Actress and fast-rising movie producer, Olabisi Adeyemi, came into the industry some years back and has made an impact with her movie interpretations and productions. In this interview with SEGUN ADEBAYO, Adeyemi, who emerged best Upcoming Actress of the Year at the Yoruba Movie Gist Awards, shares the story of her quick rise to fame.
What exactly was that thing that gave you the assurance that acting is your thing?
I was a fan of Papa Ajasco and Super Story when I was growing up. I remember that I would leave my parent’s house to the next street just to watch the popular Christian movie, which most people called Ayamatanga back then but we later found out that the correct pronunciation was ‘I am at Anger.’ So, I have always seen myself going into acting and making a career out of it but I was not just certain when it would be. I have always been fascinated by the acting world and that feeling has not changed till now. My acting career started when I completed my Ordinary National Diploma (OND).Rather than going for the mandatory one year Industrial Training (IT), I enrolled at PEFTI Film Institute Limited to learn more about acting and other things relating to movie making.
Some say you have to know somebody and others say you have to be close to a producer to get roles as a fresher. What was your experience like?
When I completed my training at PEFTI, I enrolled at Goriola Hassan theatre group. After some time, I went back to school to for my Higher National Diploma (HND). I didn’t go into acting full time when I graduated, I went into the corporate world where I was able to save enough money to produce my first movie.
So you started producing movie immediately you were able to raise money. What kind of training did you receive before that time?
I had featured in the popular Papa Ajasco drama series and Super Story too. I also featured in a TV series called Bridges. It was not as easy as I had painted it because leaving the industry to go back to school was a bit difficult. It is not always easy to leave the industry and come back after a short break.
How has it been since you became a professional actress and what can you say about the industry?
This is an industry where you have to be strong, confident and bold. It is a very challenging job and also demanding. It is either you give everything to your job or you watch others take the shine off you. For me, the passion for the job has always been there and I don’t get bothered about any other thing. Nobody said it is going to be easy but we have to keep the job going.
It has been said that some of you in the movie industry only show love to yourselves on the surface. How deep is the hatred among actors and actresses and what do you think is responsible for this?
You have just said it. There is no love. What you see on the screen when we are together is a make-believe love. It is not deep. Actors don’t like themselves and they try to act as though we are best of friends. It is fake love and fake smiles everywhere. People just envy one another for no reason, and you would ask why would anybody hate you because you are progressing? When you invite people to work with you on a project, they would come but when it is time for them to repost or share on their pages, you have to start begging them. We don’t want to support one another because we fear that the person may become bigger than you and drive you away from the business. Many actors are suffering from inferiority complex. Everybody wants to remain popular for the rest of their lives, nobody wants to leave the scene for anyone. I believe nothing goes on forever. You can’t always be on top of your game. At some point, you may have to just step back and allow fresh ideas from people. That is why I don’t rely on the acting alone to take care of myself.
How do you cope with being an actress and working at the same time?
It is a big challenge combining the two but the job has to keep going on. I can’t quit the paid job because proceeds from acting would not be enough. With the way the industry is structured, you can’t rely on the money you make from acting. So, the best bet is to have a job by the side that would help you get along even when you don’t make money from acting as you should.
Why did you choose Yoruba movie industry ahead of its English counterpart?
I didn’t choose to be Yoruba actress. I can act in both English and Yoruba movies but it is quite hard getting into the English industry. You have to be connected to somebody. I started my acting career with English soap operas.
Was this because you found an easy sail in the Yoruba movie industry or you are just not ready for the English game?
I was trained as an English actor in PEFTI. I can do both English and Yoruba but it’s easy to get noticed in Yoruba than English movie industry. Yoruba is a native language and a lot of people watch more of Yoruba movies. I have a lot of South African and Kenyan fans that love watching Yoruba movies.
How many movies have you produced so far?
I have produced three movies since I came back to the industry: Ilu, Eni Ibi and My wife My Wealth.
If there is one thing about the Yoruba movie industry that you don’t like and you want to change, what could it be?
One thing that I truly don’t like is the fact that we are not united. We envy ourselves too much and we allow this hatred to fester beyond normal. The female folk is another problem the industry needs to deal with. We attach too much respect to everything. In the corporate world, nobody cares about your age, they call you by your first name. But in Yoruba movie industry, you dare not try it. They want you to attach sister to their names.
Are you saying it is wrong to respect your colleagues, especially the senior ones?
I never said we shouldn’t give respect to whom it is due but you don’t command respect, you earn it. Respect for me is reciprocal. You can’t have what you don’t give and you don’t try to force yourself on others because you want them to respect you.
As young lady, when are you planning to settle down?
It will happen when the right man comes knocking.
Could this right man be an actor?
No. I can never marry an actor.
What’s wrong with marrying a man who already understands the nature of your job?
It is not all actors and actresses that have the grace to marry one another. It takes a mature lady to marry an actor. It is not as easy as people think.
So you are scared he would not be faithful to you?
I am scared he may start dating other actresses while we are still together. It happens a lot in the industry.
How hard has it been for you to fall in love with a man who loves genuinely?
Is there still true love? I don’t think true love still exists.
So you don’t believe in love?
I believe in understanding each other. I believe we have to speak the truth to ourselves and know what we truly want from each other. It takes more than love to be with a man. A lot of scary things happen today that would make you have a second thought before saying I do to any man.
Have you been heartbroken before?
I have seen it all. There is nothing like true love again. Even Davido said love is sweeter when there is money. People now go for money, not love.
So you think money is true love?
Money is the new true love.
So you also go for money too rather than love?
I am just talking generally about what is obtainable in today’s life. Only a few number of people go for true love. Everybody wants to enjoy and live large.
How do you cope with men who approach you for a relationship?
I handle men with maturity and respect. It doesn’t go beyond that. I apply maturity in my dealings with my male fans
How do you intend to remain relevant as an actress?
Patience and tolerance are two virtues you need. You must also be well behaved and possess good attitude. For me, it is not about being relevant or being a famous actress. I want to make a mark and be evergreen in the minds of the people. I want to make a positive impact in people’s lives and be recognised globally.
How close are you to achieving that dream?
It is a gradual process. I didn’t start like this. I have moved from where I used to be to another level. I won the upcoming actress of the year 2019 at the Yoruba Movie Gist Awards. That, for me, is a big one. The journey continues from there.
What are you working on now?
I will be shooting a 26-episodes TV series soon. It is going to be shot in English. This is going to be a big project for me.
Tell us some of the movies you have featured in
I have featured in many movies: Okowa, Domestic Workers, Alla, Sucker, Marital Vows and a lot of others.