Once in costume, I’m someone else – Ayo Adesanya

Ayo Adesanya is an actress who features in both Yoruba and English-speaking Nollywood films. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, she talks about what it’s like, what puts her in acting mode, why she featured in a musical video, and more. Excerpts: Weekend Magazine: You are presently on set a new movie. What’s it about? […]

Ayo Adesanya is an actress who features in both Yoruba and English-speaking Nollywood films. In this interview with Weekend Magazine, she talks about what it’s like, what puts her in acting mode, why she featured in a musical video, and more. Excerpts:

Weekend Magazine: You are presently on set a new movie. What’s it about?

Ayo Adesanya: It’s titled ‘Kemi’ and it’s an English movie where I play Kemi’s mother. It’s a story about mothers pressurising their kids about marriage. When you pressurise your children to get married, even when they are of age, if you overdo it, you may push them into a situation that’s not good for them. 

WM: You appear in both Yoruba and English Nollywood movies. What’s it like switching between the two?

Adesanya: Once you understand both languages and the script, and you are able to interpret it properly, that’s it. The secret is in understanding the script. Switching between the two, whether English or Yoruba, can sometimes be challenging. For instance, sometimes I am given a script in Yoruba that’s deep. You know we have the deep Yoruba and the native one. There are proverbs and the like, so you have to say it exactly the way it is. On the other hand, for English films, if you are learned it is easier, especially if it’s your first language.

WM: What movie would you describe as your most memorable?

Adesanya: I have quite a number of them. I did an English comedy movie, ‘Omugwo’ that’s full of energy and very funny. It’s also very fast-paced. It’s not on TV yet and a lot of people may not have watched it yet.   

WM: Your first television appearance was on Junji Bamishigbin’s soap opera, titled ‘Palace’. How would you describe that experience?

Adesanya: It was challenging at first because I played the role of a single mother that had a lover. I didn’t even know I had it in me to play such a character. At the end of the day, a lot of people were in love with that character. So it was an eye opener and made me understand that there are certain characters I could play and be comfortable with. Even in ‘Omugwo’ I played a similar role.   

WM: Was going into acting a major decision for you or was it accidental?

Adesanya: It was both. I have always wanted to act though and started acting since I was in nursery school. I attended a Baptist school in Ibadan. They were the first set of people to nurture me. Eventually, I continued acting in secondary school and also in church. It’s accidental in the sense that I met the person that introduced me to movies and we got talking about it and he said he would take me to an audition. Exactly a month after he came to our house and took me to an audition.

WM: You have acted in many movies. What role would you say has challenged you the most?

Adesanya: I produced a movie where I played the role of an elderly woman who’s a double character. That was the challenge. I always do that and I am still looking forward to doing something like that. Even though it’s not easy, I love it. Now, I am even looking forward to playing three characters. 

WM: Last year, you appeared in a couple of TV series. Kindly share your experience.

Adesanya: It was nice. ‘Casino’ was the major one I did. It was a major thing for me because I played a major character, a politician. It was basically a political TV series and very interesting. I particularly loved the costume. Once I get into a costume, I am a different character already. It was a fun thing and a new experience because it made me understand politics much more. It was a wonderful experience. 

WM: Not until last year, you had never featured in a music video. How did this happen and would it be a trend for you?

Adesanya: I’m passionate about music but a lot of people don’t know that. They had seen me act as an elderly woman before and when Ransom, a musician approached me, he said the director wanted that same concept. Time wasn’t permitting me to do a certain part of it, but then, they made everything possible for me to play the role. He’s an upcoming musician and I really wanted to encourage him.

WM: What do you do when you aren’t working?

Adesanya: I work most times, but the little time I don’t work I rest or spend time with my son. I try to do family things. I also try to take some days off to hibernate.