Nollywood actor cum show host, Joseph Benjamin, is a screen favourite for many movie lovers who were wondering why he took some time off acting. He recently returned to the spotlight as host for the latest fashion reality TV show, Style Magnate, dedicated to unveiling the next fashion stars. He spoke to ROTIMI IGE on his new role as host of Showmax’s fashion reality TV show, Style Magnate, reasons for his brief absence, among other issues.
In the past few years, a lot of Nigerians have been relocating, and celebrities are also joining the train. Why did you leave?
What prompted me was a need or a desire to explore. To explore what the world had to offer. Because I had gotten to a point in my career where I felt like I had hit every height I could. And I just felt like there was much more I could acquire. There was much more out there that the world could offer. So it had nothing to do with the wave of relocation that the country has experienced in the last couple of years if I would say that. And of course, at the time I relocated, the term Japa was not a thing. But of course, after that, it became a thing.
Considering the economic situation and the expensive cost of living, I’m curious to know why you came back.
The truth is, I never left Nigeria. I never left and I say this because my career has always been here in Nigeria, I just took a break and I feel like this is the right time to get back into the space. The truth about it is that this is something that is not just peculiar to Nigeria alone, it is all over the world. Nigeria is just experiencing a more intense hit on this than others, and I don’t think that actually plays a role in me making decisions in regard to career and all of that. I just felt it was time to be back.
How did Style Magnate convince you to come back?
When they approached me for this, and I looked at the concept and realised it’s something fresh, something new, it attracted me, it pulled me in, because I know right now, based on statistics, the fashion industry, not just in Africa, all over the world, is seeing a massive boom. A focus on Nigeria, if we put the beam on Nigeria, we see that fashion has become a thing. It’s a major staple of our industry. And what better way to do it than to do a fashion reality show that will have these people showcase their capacity and bring forth what they’re able to do? In turn, you’re discovering new talents, and creating a platform for people, for these talents to express what they have to the world.
Other than watching Style Magnate and having more events like the Lagos Fashion Week, what tips or advice do you have for other players in that industry?
I’ll borrow this simple term, let’s not sleep on the fashion industry. There’s a lot that can be achieved from there. You know, beyond just young designers showcasing their creativity, it also showcases our culture. I just feel like a lot more platforms like this should spring up, because prior to Style Magnate coming up, Lagos Fashion Week is the only major platform that has given a voice to fashion in Nigeria, and locally made fashion in Nigeria.
There was a time you talked about becoming an Uber driver in the U.S. The news went viral. Are you still in that space?
Yes, like you rightly said, it went viral and a lot of people even misconstrued it. I saw a lot of social media publications where people had their own various interpretations of that thing. That, I would say, was a journey that I had to go through.
It was necessary, and I’m sticking to this with all boldness because it was to get things done. I found myself in a system where I had to pay my bills. Being realistic about it, knowing that the industry here is not like what it was, it’s not like I had not gained any form of traction in a sense. I’ve never seen any form of treatment or courtesy as demeaning. So I hopped on it, and I did it. It was a beautiful experience for me.
We know you are married and have started a new chapter in your personal life. How has family impacted your career decision? What role does your wife play in your journey today?
Family has been a solid foundation, a solid support for me. I have a beautiful life. My wife has been an immense support to everything that pertains to my career. She’s been a very formidable force around me. A lot of the decisions and choices that I’ve made, I’ve seen gotten my major support from her. Family has been a major part of my life.
What good do you hope Style Magnate will bring to the Nigerian fashion industry?
I believe that it has a lot of potential. Previously, I spoke about Lagos Fashion Week, and I said up until now, Lagos Fashion Week is the biggest, or the largest platform showcasing or giving us an avenue or creating a pathway for our local fashion designers to showcase their creativity. I believe that not everybody is able to showcase what they have, and neither do they have the opportunity to present their collections at the Lagos Fashion Week. But the Style Magnate is more like the platform that will see us giving an opportunity to budding fashion designers to discover new talents, I believe you would agree with me that the way it’s been received right now, I’m sure the second season would literally see a flood of designers wanting to be a part of it.
What has been the most significant turning point in your career?
I guess it would be when I started hosting Project Fame, West Africa, which of course, to date has been one the most successful music reality shows that we have seen come out of Nigeria. Another point I could highlight would be when I booked a role on Green Leaf, which was also called a show on the Opera Winfrey Network, that was also a huge achievement and a significant point in my career as well.
What is special about Style Magnate?
It’s fresh, it’s new. It’s a brilliant idea, and Style Magnate will give us the opportunity to see and experience the creativity of designers who you would probably never have had the opportunity to see in this lifetime. And we have a lot of great talents in the fashion industry in Nigeria, amazing talents. I believe that Style Magnate will be a platform to give a voice to these budding designers.
Would you say that it is a way for the fashion industry to have a gate keeping model, a sort of way to introduce new designers into the industry? Like the way Nigeria Idol is to upcoming artistes, or is it just a good TV entertainment show?
Yes. I believe Style Magnate will be that platform that serves as an entry point for designers. On the show, it is almost seemingly like an academy or some sort of training through the process. I remember one of the tasks when the designers were told to sketch out their designs before they start to cut and sew, and a lot of them did not. A lot of them were not able to do it, and it was an opportunity for them to learn that. So, yes, I believe Style Magnate can serve as that platform that is some sort of an entry point that serves as a gatekeeping medium for budding fashion designers who are looking to make an appearance or create a space for themselves in the fashion industry.
As the host of Style Magnate, what do you think qualified you to host the show?
I think the producers were looking for someone who would command a certain personality. They needed someone who would be a good bridge between having a great fashion sense and also being able to accurately deliver in regard to what they were looking for. Hence, they approached me for it.
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What are the lessons you’ve learnt from hosting the show?
One of the lessons I learned is that your creativity is never limited. Your creativity, what you’re able to do, and what you’re able to express largely depend on your imagination. I saw a lot of creatives and I was blown away. Also, there is a lot that we have to offer as a people. I’ve learned to keep giving my very best. It has also probably added a note to my fashion style and taste.
You’ve done it all; acting, hosting, working abroad. What’s next for you?
I have a few film projects coming up, which we can expect in 2025. I also have plans to delve into the fashion space myself.
