Nollywood actress and movie producer, Princess Folakemi Adams, in this interview by ADERONKE ADESANYA, speaks on her life and career in the Nigerian movie industry.
What inspired you to begin a career in acting?
I had the passion since my childhood. But because of the society’s notion about the industry, my parents didn’t allow me to join. They were never in support of me going into acting. Then after my marriage I waited to raise my children before joining the industry because acting and movie production need a lot of time and attention.
How long have you been in this make-believe business?
I have been acting and producing for five years now.
Did you get any training or went to any acting or related school?
Yes, I did. I trained with my mentor, Mr. Femi Folademi.
Tell us about your latest production, ‘Ayo omo’.
The movie was inspired by the happenings in our society. Our society believes that the rich should be friends with only the rich. They see people in the lower wrung of the economic ladder as trash. They will do anything to prevent their children from marrying the children of those in the lower class just to let them know that they are low class and can’t mingle with the rich.
Apart from acting, is there any other thing you engage in?
I live in the United States and I am working in the health sector.
What was the first movie you ever produced?
I entitled it ‘Executioner’. The movie was screened in 32 cinemas across Nigeria. Executioner was my very first production.
How do you react to a negative review of your work?
Negative reviews give me joy because they are a challenge to do better in my subsequent jobs. It is a way of telling me to put more effort. I try to see every negative review as an opportunity to learn something about my performance and to improve in the future.
When at work performing, do you like to improvise or you often stick to the script?
I believe that the best performances come from a combination of both improvisation and sticking to the script. Sometimes it depends on the contents, there are some contents you must say that which is in the script exactly as it is written and at other times, you just get the idea of what the script says and improvise.
What value do you think Nollywood movies offer the people?
From my own perspective, Nollywood movies have really helped lots of families to correct their wrong behaviours. They have helped some families to stay focused, to value what they have, to value themselves. Nollywood movies have helped a lot of people in very different ways and they have added value to life.
Who are your role models in the industry?
I won’t say I have any role models in the industry but there are good actors and actresses that connect with my vibe.
What has been your most favourite role so far in your career?
‘Tokunbo’ where I acted a lady from America who trusts her family and friends but they betray her because they believe money falls from trees in the western world.
How would you describe your personality as an actress?
I am a calm and private person. I’m known for being a detail-oriented, well-organised actress. I never miss deadlines. I’m a good communicator and I can juggle multiple tasks at once. I love travelling, shopping and also I love adventures.
How often do you see yourself as a character when you’re not on set?
I’m constantly in character when I’m not on set. As an actress, it’s important to stay connected to the emotions and motivations of my characters even when I’m not actively playing them. To do this, I often find myself imagining how a scene might play out or what my character would say in a certain situation. This helps me remain engaged with my craft and keeps me prepared for any role that comes my way. When I’m not actively working on a project, I like to read scripts and watch films to get inspired by other actors’ performances. This allows me to gain insight into different types of characters and explore new ways of approaching roles. It also helps me develop my own style and technique as an actor.
Do you think Nollywood is paying off really well financially?
Yes, at some point it is and also not really paying well. The industry needs to do more in my opinion
What steps do you take to fully understand the importance of your character in a story?
I take a great deal of time to read the script to understand the character’s background, motivation, how they relate to the other characters in the story, and other items I can use to help me better understand who they are and how I should portray them. I also speak with the director, writers, and other actors about this for more understanding of the character.
How do you combine family life with your job as an actress?
Trying to mix my family and my acting career together has not been easy, but I give thanks to God and my family for their love and support.
What makes you stand out from other actresses?
I believe that my experience and skill set make me stand out from other actresses. I have been in the entertainment industry for quite a while now and during the period I have developed a strong understanding of how to bring characters to life through my acting. Above all, it has been the grace of God.
What would you say is your most important role as an actress?
As an actress, I believe my most important role is to bring a character to life in the most authentic way possible. To do this, I draw from my experience and training as an actress to create believable characters that audiences can relate to and invest in emotionally. My goal is to make sure that each performance is unique and memorable.
Are there any particular genres or roles that you feel particularly passionate about?
Absolutely! I have a deep passion for performing in all genres, but if I had to choose one that I’m most passionate about it would be drama. I love the challenge of creating believable characters and exploring complex emotions and relationships through my performance. I find great joy in being able to bring stories to life on stage or screen and connecting with an audience. I also enjoy taking on roles that are outside of my comfort zone and pushing myself as an actress. I believe this is essential for growth and development as an artist. I am always looking for new ways to explore different characters and storylines, and I am eager to take on any role that will help me grow as an actress.
What do you feel is more important for an actor: Talent or training?
While talent is important, training and hard work are what set the successful actor apart. No matter how talented you are, training, practice, and hard work make you better. There’s no such thing as overnight success. If you look at notable actors and actresses, they had spent a lot of time in minor roles until they got their big break. The opportunity which resulted in them becoming star was due to their hard work and persistence, not luck.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
By God’s grace, I hope to expand my experience, explore more and reach out to more people in the industry.
What productions have you acted in before?
A Few of my movies are ‘Executioner’, ‘Tokunbo’,’ Oko Bange’, ‘Ogbontarigi’ , ‘Arogundade’ , ‘Akin Thunder’ ,’ Kadara mi’, ‘Afefe Ire’, Sore (Egbo Adaajina), ‘Ayo omoo’.
Have you progressed in your acting career as you had expected?
By the grace of God, I have progressed in my career as expected and I am still working tirelessly on improving.
Every industry, including entertainment, is full of competition. What do you do to stand out amidst competition?
Good productions. Before I produce any movie, I screen my script several times for better understanding. Production begins with good a script. There are some scripts that will never leave my shelf because I’m convinced that when you have good script you must equally scout for a good director, if you don’t, your script will be misinterpreted and your message will not be passed correctly.
What advice would you give to new or aspiring actors/actresses?
They should be focused. They should not rush into acting because of money or fame because you will end up getting frustrated but if you’re passionate and patient, money and fame will come in due course.
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