Popular Nollywood actress, Funke Adesiyan, has done so well for herself in the industry. The actress tells Adetutu Audu why she is termed controversial.
WITHIN a short period of time, you have become prominent in Nollywood. What is the secret?
Well, again and again l have always said that God is the secret; He is the ultimate, there is no other secret, because if you think you can achieve something all by yourself you are joking, if you don’t have the support of God Almighty. He has been there for me and has been in support of everything l do; there is nothing l want to do that l don’t tell him first to know if l can go ahead or not. He has been behind me. He’s the solid rock behind me.
What is the greatest mistake you have ever made in life?
I don’t dwell on mistakes; I don’t regret my actions. If I take a decision to do something and it turns out unfavourable I don’t regret it, because nobody forced me to do them. It is my choice to do them, and they are my actions, I don’t regret them; it has happened, it has happened, I don’t dwell on it.
As a fashion-conscious person, what are the most expensive collections that you have?
I doubt if it is wise for me to be saying that this is the most expensive item that I have. There are lots of people out there who need help, who are less privileged, who with a little can turn their lives around if we make efforts to help them. So, l don’t think it is wise to say that this is the most expensive item that I have. Of course I’m comfortable but I won’t be saying that.
Is there any particular role you have longed to play that you have not?
I think I am one of the lucky few who have been able to do a lot. I have played the role of a ninety-year-old woman which is extremely challenging, but basically whatever that comes my way, I take it as my best.
What would you say is your strong point?
Probably being real. I am a realistic person, I try to distinguish between the character I am playing and the character, Funke Adesiyan. I tend not to lose who I am to the character or one of the characters I play. I still find a way to break it; I don’t get stuck in a role.
Getting personal now; could you tell us about the story that was all over that you did breast implant.
I wouldn’t know where and why the story was all over. Maybe we need to ask those who started it.
Could be it that your dressing speaks for you?
I would not know but I guess I dress appropriately. I am not expected to wear iro and buba to a night club. I don’t know why people enjoy putting others down and I think we should cultivate the habit of celebrating ourselves, we should celebrate good things in other people and stop digging what is not meant to be dug.
You know, in the industry there are ups and downs, what has been your experience so far?
There are ups and downs to life itself. Life is not a smooth road, it is a rocky road. If you go looking at the ups and downs you might just get drowned in it. It’s just for you to take every moment as they come. There are ups and downs in the industry as naturally as it has been with life itself. People should be able to overcome them because l don’t see them as problems; l see them as part of life and challenges.
What has fame robbed you of?
I try to have my normal life. I try to remain myself that I am a person and I try not to let my freedom be taken away from me. If I feel like eating amala at a buketaria, I walk in and I eat. One million people could stare at me, but that is because what I want to do is that I want to eat. If I feel like buying corn on the roadside, I park and I buy. I try as much as possible not to let fame get into my head.
How do you ward off attention from men?
You cannot stop men from coming after you. I don’t insult or be rude to them. I make them understand the best we could be are friends.
You once said marriage is not a must. Is it that you have suffered heartbreak?
There are people who are not meant to be married by nature and you force yourself because your brother or sister is married, you discover that you will opt out in few months. Why did you get married in the first place knowing you are not meant to be married? So, firstly, I think you should understand your nature. What is most important is finding a great person. You could fall in love with the person but it’s about finding someone that you are compatible with, someone you could cohabitate together, you could stay together and be happy together.
You seem to be enmeshed in different controversies lately. Do you enjoy it?
I think a lot of journalists are in love with me (laughs) and I think you cannot dictate the tune in which you are being written about.
Is acting paying your bills, or what other things do you do?
I am a business-oriented person. I sell all kinds of wine, I am into building construction. I sell cars, I have a saloon, I have a tailoring shop and I have a boutique.
