The name Yewande Adekoya Abiodun may not ring a bell to many lovers of Yoruba home videos but the name Kudi Klepto will.
In this interview with TAYO GESINDE, the award winning actress and producer speaks on where she gets inspiration for her movies, how she combines the home front with her career and fashion preferences.
Excerpts:
Growing up
Growing up was fun. I was born in Lagos State but I hail from Ososa Ijebu in Ogun State. I am the first born of my family. I have four siblings. My parents made sure we attended very good schools. It was always about discipline and focus. They wanted us all to turn out right and I thank God we did. They are the best parents anyone could ever ask for. I attended Bright Star Nursery and Primary School and Bright Star Comprehensive High School. I proceeded to Babcock University, where I obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Mass Communications. I am married with children.
Foray into acting
I started doing stage plays right from my primary school days. I however took a bold step in 2002 while still an undergraduate by joining Alpha Bash Music and Theatre Group. We were majorly into stage performances. I scripted and produced my first movie in 2006 entitled: “Life Secret.” I have been an actress but I started Ednawey Productions Ltd 10 years ago.
Challenges faced
I faced a lot of challenges back then. I used to attend a lot of auditions. They used to tell me that I was a very good actress, but I looked very tiny and I am not too pretty. They always expected me to have a big physique as an actress. If one is tall and beautiful, one can easily win the hearts of directors and producers but the funniest part of this mindset is that, viewers don’t care if an actress is short or tall, they only want somebody who can entertain them.
Moreover, I have been a story teller since my primary school days, my classmates back then can testify to that. So, while I was with Alpha Bash Theatre Group as an actress, I knew that someday I was going to launch my career as a writer and film producer. So, since I didn’t really have the statistics that the directors wanted back then in order to go mainstream, this prompted me to start producing my own movies sooner than I thought.
That way I could make my own rules. Movie fans started noticing and following my movies and this helped me in getting roles from other producers and directors. From there, I was able to go mainstream. I thank God that things have changed drastically when it comes to casting these days. It is not just about your colour or your height and stature.
Now, it is about how best you can deliver your role.
My role models in the industry
To tell you the truth, I don’t have a role model in the industry but I have a lot of senior colleagues who I sincerely admire for their talents and originality.
In Hollywood, I admire people like Julia Roberts, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez.
In Nigeria, I admire the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Bimbo Akintola, Faithia Balogun, Bukky Wright, Funke Akindele and so on. I must confess there are a lot of them I admire. If I continue to mention names, we will not leave here.
Where I get inspiration for my stories
I get my inspiration from God Almighty. Story telling for me is something I discovered I had in me when I was in primary school. I was very little and I didn’t know where the stories were coming from.
All I knew was that I used to pick up pencil and paper to do some illustrations as I tell my stories to almost half of my class during our break periods. I actually learnt how to properly script my stories while I was in secondary school.
You can see why I said my inspiration comes from Almighty God who gave me the talent. I give Him all the glory.
My favourite work so far
That is a very difficult question. I love all my movies. When I released Kudi Klepto, it was well accepted by the fans and earned me a lot of accolade. When Kurukuru was released, it also got me accolade.
Why I shot Kurukuru during pregnancy
Around August, 2014, I started preparing for my next movie shoot which was slated for January/February, 2015. I was already pregnant in August and I was preparing to shoot an epic movie early the following year, I later realised it wasn’t going to work out because I would have been heavy by then and I won’t be able to fit into my character well. So, I had to put aside the script for the time being and then picked up my kurukuru script which ended up being the most appropriate for my pregnant status at the time.
My husband’s reaction to my shooting a movie during pregnancy
Yes, He was in support of me shooting Kurukuru. He is my number one fan. Aside from being his wife, he understands my job and the fact that the show must go on. I am always in his prayers and he was with me throughout the shoot in Osogbo.
The most embarrassing thing a fan has ever done to me
I remember sometimes in 2008, I was walking down the road and two teenagers about 15 or thereabout passed by. One of them noticed me and then told the other excitedly that “see that aunty that we usually see in Life Secret. She is an actress, don’t you know her? The other boy told her that it was not possible, he insisted that I couldn’t be the one. He said that how could an actress be walking on the street of Lagos without a car, adding that how can celebrities be seen on the streets? I felt so sad because at that time in my life, I was seriously struggling with gaining acceptance in the Nigerian film industry. I produced Life Secret myself because no one would give me a role and I couldn’t believe that there could be someone somewhere who could even think that I couldn’t have come up with such a beautiful production or that I couldn’t possibly be the one in the soap opera. It was that bad but I thank God for my life today. God has been good to me. All those who looked at me with contempt back then have a different opinion about me today.
The pains and gains of being a celebrity
I have always practiced moderation in everything I do. So the pains and the gains are being properly managed.
How I have been coping with competition in the industry
I am in competition with no one. I run my own race. I have no desire to play the game of being better than anyone. I just aim to improve to be better than I was before. That’s me, and I’m free. Moreover, fans can’t say because they love Mr A, they won’t buy Mr B’s films. If Mr A, B and C give their fans their best at all times, all their movies will be bought because our fans are insatiable and all they need is quality entertainment. The sky is free for all birds to fly. There is no need for unhealthy competition.
Philosophy of life
I believe in the Law of Karma. Whatever you sow, you will reap. So, I try as much as possible to be good to myself and to the people around me
Definition of style
I am down-to-earth and level headed. I am almost a workaholic.
Definition of style
Simplicity is my watchword. However, simplicity also encompasses poise, trend and elegance. I wear whatever makes me comfortable. I am not crazy about trend per say. But I always try to use some of what is trending to create my own style
Beauty regimen
I don’t have a strict regimen. Aside using facial cleansers, I try as much as possible to always wash my face before going to bed.
Special treat
A weekend getaway with my husband always does the trick.
Fashion obsessions
I don’t have any.
Choice of accessory
I don’t have a soft spot for any particular accessory so there is no accessory that is indispensable for me.
Favourite designers
That is a very hard question to answer. There are so many amazing designers out there. I think I don’t have a specific favourite designer. It’s very common for me to have favourite items or stuff of different designers. Once I am in love with an item, I purchase it.
Opinion on toning
Our weather here is very harsh, so we have a lot of people with skin discolorations, sunburns and all that which makes it expedient for most people to take extra care of their skin in order for the skin to glow. I am not in favour of skin bleaching. It is very dangerous to one’s health but there is nothing wrong with working towards getting a fresh healthy glowing skin
My take on provocative dressing
Everyone is free to dress as they wish provided they are comfortable with it. As for me, moderation is my watchword.
What I will like to change about myself
Nothing. So I can’t consider cosmetic surgery.
Coping with advances from men
Thanks to almighty God, I’m coping well.
How I have been combining the home front with my career
I must confess it has not been easy but I thank God for his grace over my life. It is not by my power at all. God has been faithful. My husband has been very supportive and I am able to successfully combine being a wife and a mum alongside my career. My family has been very understanding and I’m so grateful to them, most especially my husband.
Assessment of the Nigerian movie industry
We are growing at a very fast pace and I thank God that we are fast becoming a force to reckon with across the globe. Though we are not there yet, there is always room for improvement.
Advice for young people who want to join the industry
Rome was not built in a day. So they shouldn’t expect to become a big star overnight. It requires hard work and a lot of patience.
Words to my fans
I want to say a big thank you to my fans for their love and support. I pray God bless them for me. The messages I receive from them all are overwhelming and encouraging.
I appreciate them a lot. Mi o ni wayin ti o
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