….Bombshell …..
Celebrity Hidden SECRET E-x-p-o-s-e-d !
“I Had SEX with My Ex-Husband Out of Wedlock”
“My ex-husband and I were never legally married”
…Nollywood actress, AYO ADESANYA tells journalist…
.
… Says ‘I was paid N3000 for my first role’
Ayo Adesanya is one
of the established Yoruba actresses who have been around for more than a
decade. She burst into the glitterati of fame in the early 90s. In this
interview, she talks about her journey into Nollywood, her love life and the man in her life. Excerpt:
How’s life treating you?
Life has been good
really. All I want to do is thank God
for his mercies.
What projects are you embarking on this year?
I have a couple of
projects I’m trying to work on. I intend doing two big budget movies this year.
And I also want to do a TV reality show. The show is not really about me.
So, what’s it all about?
I’m working on it.
Well, it’s about our every day life. I know you can learn one or two things from the programme when it finally
flags off.
Why do you want to go into
TV reality show?
I think I’m
energetic. And I’m trying to put my energy into something else apart from
movies. I just realized that reality show might be the next level for me. But
aside acting, I also produce movies.
Many years down the drain,
what’s your experience like?
I think I have come
of age. What I’m trying to say is that
I’ve learnt a lot of lessons along the line. I believe in the aphorism that the
more you grow, the older you become, the more experienced you would be. Sometimes
you read certain things that if you check your life, you could actually pick
one or two things that are happening in your own life and you learn a lot on
how to handle similar situations.
You haven’t been specific about those lessons life has
taught you?
I just realized that
unlike the normal saying; it’s all about good over evil. But then, there’s
something else I realized; there are so many troubles in the world. My own
number one solution to these problems would still be prayers. And I knew that even
right from scratch, and a lot of movies too testify to that fact that you just
have to depend on God when in need of certain things.
I also believe it’s good to be good. Nobody is perfect. But
then, certain things like bringing up kids, you really have to be watchful the
way they are brought up so you don’t run into problems later because they are
still coming back to be your burden.
So what was growing up like for you?
I come from a family
of four children. I had two brothers and a cousin and we grew up together. My
father was quite comfortable when we were young although he died at the age of
44 . I was about 19 years at that time,
and I was still in the University. So, we had to live with my mother and she’d
been so supportive. She’s my all in all.
After the death of my father, life was a bit tough because
at a point, when I finished my secondary school, I had to work in a hospital,
Saint Vincent at Ibadan. I left secondary school at the age of fifteen and
worked for three years to save enough money for my university education. I
attended University of Ibadan where I studied Communications and Language Arts.
I got support from people as well as some patients I also helped. I had to work to pay for my tuition fee.
How did you join the movie industry?
There’s this guy,
Ifeanyi, he works with NTA International
now. After my NYSC, I started working with Potson Nigeria Limited. So there was
one time I had a break from there. So I wanted to go into TV from there. So I
went for an interview and met him. We got talking and he invited me for an
audition. I got interested, and before then, I used to act in my nursery school
in Ibadan. Even during my secondary school days, I used to be part of our drama
group. Thereafter I relocated to Lagos and continued to act in my church. That
was when I met Ifeanyi who introduced me to
Zeb Ejiro.
Zeb was about producing his “Mortal Inheritance” movie and I
took part in the audition. But I
remember vividly that when they gave me the script, I was just shouting.
Eventually, they gave me a waka-pass role but I didn’t go back there. But I saw
my name on the list. The same Ifeanyi
later introduced me to Opa William and he asked me to do a piece which I did.
He was impressed. So, he gave me a minor role in Onome, and he paid me N3000. I
was so happy that I could earn that kind of money for just a minor role. From
there, I started going for auditions and did Abused, Omotola was part of it and
Kesi Jabari and others and they paid me. Then I did Palace by Tunji Bamisigbin
. Then, I did Dry Leafs, Most Wanted, so it was from one location to another.
That was how I had my breakthrough in the industry.
Was it a smooth ride
to stardom?
It wasn’t all that
smooth, a little tough. But then, I think
it’s just God because sometimes when God shows you where you ought to
be, there’s little you can do. Sometimes, I went for auditions and wouldn’t get
picked or they could just give me a minor role like a waka-pass and I would
still do it and it didn’t matter to me. But most times too, I got good roles.
I don’t think I was sexually harassed. Yes, a couple of
people wanted to date me but it’s a normal thing for a guy to ask you out
because you are attractive. But most times, I get the role before anybody could
ask me out. I believe I had what the
directors wanted and they normally gave me the role. But maybe, in the cause of
shooting the movie, he might just develop an interest in me and decide to ask
me out for a drink.
You said you were paid
N3000 in your first movie . How much do you worth now?
I’m not going to tell
you how much I’m worth (laughs).
So what was your mother’s reaction when you told her you
wanted to become an actress ?
My mother is always
supportive whenever I follow my heartbeat.
Her concern is to ensure you are doing what you wanted to do for a
living. I happened to be the first child and the only girl of the
family. So, we are very close and talk
like friends. Our age difference isn’t so wide because she had me when she was
really young so, we could talk about anything.
Being a single mother must be really stressful?
Women are naturally
mothers and I think it works easy because it comes naturally. We just have to
take care of our kids even when we have to work. But it hasn’t been easy
because I could go to work for like three days without coming home, and my son
has to go to school. When he was younger it was a challenge because most times
I had to take him along whenever I’m going on location. But now, he’s getting older, and a lot easier because I could go to work and
all I have to do is talk to him on the phone. But any little opportunity I have
to be at home, I grab it. That’s why my social life is not all that wow because
I like being with my family.
There must be a man in your life
Definitely, I have
somebody in my life.
So, who is the lucky man?
(Laughs)I’m not going
to tell you
How soon are you planning to walk down the aisle?
I hope to do that…
Before the end of the year?
Do you know one thing? I’m a lucky person because I
try so hard to separate my private life from my work life. I think I’ve been
successful at doing it. I find it difficult talking about issues relating to my
private life.
There is need for you to put
the record straight?
Of course, I have
definitely moved on. I’m not searching. I’m trying to say that I’m satisfied
with what I have because I definitely have somebody in my life
Have you finally cleaned your tattoo?
I still have it but
it’s fading off gradually. I recently had a surgery. I’m supposed to have gone
for another one. I’m clearing it off but it’s so painful. It gets swollen and
too painful.
Wasn’t it painful when you were doing it?
It was painful but
then removing it is more painful.
But then it reminds you of the past
As funny as it is, I
don’t remember anything whenever I see it. I see it as part of fashion. I
actually went to a church to pray and they gave me a Bible verse, I never knew
it was against Christianity. Until the Pastor opened a passage that I should
read, and that was how I knew. It’s actually so beautiful when you have tattoos
but immediately I knew it was a sin then, I made up my mind to clean it.
But your “ex-husband” also has the same tattoo. Doesn’t your
new man complain whenever he sees it?
He’s not even that
kind of person. He’s a very cool person.
How is your boy taking your new man?
Both of them have a
relationship. They get along.
Doesn’t he miss his dad?
Please let’s not talk
about that for security reasons.
Okay, you don’t want to talk about your ex because of your new man?
Not because of him
but it goes beyond that. I don’t really want to talk about my past.
Very painful I guess?
It’s not as if it’s
painful. I’m just trying not to contradict some legal matters here.
Okay you’re still in court?
Not really. I don’t
want to talk about it
Okay, let me guess- you are still in court and you don’t…
We were never legally
married in the first place, though we had SEX out of wedlock. So, there’s
nothing about being in court. It was just something that he did on his part. I
don’t want to talk about it. It was a long time.
As a human, what are those challenges you face?
I’m just like every
other person so it’s just the normal challenges
I think your son wants a baby from you very soon?
He always disturbs me
to buy a baby toll for him at Shoprite.
Looking at life, do you have any regret?
Well, I don’t want to
say I regretted my marriage because I got something positive from it which is
my boy. But really, if I’m given a chance to walk through that experience
again, I’m not going to do it that way. I’ll do it differently
You are not going to marry him?
I won’t.
So what’s the difference between him and this new man?
(Laughs)I’m not
making any comparison, but you know sometimes to hold a home or be with a woman
takes a lot of gut and maturity. I think some men are still babies. They are
not mature enough but you won’t know until you are with that person. I talk in
parables.
So he had a problem with your career?
Probably.
He didn’t understand what it means to be an actress
Maybe, I should
attribute most of the problems to that fact.
He thought you were wayward whenever you went on set.
No. Funny enough, it
takes a lot of trust at the same time. I don’t think we had a trust issue. But
I think to marry a career woman or a celebrity- it’sn’t what most men can
handle.
Most of them think celebrity
are too proud?
Exactly, but they forget
that they are dealing with down to earth people.
And for a celebrity to marry such a man is a plus to him?
Exactly. I’m a kind
of person that whenever I’m off the set, I’m over that character. I switch back
to myself. And before I enter my home, I forget whatever I am.
So how is your new man
coping with your career?
I’m not getting any
younger so I definitely deserve to be seeing someone. I’ve chosen that person
and I believe he understands my kind of profession more but it’s not so easy.
What advice do you have for young women who are trying to be
like you?
It takes a lot of
humility and patience to get to the top. They have to be humble to gain a lot.
They should forget the fame because it comes with hard work. Although some are
lucky to get to the top within a short time and that means it’s just luck
because it’s not easy. Most importantly, you have to serve God. I’m a Christian
so I can’t take my Jesus for granted. Life isn’t just about partying because
being on location is enough party in itself. So, it’s not about clubbing all
the time but no one says you shouldn’t club but let’s not forget where we are
coming from.
END OF INTERVIEW.
·
Guys, are you AYO Adeseyan fan?
·
From the Interview, how would you describe her?