain your beauty?
There is really nothing much because everything about me is natural so I don’t have to do much to maintain my look. I don’t try to be different, I know I’m the only one who can be me and that’s what makes me different.
Does it bother you that the Yoruba movie industry doesn’t pay well compared to what is obtainable in other climes?
The money is truly poor and I feel it’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
Most of you would rather stick your necks into it rather than quit.
If you are not passionate about acting you will definitely quit at any slight inconvenience. Passion is what gives you the zeal to do more even when things are not going as expected. So if you’re acting because of money or fame, you won’t last and the reason is because when those things don’t come as fast as you want, you will be totally discouraged.
Rising to the top of one’s game is one thing, staying relevant is another thing. What is your take on actresses and actors who usually fail to maintain their celebrity status for long?
From my view, the movie is industry is very large and new faces appear every day, so I believe whatever space you’re occupying today, a lot of people who are talented are striving hard to be there as well. So if you get there and relax, they will overtake you. But if the consistency is there, the sky is big enough for all birds to fly.
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