By Agatha Emeadi
From the University of Lagos, Adeoluwa Okusaga Oluwapelumi, popularly known as Saga, graduated in flying colours as an electrical engineer.
Upon graduation, he worked in Halliburton, Belema oil and Oil serve firms at different times.
Not satisfied and saturated with a burning desire in entertainment, Saga in the comfort of his Port Harcourt home auditioned for Big Brother Shine Your Eye Season Six edition and scaled through all the hurdles.
This saw him in the Big Brother House where he spent nine weeks with other housemates.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he said: “I am an electrical engineer and a great Akokite. But here I am today, a full-blown actor, artist, influencer, content creator, reality TV star and lots more.”
How did you get into your career as an actor?
I have always wanted to be an actor. But I did not have the connection and how to go about it because I am an engineer and a reality television star. I did not know what steps to take. But then, luckily for me, the opportunity presented itself through my friend, Uzee Usman, who called me sometime that he wanted me on a project as an actor. I was so shocked. I said, why me? So, I flew to Abuja and did a good job that recommended me to other people. With that referral, I did a few other films in Abuja and flew back to Lagos.
How did you rise to stardom?
I cannot tell my stories without mentioning Big Brother Naija (BBN) because that was the show that brought me to limelight. I auditioned from my Port Harcourt apartment in Rivers State as an engineer working offshore. I made it all through the audition processes into the House and was shocked. The moment I got into the House, I asked myself, ‘how did I get here? Big Brother was the platform that put me up. Spending nine weeks in the House, where there was commotion, drama, ups and down, but then I was able to convert everything to blow myself up. I can boldly say that I have always had the star energy. I have always been a guy who will always top the room even as an engineer working offshore. I will always be the one who will call everybody out for a dance or work-out. When we threw office parties then, I would be the life of the party, be at the centre dancing, showing up stylishly. Big Brother, therefore, became the canvass that really blew me up.
Parents then loved professions like Engineering, Law, Medicine/Surgery, Accounting etc, what was their feeling when you dropped your engineering work and showed interest in the entertainment industry, and now that you have made it?
Growing up, I had a passion for the arts. I loved drawing and painting. Those were my real passion. I was a very brilliant student, was excellent in mathematics and technical drawing, physics and all science subjects. My dad advised me to study engineering in school, that it will also afford me the opportunity to paint and draw. I actually wanted to study architecture in school. So, I gained admission into University of Lagos and studied Electrical Engineering. When I was through with that, I took a training in arts and started drawing and my dad was not supportive of that at first. He actually wanted me to practice my engineering, but that was not my thing. So, I went for a six days training where I paid N50,000 and my friend, Raji Bamidele, taught me how to draw. I started blowing up as an artist. Within the first six months of learning how to draw, I was already part of the best artists nominated for Nigeria artists awards. So, it was a big blow up for me. From there I went for my National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) and got opportunities to work as an offshore engineer which I did not turn down. So, at a point I became a part-time engineer and part-time artist. My dad was still preaching ‘Guy focus on Engineering,’ but I did not agree. It was battle at a time, but this is where we are today. Then, during COVID-19, I started working as an online fitness coach. I am a bunch of talents. There was Big Brother after COVID-19 and there was acting after Big Brother. Right now, my dad to the glory of God is super proud of me. He loves and supports everything that I do. He has seen my passion which I am doing with all my energy. I love what I am doing and it makes me happy.
How are you coping with the rise?
Well, first of all, I did not make mistake to lose my friends. So, I kept a lot of my childhood friends and family closer than before. I do not have my heads in the clouds or follow fake people around. My friends and family ground me and do not allow the rise to get into my head. When it comes down to eat, I am with my family and friends. Again, personally, I consider myself as a humble person. When it comes to attention and fans, I do my best to acknowledge them, but do not give them the opportunity to dictate how I live my life. That is how I handle my rise.
What opportunities has being an actor brought to you?
Though I was getting brand endorsement, but with being a celebrity now, it is giving me a bigger platform for endorsements because I am an actor. I also touch lives especially when people send me direct message (DM) to me that my movies touch them, my art works inspire them.
What about the challenges that come with being famous?
It is a lot. Right now, I am very careful with things that I post on social media, what I say and things I wear because I understand I am an influencer, people look up to me. So, I do not want to mislead people; or mess up my name. I would not want to do anything that could be misinterpreted by the public. I want to be a good example to people. I am very choosy with how I present the life I live to the public. Again, another challenge is time management. Acting is a very vigorous task. We work round the clock and it is a tough one. Though I try as much as possible to get seven to eight hours of sleep and go to the gym as well. I do my best.
How is the society treating you as an actor?
Gladly, the society has been very receptive of my work. Anything that is art is always subjective to people’s opinion. Art is not accepted by all. But so far, so good, I have not gotten any negative response on my work as an actor. I am very happy and proud. When my movies are uploaded on YouTube, I see a lot of positive comments, it brings tears close to me because there is no bigger joy than an applause from people on an actor’s work.
How was growing up?
I grew up from a very entertaining family. I am the only son with two sisters. My mother of blessed memory was simply the best. She would call all of us together to dance, act, do competitions and sing for her. That is why I have a lot of her drawings and paintings I did as a kid. So, growing up was fun, my mother was full of life, she exposed us in ways that we are still benefitting from those exposures till date.
What advice would you give to upcoming actors?
I would say, do not give up on your dream. But notwithstanding develop your talent. Watch movies, you cannot say you are an actor who do not watch Nigerian movies because you need to watch and learn from other people’s mistakes and build yourself to be original. Put yourself out there. Thank God for the emergence of social media. You can do a lot of things and post online for people to see. Shoot your shots, enter the DMs of movie producers and directors; they will check your page where you will sell yourself as an actor, then invite you for audition. Your page will be the first that will sell you before audition. When you go for an audition, breathe and put out your best.