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By Agatha Emeadi
Yvonne Jegede is a popular Nollywood actress, an entrepreneur and a businesswoman.
The first of 10 children, she recalled in an interview with Sunday Sun that in her early days as an actor, her father did not feel the entertainment industry was a noble profession. “But today, he is glad to tell everyone that he’s my father.”
She also spoke on other issues.
What attracted you to the entertainment industry?
First, I had an uncle (he’s late now) who was an actor. I used to be very intrigued to see a celebrity, super star come to the house to see my parents. That was my first attraction. Secondly, what really got me into it was when I ran into Uncle Charles Novia who put me through it all. But my first attraction was my uncle.
Back in the days, many parents wanted their children to be doctors, engineers, lawyers, and so on. How did yours feel when you joined the entertainment industry?
My parents were like every other parent, especially at a time when entertainment was not seen as a profession. It was really tough for me to convince my dad to allow me go into acting. I had my fair share of being a rebellious child, so it was not easy for me and was not easy for my parents to accept it. Eventually, my father accepted and that is now history.
So how do they feel now?
It was a battle then, but now, my parents especially my father does not hesitate to tell people that ‘I am her father.’ It is even more fulfilling for me that my son is proud to have an actress as his mother.
Who gave you your first role and how was the first film experience?
My very first role was a movie series called ‘Blaze of Glory.’ It was a production done by Alpha Vision which was owned by Tajudeen Adepetu at the time. I played the role of a non-speaking character in one scene and that was the beginning of everything.
How did you become a filmmaker?
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I became a filmmaker through a friend ChinneyLove Eze. I had just come back from school and was trying to get back to the industry. I had shot a couple of films for other people and she was a producer at the time and had just finished producing a film that I was in. Then, she came to my house, turned around and said to me, why don’t you produce your own film? I actually saw when she came into the industry and under my watch, in a very short time, she had become a fantastic producer. She said, she needed to encourage me. I thought over it and said it is not a bad idea. That was how I started film production in 2014.
Where has being an actor and entertainer taken you to in the society?
Well, first, being an actor and entertainer has been a very graceful job. Secondly, it is a job that opens doors for one. It is a job that can mould someone’s future if well navigated. As an actor, I have been able to meet certain people in certain places – and very important people. Again, I have received lots of favours as well.
If you were not an actor, what would you have loved to be?
As a child, I thought being a beauty queen was what I wanted. But apparently I am not tall enough. But, if I was not an actor, I definitely would have been doing something off the screen, something very quiet and private.
How does the society see you as an actor and filmmaker?
The society most of the time sees actors as a reflection. They want you to act in a certain way, they already have a stereotype of how they want you to act and expect you to be exactly; but they forget that everything is scripted. They see you as a canvas and paint a picture of how you should be. One would be lucky if painted colourfully. But, if they paint you black, no matter what you do or say, you will always go off the radar. Most times they see celebrities and have a ready picture of what they want in their head. For example, there was a time I met someone at the airport, on that day, I was really having a bad day. I was on the phone already yelling and shouting. This fellow walked up to say hello, I am a fan. I shouted that I am on the phone, she felt offended. Later, she thought it appropriate to come back and give me a lecture on how to be nice. But, even if I wasn’t upset at the time, she clearly saw that I was on the phone. So, people should not just create pictures on their head and ask one to follow it. But then again, we are all humans.
Can you tell us about the films and works that won you awards?
I won the ‘Best dual performance award for the movie ‘OJ sisters’ alongside Uche Jumbo. That did very well for me. Then the movie I produced and co-executive produced with Marilyn Campbell won nine awards at the TIF festival awards. That was a breaking point for me as a movie maker.
What do you think about marriage? Some celebrities are interested while some are not
I was once married and divorced now. Relationship is important and should be kept private. For marriage, it is a beautiful institution between two people; I have done that before and it did not work. So I would rather channel my energy to doing other things, but at the same time, it is not a complete closed door. Anything can happen, minds could change, but at the moment I want to channel my energy doing something resourceful for myself, community, and my people. Empowering people now gives me joy. Presently, I am very fine, but maybe sometime later in life, it might cross my mind to try the missionary journey again.
How was growing up?
I was born in my village, in Agenebode LGA, Etsako North, Edo State. I grew up in different places as a child. My formative year was in Kano where I attended Sunny Day Private School. We came back to Edo and I went to Auchi Polytechnic Staff School before my parents settled in Lagos where I completed my primary school. As the first of ten children, there is a huge age gap between my siblings and I. So, I became a mother to them, not because my mother was not there, but for the age difference and what the society is. That is where I developed the nurturing habit that has stalked with me till date. I cannot see what is wrong and ignore it. Those years formed who I am today.
What advice do you have for young girls who want to be like you?
My advice for young girls who want to be like me is, be yourself, be original. You cannot be anybody else and that is the unique thing about creation of life. Be authentic, be true to yourself?
