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INTERVIEW
Toyin Abraham:
Nollywood’s Darling
Words By -Rita Okoye
Nollywood actress, filmmaker and producer, Toyin Abraham, began her acting career
in 2003 when she starred in the movie Dugbe Dugbe Nbo produced by Bukky
Wright. Since then, she has continued to feature in best of Nollywood movies and has
also ventured into movie production.
After 17 years in the movie industry, the mother of one has acquired a reputation for being
very down to earth and not given to the flamboyance often associated with screen celebrities.
The actress’ versatility and knack for perfectly interpreting roles has earned her several
awards including; Best Actress award at this year’s African Magic Viewers Choice Awards
(AMVCA) for her role in the movie, Elevator Baby , which she shot while she was 7 months
pregnant.
She is also an entrepreneur who recently ventured into different businesses.
In this interview, the newly-married, speaks on her career, challenges, effect of COVID-19
pandemic and lessons gained as a first time mother.
As a new mum, how have you been coping since
the emergence of COVID-19?
It’s not easy, trust me. I can’t even work. You know
it’s easy for older children to say ‘mummy, I have a
headache’ but for a baby, she cannot tell you how she
is feeling. As for work, it’s just my husband who has
been working for now. But when I have shoots and
some endorsements, I go. When I do, I go with my
thermometer and hand sanitizer. Once I get home, I
quickly take my shoes off and wash my hands. I must
confess it hasn’t been easy at all.
How would you assess the effect of COVID-19 on
the entertainment industry?
It has really affected us in the movie industry. My
new movie Fate of Alakada which I shot in collaboration
with Filmone, cost close to 45 Million. I put almost all
my money into that project which was an investment:
and now, they said the cinema can’t open. So, my
whole investment is stuck somewhere and we are not
shooting like before. Everybody is just being careful.
Some production outfits, when you want to work
with them, they would insist on you taking a
Coronavirus test and I heard the test is painful. So, it
has really affected us.
Have you considered other alternative to
promoting your new movie, like Netflix?
Obviously, we are still going to take it to Netflix but
you know how it is; you first of all make the cinema
money before selling to Netflix. That way, you earn in
two places. Taking it to Netflix will mean earning from
just one source. But if you take it to the cinema, before
taking to Netflix, that’s double money.
Many producers and actors are back on set, do
you think the time is right seeing the increasing
number of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria?
I heard some are doing tests before you come on
their production, but for me, I can’t resume filmmaking
at this time because of my baby. That’s why I have
been venturing into other businesses. I just launched
my hairline, Plush Hair by Toyin.
You are becoming very versatile with your roles.
How did you get into character with your ghetto
roles especially on The Ghost and The Tout?
I have always been versatile. The problem really is
that, most times, the Nigeria entertainment industry
stereotypes one. When they see you in a movie, and
see how well you interpret role, that’s what they would
be calling you for. I actually feel there’s no role I can’t
play except of course, roles where I have to speak
other languages like Hausa. But if I do get a
challenging role like that, I would definitely learn
Hausa.
So on how I got into character with ghetto, my dear
I’m ghetto! But seriously I am very versatile. I just feel a
lot of directors have not really exploited me enough.
At the AMVCA, you were awarded the Best Actress
in Drama (Movie/TV series) category for your role
in Elevator Baby, did you see that coming?
I didn’t see it coming. I didn’t know I was going to
win best actress for Elevator Baby because that
category was so tight; but I know I did well, owing to
the fact that I was 7 months and few weeks pregnant
during the shoot. Truthfully, I didn’t see it coming at all.
How were you able to cope with shooting while
pregnant?
I love acting, It is my passion. It wasn’t easy though
but thanks to the cast and crew of Elevator baby and
my husband, Kolawale Ajeyemi. He was on set with
me all through. There was also a nurse from LUTH
who was on standby. It wasn’t easy but we give God
the glory.
What has motherhood changed about you?
Motherhood has really changed a lot about me.
Even before I had my baby, my husband had already
changed me. Motherhood is like icing on the cake. It
has really changed my mentality, my thinking; in fact it
has changed everything about me. Now I know I am
living for someone. I am living for something.
Can you share some interesting labour room
experience?
I actually recorded everything because I had
caesarean section. I was given an injection that
numbed my back. I know I was having an operation but
didn’t feel it, I was just talking. I remembered the
moment they brought my baby out, my husband saw
him and fainted. It was a sweet experience. It wasn’t
easy but we thank God.
Going under the knife after birth seems to be the
new beauty regimen for some actresses, what are
your thoughts?
It is a matter of choice. Anybody can decide to go
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/ July 12, 2020