MY LIPS ATTRACT MEN---ACTRESS OLUWATOYIN AKOREDE
Budding actress, Oluwatoyin Akorede, recently graduated from the ANTP's Odunfa Caucus Training Institute. In this chat with us, she spoke about her foray into Nollywood, among other issues
Q: As one of the most sought after budding actresses, especially in ANTP, what have been your challenges?
A: So far, my major challenge has been how to convince my colleagues in the industry that I have something to offer. It has not been easy but with hardwork, commitment and concentration, I have made a statement to my credit. Due to the way my peers and I in Odunfa Caucus (of ANTP) were trained, I am finding it very easy to pave my way to the top and very soon, I shall get there.
Q: That should be a long journey and an enormous task. But it seems you are desperate to cut corners to achieve that?
A: (Cuts in) No. I am not desperate. I don't intend to cut corners. Already, I have built a name for myself and I am a leader among my peers. Some of the films I have featured in can speak for me and senior colleagues in the industry now have the conviction that I can do it.
Q: How many films have you featured in?
A: I have lost count for now, but I can remember that I acted in Sabaabi, Omotola, Eye Ega and Baba Cherokee, to mention but a few.
Q: Who actually introduced you into the industry?
A: It was a senior colleague of mine, Kehinde Adeyemi (a movie producer and actor) that discovered and brought me to limelight. Later on, I joined the Odunfa Caucus where I recently graduated with 150 others.
Q: How many times have you been sexually harassed?
A: I have never been harassed sexually because I don't lobby for roles.
Q: Are you trying to say there is no sexual harassment in the industry?
A: It is obvious, but I have not been harassed sexually.
Q: Is it because male colleagues don't find you attractive?
A: That is not true. Men find me very attractive and it is not as if they don't call for my attention, but I treat them like siblings and make them understand that it is unprofessional to 'open your legs' to be given roles in movies. I see no reason to be denied a script if I can deliver it well. This is one of the reasons I like Kehinde Adeyemi. He is not that kind of person. He would even advise you as a budding actress to convince people with the best of your talents and not 'gracing beds'.
Q: What part of your body do you cherish most and what drives men crazy about you?
A: I love my face so much and my lips drive men crazy all the time. It is the type that any man would love to kiss.
Q: So what has been your driving force and how do you intend to achieve your aim in the industry?
A: God is my driving force and the encouragement I get from people is highly motivational. I intend to achieve my aim in the industry by applying my academic knowledge to my profession. Currently, I am a 300 Level Creative Arts student of the University of Lagos.