Category: Entertainment

Chioma Toplis started her acting career in 2004. The mother of three, married to a whiteman went underground for a while. Now back in Nigeria, the actress and business woman, in this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, talks about her family, 18 years marriage and other issues.

YOU just came into the country; is there a reason for this?

I came in last week and presently I am trying to sort out my business first, after which I can put a call to movie producers and let them know that I am available.

Would it be right to say you have lost interest in movies?

I still do. It is my passion and joy. It is something that I love doing. I have a lot of people who having been contacting me before I came back, so if I call them and they ask me to come around, I would have time for that. As you can see, we are trying to put up new stock and check stock. So I just want to have all these sorted out. That is the way I have been doing it.

You reside abroad and have business here. How have you been able to manage it?

By God’s grace I have been doing that for the past 10years; alongside acting which I started in 2004. I think it is not hard managing both the business and family. Once you have good people taking care of your business and you know what you are doing; I think it is okay.

With the recent rise in marriage break-ups in the industry, how have you been able to hold yours?

I think it is the grace of God. And then having a family that understands what I do and are comfortable with it. So, when I am not around they know what I have gone for, and then they have to balance up. And another thing is that you must organize yourself very well. The time when you are there and when you are not there, you make sure everything is balanced. So, when you are not there; nothing is lacking. For me, it’s been working out alright.

Why did it take you so long to unveil your family to the public?

I just wanted to do so because it was our 18th anniversary. And I decided I would do it then. For instance, I have never put my son on Facebook or any other forum. Nobody has ever seen my son. And the reason then, was because he was here schooling. So I didn’t put him there, until he was through with his studies here and went back to UK. That was when I started putting him up on social media. As for my husband, I didn’t put him up. I let people say all sorts. All I did was to let people know that you can say all you want to say, but at the end of the day nobody knows me like myself.

Didn’t this decision have a negative effect?

It did. A lot of things were said; like we were separated and a lot of nonsense. But people who know me, knew that nothing of such happened. So I just did it on the anniversary day to show people that, they can say all they want to say. But they don’t know what is going on with me. So that will make them know that, whatever rubbish has been said, people won’t believe.

You kept your family from the public for 18years. How did you do it?

Anything you want to do in life is possible if you put your mind to it. I have friends that have been to my house. So when people say all sorts of things, and I kept quiet, they help me do the same. Because if they say all sorts, it is my cross, am the one carrying it. And I also thank God for the kind of husband I have, he does not listen to all they say. And my children don’t read all the blogs. Even when they come across it, they don’t care. So whatever they say, if I want to answer, I will and if I don’t; they can say what they want. Looking at the picture, you will know I have a happy home, no pretence.

Would it have been a different story, if you were married to an African?

I have examples of few people in the industry who were married to whites and their marriages had failed. And there are lots of them who are married to blacks and their marriages are intact, likewise crashed. So it all depends on the individual. And I believe like they say, ‘every man has his own wife and every woman has her own husband’. When the real people have not come together, it wouldn’t work. But when your real husband or wife comes to you, you will know because everything you touch will turn to gold.

Why did you pick interest to care for the elderly and not children like others?

Well, everybody should have what interest them, including children. I have compassion for the elderly and I do have interest in children. The elderly do experience lacks because there are no provision here. Unlike western societies, there are people who take care of them. Most of them here have lost their children. And those who still have, while they are old, are left in the village to suffer harsh conditions of living.

Government have a lot on their hands and they are yet to get them done. So that aspect might not come into the picture. We as individuals, can help if we have a way out. There are a lot of people who need help out there, but I feel the elderly ones really do need a lot of help. I just started with the elderly; tomorrow, it might extend. I still do some charity works for children. I have a lot of stuff at the cargo, and it is more of children effects. It is just that if you have humanitarian personality in you, you can help out when anybody comes around. It is not something that should be advertised or celebrated.

The reason for the wide spread information on the previous action I embarked on was because I went all the way to Ibadan. A friend told me about the elderly home there and I went. For me, it was like an adventure. I liked the way they were cared for with free medical checkups and other things. I still do it, in my hometown but on a smaller scale.

How easy is it for you to fit back into the industry anytime you are around?

It is just the grace of God. A lot of people will say, how much does she make from this? That she shuttles between here and there. Like I said, it is my passion and this business as well. I won’t say it is my life, because God is. But they are the things I enjoy doing, fashion and acting. When I am here, I feel joyful, even if there are no big sales coming in. I have my customers, so I know how I do my things.

Even like the movies, it is not everytime that I am there. And people are like why is she there all the time? It is still the grace of God. I am not always acting, but I am always out there. Whatever I do, people take note of. I give God all the praise, because I don’t really come here all the time, which is not enough. Because there are people who are there all year round and are not recognized by anyone. And any movie I do, gets applauded.

There was a period you went underground, was it deliberate?

I am still there. It is just that, a lot of things happened at that period and I decided to go underground. I made up my mind to keep off from some people. But at a point, I realised that you can only run, you can’t hide. So I decided to continue doing my thing and suddenly invitations started coming in.

Then journalists would call and ask if I wanted to reply to things that were said about me? I would say no, I just wanted to be on my own. So I went off the media, and social functions. I concentrated on my business and it helped to calm the situation then. Journalists put fire into issues that are not meant to be, and it would escalate as if the whole world would come to an end.

Who were your contemporaries in the industry back then, that you still communicate with presently?

I have been the kind of person that makes too many friends especially in the industry. I have friends a lot, that is why I run this business. But in the movie industry, I tend not to make friends. We can be friends, but not close friends. I have had problems in the past, so I decided to leave it on platonic level with everybody. I can come back and I can say hello or you might want to say hello to me. I have a lot of them like that. Since I came, I have called a few and they can call to ask ‘where are you?, Or drop by’. But am not too close with anyone anymore.

You want to tell us about that?

No, that was in the past. I have learnt a lot in the industry, otherwise Nigeria. I have learnt to flow with everyone, so that I won’t have enemies. Because when you get too close, then there is the possibility of becoming enemies. But when you are just friends, it is alright.

Does this enmity have to do with achievement or competition?

It is all about individuals. For me, I am happy when my friends progress whether you are smaller or bigger than me. I am not the jealous type. But you know, when it comes to women, a lot of things tend to bring jealousy. I have a lot of platonic friends in the industry. Even if you have money whether it’s flowing like honey, they don’t care, they just flow with you like that. And there are certain people who come to my small shop and become very jealous. It is just an individual thing; personal issues.

I believe God has created everybody with their own destiny. Whatever you have become today, is what He has said you would be. If you like to kill yourself over it, you might not achieve what that person has achieved. So you just have to be happy in whatever position you have found yourself. I just had to generalize it with the experience I have had before and leave everybody up there. One of my friends says ‘it is I see you when I see you friendship’.

You look too simple for a star?

With the kind of business I do, which I started before I came into acting; you have to be friendly with everybody. I need to be cheerful to attract customers. I need people to shop in my outlet. So when I frown, how do I get people to approach me? But I don’t like people taking me for granted. When it comes to that, I will make my boundary known. Aside the movie industry, I have always been a cheerful person.

I don’t underrate people, and I don’t like that for myself too. So if you feel that I can’t fit into your level, I shift. But for me, I carry everybody along.

What is the reception like when you are in the public having been away for some time?

I have this face that everybody wants to reckon with. So anywhere I am, people are like Chioma Toplis is around because I just flow. I have not been in a place that people would start shuffling themselves. If I see anybody doing that, then they have problem with themselves and not me. I can not enter any crowd and they won’t notice that I am there. That is how God has made me.

How easy is it raising three kids?

It is God’s doing; three is not much. Though, they are a handful. I have people with seven kids. My kids are cool headed, except for my boy. But boys will always be boys.

And the environment has not had any negative effect on them?

That is the worst place to raise children, though people might not know. But I have also discovered that Nigeria is also getting to that level. That was the reason I brought my son to school here. Nowadays, the way parents are bringing up their children here, is becoming as bad as that place too. But the good thing about here is that you can discipline your children. Over there, you can’t discipline your them the way you want to. But thank God, everything went smoothly, they are all grown-ups now.

THE Spears improved on their loss margin to the Swords in the Cart Race task. But this loss depleted their tribe by a member – Etido Ema Ebong.

The task entailed assembling a cart, dragging it up a hill and across some obstacles, going through a gate and then racing to the finish line. The first tribe to the finish line is declared winner.

To assemble the cart, members of each tribe were to run up a hill and retrieve the pieces of the carts. They would then build the cart from the assembled pieces.

The Spear tribe suffered a setback when Peter who raced up the hill before Halima of the Swords, picked a cart piece belonging to the opposing team. This miscalculation gave the Swords a good lead ahead of the Spears.

Despite the setback, the Spears assembled their cart and raced towards the finish line before the Swords; but their cart got stuck. This gave the Swords ample time to overtake and win the Cart Race.

The Council of Elders decided to eliminate the Spear tribe’s weakest links. They were subjected to another task. Each member of the tribe had to carry two sacks of charcoal balanced on their shoulders with a stick while standing on a log. The weight of each warrior’s sack was proportional to his or her weight. The first to give way under the weight would be identified as the weakest link.

Ema lasted only 48 seconds into the challenge; while Dennis dropped three minutes later. Martha, Anthony and Peter lasted 25, 34 and 48 minutes respectively. For coming tops in the punitive task, Ifunanya became the tribe’s first female tribe leader.

Ema was later evicted at the Place of the Talking Drum.

Tune in to the following stations for more exciting episodes: African Magic (DSTV), Ebonylife TV, Realstar, Wap TV, ESBS and AKBC by 10pm; and AIT & Galaxy TV by 10:30pm.

TO ennoble this year’s edition of Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA), a comic session, according to organisers is not only pertinent, the choice of Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun, aka AY, who will be joining the likes of Seyi Brown and Jedi, will also raise the bar of the entertainment show.

“Get ready to laugh, as we add three comedic acts; AY, Seyi Brown and Jedi, to our line-up of entertainers for the 2nd Annual GIAMA.” Said Bodo Ojo, publisher of Golden Icon magazine and organizer of the GIAMA, in a statement.

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 19, 2013 in Houston, Texas. The Award ceremony will feature the highly sought-after and super-talented actor Ramsey Nouah, as host.

The GIAMA Awards is being supported by Arik Airlines, BellaNaija, Nollywood Access, Nollywood View, City People Magazine, The Nation, Sun, Bashman Entertainment, Dure Events, Segun Gele, Naijapals, Jaguda, Sturvs and several other organizations listed on GIAMA’s website.

HOW does it feel like winning Project Fame?

I feel blessed and I’m so grateful to everyone who voted for me.

How was the experience in the academy?

The experience was awesome because we sang all through and that’s what I know how to do best.

At the beginning of the contest, did you imagine you would win?

Not really, because we all had equal chances of winning.

What would have been your reaction had you not won? I’d still be grateful to God for making me a part of the top six Was there a time you wanted to give up?

Sure, there was such a time but I had to encourage myself.

How do you hope to survive the music industry especially now that you have a platform already?

I think I would try to be myself, identify my unique selling point and showcase it in my music career. I also intend to go the extra mile to add value to what I do. These are the things I can add to the industry.

In your view, do you think you can surpass the success of past winners like Chidinma and Iyanya?

Only God knows how my journey will be because he brought me here.

How did you get to know about the show?

I got to know about Project Fame on TV.

What did you want to become while growing up?

I wanted to become a medical doctor before I got into the University but along the line, I discovered my passion for music.

What were your parents’ reactions when you joined the show?

They were happy about it and they supported me with prayers.

How did they receive the news of your victory?

They were so excited and I saw the happiness written all over them.

How have your phone and social media accounts been like since you won?

I think the right word is busy.

Have you tried to participate in the show before?

No, I have not. This is actually my first time.

What encouraged you to partake in Project fame?

A friend of mine actually advised me to give it a try.

Tell us about your best and worst moments during the contest?

The first five weeks were quite challenging because I didn’t open up on stage. After that, I started enjoying myself due to help of the faculty members.

How do you intend to do to remain relevant in the entertainment industry?

I intend to be myself all the time and carve a niche for myself. One really requires the influence of God as well.

How do you plan to combine show business with your education?

I’ll have to work harder than I used to.

How did you discover your talent and when did you start singing?

I discovered my talent when I got to the University though I had been singing since I joined the choir.

What would you say was the secret of your success?

I would ascribe it to God and hard work.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself being a voice in the music industry by God’s grace.

Do you have a girlfriend?

No, I don’t.

What was growing like for you?

Growing up for me was normal. I am from an average family. We are six in number and I am the first of four children; three boys and a girl. We all live in Ibadan from where I auditioned for Project Fame. In my family, my parents can afford to give us education and as we speak I am a 400 level student of Agronomy at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH. There had never been a musician in my family until I started though.

Did you have any crush on anyone while at the booth camp?

No, I did not.

Why did your colleagues refer to you as PIMP?

They refer to me as pimp because I use to help them customise their phones when I was in 100L.

We know you have a bias for Jazz music. What genre of music would you eventually settle for because we saw that at the grand finale there was a switch from soul to Fuji?

I can do any genre of music depending on what my fans want. Like I said, I’d also try to stay true to myself.

What kind of relationship do you have with your mom because you seem to be very close to your father?

I’m close to both of them.

You claim you don’t have a girlfriend, are you a player?

No I’m not a player.

How do you intend to spend your prize money?

I intend to spend it wisely.

Who among the contestant was your strongest contender?

None, because we all are unique in our ways.

What was it like performing alongside Tiwa Salvage?

Performing with Tiwa is actually a blessing for me because I respect her so much.

What was your best moment at the booth camp?

Every moment was interesting for me.

While in camp, did you have any favourite contestant?

I love all of them.

With this success, would you dump schooling for music?

No, that’s not going to happen.

TOP flight Nollywood actress Omoni Oboli yesterday took to her twitter handle to mourn one of the victims of the ill-fated flight of Thursday, October 3, Deji Falae who would have added a year on October 9.

It was in the indeed a heartfelt message that caught the attention of other sympathisers who couldn’t hold back the urge to reply with comments, consoling the actress as well as families of the deceased.

Omoni in her message said, “Death took you, Deji, a few days to your birthday. God knows best. Father you are worthy of our praise. Happy Birthday! RIP! Forever in our hearts.” In another tweet, the actress said, “Happy birthday Deji, you would have been a year older today. We remember you, dear friend. RIP!

No sooner had the actress dropped those lines, than she started receiving replies to her tweets. One of them read, “It’s really sad but I believe God has a reason…May the family and friends be comforted in Jesus name.”

YOU just came into the country; is there a reason for this?

I came in last week and presently I am trying to sort out my business first, after which I can put a call to movie producers and let them know that I am available.

Would it be right to say you have lost interest in movies?

I still do. It is my passion and joy. It is something that I love doing. I have a lot of people who having been contacting me before I came back, so if I call them and they ask me to come around, I would have time for that. As you can see, we are trying to put up new stock and check stock. So I just want to have all these sorted out. That is the way I have been doing it.

You reside abroad and have business here. How have you been able to manage it?

By God’s grace I have been doing that for the past 10years; alongside acting which I started in 2004. I think it is not hard managing both the business and family. Once you have good people taking care of your business and you know what you are doing; I think it is okay.

With the recent rise in marriage break-ups in the industry, how have you been able to hold yours?

I think it is the grace of God. And then having a family that understands what I do and are comfortable with it. So, when I am not around they know what I have gone for, and then they have to balance up. And another thing is that you must organize yourself very well. The time when you are there and when you are not there, you make sure everything is balanced. So, when you are not there; nothing is lacking. For me, it’s been working out alright.

Why did it take you so long to unveil your family to the public?

I just wanted to do so because it was our 18th anniversary. And I decided I would do it then. For instance, I have never put my son on Facebook or any other forum. Nobody has ever seen my son. And the reason then, was because he was here schooling. So I didn’t put him there, until he was through with his studies here and went back to UK. That was when I started putting him up on social media. As for my husband, I didn’t put him up. I let people say all sorts. All I did was to let people know that you can say all you want to say, but at the end of the day nobody knows me like myself.

Didn’t this decision have a negative effect?

It did. A lot of things were said; like we were separated and a lot of nonsense. But people who know me, knew that nothing of such happened. So I just did it on the anniversary day to show people that, they can say all they want to say. But they don’t know what is going on with me. So that will make them know that, whatever rubbish has been said, people won’t believe.

You kept your family from the public for 18years. How did you do it?

Anything you want to do in life is possible if you put your mind to it. I have friends that have been to my house. So when people say all sorts of things, and I kept quiet, they help me do the same. Because if they say all sorts, it is my cross, am the one carrying it. And I also thank God for the kind of husband I have, he does not listen to all they say. And my children don’t read all the blogs. Even when they come across it, they don’t care. So whatever they say, if I want to answer, I will and if I don’t; they can say what they want. Looking at the picture, you will know I have a happy home, no pretence.

Would it have been a different story, if you were married to an African?

I have examples of few people in the industry who were married to whites and their marriages had failed. And there are lots of them who are married to blacks and their marriages are intact, likewise crashed. So it all depends on the individual. And I believe like they say, ‘every man has his own wife and every woman has her own husband’. When the real people have not come together, it wouldn’t work. But when your real husband or wife comes to you, you will know because everything you touch will turn to gold.

Why did you pick interest to care for the elderly and not children like others?

Well, everybody should have what interest them, including children. I have compassion for the elderly and I do have interest in children. The elderly do experience lacks because there are no provision here. Unlike western societies, there are people who take care of them. Most of them here have lost their children. And those who still have, while they are old, are left in the village to suffer harsh conditions of living.

Government have a lot on their hands and they are yet to get them done. So that aspect might not come into the picture. We as individuals, can help if we have a way out. There are a lot of people who need help out there, but I feel the elderly ones really do need a lot of help. I just started with the elderly; tomorrow, it might extend. I still do some charity works for children. I have a lot of stuff at the cargo, and it is more of children effects. It is just that if you have humanitarian personality in you, you can help out when anybody comes around. It is not something that should be advertised or celebrated.

The reason for the wide spread information on the previous action I embarked on was because I went all the way to Ibadan. A friend told me about the elderly home there and I went. For me, it was like an adventure. I liked the way they were cared for with free medical checkups and other things. I still do it, in my hometown but on a smaller scale.

How easy is it for you to fit back into the industry anytime you are around?

It is just the grace of God. A lot of people will say, how much does she make from this? That she shuttles between here and there. Like I said, it is my passion and this business as well. I won’t say it is my life, because God is. But they are the things I enjoy doing, fashion and acting. When I am here, I feel joyful, even if there are no big sales coming in. I have my customers, so I know how I do my things.

Even like the movies, it is not everytime that I am there. And people are like why is she there all the time? It is still the grace of God. I am not always acting, but I am always out there. Whatever I do, people take note of. I give God all the praise, because I don’t really come here all the time, which is not enough. Because there are people who are there all year round and are not recognized by anyone. And any movie I do, gets applauded.

There was a period you went underground, was it deliberate?

I am still there. It is just that, a lot of things happened at that period and I decided to go underground. I made up my mind to keep off from some people. But at a point, I realised that you can only run, you can’t hide. So I decided to continue doing my thing and suddenly invitations started coming in.

Then journalists would call and ask if I wanted to reply to things that were said about me? I would say no, I just wanted to be on my own. So I went off the media, and social functions. I concentrated on my business and it helped to calm the situation then. Journalists put fire into issues that are not meant to be, and it would escalate as if the whole world would come to an end.

Who were your contemporaries in the industry back then, that you still communicate with presently?

I have been the kind of person that makes too many friends especially in the industry. I have friends a lot, that is why I run this business. But in the movie industry, I tend not to make friends. We can be friends, but not close friends. I have had problems in the past, so I decided to leave it on platonic level with everybody. I can come back and I can say hello or you might want to say hello to me. I have a lot of them like that. Since I came, I have called a few and they can call to ask ‘where are you?, Or drop by’. But am not too close with anyone anymore.

You want to tell us about that?

No, that was in the past. I have learnt a lot in the industry, otherwise Nigeria. I have learnt to flow with everyone, so that I won’t have enemies. Because when you get too close, then there is the possibility of becoming enemies. But when you are just friends, it is alright.

Does this enmity have to do with achievement or competition?

It is all about individuals. For me, I am happy when my friends progress whether you are smaller or bigger than me. I am not the jealous type. But you know, when it comes to women, a lot of things tend to bring jealousy. I have a lot of platonic friends in the industry. Even if you have money whether it’s flowing like honey, they don’t care, they just flow with you like that. And there are certain people who come to my small shop and become very jealous. It is just an individual thing; personal issues.

I believe God has created everybody with their own destiny. Whatever you have become today, is what He has said you would be. If you like to kill yourself over it, you might not achieve what that person has achieved. So you just have to be happy in whatever position you have found yourself. I just had to generalize it with the experience I have had before and leave everybody up there. One of my friends says ‘it is I see you when I see you friendship’.

You look too simple for a star?

With the kind of business I do, which I started before I came into acting; you have to be friendly with everybody. I need to be cheerful to attract customers. I need people to shop in my outlet. So when I frown, how do I get people to approach me? But I don’t like people taking me for granted. When it comes to that, I will make my boundary known. Aside the movie industry, I have always been a cheerful person.

I don’t underrate people, and I don’t like that for myself too. So if you feel that I can’t fit into your level, I shift. But for me, I carry everybody along.

What is the reception like when you are in the public having been away for some time?

I have this face that everybody wants to reckon with. So anywhere I am, people are like Chioma Toplis is around because I just flow. I have not been in a place that people would start shuffling themselves. If I see anybody doing that, then they have problem with themselves and not me. I can not enter any crowd and they won’t notice that I am there. That is how God has made me.

How easy is it raising three kids?

It is God’s doing; three is not much. Though, they are a handful. I have people with seven kids. My kids are cool headed, except for my boy. But boys will always be boys.

And the environment has not had any negative effect on them?

That is the worst place to raise children, though people might not know. But I have also discovered that Nigeria is also getting to that level. That was the reason I brought my son to school here. Nowadays, the way parents are bringing up their children here, is becoming as bad as that place too. But the good thing about here is that you can discipline your children. Over there, you can’t discipline your them the way you want to. But thank God, everything went smoothly, they are all grown-ups now.