At the star-studded premiere of Labake Olododo, a new blockbuster by Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, actress and filmmaker Aishat Lawal sat down with The Nation’s ADENIYI ADEWOYIN. In the conversation, Lawal opened up about her career evolution, the shift from YouTube productions to big-screen movies, and how the transition has made her labour in the industry more rewarding. She also spoke on Nollywood’s global recognition, the impact of streaming platforms, and why she keeps her private life away from social media.
It is believed that you took a break from acting some time ago. What happened?
I didn’t take a break. I went to have my kids; I just stopped doing some YouTube jobs intentionally. I wanted to carve a niche for my brand. I just wanted to be on the big screens more than the small screens.
What has been the difference so far?
It’s been good; it’s been encouraging and rewarding. I have more time for my family, and I have time for my job. In fact, my labour is more rewarded. Ise ko lowo alubarika loju (it’s not by hard work but the blessing of God). I got to branch into so many things because I have more time at hand, and I get to be involved in quality movies and produce big screen movies myself. It’s really rewarding and I like that. You see yourself in big movies and be wow! And it’s the same acting.
You are quite versatile…
I try as much to branch into so many characters. I try to do more challenging roles. If you call me for a girlfriend or housewife role, that is not really challenging, I’d be like, I’ve done it before.
What do you like most about acting?
It’s the passion. Some people like the fact that they can be any character that they want, but I just like the passion. I have a passion for it, and I enjoy it.
How long did it take you to start earning as an actress? Some up-and-coming actors get discouraged when the money isn’t coming early.
That was two years. I joined in 2008, and in 2010/11, I was already earning money. I was doing mostly YouTube; that was why I was everywhere so when I got married I reduced it.
How have you been able to juggle both personal life and career demands?
I try to reduce my work rate by working smart.
What does Nollywood need to do to position itself better in the global film industry?
I think we are moving, I don’t think there’s anything to be done again. We are doing blockbuster movies; we are paying more attention to details now. I will be going to Qatar in a week’s time for an award, and I travel to the UK often and I will tell you for a fact that we are getting recognized. I see foreigners at the point of entry telling me that they saw my movie, which is quite impressive. We will get there.
What interests you most about the industry now, unlike before?
The fact that the industry is getting its flowers. There’s a market now. When there’s a market, you get paid more.
There’s been criticism about the recycling of faces in movies. What’s your take on that?
May I ask those critics; would they be happy if they got sacked from their job because some people just graduated from the university? The beauty of it is to mix generations of actors in a movie. And then there are sometimes when you know the OGs that will play some roles perfectly. What may be wrong is using Femi Adebayo for a university role, but I can use Gabriel (Afolayan) in that role because he has a small stature. Do they want us to start selling fish or TomTom?
What would you say to a person coming to the industry but wants to be scandal-free like you?
I try as much as possible to stay away from social media. I don’t live for validation. Whatever you think of me doesn’t make me better; if you think I’m poor, it’s fine. I don’t like posting my personal life on social media. You can never see my siblings and my husband on social media. My husband does not like it, we don’t live for social media; we live for ourselves. I want a private life, and I have that.
Why is it important for celebrities to keep their private life away from the public’s eye?
It’s possible. One of my friends asked me if I don’t get the urge to post my personal stuff online but said it’s a matter of choice; it’s an individual thing.
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What’s your perception of the presence of streaming platforms in Nollywood?
They’ve done so well for us even though we are having some issues presently but they have challenged producers to increase their capacity, think outside the box and do blockbusters. We’ve sold movies that sold for one million dollars and more. Personally I have sold a movie for five hundred thousand dollars. I spent close to N380 million on set for my last production because I know that I’m going to sell it. So, the streaming platforms have done so well for us.
One wouldn’t have thought that the Yoruba part of Nollywood would pull this string a few years back, what changed?
I saw it coming, I told people it’s a goldmine and once we strike the gold you guys will be impressed because we have the market. If Bollywood and Chinese movies have the market, what’s stopping us? When I started watching ‘Game of Thrones’ in 2010, I kept saying we will do something like this but I just didn’t know when it would come.