The Press, Responsible For Our downfall - Toyin Aimakhu

Some in the Nollywood circles, especially actresses, prefer acting nude but this is not applicable to Toyin Aimakhu. Speaking with GBENGA OLUMIDE at LTV8 recently, she explained why she can't act nude and what is responsible for the crumble of most actors/actresses' marital homes. Read on.

You look radiant, what's the secret?
I look radiant? I guess I should thank you for that. The secret? Nothing. I'm just like this. I've been like this.

If you are to describe Toyin Aimakhu, what would you say?
She's a beautiful girl, she's a very nice girl, very playful.

You are from which state?
I'm from Edo State.

For how long have you been in the system?
Four years. It's going to be five years very soon.

Which schools did you attend?
I went to Obakinze Nursery and Primary School in Benin. Later I went to Queen Star School. From there, I went to Saint Annes in Ibadan. From there, I went to Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and from there I got my admission into the Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University. Now, I have my OND, I have my HND and my degree.

What are the courses you studied?
I did OND in Business Studies, HND in Marketing, my degree was in Philosophy.

Why acting?
Because I love it.

Is it because of the financial aspect of it?
No. I just love it. I didn't have the intention of becoming an actress anyway, but all of a sudden, I just had the passion for it and God is really by my side.

What is your opinion about the entertainment industry today compared with the olden days?
It's far better now. Let's say a big thank you to our fathers, we are really enjoying the fruit of their labour. They paved the way for us.

Do you watch movies in which you star?
I do watch them because it's very good so that I can correct my mistakes next time.

What's your beauty routine like?
Nothing. There's nothing special about me. But I make sure I have my bath every night, there's nothing I can do about that. I use my cream, in the morning, I use just baby oil. Because, sometimes, I have to go in the sun and it's not good for my health, it's not good for my body because I'm a light-skinned person.

So, you are a half-caste?
No, how can I be a half-caste, excuse me, I'm a Nigerian, I'm black.

Who's your real man?
Oh my God, you are talking about my heartbeat. His name is Lekan, I'm not going to tell you his surname. He doesn't live in the country.

Why?
That should be a private thing, it's because I really like and appreciate you people, because you came in here from Tribune, that's why I'm telling you this much. His name is Lekan, he stays in London.

When are you going to meet him?
I go to London every two months, I go there to see him.

If he asks you to quit acting, what will you do?
He can't tell me to quit.

Why?
There is nobody that can tell me to quit what I'm doing. I can quit what I'm doing if I want to, but not because anybody is trying to tell me to quit what I'm doing. My parents won't even tell me to quit. So he would not tell me to quit.

What was the reaction of your parents when you started acting?
(Cuts in). They didn't really like it at first, because my mum is a pastor, she has a church. My dad too is a pastor, he's got churches, and you know what it takes to be from a C.A.C family.

Where are they?
They live in Ibadan. My mum was like you want to become an actress and I was like 'mum, this is what I want to do' and she said fine. The kind of parents I have, they will never tell you not to do what you want to do, they will let you do it.

Now, you are in Nigeria and your real man is in London, how do you cope with male admirers here in Nigeria?
I enjoy it, I enjoy it a lot because I know I will never date you for one million dollars. I've got a man in my life, and I don't double date, I don't cheat.

How do you feel when your fans see you on the street and want to talk to you?
I feel happy because if any fans should walk up to you to say hello, I don't have to be rude to them. You should even thank God because there are some actresses and actors out there that people won't even say hello to. So I feel honoured, I'm always very happy. I love my fans. Apart from my family and my man, my fans are the next to my heart, because without them, I'm nowhere.

But you look somehow snobbish?
I'm not. I'm a very friendly person. I'm very playful, very nice. I'm one of the nicest actresses you see in Naija today.

But a colleague said you were harsh on him sometime ago when he approached you for a chat?
I'm human. And you know I was working, I was playing a lead role, you can't expect me to leave, that's my job. Anybody can have mood swings. I was not in a good mood.

Now, if you are to kiss a man in a movie, who would that be?
I've never kissed before, don't have the impression, I can make it look real, but I won't kiss anybody.

Can you act nude?
God! Please, this is Nigeria. I'm a Nigerian, I don't want to leave my country. I can't act nude for 20 million dollars, pounds. I won't leave my country, this is where I belong.