Beautiful and lithe Kiki Omeili, a graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, took a glide from medicine to acting in 2011. Since she took that bold step, the Anambra State-born medical doctor, TV presenter and actress has left no one in doubt that she is dynamite. In 2011 when she played Debbie in the popular TV series, Behind the Smile, she wowed not a few. Again, in 2012, she proved to movie critics that she is the bomb with her captivating performance in her debut feature movie, Married but Living Single. And then, she was a delight when she played Lovette in the highly successful series, Lekki Wives. The award-winning actress recently took BABATUNDE SULAIMAN on an exciting voyage around her world.
IT is barely three years that you started acting professionally, but it is as if you have been around in the industry for much longer. Certainly, you are doing some things right. So, could you talk about your winning streak?
It is not three years! I started acting professionally in August, 2011 and I guess it is a combination of God’s favour and being good at what one does.
What were you doing before you started acting?
Before I started acting, I was practising my profession as a medical doctor.
But were you not fulfilled as a medical doctor?
I kept having that nagging feeling to follow my passion, so that was what I did. Well, let me say there are two sides to me: the medical side and the entertainment side. So, it was a case of another side struggling for expression.
At what point did you begin to realise these two sides of you and which of the two first manifested in you?
The entertainment side of me had always been there. In the secondary school, I was very involved in stage plays and I was a Literature-in-English prize winner. But then, I still went for a professional course. It was during the course of studying medicine that I realised it was still very much there. I was always doing MC jobs in various school events while in the university. So, I guess I eventually found my way back.
So, in what circumstance did you end up studying medicine?
I’d always wanted to study a ‘professional’ course; and as far as I was concerned, medicine was it.
Was there any parental influence in your studying medicine?
No, the decision was totally mine. But then, I was very young.
Okay, what were your parents into?
My dad was a general manager in First Bank Plc and my mum was a comptroller of prisons.
You come from a privileged background; so, what was your growing up like?
I grew up with three siblings: an older sister and two younger brothers. I have wonderful childhood memories and my parents raised us to be independent and God-fearing.
So, you said earlier that you were still engaging in some creative works like master of ceremonies jobs, even as a medical student in the university. But didn’t that affect your study in anyway?
No, it didn’t. In fact, I’m proud to say that in all my years in the medical school, I never sat for any examination twice.
That is nice! So, between 2007 when you finished your national youth service and 2011 when you started acting, where were you?
I did my housemanship in 2007 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan; and in 2008, I did my NYSC at Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA. Thereafter, in 2009, I worked for Pathcare International as a business manager.
Could you share with me your most unforgettable experience while you worked there?
Nothing comes to mind right now.
Would you say it was a tough decision for you when you wanted to dump medicine for acting?
Why do journalists like that word ‘dump’? I didn’t dump it; I’m still very much involved in medicine and I still write health articles for online blogs. It wasn’t tough; I just followed my passion and here I am.
So, can you recall the immediate reactions of your parents, particularly your dad, when you wanted to start your journey into acting?
My parents are the best and they have been so supportive. I think they suspected it would happen because they could see my interest in the arts. Parents just want to know that their kids will be fine in whatever field they choose to be in. And I think that’s why parents are skeptical about their kids going into entertainment.
So, how did you get your first acting role and how much were you paid?
I auditioned for my first role. It was a lead role in a series titled Behind the Smile. As for how much I was paid, no actor will tell you that.
Oh! A few actors have told me how much they received for their first acting jobs. It is just to know their humble beginning.
I’m still humble!
How did you fare the first time you were on set?
I knew that I would do a good job, but I thought I’d receive a lot of corrections from the director.
So, after every scene, I’d look at the director, expecting him to complain, but he would say, “Next scene”. So, I was quite confused; I wasn’t sure what to think.
Why were you confused?
I was confused because I wasn’t sure why the director wasn’t stopping me. I later realised that it was because he was getting what he wanted.
How did you fare in the midst of the heavy weights on the set then?
It is a series called Behind the smile and I was opposite the likes of Femi Brainard, Rachael Oniga and Olumide Bakare. Femi Brainard was very encouraging and helpful, so I fared well.
Did you think you would get the role in the first place when you attended the audition?
When you attend an audition, you hope for the best. But you are up against so many people who are equally good; so, all you do is hope.
And then your prayers were eventually answered when you got the role?
I guess so.
Would you say your performance in that series subsequently opened the door of other big roles for you?
Yes, I would say so. For one thing, I got to work again with the director, Tunde Olaoye, on a feature film project called Married but living single.
I wanted to mention that because when your name is mentioned, what comes to mind is that movie. How did you get the role and how was it like on the set of that movie?
I auditioned for the role; but as I said, I’d worked with the director before and he knew my acting capabilities. It went very well on set. Everybody was very professional with a very good rapport.
So, how many movies have you featured in till date and which has been the most challenging?
So far, I’ve done 12 movies and five TV series.
The most challenging was a film called Sting, where I played a rape victim. The physical violence was real and it was also a very emotional role.
How did you get into that character?
I had to enter into the character completely. I did my research about rape victims and lived the character. I had my co-actor beat me for real because I wanted it to be real.
Could this be true, and who was the co-actor in question?
It’s very true. My co-actor was Oyekunle Oluwaremi, who is also the producer of the movie.
Which role has brought out the best in you so far and what role are you looking forward to playing?
Every role comes with its own challenges and rewards, so I can’t pinpoint any one in particular. But I’ve always said that I look forward to playing the role of a ‘village girl’.
You will like to play a village girl?
Yes, I always look forward to a challenge, so I’ll like to do something that’s so far removed from my actual self. It’s always fun to stretch yourself.
Have you had to turn down a script? If yes, why?
Hmm! I think every actor at some point or the other has had to do that, either because of conflicting schedules or because it’s too similar to something that one had done before. And as an actor, you must have a range and vary it from production to production, so that you don’t get stereotyped.
You have lived a scandal-free life since you came into the industry. Could it be because you have not been romantically linked to any guy in the industry or because you have not had an issue with any of your colleagues?
Well, it’s true that I’ve not been romantically linked to anyone in the industry; but then, I guess that everyone usually starts out with a clean slate; and sometimes, through no fault of the artiste, scandals arise. Some people take it upon themselves to make up and spread malicious stories about artistes. So, I can only hope that I stay scandal-free.
But don’t forget that there is no smoke without fire.
That’s not always true in this industry. There’s enough smoke to choke you without any fire.
Can you sacrifice acting for love; that is, if your fiancé says you should quit?
I will cross that bridge if I ever come to it. I always say that it’s important that a partner shares and believes in your vision and your dreams; otherwise, it’s a huge problem, one that I hope that I’ll never have to face – that’s not a dilemma that I wish to ever face.
So far, your boyfriend doesn’t mind you kissing and acting romantic roles, does he?
Let’s leave boyfriend talk o!
Who do you consider your role models in the industry?
There are so many of them.
Okay, could you mention a few?
I admire different people for different reasons.
Could you expatiate?
I admire some people because they don’t hold back; they completely let go on screen. Also, I admire some people because they take what they do seriously and are so professional. Acting is about believability. So, if, as an actor, you hold back, your performance may not come across as believable.
Have you found yourself in any embarrassing moment since you started acting?
There is none that I can recall; I’m not easily embarrassed.
How many awards have you won so far?:
Last year, I received the “African Film Award” in London for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for my role in the movie, Married but living Single
