What actresses, actors must do to save their marriages —Charity Adeniyi

Why I chose acting

Right from a tender age, I have noticed that talent in me. During my primary school days, I played certain roles in the school drama group. Even in my church, one day, we need a male to play a particular role in a drama, but the guy was very shy and reluctant to do it. So, I took up the role and did very well. Acting is what I grew up with; it has really been part of me. But sometime ago, I was left heartbroken by my boyfriend and I needed to do something that would keep me busy. That was how I met Murphy Afolabi I was supposed to train under him, but I decided to join Muyiwa Ademola drama school where I graduated in 2007.

 

My first production

The first movie I featured in was “Owo n wa mi” in 2004. And since then I had featured in so many movies and produced some as well. I featured in movies like “Oro Ikilo”, “The return of Jennifer”, “Aseyi o wu, among others.

 

Qualities of a good actress

A good actress must be respective, bold and must be able to act any role given to her. She must be able to play any role as if it really happened, so, that people watching would have a direct feeling.

 

My model

I look up to people like Joke Sylva, Sola Sobowale, Stella Damascus Aboderin and many others.

 

Take on Sexual harassment

It is not only in the film industry you find that; it’s in every organisation and offices as well: in the banking industry, doctors to their nurses, etc. It is normal for a man to behold a woman, but it is not every man that approaches you that you must say yes to. You give in to some and you say no to some. So, that’s not a problem. It is left to me whether I say no or yes.

So far, I have not experienced such. To me, love affair is not a do-or-die. It’s a matter of choice. The best thing is not to see them as your enemy, but as  friends without going to bed with them.

 

Roles I can’t act

Basically, there is no role I cannot play in a movie, because as a professional actress, you should be able to play any role. But anytime I was asked to play a romantic role I had it at the back of my mind to deliver a role given to me professionally. I don’t get emotional over unnecessary things.

 

How I intend to carve a niche for myself

That is a position you cannot achieve in a day, but I believe with time I will get there. To me, what really matters is that whatever I do I make sure I put in my best and have a good content.

 

Project I am working on

At present, I am working on a movie entitled: T’enu Ega, which will soon be released. It is an interesting story that touches the heart and I believe people will enjoy it. I got the title from an adage which says, Ai gbo tenu ega, a n sop’ega npa to.

• Elections postponement will affect students preparing for WAEC, other exams ― NUT

Opinion on premarital sex

Biblically, it’s wrong, but nowadays men don’t allow it. They must know what they are putting their money on. I had such experience when I was younger; my first boyfriend left me because of that. He said ‘how will I be your boyfriend and not know the colour of my pant and he eventually left me.  So, I discovered they will continue to leave me and I had to reconsider my decision.

 

Why artistes don’t usually get it right with marriage

It is not about being an actress alone; this issue is everywhere. It is only that all eyes are on celebrities. What I will tell our husbands out there is that they should try to endure with us, because it is the nature of the job. There are lots of scenes that you will see as if they are real, but they are not. All that matters in a relationship is trust and respect; actresses must be submissive to their husbands while actors must also respect their marriage.

 

On whether I have my parent’s support

I started acting in 2005 when I was doing HND programme at Federal Polytechnic Offa. My father supported my decision to go into acting. He said that I am an adult and that I can choose whatever career that suits me, but my mother was against it at the initial stage, because she believed it would be difficult for me to get a good husband when its time. But thank God, that my mother is always proud of me whenever she watches any of my work.

 

What I do aside movie

I am into fashion and skin therapy. I am also a fashion designer for both men and women. I started the fashion business in 2007. I thank God for the success of the business so far.

 

Take on provocative dressing among actresses

It is not good; our culture doesn’t allow it because you will be addressed the way you present yourself. For instance, a lady looking for husband and who dresses half-naked will only get those that will have had taste of her. If you dress normal, you will surely get men that will approach you with respect.

 

Background

I am from Agba in Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State. I grew up in Osogbo where I had my primary and secondary education. I later went to Federal Polytechnic Offa in Kwara State where I studied Computer Science for my National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND), before I moved to Ibadan. I am the sixth in a family of seven.