By Damilola Fatunmise
Omowunmi “Mimi” Onalaja is a celebrated figure in the Nigerian entertainment landscape. She is renowned for her creative flair and serene demeanour. The 33-year-old actress opens up to The Entertainer about her career path, upcoming projects, unforgettable moments and more.
We’ve heard about your upcoming project, “School of Hearts.” What can you tell us about this project, and what attracted you to it?
I’m so excited about this one! School of Hearts is a series being made to cater to a young audience. It’s centred around teens in a school setting and my biggest attraction to it was that I get to play a teacher! I’ve always fancied myself a teacher in another life, so it was exciting to live out that dream for a short while (even as make-believe).
How do you think “School of Hearts” differs from your previous projects?
Oh! it’s definitely the energy! Young people are so expressive, dynamic and free and we got a full dose of that on this set. It was electrifying just watching them be their most creative selves while filming and I can’t wait for the world to see what we created.
Can we talk about some memorable moments in your life and career beginning from your early days?
I’ve lived a pretty happy and full life and I’m only 33! I owe a lot of who I am to my parents. My childhood was beautiful and rooted in love. I’m grateful for the adult that the love-driven upbringing I had in childhood has produced. It’s helped me navigate the industry and take on new opportunities calmly but firmly. I’ve largely remained open and optimistic throughout my journey, and it’s seen me through various transitions, from my early days as a presenter on Ebonylife TV to becoming a compere of repute and, now, an actor. There have been so many memorable moments and I’m grateful for all of them.
You’re known for your versatility as an actress. Is there a particular role you enjoy playing the most?
I don’t think I’ve even begun to scratch the surface when it comes to my versatility. I’m looking forward to putting in the work to continue to grow as an actor and tackle a wide range of characters and emotions. I can talk about my dream role though. I’ve recently got sucked into watching medical dramas and would absolutely love to play a doctor! The medical terms, the fast pace, the coats! It would be a dream!
With your growing influence in the industry, do you feel a responsibility to portray certain types of characters or stories?
Yes, there’s definitely a sense of responsibility. I will always be loyal to stories that are honest, compelling and entertaining. I’m pretty open to a wide variety of areas in the world of storytelling and will say yes to characters that I, as a person, may not even relate to, as long as the story being told does not perpetuate harm in any way.
Who are those people you admire, role models, and why do you like them?
There are so many awesome individuals who have gone ahead of me and done great things that I look up to and admire, far and near. Many of them are women, and I’m so grateful for the steps they have taken and the strides they’ve made as my journey has been made so much easier. I greatly admire people like Beyonce for her consistency, the strong brand she’s been able to build and the seeming balance she’s achieved in a very loud and intrusive world.
Oprah Winfrey and the incredible media empire she’s built as a Black woman in America is another source of inspiration for me. Closer to home, I’m a huge fan of Mo Abudu! I have had the opportunity to work with her over the years and it’s been incredible witnessing all that tenacity and grit up close. She truly embodies “if you can think it, you can do it” and I constantly pull inspiration from that and her tenacity.
Amongst my peers, Fisayo Longe, is a perfect example of a woman who lives by her own rules and gives herself the grace to fail forward while living authentically and speaking her truth unashamedly, all things I greatly respect and admire.
What are some of the principles that you hold onto in life?
My greatest life principle is being kind and extending grace. I hold myself to it greatly and try to always live by it in my daily interactions. There’s always a reason for a person’s actions and while some may be off/wrong, seeing it through the lens of kindness and grace will alter my reactions, mostly for the better.
How do you balance your acting career with your other endeavours, such as your work in media and TV/event hosting?
Thankfully, finding a balance between the different things that I do has always worked itself out. My schedule mostly aligns itself and while there are moments where it seems like I’m going non-stop and can’t catch a break, the times where I get to rest extensively more than make up for it. It’s one of the things I love the most about what I do, the flexibility of it all. I also have awesome management in The Temple Management Company and while everything working out might seem so easy, they do the hard work behind the scenes to ensure it all aligns perfectly.
What would be your advice to any young female who wants to join Nollywood?
My advice to young female Nollywood hopefuls is simple: be willing to put in the work, do not be afraid to reach out to anyone in the pursuit of your goals (the worst you will get is a no), be patient but resilient and most importantly, do not lose who you are in the process.