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Tag: Dolapo Oni

  • Bimbo Manuel, Dolapo Oni hit London for Wakaa the Musical

    Bimbo Manuel, Dolapo Oni hit London for Wakaa the Musical

    In response to growing interests in productions of African origin across the globe, Wakaa the Musical, a Bolanle Austen-Peters’ production, will be showing in London from July 21 to 25, at the Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road London’s West End.

    Austen-Peters, who is CEO of Terra Kulture and also the producer and director of Wakaaexpressed her excitement as Wakaa will be presented to the London audience for the first time at a press briefing on Tuesday.

    “There is a large Nigerian and Afro – Caribbean population in London, who are interested and yearning to see world class productions such from Nigeria,” she said.

    She said that Wakaa the Musical has the potential to boost cultural diplomacy and promote the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria abroad.

    The cast include Bimbo Manuel, Patrick Diabua, Nengi Adoki, Dolapo Oni, OzzyAgu, JolomiAmuka, amongst others.

    Wakaa the Musical is a two-hour stage musical extravaganza of drama, comedy, live music and dance about the trials, successes and experiences of graduates with varied backgrounds. A wager between them after graduation has a twist when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them. Eventually they reunite, coming full circle.

    The strong satire of Nigeria’s politics  explores the scheming, intrigues, betrayals and games people play in life.

  • DOLAPO ONI – I haven’t achieved my goals yet!

    DOLAPO ONI – I haven’t achieved my goals yet!

    Marcy Dolapo Oni, host of “The Marcy Project”, continues to shine on TV screens across the African continent as she wows her fans, engaging them daily with her wit, charm and charisma. The media personality who married Adegbite, the son of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade recently, tells Adetutu Audu her inspiring story.

    You recently launched your new show “The Marcy Project.” What is it about?

    The Marcy Project is a 30-minute fun, lifestyle and entertainment programme. In every episode, I perform a quirky, funny and interesting project and interview celebrities and upcoming acts. It is a social media-influenced show with a mixture of web features; pre recorded video footage and fashion tips. Each episode has at least one guest, which include musicians, designers, actors, comedians and sports figures. The project in every episode is a task or challenge, chosen by the viewers, social media followers or guests.

    You’ve been part of a good number of stage productions and television shows, what is the experience like for you?

    It has been truly amazing. I love acting, I really do. So any chance I get to flex the old acting chops I take. I have been really fortunate to be part of some really good productions.

    From 53 Extra, to being co-presenter on Moments with Mo, and now your own talk show. How did the journey begin?

    The journey truly began some years ago when I was fresh out of drama school. I always knew I wanted to act and after drama school I was working as an actress in London. I starred in plays and a few TV series and then I moved back in 2010 to pursue my career in Nigeria. I heard about an audition when I first got to Lagos and that was how I got my Job on 53extra. I had never had a presenting job before then.

    Your first degree is in Chemistry; a different path for sure from your current pursuits in media and drama. Why the switch?

    I wanted to be an actress from the age of 10, when I first saw the musical “Aspects of Love” by Andrew Lloyd Webber at The Oxford Playhouse in the UK. But my parents had other ideas and wanted me to get a degree in something they thought would be more stable. I enjoyed Chemistry at school, so I decided to study that at university. But once I had satisfied my parents’ requests, they were happy for me to do what I wanted. So I attended The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts where I studied Drama.

    Now that you are married, how do you hope to combine being a wife and mother with your career?

    I will take it all in my stride and aim to be the best wife, mother and career woman I can be. It’s all about achieving a healthy balance and knowing when to leave work at work.

    Who are those who influenced you early in life?

    My mother. She has taught me from day one to work like no one owes you anything. And she was right. No one does. You want something? Work hard, go out and get it! My mother taught me to work with an independent mind and be thankful I had a great education; and to use that to make something of myself. And that’s basically what I have done. I come from a family of lawyers and accountants, and everyone has pretty regular jobs. It may have been difficult if I came back from abroad with the mindset of maybe my parents or siblings could help me with this or that. What I needed mostly was their support and I am very lucky they gave that to me. And I just basically went out there to hustle so that I would get jobs, and luckily I did.

    Fashion item you can’t do without?

    Jeans. I have quite a number of jeans and I love the fact that you can dress them up and dress them down. I also love shoes. And I don’t just like heels; I like all kinds of shoes…wedges, flats, sandals, as long as they look nice.  I would say I have about 30 pairs.

    Describe your personality and style

    I am chilled and I can be blunt. If I am annoyed about something, you will see it. It’s quite obvious because it will be written all over my face. So, what you see is what you get. My style? It’s effortless. I love simple silhouettes that flatter my frame. I don’t like outfits that are too busy. Even though I am most comfortable in jeans, I love to wear jump suits. I can never have too many of them. I try to keep in shape by working out three times a week when I am feeling motivated and when I am not, I try to eat healhealthy.

    Being in the limelight has its own challenges, kindly share yours with us.

    I would say all jobs have good sides and bad sides. I work on TV, so people know who I am. I can’t complain because I put myself up there. People say things because they feel they know you. So when people say things I don’t like, I just brush it off. I don’t complain about that, because the job comes with lots of perks.

    You effortlessly change your hair dos and looks, what are your beauty secrets?

    I don’t really have any but I always make sure that I wash my face at night. I use Clinique products. I am a lipstick person but I can’t possibly live without eyeliner. I wish I was a spa junkie but I am unfortunately not.  I sleep and drink lots of water to hydrate myself; this I would recommend to anybody.

    As one of the most admired television personalities, what do you think sets you apart?

    I think the fact that I have been trained really helps. Even though I went to drama school, I use those skills in front of the cameras, whether it is for acting or presenting.

    What would you say is the highest point of your career?

    Highest points of my career are: Jacob’s Cross, Saro the Musical and starting my own production company by being able to create work and offer work to people. And watch this space, because there is something coming to your TV screens very soon (my own personal project).

    What major setbacks have you had in the course of your career?

    I think rejection is a major thing I’ve learnt to deal with. Going to a lot of auditions and not getting the job, I keep my head up and strive for what I believe in. I don’t let it knock my confidence because the next gig might just be mine.

    What would you say is your greatest achievement?

    I don’t consider anything to be my greatest achievement in life so far because I set myself very high standards and haven’t achieved my goals just yet.

  • Married life is sweet, says Dolapo Oni

    Married life is sweet, says Dolapo Oni

    Screen diva, and real life princess, Dolapo Oni, seems to be enjoying life to the fullest as a newly married woman. Recently married to Prince Adegbite Sijuade; son of the late Ooni of Ife. Her new status seems to have made her a marriage counselor of sorts. Taking time out of her busy schedule as a talk show host and actress, she advised youngsters to decide what they want out of life when it comes to marriage, as it goes beyond age.

    “You need to decide what you want to do in life because it’s one thing to decide what you want to do before you meet someone and you now suddenly decide what you want to do,” she said,

    “I think as a woman you need to know yourself inside and out before you can complement another human being.”

    As befits her entry into royalty, her traditional wedding which held in Lagos literally shut down the Lagos social circuit, an event in which even A-listers were gated. And the sultry talk show hostess recently acted her first movie, Diary of a Lagos Girl in which she played Bim. The movie chronicles the life of an acquisitive Lagos girl, and how meeting new friends changed her worldview.

    Speaking on her role in the movie, she said, “I have acted in dramas, but the movie was all about having a story for an elongated period of time, although it wasn’t that different from shooting TV. Apart from that, from shooting to getting to the cinemas took a year. It was interesting to wait this long to finally see the work on the big screen. I am working on more movie projects, and TV series, as I also just finished shooting the second season of my own show so the sky is the limit in 2016.”

    Responding to enquiries on how she is coping with life as a married woman and wearing the two hats of wife and professional woman, she quipped, “Married life is sweet”.

  • Married life is sweet, says Dolapo Oni

    Screen diva, and real life princess, Dolapo Oni, seems to be enjoying life to the fullest as a newly married woman. Recently married to Prince Adegbite Sijuade; son of the late Ooni of Ife. Her new status seems to have made her a marriage counselor of sorts. Taking time out of her busy schedule as a talk show host and actress, she advised youngsters to decide what they want out of life when it comes to marriage, as it goes beyond age.

    “You need to decide what you want to do in life because it’s one thing to decide what you want to do before you meet someone and you now suddenly decide what you want to do,” she said,

    “I think as a woman you need to know yourself inside and out before you can complement another human being.”

    As befits her entry into royalty, her traditional wedding which held in Lagos literally shut down the Lagos social circuit, an event in which even A-listers were gated. And the sultry talk show hostess recently acted her first movie, Diary of a Lagos Girl in which she played Bim. The movie chronicles the life of an acquisitive Lagos girl, and how meeting new friends changed her worldview.

    Speaking on her role in the movie, she said, “I have acted in dramas, but the movie was all about having a story for an elongated period of time, although it wasn’t that different from shooting TV. Apart from that, from shooting to getting to the cinemas took a year. It was interesting to wait this long to finally see the work on the big screen. I am working on more movie projects, and TV series, as I also just finished shooting the second season of my own show so the sky is the limit in 2016.”

    Responding to enquiries on how she is coping with life as a married woman and wearing the two hats of wife and professional woman, she quipped, “Married life is sweet”.

  • Dolapo Oni finally off the shelf

    Dolapo Oni finally off the shelf

    After her official engagement last year December to Prince Adegbite Sijuade, TV gal, Dolapo Oni, is having her traditional wedding today.

    The actress and host of TV show ‘The Marcy Project’ had her marriage introduction last weekend.  And her friends threw a spa themed hen party in her honour last Friday.

  • My biggest influence and inspiration is my mother—DOLAPO ONI

    My biggest influence and inspiration is my mother—DOLAPO ONI

    Dolapo Marcy Oni is a graduate of Chemistry, University of Bristol, England. Her passion for acting led her to the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London. She started her television career as the lead anchor on the MNet show Studio 53 Extra and soon became a force to reckon with. The co-host of the hit TV show, Moments with Mo, has since become a style icon across Africa. She has worked with classical and contemporary materials across all mediums  from stage and film, to radio  crafting her expertise in entertainment. She shares with Adetutu Audu her odyssey 

    Share your experience on Jacob’s Cross with us.

    Jacob’s cross was one of my best experiences. Getting the job was challenging. I was working with Mnet at the time, so anytime I was in South Africa I would take any chance I could to audition. I had the audition in Jo’burg, and after a year I did a Skype audition, then put myself on tape then sent it out. After I had a meeting via Skype, I was offered the part I played. I was really excited as I’ve always been a fan of Jacob’s Cross. I remember when I first moved back to Nigeria that I said that is the show I would love to work on and I was very happy.

    Which do you like the most, soap or stage performance?

    They are two completely different sorts of productions. You cannot get the type of adrenaline rush you get on stage on TV. It’s just completely different. But on the other hand, TV is for life and by that, I mean it’s recorded, because in 20 years I would be able to show my children, and that is something that is really, really exciting. So I’m not sure if I’m able to choose.

    While growing up, who influenced you for good, the bad and the ugly to shape you into who you are today?

    My biggest influence and inspiration is my mother. My mother taught me to work with an independent mind and be thankful I had a great education; and to use that to make something of myself. And that’s basically what I have done. I come from a family of lawyers and accountants, and everyone has pretty regular jobs. It may have been difficult if I came back with the mindset of maybe my parents or siblings could help me with this or that. What I needed mostly was their support and I am very lucky they gave that to me. And I just basically went out there to hustle so that I would get jobs, and luckily I did.

    What would you say is the highest point of your career?

    Highest points of my career are: Jacob’s Cross, Saro the Musical and starting my own production company by being able to create work and offer work to people. And watch this space, because there is something coming to your TV screens very soon (my own personal project).

    What major setbacks have you had in the course of your career?

    I think rejection is a major thing I’ve learnt to deal with. Going to a lot of auditions and not getting the job, I keep my head up and strive for what I believe in. I don’t let it knock my confidence because the next gig might just be mine.

    You recently got engaged, when should we expect the wedding bells? Away from the glitz, who is MDO?

    Expect the wedding bells sometime soon. MDO is a chilled-out, fun loving person and a home buddy. I love to go to the movies, I love shopping love eating out, but most of the time, I love hanging out with my family and friends.

    Fashion item you can’t do without?

    Jeans. I have quite a number of jeans and I love the fact that you can dress them up and dress them down.  I also love shoes. And I don’t just like heels; I like all kinds of shoes…wedges, flats, sandals, as long as they look nice.  I would say I have about 30 pairs.

    Describe your personality and style?

    I am chilled and I can be blunt. If I am annoyed about something you will see it. It’s quite obvious because it will be written all over my face. So what you see is what you get.

    Being in the limelight has its own challenges, kindly share yours with us.

    I would say all jobs have good sides and bad sides. I work on TV, so people know who I am. I can’t complain because I put myself up there. People say things because they feel they know you. So when people say things I don’t like, I just brush it off. I don’t complain about that, because the job comes with lots of perks.

    You effortlessly change your hair dos and looks, what are your beauty secrets?

    Sleep and drinking lots of water to hydrate myself; this I would recommend to anybody.

    As one of the most admired television personalities, what do you think sets you apart?

    I think the fact that I have been trained really helps. Even though I went to drama school, I use those skills in front of the cameras, whether it is for acting or presenting.

     

  • Wedding bells for Dolapo Oni

    Wedding bells for Dolapo Oni

    THESE are definitely best of the moments for TV Personality, Dolapo Oni . The co-host of Moments with Mo is engaged. And the lucky dude is prince charming Adegbite Sijuwade, fondly called Gbite by friends.  He is one of the sons of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the lovebirds have been dating for several years. Elated Dolapo broke the news on Instagram with a picture text saying “…I said yes” and then she captured it, “guess Christmas came early.” Mercy Dolapo Oni, who is from Ijebu-Ode, used to be the co-presenter of Studio 53 alongside Eku Edewor, before she joined EbonyLife TV show.