Actress, Bimbo Ademoye, has continued to give her fans different characters that have wormed her into their hearts. Ademoye, in this interview with SEGUN ADEBAYO, speaks about her AMVCA win, acting and what keeps her going.
You seem to be somebody who likes to talk about her family and how growing up sha[ed your life. Tell us about how your family helped you to achieve your dreams?
I am very big on family. It makes me so happy when people notice because I do it effortlessly. My sister is my world. I love my nephew so much. I might say I’m obsessed with him. My dad is my soulmate. I talk to my dad every day. Sometimes, I talk to my sister five to seven times a day. I am big on family because after everything, family is where you fall back on.
You are famous and people love the contents you produce regularly, but you can’t be famous forever. How do you feel about life after fame?
It is a known fact that you can’t remain famous forever but why should one be bothered about that when you have so much energy and strength to keep pushing on. God who brought me this far will take me even beyond this level. Yes, you may get to a time when the attention is not on you anymore or you no longer like what your career is bringing. That is when you know your family will always be there. I think if you build strong family values, you won’t be bothered about anything.
You are a first-time recipient of the AMVCA; how do you think that will impact your career?
Well, I feel, it shows that the whole lot of hard work we as filmmakers put into our works is being monitored. It might take years before the reward will come but surely, it will definitely pay off one day. In terms of impact for me, it just signifies that the Bimbo Ademoye brand needs to double up all jobs done as you never can tell who is watching or recommending you for something big. A lot is coming from my brand, new projects under wrap. I just can’t wait for the world to see what I have in stock before the end of the year.
What was your father’s reaction when you told him you were going into acting?
He was very supportive. My dad took me to my first audition and waited for six hours outside. I wasn’t that young then, though 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 universities and today, she is an events planner. My brother studied Biochemistry and had his Masters in Chemical Engineering, he is an Army officer today. My dad is our biggest support system. He is always there for his children
What would you consider before accepting to take on a character?
Everybody is trying to improve on their craft. These days, I have been very picky with the role I play because I need something that is very challenging. Everybody knows that I am funny at this point and I say that with all humility. So, I am tired of funny scripts. That is why I need something different. Let me show you that I can make you cry just like I can make you laugh. Let me show you that I can make you surprised just like I can make you laugh. I am not saying that I am tired of comedy or funny roles, but let me slow down on that path a little bit.
What are some of the challenges you have encountered in your acting career?
It started out on a positive note for me because I came into the industry through an amazing woman. I can say that I have been very lucky. I came into the industry through Uduak Isong. I didn’t experience the issues of sleeping with producers because of roles. She was more like a mother to me when I started out. She took me under her wings and was very protective of me. So, the journey has really been a smooth one for me.
Did you start your acting career as a comic actress?
To be honest with you, everybody wanted to make use of the body. 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 to me.
Which would you say is your favourite between comic roles and the very serious roles?
Comedy roles will always be my thing. I love to make people laugh. It’s something that comes naturally. 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 some serious roles sometimes too.
Your new online character, Iya Baraka Teropi Section, also got you a nomination in the content creators’ category. Is this something you want to sustain?
I started the Iya Barakat character like a joke and here we are getting recognised to the point of having a nomination. A lot of people who are from the hood I grew up in will be used to character because they are people in the hood that I am mimicking. So, from the character roles of Todowede, Selina and Iya Barakat are all from Ebute Meta. However, as a versatile actor, I can transcend from one role to another without necessarily sticking to one genre.
As a filmmaker, what are you most grateful for?
Many 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.
What are the qualities that make a good movie?
As I said earlier on, 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 topnotch and you must follow your story line. Don’t give me something in script and when we get to the movie location, you will be saying something else entirely. For example, the script says, Bimbo Ademoye walks out of a yacht and when I get there, it’s changed to Bimbo walks out of a canoe. No, I don’t like that. 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 advice do you have for up-and-coming actresses, most especially as regards the sex for role issue?
Nobody should give sex. Nobody should give money. Just do your thing. It is difficult to tell them what to do because what works for me might not work for them. I will just say put in your best, follow your passion. Let life unfold by itself in your journey.
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