A Nollywood actress, Kemi Afolabi
Adesipe, and a Law graduate from UNILAG talks to the gallery about her real
self. Popularly called 'Kemi Alagbara' and a movie ambassador in her interview
with Nigerian Tribune, speaks about her marriage, her life with her
husband who lives in the UK. The mother of one reveals it all about acting
career and hazard rumour that always surround it, as well as her own fashion
preferences.
Growing up
Growing up was fun because I had
parents who believed in giving quality education to their children. We were not
rich, we were an average family but my parents still did their best by sending
us to the best schools in town. I am the first born of my family, so I was
pampered mostly by my mum and that is why my mum remained my best friend
till I met my husband. But I still run to her for advice when distressed.
I was however kind of scared of my dad as a kid.
Being a girl and the first, I did
most of the chores in the house. I remember my dad trying to teach me how to
wash a car but I told him only boys know how to wash cars. I attended Tunwase
Nursery and Primary School, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja. Then proceeded to A-Z
International Secondary School, Ajao Estate Isolo. I had to retake some papers
at Our Lady of Apostles, Yaba. I studied Law at the University of Lagos.
Foray into acting
As a child, I used to say that, ‘I
want to be a lawyer,’ whenever I was asked what I wanted to become in the
future. I was given admission into the Unilag to study English. I was in the
English Department for a session but still went back to rewrite jamb to get
required cut off mark for Law. Eventually, I was admitted into the Faculty of
Law to study Law and I was very happy. I joined the industry through this
great director, Oladele Abiodun Matti, who thought I had all it takes to be an
actress. I still remember vividly how he convinced me then but it is a
different story today. I love my job passionately. I joined the industry in
2004, after I wrote my final papers in law. Alagbara is the title of the movie
that brought me to limelight. It was produced by Oladele Matti Esq. The
movie was widely accepted, so, people dropped my surname and started calling me
Kemi Alagbara.
Marriage to a man outside the shores
of Nigeria
I took a break from acting in 2008
when I got married and moved to the United Kingdom (UK) to stay with my husband
and build my home. We have been coping fine because we get to see every other
time. Our marriage is blessed with a beautiful girl. She is four years.
Philosophy of life
Don’t attach so much importance to
life because it is vanity.
Description of self
I am a very emotional person, I take
pity on the less-privileged so much and try to help in every little way I could
without making noise about it. I am very open. I trust easily and I am a very
friendly person. I am real, I am me.
Definition of style
Simplicity and comfort. I
don’t follow trends. Occasions or the function I am attending usually
determines my mode of dressing. Casuals does it for me.
Beauty regimen
Not much, I moisturise my skin daily
and I make sure that my hair and nails are well kept. I don’t dig make-up and
accessories, I only use them when I am on set. I use Clarins product for both
my skin and face. I break out a lot but the product has been of help since I
discovered it.
Favourite perfume
My cologne is always intact. I love
male perfumes because they come on stronger. I buy any male perfume that smells
nice but the one I am using at present is “the one “by Dolce & Gabbana.
Favourite designers
I am not a designer-freak I rock
whatever catches my fancy.
My shoes and bags
I go for anyone that looks good on
me. To be serious, I have never thought of counting the number of shoes and
bags that I have but I can tell you that they are not much.
Favourite colours
I rock any bright colour, I don’t
really have any favourite among them.
Accessories
I buy any nice accessories I see. My
shoes and bags can be made in Italy, US or UK, I don’t have a preference. I
will buy my accessories from anywhere as long as they are beautiful. I wear
jewellery too when necessary.
Accessory I can’t do without
Wrist watches.
Most expensive item in my wardrobe
I don’t do expensive things.
What I won’t be caught dead wearing
Bikini.
When I want to swim, I wear bum shorts and vest tops or swimsuit.
Special treat
I
am not religious about anything but I do go for facials and massage whenever
time permits.
Opinion on toning
it
is necessary to tone the skin and that is why beauticians preach it as part of
any beauty routine.
On provocative dressing
I
am of the school of thought that says dress the way you want to be addressed. I
believe what you keep away from prying eyes have more value.
What I like to change about myself
My
attitude of using abusive words to tease or show displeasure to my staff.
On cosmetic surgery
I
am beautifully made and would never do anything to utter it.
My hair and nails
I
love weaves and I pamper my natural nails. I don’t do artificial nails.
Secret of beauty
I
think it is happiness from within.
Keeping fit
I
only watch what I eat whenever I feel I am getting out of shape.
Greatest asset
Hmn!
That will be my bum.
Pains and gains of being a celebrity
let
me start with the gains. It feels good to be celebrated and appreciated
wherever you go, to be given preferential treatment wherever you go. One
sometimes has access to places you might ordinarily not be able to go. Fame
opens doors for us. The pains for me will be not having opportunity to explain
certain issues to your fans out there, personally. There is also bad press from
journalists who never check with you before making libelous statements about
you. Also, the fact that one needs to act in certain ways in public because so
much is expected of one is a burden on us. Most people tend to forget that we
are also human.
Lesbianism in Nollywood
The
truth is that I hear the rumours just like you but no one has ever approached
me for such.
Sex for roles
That
happens to those who ask for it. If you are desperate to be an actress, you
will surely fall into bad hands that are ready to take advantage of your
weakness.
Coping with male admirers
I
tell them off politely.
My own movie productions
I
just did the fourth one in December, 2013 and it is an epic film titled
Ajantala. The first three are; Oju Apatemi, Ajiloda and Rihannat. They all have
their uniqueness and strong messages from which the viewers will learn one or
two lessons. They are highly educating and entertaining movies which were shot
with the best of equipment which don’t usually come cheap.
Acting roles
I can’t act nude.
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