Versatile Nollywood actress, Omowumi Dada speaks with SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN about her acting career, what she would like to change about the industry and sundry issues
Why are you an actress?
I love story telling. It gives me the opportunity to take a look at someone else’s life to understand what other people are going through and empathize with them. That has really helped me as a person to make excuses for people’s faults and to understand that no one is perfect. Everyone is going through one or two things. It has allowed me to see myself through other people’ situation.
When did you join the movie train?
I started when I was in the University of Lagos. That was in 2006. I acted on stage in school. I started moving out of school in 2008 to do real acting. I was combining that with my studies in school. My first encounter with acting on television was in 2009, but when we talk of professional acting, it started in 2012.
Why didn’t you pitch your tent with the Yoruba movie genre as someone from that tribe?
I am an actor and language is not a barrier. I can act in any language. I mean I have even spoken in different languages: Hausa, Igbo and Bini. I’m looking forward to speaking other languages like French and Spanish in movies. So language is a medium, not a barrier and there shouldn’t be a limit. As a versatile actor, I can appear in great movies.
Is it true that actors are not well paid?
With the arts, you cannot pay an artiste his or her worth. Even after they have gone, their work will still be relevant and stand the test of time. I will rather say that actors want to be well paid, just like doctors and other professionals.
Our counterparts in other parts of the world are better paid because they have better structures, they have the financial strength to make work and life easier for them. Our industry will only give as much as it has. You cannot give what you don’t have. Take for example, if a producer has about N50 million to produce his film, he cannot give actors N60 million for that movie. He does not have it. Even his budget can’t only be for paying the actors alone, there are other expenses to be met and crew members will be paid from that amount as well. If our economy is better, people will have more money to invest in movie making, actors and crew members will be better paid. It will extend to other professions too.
Even if an actor is collecting 10 kobo right now and tomorrow, you give that actor N10 million, it’s still not the actor’s worth, the actor has a better value than what you are paying him or her.
Are there things you think should be changed in the industry to make it more viable?
It trickles down from the government and the economy before it gets to the art. First thing first, I wish we have a better Nigeria then, everything will now get better. I am not going to be too harsh on the industry because we are definitely not where we used to be, even though we are not yet where we ought to be. A journey of a thousand kilometers begins with a step and we are making bold steps. We are turning out better productions. But I wish we can tell more indigenous stories that will put us out as Africans in a better light. We have stories that are amazing, our legends, myths that are truly African. I saw a documentary about the Super Eagles and it was done by foreigners, it is funny that foreigners will come and tell our stories and it will be so beautiful whereas, we can tell our stories better. It will be nice to have an industry where we can really tell the African stories to the world because the world wants to listen to us. Every African story that we take outside the country is usually accepted. People outside the country want to know more about our African culture, if you put them out there, they will be interested in it. We need to take that step. It will be great to see biopics too. I know it is a lot of work and it will be very tough. I know it will be very challenging too but I love challenges.
What factors can make you reject a script?
If the story does not resonate with me, I will not take it. We all have our likes and dislikes. They include the story line and the people that will act in the movie. If I don’t like the character that I have been assigned, I will not take part in that movie. I must take something that I would be able to put all my energy in and give it my very best. so once I am not in tune with the character I am to play, I will excuse myself from the script. I have turned down a script, even though the pay was very good.
The story line is king. The story is the star of a film. For every film, all the crew members must align with the story. I always tell producers to allow me read through the storyline first before giving my commitment to it. Yoruba’s do say ‘owo ma tan, eniyan lo ma ku’ (after you might have finished spending money, the true character of a person will be revealed). There are some films that the pay may not be too fantastic but the story may be good. A good film will open more doors for you, so I focus more on the storyline than the money. I know I love challenges, no matter how challenging a movie is, I will put those things into consideration first.
What dream role do you look forward to playing?
A biopic, a film dramatising the life of a historical figure.
It seems that being an influencer is more rewarding financially than acting in a movie as more actors refer to themselves as influencers
They are two different things entirely. When you are acting, you are taking up a role, enacting a character, but when you are influencing, you are trying to persuade people to like the product. People have reasons for appreciating certain things. We can all be actors, but we all have our likes and dislikes. Some people might decide to focus on growing their brands and it works for them, it all depends on the individual. I can’t say actors prefer influencing more than acting, it depends on what works for them. For instance, if a bleaching cream company calls me to work for them, I will certainly reject it.
A lot of ladies have toned their skins from dark to light complexion. Have you ever been tempted to do the same too?
No, I haven’t. I can’t even do it. Why will I ever want to do it? My skin is easy to maintain. I just need a good moisturizer that will be suitable for my skin. Why will I lighten my skin, once I do it, it means I am no longer Omowumi Dada again. The industry has moved from that stage. If a producer needs a fair skin actor, they can always get one and if they need a dark-skinned actress, they can also get one as well. I don’t think anyone is finer by lightening their skin. Anyway, people have a right to do what they want with their skin and it is important to respect people’s choices.
What other things do you do aside from acting?
I do voice-over. I am also into investment, but I don’t want to say much about it. I don’t have to showcase it on the social media.
You grew up among boys. What was that like?
It was fun. I did a lot of boys’ activities like catching birds, playing video games, wrestling, football and table tennis. All those things that boys would like to do. I was more like a tomboy, but I was very much in touch with my feminine side. My mother was a very good disciplinarian, she ensured I didn’t lose touch with my feminine side. I used to dance a lot, I still dance a lot till now though. I dance every day, I love Salsa, I love Latin dance and I can do Nigerian traditional dance as well because I studied creative art. I have been part of a musical play where I was a dancer and I enjoyed it.
How did your parents respond when you told them acting was your choice of career?
I don’t think I grew up very detached from art. Right from when I was very young, I used to dance at home. So they were not surprised I chose art. When I was in primary school, I was in the Igbo cultural group. My dad told me ‘Everyman’, which I re-enacted on the stage as far back as when I was five years old. I also used to narrate poems to my brothers. When I was in secondary school, I was in the Yoruba cultural troupe. I was already dancing Bata as early as my junior secondary two. Then it was meant for the seniors who could do it.
I was also the assistant general of the press club. At some point, I said I wanted to study law but because of the extracurricular activities that I have been engaging in and were exceptional at, when I told my parents I wanted to study Theatre Art, they were not too surprised, they were very supportive.
I remember that my dad used to come and watch most of my plays in secondary school. He used to support me when I was much younger and he still does. He still watches my stage play till now. My parents understand that they have raised a good daughter so whatever decision I am making, they trust that they have raised me well to be able to make right decisions for myself. My parents and my siblings have been very supportive.
You are one of the most fashionable actresses in the industry. What influences your style?
I just like to feel good in whatever it is that I wear and I also like to look good as well. It is more about how I feel and look. If people say it is fashionable, I appreciate that and I take it as a compliment.
Why do you shy away from public functions?
I am a very private person. If I wasn’t an actor, there is a huge possibility that I wouldn’t be on social media at all. It is my work that is exposing me to social media. I would rather stay in my house and watch movies. If I have to go out, maybe it will be for a premiere or to check on my friends or go salsa dancing. I really like to be indoors. I can walk into a place and light up the room. I can also walk into a place and people will not know I am there.
A lot of actresses, especially in the Yoruba movie genre, are not on speaking terms with one another. Why is there so much enmity in the industry?
Honestly I don’t know. For me, I try to mind my business. I love people and give positive vibes so I don’t know if there is such in the industry. The industry is large enough for people to strive.
You recently got engaged. How does it feel like?
God is good and kind to me.
What are the things that keep you going?
The major things that drive me are passion, love for humanity and wanting to always put smiles on the faces of people. Love for God also keeps me going and the fact that I know that no matter what happens, God got my back. No matter what happens everything would end in joy. Also the big picture keeps me going and the quest to see things around me becoming better.
