Toyin Haastrup is a beautiful naija born actress who lives in the US.She is good at what she does.She is talented and a damn good actress.She has lived in the US for the past 10 years and she has become very successful in life.And she has also become a US citizen.
How did she achieve all these?What is the secret of her success story.She recently told Citypeople Publisher,Seyekehinde her story. Below are excerpts.
Please introduce yourself…Who is Toyin Haastrup?
Toyin Haastrup lives in the US. She is from Osun state but she was born and raised in Lagos State.
I attended Ojuwoye primary school in Mushin.I went to Methodist girls high school, Sabo,Yaba..and I graduated from Olabisi Onabanjo University,Ago Iwoye and I have a Bachelors degree in Mass Communications.
I joined the movie industry in 2009/2010 under Murphy Afolabi’s tutelage..I was opportuned to have featured in Osumare and that was my first major role which brought me to lime light and to God be the glory I was nominated along with notable actors to come for a stage play performance presentation in the U.S and that was how my journey to USA sufface…
How did you plan your relocation ?
First and foremost I didn’t plan to relocate ,but God willing, everything changed and I was advised by my senior colleagues to stay back. I’m going to mention their names later..It was rough and tough but I thank God it worth it ..
How did you settle down?
Settling down at first was not easy, as i thought..because I didn’t have valid paper to work with or to get an apartment on your own ..All thanks to my uncle that accepted me to stay with his family,I later found a baby sitting job in New Jersey, where i was living with the family.So, that was how I was able to save up .Along the line, i met a friend of mine that we graduated from the same University that help me with this job called Under table job, for those who are yet to have their papers..After I moved back to New York I was able to rent my own apartment ..And I got married to a Black American in 2014 and that was how my life changed..For like 3 years, my acting career was on hold..
I started acting back when Alhaji Rasak Ajao(Araosan) called me to feature in one of his movies.. I also featured in Mr Dele Ogundipe’s movies.. And I later produced my own movies too (Thanksgiving day, FERANMI and STRIPPER).
How easy has it been sustaining your interest in acting in the US?
Shooting movies here in America takes a lot of challenges because of my daily job.It is very easy in Nigeria, in the sense that it is their full time job and they have crew members that work with them ..but here in America there is nothing like that ..we are working on the people’s schedule before we can go to location and all of that..
Any regrets so far?
In my journey in life I don’t regret anything..whatever I plan and if it doesn’t come out as I plan it, I learn from it.In other words,I don’t regret or loose, i always move on to the next phase,lesson learnt.
What are the sacrifices you have made along the line?
The sacrifice I’ve made so far as a woman and as an actress is if I haven’t left nigeria for U.S I would have got married or become a popular star.. I also lost my long time relationship..So I see that as a big sacrifice..
Tell me those who have been of help to you on your journey….
I want to use this medium to appreciate all the good and wonderful people for allowing God to use them for me,for the major role they played in my life.The likes of my Father, my Mentor ,Alhaji IBD Dende ,my boss Murphy Afolabi,Daddy Taiye Balofin and also the list will not complete without mentioning my senior colleagues that advised me to stay back in the U.S.I thank Bimbo Oshin,Dele Taiwo,Saidi Balogun,Sanyeri,Eniola Badmus,Kunle Adegbite and Alhaji Rasaq Ajao (Araosan).
My Fiance is a private person but I promise you once our invitation is ready I will gladly invite you..
What is your advice to those who plan to relocate to the US to begin a new life ?
For those that are planning to come to the U.S just have it at the back of your mind that you are starting a new life entirely.You have to be hard working,focused and contented with whatever you have.And don’t live beyond your income.If you keep to these rules definitely you will survive and have savings..
What are the lessons life has taught you?
That you should be kind to everyone you meet and don’t look down on people because you don’t who might help you..
America has favoured me the most, in the sense that we are able to live the life we want .Also they gave us freedom of speech.You can practice any religion or not practice any..They don’t enforce anything on their citizens..And it is easy to make ends meet here..
Basically I was able to achieve a lot of great things within the period of 10 Years…As I am chatting with you now, I am happy to tell you that I am now an America Citizen ..So America has Favoured me…
Now that you have become an American citizen what next?
First and foremost I will like to focus more on my career..Because I still have 2 movies that is still in post production process titled OSANLE and WEYINWO and after the release of this two movies, I will love to work on other big projects…
Thanks for having me..
