Actress, Seun Oluwajuwon Adebimpe, in this interview by ADERONKE ADESANYA, speaks on the challenges she has faced in the course of her career and how she overcame them among other issues. Excerpts:
How did you find your way into the industry?
I became an actress through an online monologue audition that Bukunmi Oluwashina conducted in 2018. The audition was a success and I started acting in 2019, which was the first time I appeared on the screen.
What inspired you to become an actress?
A lot of things inspired me to become an actress. Right from childhood, I’ve always loved Funke Akindele and she inspired me from way back when I was still a little girl. I used to watch her movies and I’ve been a very big fan of hers. Since I’ve been a child, I’ve always wanted people to see me being in the limelight. So, basically, I’ve always been passionate about being an actress.
Can you discuss your training and experience as an actress?
About the training, I don’t have a boss, so I didn’t undergo any training. The only thing I can say concerning that is when I was in school – at the Federal College of Education, Oyo in 2014 studying Economics, I was always in the Theatre Arts department because I’ve always had the passion and talent for acting. In fact, even if you asked people who were not in the same department as I was, they would tell you I was a Theatre Arts student because of how often I was there. Even till date, I meet people who greet me with the Theatre Arts slogan.
How has your experience in the industry shaped you?
My experience with acting has been a roller coaster because there have been many ups and downs and you just have to know how to sit tight and fasten your seat belt. It has prepared me to be ready and active for whatever is to come.
When you’re given a role for a new movie, how do you prepare yourself for the role or character?
One thing is, you must be ready to take on any role as an actress. Although, in my five years in this industry, I haven’t taken so many roles that can show my abilities to the fullest. However, I think the best way you can prepare for a role that you have never done before is to get the script, read it over and over again and manifest the role.
How do you build understanding with your fellow actors, especially in romantic or emotionally intense scenes?
Well, the best way to build chemistry with your fellow actor for romantic scenes is not really hard. We all know we are acting, so what you can do is to bring your best on set.
Has there ever been a time you had to work with a difficult co-star or a director? How did you handle the situation?
Not at all, I have never had issues with any co-actor, director or producer. Even when I was on set working with Adeniyi Johnson on the set of “Afopina” and another time with Jamiu Azeez, I didn’t have any issue because they were both so nice and the set was fun.
In our society today, people expect more from celebrities, how do you handle the pressures and expectations that come with being in the public eye as an actress?
People expect a lot from celebrities, indeed and yes, there is a lot of pressure, especially when they have been seeing you on their screens repeatedly. People expect you to live big all of a sudden and they always want to pry into your business and forget that you’re also a human being like them. In fact, this is one of the reasons I’ve given up my acting career temporarily.
How do you manage your personal and professional life?
I try to balance my professional and personal life by making sure that one doesn’t affect the other.
In the sense that when it’s time to be professional and serious I do so and when it’s time for me being me I just do me.
Has there ever been a time you thought of giving up your career?
Yes. I’ve thought about giving up many times. As it is now, I have even given up already because since the year started, I haven’t done any auditions and neither have I been to any location set.
How many years have you been in the industry?
If I’m not mistaken, this will be my fifth year in the Industry. But like I said I have given up on acting.
Looking back, are you happy with the way things have shaped up for you in the industry?
Looking back, I’m happy and at the same time not happy because not everything has gone the way I’ve planned it but I thank God all the same for all He has done so far.
Do you have role models in the industry you look up to?
Yes, I have a role model in the industry and that’s Funke akindele and would love to work with her someday. The other person I look up to in the industry as my dear role model is Bukunmi Oluwashina.
You said you’ve given up on acting. Do you have any other career or skills you’d be using to make an income?
Regarding your last question about what I’m doing since I have given up on my acting career: I am a hair stylist and I happen to have a modelling brand as well.
Before you went into the industry what was it you were doing to make a living?
Before I ventured into the industry, I was working as a private teacher in a big private school in Ogbomoso. So since I stopped acting temporarily, I’ve gone back to hairstyling and modeling. I even won one pageantry as the face of Channel Queens.
While working in the industry, did you ever face a challenge or difficulty? Be it with fans, friends or family?
There are a lot of difficulties and challenges that I can’t even remember but the most apparent one is from senior colleagues, like directors, producers, actors, etc. It is a struggle to get them to put you on the screen. I guess it is because they are afraid of our capabilities since we are up and coming actors and they don’t want to take the risk of putting us on screen. This is the most difficult challenge I’ve faced in the industry.
I have a fan base then called, “Barbie soldiers” and they weren’t problematic at all. My family is also very small; it’s just me, my mom and my two elder siblings so I didn’t have any problem with my family. They were okay and supportive of me.
What is your mantra of success?
My mantra of success is “Don’t just wish for it, work for it”. Good things don’t just come on a platter of gold and they don’t come from a comfort zone. I always tell myself that I will be a champion one day.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
