Why Actresses do crazy stuff on social media —Peju Johnson

Peju Johnson is a familiar name in the Nigerian movie industry. She is also known as the president of the defunct ‘Sweet Girls Association of Nigeria’. The busty actress, who hails from Osun State in this interview by FEMI OGUNTAYO, speaks on some of her career experiences and other issues.

For many actresses, passion is their driving force. For some, it’s fame. What would you say is the driving force for you?

Well, since my younger years, I’ve always had passion for acting. In fact, I was in a drama group in my school. Some people came to my school for movie production one year and they needed a student to use in the movie, I was chosen and I fell more in love with acting since then. It’s not the fame for me, really; I just want to do what I have passion for because if it was for fame, I know what most of my colleagues do to get that. Most of them do different things, both good and bad, for fame. If I wanted only fame, I would have tried to do crazy stuffs too. But because I’m really not after fame, I’m such an introvert who likes to keep a low profile.

 

Talking about doing the crazy stuffs people do for fame in the industry, what do you mean by this?

They do many things on social media, mostly negative things, just so bloggers can write something about them. Let me give you one or two examples, one of which is faking a house or a car that’s not yours, posting such online so that bloggers put them on their blogs, just to be in the news.

How and when did you join the movie industry?

I joined the movie industry in 2018, through Kehinde Adeyemi. I’ve known him for years; since when I was living in Egypt. So, when I relocated to Nigeria, I met with him and we talked about it and that was it. It was easier for me to join through him.

 

How has the experience been since then?

Frankly speaking, it has not been easy at all. There have been so many challenges, including location stress. All the same, I’ve been having fun because the location is fun too despite the stress. Also, there are so many challenges I encounter both on social media and in my personal life, all because I am an actress. It has not been easy really.

 

Tell us about your experience with TAMPAN in Cairo, Egypt?

It was a good experience because it all started from there. But then, I wasn’t really serious then like I am now.

 

Since moving back to Nigeria from Egypt to focus on acting, what has been your experience?

It has not been bad, just not an easy journey. There have been so many challenges. At a point, I wanted to quit, but then, I had to rethink because this is what I have passion for and I’m not supposed to quit just like that. You know the industry isn’t easy for ladies.  A lot of producers, directors, actors, marketers and many more would always want to have you first before they can help or assist you to grow, and if you’re someone who can’t offer what they want, like sleeping your way through, it’s going to be a bit hard. This and many others are the reasons why I wanted to quit some time ago.

 

How many movies have you produced so far? Can you mention them?

I only have one production for now; I will be starting another in a week’s time and still have a whole lot on the way, God helping me.

 

You were called the president of the ‘Sweet Girls Association of Nigeria’. What was that association about?

About the ‘Sweet Girls Association of Nigeria’, a friend of mine on Instagram created the group. She lives in the United States. I was asked to join, which I did and we had a lot of great people there and a few actresses, too. So, they later made me their president. I actually didn’t see anything wrong in the group because it was a very great movement to help women achieve their goals, and also in their daily lives. But you know Nigerians can be very funny sometimes, I think because of the name given to the movement (Sweet Girls), they thought it’s a wayward group. So they started condemning it and the number of abuses I got, God, I felt so embarrassed. It was as if I was doing the wrong thing. So, we ended up disbanding the group. That was some years back.

 

Let’s talk about your love life… Who is your kind of man?

Hmm… Well, I love a loving, tall, dark, caring, romantic and respectful man. Most importantly, a God-fearing man, because if a man can fears God, the rest is simple. Nowadays, men don’t even fear themselves not to talk of fearing God.

 

Are you in a relationship or you’re still single and searching?

(Laughs) Yes, I am presently single.

 

What is your selling point as an actress? What do you think stands you out among your contemporaries?

I don’t even know if I have one, but people talk about my boobs a lot. I’m a little bit busty and I love putting on wears that reveal my cleavage.

 

If you’d be paid handsomely, would you play nude in a movie?

I can never go naked for a movie. I can’t go nude it no matter the amount offered.

 

Who are those you look up to in the industry and who are those you would like to work with?

I love mummy Sola Sobowale, I haven’t worked with her before and I would so much love to work with her. I also like to work with Toyin Abraham. I have worked with a few of my favourites like Mercy Aigbe, Fathia Williams, Funke Akindele, Odunlade Adekola, Femi Adebayo, Biodun Okeowo and Yomi Fash Lanso.

 

What is your best moment so far, since you started acting?

I think, seeing the work I’ve done is what I can refer to as my best moments. I like seeing the movies I’ve featured in being shown on TV.

 

What about your most embarrassing moment?

Seeing pictures of penises in my DM from those who called themselves my fans, literally they aren’t my fans because my real fans wouldn’t do such. I always feel embarrassed seeing those pictures in my DM. Also, those who don’t have respect for women, always want to price you. They always think because you’re acting you’re automatically a slut and they would tell you they would like to spend time with you and want to know your price tag on that. It is really embarrassing.

 

What are your plans moving forward, career-wise?

I’m planning to make more interesting movies. Particularly I’m hopping on a very big project, a cinema project precisely. I’ve really been longing for that, and I know it takes time, so I’m taking my time. I have a lot of projects in the cooler for my fans, they should watch out.

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