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| Arike Akinyanju (Eyinju Eledumare) |
Ti won ba beere lowo Gambari kilode ti ehin fi pon, dandan ni
ko salaye to po repete. Arike Akinyanju ti n goke agba ninu ise tiata Naijeria,
eleyii to si mu iriri re maa lekun sii lojoojumo. Arike Akinyanju ti gbogbo eniyan
mo si Eyinju Eledumare jewo omo Yoruba pombele ninu alaye re, o so wi pe ko si
ohun to le mu oun tapa si asa Yoruba yala nitori owo tabi okiki. Inu we iroyin
Tribune ni alaye naa wa.
O ya, e ja ka kanlu agbami iroyin naa lekunrere:
Ariyike Akinyanju is an upcoming
actress and a student of English Language at Tai Solarin University of
Education, Ijagun, Ijebu- Ode,Ogun State. In this interview with TAYO GESINDE,
she speaks on how she has been combining academics with her acting career and
her fashion preferences, among other issues. Excerpts:
Growing up
Growing up was fun. I had a normal
childhood like every other person but it was also a learning process for me. I
had a lot to learn especially in terms of knowing right from wrong. I also
learnt to be independent, to be zealous and to work hard in order to be
successful. I was the family pet, as my name suggests “ARiYIKE”(child of
care) I am not the first child nor the last and I am
definitely not the only child but I am special and was treated as such.
Foray into acting
Acting has been a part of me right
from my childhood, from the moment I began to recognise what it meant to
imitate other people. Later, I started bringing imitation into reality. It was
after my primary and secondary school education that my mum motivated me to go
into acting professionally.
I watched a movie produced by Mr
Adebayo Tijani in 2006 and fortunately for me, his number was displayed at the
end of the movie. I called him and made my intention known to him and that was
how the journey started under the tutelage of Adebayo Tijani.
Challenges faced when I started
acting
There has never been any shortcut to
success in life so, every profession has its own ups and downs. It was not rosy
at all, but I thank God that whatever the level of the challenge at any point,
I always scaled through with God by my side.
First experience on set
It was fun. I was not scared or
anxious and that was because the only thing I wasn’t used to before then was
the camera, as I had been acting before that time. I didn’t forget my lines
either because I had been used to memorising and saying my lines before my
first encounter with the camera.
Though I cannot remember vividly the
first movie I featured in, the one that gave me a head up in the industry was
Opo (widow) by Fathia Balogun. I have featured in so many movies since I joined
the industry that I have lost count of the number of movies I have featured in.
Ajijagbara (the activist), Kudi Klepto, Omo Olodo, Adajo Aye, Ayemi, Ife Oju,
Ayami Tooto, Iyawo Osun and Eyinju Eledumare, to mention just a few are some of
the movies I have featured in.
The extent I can go to get fame
I can never go to the extreme of
acting nude or semi-nude all in the name of fame. Besides, only God gives one
fame. No matter the effort you have put in or the talent that you have, it is
when God says yes, that you will make it big in the industry.
Combining acting with academics
Well, I have been able to balance
the two since I started my degree. It has been tedious but I am coping. Life on
campus is a whole lot of job for me, I had to look good always, be nice to
everyone even if I am not in the mood, and I have to force it. Also, I have to
smile always no matter the situation or condition I find myself in
because no one wants to see the ugly face of a star.
Most embarrassing thing a fan ever
did to me
That was when a fan shouted my name
in the market place, I was a bit shy because a woman wanted to crucify me over
the role I played in a movie, I had to chill a bit, greet them all then explain
to them that I only did what the script instructed me to do.
Personal philosophy of life
Do your best and leave the rest.
Description of self
I am an easy going person.
Definition of style
My style is simple but
gorgeous. I don’t follow fashion trends, I wear whatever I like and what I know
will suit me. It doesn’t cost me much money to look good. I spend as much
as I can afford.
Beauty regimen
I use any nice bathing soap
and body cream, I won’t mention names because I don’t want to advertise. I
bathe twice a day; morning and night. As for cleansing, exfoliating and
facials, I use home made remedies.
Choice of accessories
Any nice accessory will do.
Accessory I can’t do without when
going out
My wrist watch.
Opinion on toning
It is a personal thing. It is just
not my style.
What I will like to change about
myself
Nothing really.
On cosmetic surgery
I think it is absurd. I am perfectly
created just the way I am.
Greatest physical asset
My height.
Opinion on provocative dressing
It is a matter of choice. I don’t
believe that one must flaunt what one has.
Favourite designers
I don’t really dig any designer.
My shoes and bags
I have close to 30 shoes and 20
bags.
Special treat
I chill out in a nice but cozy
place.
Favourite perfume
Carolina Herrera fragrance.
Favourite colours
Green and orange.
My hair and nails
I either fix weavon or braid my
hair. For my nails, I paint then when necessary, especially when the role I am
playing calls for it.
Secret of beauty
It is God all the way.
Keeping fit
Nothing actually, I don’t diet and
exercise for me, is once in a blue moon.
How I handle my male admirers
I handle them in a polite and
humble manner. As for the persistent ones, the distance is always there,
however, it is their problems not mine.
Marital status
I am single but not searching. My
ideal man is one who is open and caring. My better half, the rib of my rib and
bone of my bone. On when I want to tie the knot, what I can say now is soon. I
can marry an actor, only that one of us will have to opt out because of the
home.
Sex for role
It is a free world my sister, it is never
a do or die affair. Just like every other organisation, we have lots of male
and female who admire one another but as for me, Arike, I have never been a
victim of such and I can say there isn’t a bit of truth in that. However, like
I said earlier, it is a matter of choice. I am dating no one in Nollywood.
Likes and dislikes
I like honesty; I hate people who
betray my trust.
Favourite pastime
Hanging out and travelling.
Assessment of the movie industry
The industry is a wonderful
organisation, different people with different character, faces and all of that.
The industry is coming up day by day.
Advice for upcoming
Be determined, don’t be desperate,
stay focused and believe only God make artistes stars. It is neither by power
nor by might.
Parting word
I love them all. GOD will continue
to keep and guide them. Their love for me keeps me going. I appreciate them all
and I promise they won’t be disappointed
Where I will be in five years time
I will be at the peak of my career
and I will, of course, be giving back to the society.
About Olayemi Oniroyin
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