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Tag: Ayo Adesanya

  • Ayo Adesanya: Stories must evolve with time

    Ayo Adesanya: Stories must evolve with time

    Veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ayo Adesanya has reflected on the transformation of the Nigerian film industry, particularly the dominance of streaming platforms and the shift in storytelling styles.

    Speaking on the changing landscape, Adesanya noted that most movie productions are now tailored for YouTube, cinemas, and high-budget projects, marking a departure from the era of DVD distribution.

    “I can’t remember when jobs have not been for YouTube, aside from the cinemas and some other bigger jobs,” she said, highlighting the role of digital platforms in Nollywood’s current structure.

    Adesanya also acknowledged significant improvements in production quality, attributing it to advancements in technology. According to her, better cameras and improved technical expertise have made filmmaking easier and more visually appealing.

    “We are better now in terms of production due to the cameras and technicalities we have now. It’s better and easier to film,” she noted.

    Read Also: Ayo Adesanya: BBL may fade with time

    Beyond production quality, Adesanya pointed out that revenue generation has also evolved, allowing filmmakers to earn directly without relying on middlemen.

    “People are making more money now, and it’s going directly to the producer. Initially, it used to go round and round with middlemen and marketers, but you can make your money directly now,” she explained.

    On Nollywood’s storytelling direction, the actress emphasized the need for filmmakers to align their narratives with modern realities, as audiences now expect more contemporary and relatable content

    “Life has changed, everything is going artificial, and whatever story you’re telling has to align with the times. It must work with time unless you’re intentionally setting it in the olden days. That’s why our stories are digressing towards that way now,” she added.

  • Ayo Adesanya: BBL may fade with time

    Ayo Adesanya: BBL may fade with time

    Veteran Nollywood actress Ayo Adesanya has weighed in on the growing trend of artificial beauty enhancements in the entertainment industry.

    The actress has cautioned that trends like Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) may not stand the test of time.

    Speaking in a chat with The Nation Newspaper at a recent movie premiere, Adesanya noted that while artificial enhancements currently dominate the spotlight, originality still holds value.

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    “I realized that people take the mundane things seriously these days, so it’s always the artificial that is selling,” she said. “But if you check it very well, there are still some people who are into originality. So, it is now left to you as an actor to decide on what you want to do because a few years from now, BBL may not work again because change is constant. There were a lot of things before now, so time changes everything.”

    The actress further emphasized that true talent should take precedence over physical alterations, urging actors to focus on their craft rather than superficial attributes.

    “I feel that if you’re talented, artificial things like that should not move you. When you have something that you have to offer, you will know that your talent is more than BBL. Is it all movies that would have to do with ass?”

    She maintains that talent and originality will always be the foundation of lasting success in Nollywood.

  • Actress Ayo Adesanya recounts alleged 10-year ordeal in abusive relationship

    Actress Ayo Adesanya recounts alleged 10-year ordeal in abusive relationship

    Seasoned actress Ayo Adesanya has alleged being in an abusive relationship for 10 years.

    In an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Adesanya revealed that her ex-lover’s physical and emotional abuse led her to become an alcoholic.

    Adesanya recounted how her ex-lover would beat her anywhere he saw her, and how she was unable to leave the marriage due to the fear of being shamed by society.

    She also shared how her colleagues, including Bimbo Akintola, were frustrated with her for staying in the abusive relationship.

    The actress further revealed the extent of her ex-lover’s abuse, including a threat to pluck out her eyes with a knife and sending their one-year-old son away to Ibadan due to jealousy.

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    She said: “I became an alcoholīc. But I couldn’t leave because of the shame that people would say I couldn’t keep a man.

    “The guy beats you right now and the next minute he’s begging you. So it was something I was involved in for 10 good years.

    “Thank God there was no blogger then. It was so bad. The man would always tell those who called me for jobs that I wasn’t available.

    “The night I was going to leave, it was like magic. It was like 12am in the middle of the night. This is the first time I’ll be talking about it . But I have to talk about it.”

  • Ayo Adesanya shows off dancing skills

    Ayo Adesanya shows off dancing skills

    Elegant Nollywood actress and producer, Ayo Adesanya has thrilled fans with her impressive dance steps.

    In a short video shared on her social media, the 55-year-old filmmaker showed off her playful side as she danced to the trending song titled, Oblee, leaving fans in awe. 

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    Fans bombarded the comment section with praise messages and thumbs up icons while many expressed that her bop mirrored her vibrant on-screen presence.

    Adesanya, who made her first appearance in ‘Living in Bondage’ in the 1990s, is currently on a short vacation to London, United Kingdom.

    Known for her acting talent and versatility, the actress has featured, produced and directed several films, both Yoruba and English-speaking projects.

  • Ayo Adesanya: set for double celebration

    CROSS-OVER actress Ayo Adesanya will be celebrating her 50th birthday and 25 years on stage; a 2-in-1 event.

    The event tagged, ’50/25; a Celebration of age & Artistry,’ is scheduled for August 11 at the Haven Event Centre, Ikeja.

    “With a heart of thanksgiving, It’s my GOLDEN JUBILEE …yeah my 50TH birthday and 25years on stage in a bit… So we’ll love to have Ayo Adesanya’s friends and family to come celebrate and make it a memorable one.”

    Adesanya, born 11 August, 1969, is an actress, director and producer. She hails from Ijagun, Ijebu in Ogun State and began her career in 1996 after she completed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Her first television appearance was on Tunji Bamishigbin’s soap opera titled, ‘Palace.’

    She later joined the Youba-language film industry, where she has featured, produced and directed several films.

  • Wale Ojo completes directorial debut

    Shooting has ended for actor Wale Ojo’s directorial debut titled Don’t get Bad, get even.

    Shot on location in Cotonou, Benin Republic, the film, a comedy, stars Femi Jacobs, Deyemi Okanlanwon, Kenneth Okolie, Toyin Abrahams, Patience Ozonkwor, Jide Kosoko, Nancy Isieme, Ayo Adesanya, Said Balogun (who replaced Afeez Oyetoro), Jumoke George and a host of others.

    “Don´t get mad, get even’ is an intriguing romantic comedy that is extremely hilarious and entertaining and will surely cheer you up even in difficult or stressful situations,” says the executive producer, Raphael Dedenuola.

    The film tells the story of Jaiye and Juwon Kuti, two brothers whose relationship becomes estranged when the younger brother Juwon drops out of school to pursue a music career.

    It is a production of RGD Media Productions, which has roots in Germany, Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

    Wale Ojo took to stage at an early age in London. And he is well known for his role as Bayo in the comedy television soap Meet the Adebanjos (2012-2014) which won a Nigeria Lite Entertainment Award in 2006 and an AMVCA nomination in 2015. His feature film debut was in the movie Rage (1999) in which he played a schizophrenic gangster and a cameo in Guy Ritchie’s first short film The Hard Case (1995). Since then he has appeared in feature films Johnny English Reborn (2011) and The Guard (2011). He has appeared in the popular television BBC series Grange Hill and the Heartburn Hotel as well as supporting roles in the Number One Ladies Detective Agency (2009) and The Philanthropist (2009).

    His first feature in his native country, Nigeria, was Phone Swap (2012) which bagged him an NEA award for Best Actor and other films include The CEO (2016), Ojukokoro (2016) and White Colour Black (2016).

  • Advocacy film on albinism premieres

    Advocacy film on albinism premieres

    Athematic film – ‘Beyond the Complexion’ – which advocates against the stigma and discrimination associated with albinism has premiered at Pefti Film Institute, Lagos.

    The film which features Nollywood stars like Saheed Balogun, Ayo Adesanya, Olatunji Amin and Similoluwa Hassan was produced by Onome Akinlolu Majaro Foundation (OAM) and Ada Ossai Production and aims to enlighten that albinism is purely a genetic condition.

    The film made by Michael Azano is an adaptation of a true life story, which attempts to put in perspective myths and misconceptions of albinism. It also throws a light on the trials and triumphs of persons living with albinism, emphasising that albinism is a disorder in which a person has partial or complete loss of pigmentation (colouring) of the skin, eyes and hair. Genetic mutations affect the production of a pigment called melanin and there is a cell called the melanocyte that is responsible for giving skin, hair, and eyes pigmentation.

    At the premiere, Ossai who is also a Person With Albinism, (PWA) said the short film shows the resilience of the Albino child when encouraged by family and the society. Ossai says her growing up was full of challenges as a PWA. She explained that albinism is a range of disorders varying in severity and has no spiritual link. Statistics available have shown that the condition affects an estimated one in 17,000 people globally.

    Speaking on what inspired the movie, Ossai said: “The discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with albinism is so much in our society. And this has to stop. In terms of relationship, the men really show you love but it is their family that rejects and insists on the rejection.”

    Co-producer, Miss Onome Majaro says the specific message in the film is that albinism is a genetic condition and not witchcraft, or as a result of infidelity.

    “It is purely in the gene,” she said.

    “One of the parents has to be carrier for you to have an albino child, that is the specific message, and we are also trying to say that albinos deserve love and respect; albinos can do anything they set their mind to achieve.

    “We are using ‘Beyond the Complexion’ to create awareness; we are not selling it. Eventually, we will put it on the Youtube for anyone that may be interested in watching it.”

    Commending PEFTI for its assistance on the film, Onome’s mother, Mrs. Rita Okagbare, said: “Although it was expensive, I am glad it is successful. I commend Pefti for its assistance. I will also encourage parents with albino children to care and love them as they are special gifts from God.  When these children are not loved by their parents, others will begin to treat them badly but when they are loved by their parents, people outside will love and respect them as well.

    “Parents of children living with albinism also need to understand that the sun is the number one enemy of their child. Once the sun can be avoided, 80% of the job is actually done. Their eyes also need to be taken care of. Parents should also ensure that their children have a good self-esteem.”

  • Ayo Adesanya speaks on ‘The Boy Child’

    Ayo Adesanya speaks on ‘The Boy Child’

    Cross-over actress, Ayo Adesanya, who was made ambassador for the third annual conference of Lagos Chamber Of Commerce and Industry Women Group, has spoken on the need to focus on the protection of the boy child.

    At a conference tagged ‘Towards a Tax Compliant Society And The Boy Child’,

    the actress, while addressing the women, stressed that the society is usually concerned about the need to protect the girl child, while ignoring the plight of the boy child, who could also be vulnerable.

    “As women, we have a lot at stake. We are always talking about the girls and ignoring the boy child, saying they are boys. So, we allow them to do whatever they want.

    “We should not be neglected as women. We need to groom them as much as we groom the girls,” she added.

    The graduate of Mass Communication from University of Ibadan began her acting career in 1996 after completing her National Youth Service Corps scheme, with a first appearance in the soap opera, ‘Palace’.

    She later joined the Yoruba language film industry, where she has featured, produced and directed several films.

    She was married to Goriola Hassan, and now separated, a union which produced a son.

     

  • Desmond Elliot, Ayo Adesanya, others star in ‘The Silver Spoon’

    Actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot is set to hit the cinemas with a new blockbuster movie, ‘The Silver Spoon’. The movie which was directed Elliot will make its cinema debut on Friday, September 22.

    Written and co-produced by Chinney Love Eze and produced by the Anita Odia led A keys productions, the movie parades an array of talented actors like Desmond Elliot, who also doubles as the director,  Wole Ojo, Yvonne Jedege, Jennifer Eliogu, Sophia Alakija, Ayo Adesanya and Eyinna Nwingwe among others.

    ‘The Silver Spoon’ tells the story of a spoilt but bright hardworking and serious minded girl of 24 years, Ella Henshaw (Sophia Alakija) placed on a succession plan by her parent to take over the family business. She then comes across a man who took her for a mere pretty face. This young man, a disgruntled job seeker, Segun played by Wole Ojo finally gets a job in her company and discovers that the job was not what he expected.

    “This movie was well done; a lot of hard work has gone into every bit of it; from the intriguing story to the production and post-production” said the producer, Anita Odia.

    “The cast members are talented actors and they interpreted their roles well.

    “It is a good one and so far, the reactions we have gotten from those who watched the movie at the private screening were really good. As intriguing as the story is, it is so real and everyone can relate to it. It is an entertaining movie that will shake the cinema.”

    ‘The Silver Spoon’ is scheduled to hit cinemas on the 22nd of September.

  • Ayo Adesanya, Fathia Balogun, others for Kemi Afolabi’s Mo’ Dorisa 

    Ayo Adesanya, Fathia Balogun, others for Kemi Afolabi’s Mo’ Dorisa 

    Hollywood actress and filmmaker, Kemi Afolabi, has engaged her fellow actresses for her in all-female cast movie titled Mo Dorisa.

    Among those featured in the anticipated movie are Fathia Balogun, Peju Ogunmola, Ayo Mogaji, Fausat Balogun (Madam Saje), Bimbo Oshin, Ayo Adesanya, Tayo Odueke, Foluke Daramola, Ronke Ojo, Taiwo Akinwande, and Dupe Jaiyesimi amongst others.

    Written by Yinka Olaoye Mo’ Dorisa is produced by Kemi Afolabi herself and is directed by ’Dorisa further preaches the importance of sustaining our rich cultural values as the movie is filled with lots of interesting, educating  and unique story line that will stick you from start to finish,” she said.

    Afolabi further revealed that Mo ‘Dorisa will be distributed by Kaas & Dee Entertaiment, an entertainment outfit which she runs. She said that plans are currently ongoing to ensure a nationwide release of the movie in cinemas across the country.

    In Mo’ Dorisa, Dayese village is hit by a whirlwind which sweeps away all male residents, both young and old, leaving the women with no choice but to take the bull by the horns.

    On why the movie is going to cinema, Afolabi, who is the Executive Producer of the movie, disclosed that there is need to preach our cultural values and Nigerian will appreciate the movie through its unique storyline.