How my son and I cheated death in terrible motor accident — Yemi Terry

Nollywood movie producer and actress, Yemi Terry is a talented screen goddess who has been in the industry for decades. She has since featured in and produced several movies. The proud mother of two recently cheated death in a motor accident that involved herself and her son. For the first time after the accident, she recounts her experience and how it affects her career in this interview by FEMI OGUNTAYO. Excerpts:

Firstly, let me congratulate you once again for escaping that ghastly motor accident recently. What was the experience after the accident like?

It was really a terrible experience, I have never experienced such before and experiencing such alongside my son made it more terrible. It was actually God that saw us through because everyone who was at the scene and even those who saw the pictures of the accident scene online were just thanking God on our behalf and kept saying we should keep serving the God we are serving – it was on a Sunday. It was not a good one but we thank God for His mercies, his love and even after a year or more, till now sometimes, I still experience panic attacks, even if I wasn’t the one driving. I just want to thank God for giving us a second chance.

Did this in any way affect your acting career?

For some period I could not drive a long distance. I was always having my siblings around to assist me. So, I couldn’t travel out of Lagos for movie shoots. I even had to turn down some job offers then. It was also a period I needed to release a movie of mine, I was even going for the final preview when the accident happened, so it was abandoned for months because I couldn’t go to see the editor. So, it delayed the release of my movie ‘Payida’. I was at the mercy of my siblings, I would have to ask them to drive me to see my marketer and the editor and all that.

How has the year been so far? Give us a brief of your first quarter.

The year has been going on fine, I thank God. At least I am alive and I am doing well. Though everyone is affected by the situation of the country in this first quarter, from fuel scarcity and lack of power supply, people still struggle to make ends meet. Above all, we thank God for pushing through, so it has been a manageable one and we thank God for life and hope for a better future.

Your last movie ‘Payida’ was a powerful one, what was the inspiration behind such a storyline?

Yes, it was a powerful movie, from the shooting to the post-production, like I said earlier, it was during the cause of finishing work on it that I had the accident I. The message itself states that behind every closed door, a lot is happening. I used the movie to send a message that no matter what is going on, just hold on to yours dreams and try to make life better with it, don’t try to make comparisons. In the movie, I played a different role from what I was known for – the fine girl role, it was a special movie. So, ‘Payida’ preaches that whatever you sow you shall reap, life is just step-by-step, whatever you gathered by diabolical ways, you will have to continually manage it diabolically. Why not take life gently, one day at a time, it might look like nothing is working, but at the end of the day it will all pass. So the movie has a lot of messages in it. It is indeed a powerful movie.

How would you describe your career as an actress since you started and where it is right now?

I would say I am doing my best, but I believe it can be better. I have been able to make some statements, I have been able to carve a niche for myself. It has been wonderful but I want to thank God for how far He has helped me. I still have a lot to offer, there is a lot more coming from Yemi Terry as an actress, so watch out! I have a movie coming out soon entitled ‘OMG’. Trust me a lot is coming.

You seem to be really proud of your children, how would you describe your relationship with your children?

Yes, I am proud of them and love them so much. I keep pushing them because they represent me wherever they go to. Nurturing children is like a job for me and seeing them excel is my joy. I have trained them to be independent. Despite my very busy schedule as an actress, I have made sure I create time for my kids. That is why you will never see me anywhere or anyhow just because I want to act. I will rather use that time to be home with the kids. I just want to do my part and be convinced within me that I did my part. Even during periods when I wasn’t home I ensured I communicated with them well, so that at the end of the day, they will still have to be on their own, so this is the time I can focus on them. So, they are very important to me. I am proud of how hardworking and intelligent they have turned out to be and they mean so much to me. They are my projects.

One of them is a footballer and you support him a lot. Is this a passion you helped create in him or he just developed it by himself over time?

Yes, he is a footballer and I have to support him. He is not just a footballer, he is into a lot of sports. He is a very intelligent boy and I don’t even think I have his energy, he is very talented and does more than football. This started from childhood, his dad used to be a footballer and they used to go out to watch football matches at viewing centres when Terry was young. I also have siblings who are football enthusiasts and I was also into football when I was in school, training and all that, way back before I met his dad. So it runs in the blood.

Do you have other things you’re involved in asides from acting?

Yes, I do other businesses asides from acting and movie production. At least I have two businesses that I run and I also plan to add one or two more. I am also an influencer and I also have brands that I serve as their ambassador.

How profitable is the acting career for you?

A lot of things have affected our sales like piracy back then, but career-wise, when you are investing in something and you are not making money, you need to check and cross-check. But most of us on this job started by having passion, not money-minded. There are some things attached to it that bring money in the long run. It has brought a lot of opportunities and has helped my life as an actor and a producer, which is what keeps one going. There are a lot of doors that have been opened based on the effect of the career which are worth more than the money one would have made from the career. When you have passion for the job and you understand that there will be a breakthrough, you will keep pushing. So, this career is profitable because it has opened doors, it is still opening doors and I believe it will still open more doors for me.

What are your plans for the rest of the year career-wise?

There are a lot of plans on the ground. There are so many movies to be produced and aside from movie production. I will also unveil them when it is time. The year is still very young, but my vision is very big. Even though I have been distracted a little bit by some family events, so many social events, being the firstborn and the only daughter of my parents, I have plans, because no matter what, the show must continue. I am more of a family person, so a lot of responsibilities lie on me.

Some words for your fans and lovers?

I want to say a special thank you to them and want them to expect more from me. They should anticipate my next movie entitled: ‘OMG’, it is almost ready. They should keep supporting me against all odds, I am still the same ‘Yemi Terry’ and nothing has changed. I want them to keep pushing on, no matter the situation of the country, I want them to be intentional about their happiness at all times. I pray all will be well and I want them to know I love them for accepting me the way I am.