Jumoke Aderounmu is one of the Nollywood fast-rising actresses. The beautiful actress, who wowed Yoruba movie lovers in Alakada 2, cut her teeth in acting under the legendary cinematographer, Tunde Kelani. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the graduate of International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State shares her inspirational journey in the make-believe world.
YOU put up a good and inspiring performance in the Yoruba movie, Alakada 2. So, what really prepared you for that role?
Thank you for saying that I acted so fantastically well on that set. But I’m going to tell you that, that is not the best of me. In fact, it can’t be the best of me.
Concerning your question, I had seen the part one of the movie and I liked it. So, when Toyin Aimakhu called me that she wanted to do the part two, I was like, ‘Oh cool!’ Then, she said that she wanted the character to be like the person her character would be looking up to or someone who would be an influence on her. I was like, ‘Oh, really, that is cool!’
For me, I can interpret any role given to me.
So, I just told her that when the script is ready, she should let me see it. She was going to have a script conference and she called me up for it because she wanted me to understand the character very well and give her what she actually wanted. I attended the conference and I listened to the storyline again. I did research on the character and I was like, ‘It’s okay by me.’ And when I got on board, it was fun. Yes, it was really fun filming Alakada 2. There were people I had looked forward to working with it in the industry before I got on that set and when I met some of the cast, I was like, ‘Oh, my God!’
Was that the first time you were working with Toyin Aimakhu?
That wasn’t my first of time of working with Toyin. I had worked with Toyin before Alakada 2. My first time of working with Toyin was in Asise Eda 1& 2. I had seen a couple of her movies. But it was the first time I met and worked with her. It was filmed in 2012 and she filmed Alakada 2 around November, December 2012. I met her in a space of one month and shot Alakada 2.
Alakada 2 was a huge opportunity for me to work with Bukky Wright because it was the first time I would work with her, one-on-one. I had met her before when we were filming Arugba. That was like my first time of acting. I was in Tunde Kelani’s Arugba. It was my debut movie and we didn’t really have any rapport because we did not have anything together. But this time, she worked directly with me on set and because of the fact that I like the way she interpreted her roles, it was easy for me to work as well.
It was fun for me working with Helen Paul as well. Alakada 2 was the first time of working with Helen Paul. But after Alakada 2, I worked with Helen Paul again on another set. Who else was on that set? Yes, Uncle Hafeez Eniola, who is a very big production manager in the Yoruba genre of Nollywood. I knew him before Alakada 2, but I had never worked with him before. And I have never worked with the director, Adebayo Tijanni, either.
What has helped you come this far in a short while?
I give God all the glory for my talent. I’m going to say it over and over again that the best thing that happened to me is that God gave me a huge talent. And I am hoping that I will get the opportunity to make use of my talent anywhere. Secondly, I think that whatever you do, if you do not joke with your education and if you learn from the best hands, it always robs off on you.
Are you still in school?
I finished from the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2008 and did my national youth service in 2009, while we were filming Arugba.
Did you study Theatre Art in school?
No, I didn’t study Theatre Art in school. I studied International Relations. I thought about acting because, while I was in school, everybody thought I could do it. Uncle Kola Oyewo was my lecturer when I was in my first year. He felt I could do it and he liked my expression. When I do not even open my mouth to talk, I can pass a message. But I didn’t really take it seriously.
In 2008, there was a major sectional break and I had to come to Lagos. I heard that Tunde Kelani was auditioning for the Arugba character.
I spoke to my dad and he gave me his contact. Then, I called him on the phone. I scheduled an appointment with him. So, when I got to his office, I told him I wanted to audition for the Arugba character. I am a size eight right now; but then, I was really small. He looked at me and told me it was pointless trying to have a conversation with me. He said I could never be an actor and that he was sorry that I did not fit into the Arugba character. He said the character had to be tall and ebony dark-skinned. When he said he wasn’t even ready to have a conversation with me, I saw it as a challenge.
I don’t like people saying no to me without even giving an opportunity to know me. So, I sat down in his office. I told him I was not going to leave until he agreed to have a conversation with him. I wanted to know why he said I couldn’t act because he didn’t even ask me to do anything. Then, he said it was because I was too petite and all. Then, I said that I thought it depends on one’s carriage and charisma. And that is what has worked for me so far. He eventually started talking to me and said whenever he wanted to film, he would let me know. And one day, I decided to call him up. I told him I was preparing to go for my youth service. So, he asked me to come over and that was it. So, I am going to say that maybe because I learnt from someone like him, that is why someone like you feels I am fantastic.
Initially, were you intimidated by the A-list stars you worked with?
I do not ever get star-struck. I am not a star- struck person actually. Before I saw them in person, I had seen them on TV. Aunty Funke Akindele is like the biggest female actor right now, and I have worked with her about four times. Between 2009 and 2011, I worked with her four times. So, most importantly, I understand that we are all human and we are all the same. But frankly, it is not easy for you to work with strong actors for the first time and then play up your role. I did that with the grace of God and a lot of prayers because for me, everything is God and family.
What is the difference between Jumoke, the actress, and the real you?
You are speaking with Jumoke Aderounmu. This is me! When I am on set, it is another me. The natural me is not a diva; I’m very down-to-earth; I am never serious; I am too playful and I never take anything seriously. People that are really close to me ask me a lot of time if I’m joking about something or I’m being serious. Ninety-five percent of the time, I am silly and playful. When I get on set or when I’m on radio, it takes me to psyche myself that, ‘Okay, you are working now.’
Are you a radio presenter?
I work with Concert Radio. And in less than one year of being on radio, I got nominated for the Trace Award as Female Radio Personality of Year. I think all that was possible for me because even on radio, I’m just always myself. It’s about my personality. Even my TV show will be launched very soon by God’s grace. When you guys see it, you will understand that it is just my personality. I’m just a very playful person. I don’t take life seriously. I take nothing seriously; but at the same time, I try to get my job done.
What is the thrust of your TV show?
It’s a talk show called The Lounge. I just didn’t want to be addressed as an actor or that actress, so I thought to myself that there has to be away around it. I know where I am going and I have prospect. I’m not a white collar person, so I told myself it’s would be entertainment. In 2010, I saw an advert for a TV presenter at Goldmyne Entertainment. I went for the auditioning and I got picked. We didn’t know much about presenting. Goldmyne then sent me and my colleagues to the FRCN training school for basic presentation and all. And I told myself that production is interesting. I’m a workaholic. I channel all my energy into work. So, I was producing and presenting ‘Box Office’ for a while all through 2011. At the time the producer of ‘Box Office’ was going to stop producing it, I just told myself that, okay, I do not want my TV career to just end; so, I spoke to Yolar, my producer, for the ‘Lounge’.
I spoke to him about what I wanted to do. I told him I wanted a TV show, but I did not know what I wanted to do yet. Then, he said, “When you know what you want to do, let me know.” I thought about it over and over. Then, one day, I was watching the TV with my aunt and she asked me, ‘How do you come about all these TV programmes?’ And I explained to her. Then, it occurred to me that okay, there would be a lot of people who do not understand the making and filming of TV contents; so, I said, ‘Okay, I think I would do something about it.’ So, on my talk show, I will be talking to directors, costumiers, make-up artistes. But it’s going to be done in a proper lounge. I am hoping that people will like it. It’s not easy putting it together. It was a lot of hard work and I am excited about it.
When is it going to berth on TV?
For now, I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag.
What are your plans for 2014?
I am positive and I know with God, everything is possible. I am open to working more on movie sets and with the right people. I think I have two or three events to host. I am going to be hosting a fashion show in February at the Oriental Hotel.
Given that you also compere events, which of all these talents has the better of you?
I don’t know if I can actually say this is the one I fit into more. But I find it really, really exciting when I get on a movie set. I don’t know how, but I just get ignited. Basically, I love radio, TV and films. I just want to do it over and over again. I am excited about the three.
I read somewhere, where you said you don’t like fake people…
Of course, I don’t like fake people because I am not a fake person. I can’t contend with lies.
Do you have a social life, so to speak?
I am always at home and I am trying to actually get out of my shell now. I don’t have friends that I mix with in the industry. And that is the truth. Yes, I go out for events, but very rarely. If I have to go out for an event, I am most likely a part of that production. It was hard for me to be interviewed on the premiere of Alakada because I don’t even like the red carpet. My manager and I used to fight almost everyone now and then about it, until recently. He said to me that you can’t be shy and be in this industry.
You appear to be a spoilt brat?
I am not a spoilt brat; I can never be. In my house, they don’t even care if they see me on TV. I’m still a child and I get treated like a child that I am. If I make a mistake, they correct me. At home, they just tell me I am grounded and that is why I can’t be everywhere. If I go out and I say to them that I will be home by 6.00pm and I do not make it back at 6.00pm and I do not call before 6.00pm to say that I’m not going to be home by 6pm again, I will be scolded a lot when I return and will be grounded probably for the next three weeks. Getting grounded is like my second name now. I get tired. All through December, I was grounded. I couldn’t even go anywhere.
They ring it in my head that I am not going to disgrace the family. They scold me a lot. I still cook. Even if I go to work, when I get back, I still cook for everybody.
How has it affected the kind of roles you play?
I can play any role.
Even a semi-nude role?
Yes, the only thing that I do is immediately I get the script, I read the script, understand everything about it; and then, I start saying at home that I am going to be on this or that production very soon. I give them scoops before the movie comes out. There was this role I acted, where the character was a smoker. So, I acted smoking cigarette and you wouldn’t believe I don’t even smoke. I can’t smoke or take alcohol.
There was a day the movie was showing on Africa Magic. Then, my brother just looked at me and said, ‘Okay.’ Then, I told him it was water that they put in the Vodka bottle, that you know I don’t drink alcohol. But they know me. They know what I can do. You cannot come and tell them who their child is. They understand me very well. They are like my greatest fan. They are like my number one critic. The people that matter to me most understand that I am just doing my job.
And that include the man you are in a relationship with it?
I don’t want to talk about that.
What’s your idea of marriage?
It’s an institution of commitment and having to summit yourself totally to your partner.
