Dark skinned pretty actress Ayobami Badejoko Ojo, popularly known “Oyita” joined the Yoruba movie industry 5 years ago. Besides being an actress, Oyita is a musician. And she sings. Through hardwork, dedication and determination, she has been able to produce 12 movies within her 5 year movie career.
Oyita is extremely friendly and humble, and this is one of the reasons. She has been able to maintain a very cordial relationship with her seniors, contemporaries and junior in the industry.
This Ijesha actress is also the CEO of Oyita Classic Concept. She has featured in over 50 movies. Though, lots of people and fans loved her role in the popular Yoruba movie titled “Gbajumo”. The talented actress says, she can’t pick a particular movie as the one that shot her to limelight, because fans always love her roles in different movies. So in a way, all the movies have contributed in one way or the other to her growth in the industry.
Few days ago, she premiered her 2 latest movies titled “Alabagbe” and “Aramide Agbofinro”. City People’s Senior Showbiz Reporter, BIODUN ALAO had a chat with her and she talked about her journey into the industry. She also revealed how she came about the name “Oyita”, the challenges she has been through in the entertainment industry, and where she hopes to see herself in the next few years. Below are the excerpts.
Can you talk about your journey into the entertainment industry?
It’s been 5 years, and to God be the glory, we are here today. Actually, this is not where I want to be. I believe and I pray I will still get to where I desire to be in life. To God be the glory, that has been putting, food on our table. When we started we had to take care of ourselves and do lots of stuffs ourselves. We even had to get hotel accommodations ourselves when we go to locations, but now it is not like that any more; it is improving by the day. I give Almighty God the glory.
Did you go through any form of training to learn acting?
Yes, I did. Saheed Balogun was my boss and still my boss. also Itele the icon, they trained me in acting, they put me through lots of training because the job is actually not a easy one. Barry White also did a lot for me as well I have these three wonderful people to be grateful to for all the love, support and training they gave me.
How did you come about the name Oyita?
I started the whole entertainment thing with music. I do hip-hop. I didn’t really want people to get confused about where I am from or the tribe I belong to, so I decided to put all the initials of my names together Oyin, Tosin, Ojo, and everything together to form “Oyita”. My team sat down, talked about the name, and they all agreed it sounds good, and I decided to be using it.
What movie would you say shot you to limelight?
Every of my movies, because there is no movie. I didn’t give in my best. I have impact in every of these movies so all of them combined together has brought me to where I am today. I am very versatile, some people would say oh they like my role as “Iya Osun” in this particular movie, while some will say oh I like the very naughty and rude Oyita in that movie. so all these movies have all contributed to my growth in the industry in different ways.
How have you been able to take up all these different roles without stress?
It’s been God all the way. Like I earlier said, I have always known what I wanted in life, so I just pursued my dreams and that has really helped me a lot.
Can you tell us about the challenges you have been through as an actress?
I have experienced a whole lot of challenges, in terms of capital that is the major challenge you can achieve a whole lot of stuffs in the country we are in today, if the money is available. So naturally, it is been money. My circle is really small, but I can tell you I have beautiful people around me, and they have been so supportive. So honestly, It is just money, money and money.
Can you talk about the two movie you are priemering today?
Yes “Alabagbe” and “Aramide Agbofinro”. The Alabagbe is a bit comic, dramatic, and also full of lessons. I won’t shoot a movie without any moral lessons, because of the society we are in. Nobody wants to watch any movie without any moral lessons. They want to learn. And the movie is educative and very entertaining, same applies to the movie Aramide Agbofinro too.
Lots of people want to know about your growing up years and educational background?
I am from Ilesha in Osun State. I had my primary and secondary education in Ilesha. I attended about three different secondary schools because of the nature of my dad’s job. He was always moving from one place to another. I also schooled in Port Harcourt, then eventually had my SS3 in Lagos State.
Afterwards, I went to Lagos State Poly Annex somewhere around Egbeda. Oyita have always loved university and really wanted to go the university and finally I went to the university, but at the end of the day, I realised I was duped. I thought I was in school, not knowing that I was actually not in school, laugh! So here I am today.
Where do you hope to see your career in the next 5 years?
Greater height in Jesus name. God knows everything, but I am not going to stop what I am doing. I will just keep working and pushing so hard. I will keep praying and remain very focused.
How many movie have you produced in the cause of your career?
This is like the 10th or 12th movie, if not mistaking, in my 5 years career. I have produced lots of them such as Keji, Enu, Alami and lots of others. I have even lost count.
Which is your most challenging?
It was “Keji”, and that was because I played double roles. I played the role of “Osu”, where I had to speak Ijesha language, then I also played the role of the normal Lagos girl. So I will say, it is the most challenging because of the dual roles.
What inpires your script?
I get inspiration through my dreams at times, I daily experience, and things happening around me, especially life experiences.
Who are your role models in the industry?
IyaRainbow is my role model in the industry, she is a fantastic actress, and hasremained relevant over 3 decades in the industry. I also like actresses likeBimbo Oshin and Fathia Balogun.
READ ALSO: HOW I MET IBADAN PROPHET, MUYIDEEN KASALI
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