My parents actually wanted me to be medical or veterinary doctor – Tayo Faniran

By Agatha Emeadi

Tayo Faniran rose to stardom after he represented Nigeria in the Big Brother Africa Season 9 (Hotshot) in 2014, in South Africa. 
He was not the winner, but finished as one of the runners-up. Even as an actor and model, BB-Africa brought him to limelight and everything changed for him.
Faniran said: “It was a great experience that changed my life forever.”
As the jinx was broken, Faniran finds himself taking lead roles in movies.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, he said that his parents wanted him to be a medical doctor and, therefore, did not understand his entertainment journey until the jinx was broken in South Africa.
He said: “When I came back, my dad hugged me and said ‘I am proud of you.’”

How did you get into your acting career?
I started my acting career professionally in 2014; but before then I was a professional model in South Africa from 2008. Even as I’m  a known proficient model, I was involved in Television commercials. Though the difference between TV commercials and films are wide, but there are a lot of similarities. After I started as an actor, it was a new journey that began for me. Again, when I was in Big Brother House, we used to have coaches come there to groom and train us in acting every week. By the time I came out as a housemate, in 2015, I was called by Tinsel TV series on African Magic and that was where I started.

How did you rise to stardom? 
I would say that 2014 was the year I got into limelight because that was when I represented Nigeria at the Big Brother Africa platform. It was the biggest platform for a reality show in Africa then. So, being a housemate from Nigeria was huge. That was when I got the stardom. It has been amazing since then. As I came out, my life changed and everything about me changed and I had to adjust to the new life. I was overwhelmed with the love, celebration I got from people and I am grateful to God that it continued till date.

Parents then didn’t like entertainment, rather they preferred professionals like doctors, engineers, accountants etc. What was their feeling when you showed interest in the entertainment industry?
Honestly, my parents actually wanted me to be a medical or veterinary doctor or some sort of professional career. But since my childhood, I have always loved entertainment. I would perform for my siblings at home, in school and church. I have always loved entertainment. So, from secondary school, I was not liking studies anymore because I knew I wanted to be an actor. But in the beginning of my acting career, my parents did not understand it. Even when I made it to South Africa to go and model, they did not understand it. Today, I am grateful to God for the parents I am blessed with because they took the risk of supporting me even though what I wanted to do was not very clear to them. What broke the Carmel’s back was when I represented Nigeria in Big Brother Africa, that was the biggest thing that opened their eyes. Coming from a community called Ilara in Oyo area, Oyo State, to represent Nigeria in the biggest TV platform in Africa was huge. So, when I came back, my dad for the first time hugged me and said: “I am proud of you.” That got my head swollen and an encouraged me to do better.

How are you coping with the rise?
With the rise? I am coping by the grace of God. It has not been easy. When a lot of people who are around me are not okay, I will also not be okay. My mother and my siblings do not stress me and do not put pressure on me financially; but personally, I am not usually okay when my people are not okay. I also feel the present economic situation in the country which has affected my businesses, so it has not been easy. We are all crying together.

What opportunities being an entertainer has brought to you? Also talk about the challenges the rise has brought as well?
Being an entertainer has actually opened doors for me. I have a traceable profile to protect which is also a huge responsibility. At the same time, it is a huge blessing for me in the sense that wherever I go to in this world, I have a traceable profile. I have a verified identity which has brought me to a state of a leader. I have a lot of younger ones looking up to me. I have come through a great fact in my career though the ups and downs are not unnoticed; yet, I have a lot of people who are learning from my process and it is a source of inspiration to me. I always want to push harder because I know my life is motivating someone out there. Again, there are privileges here and there and I am grateful to God for all the blessings.

How is the society treating you as an actor? Share an experience?
I will not say that the society is treating me bad, not at all, rather there are blessings. I do enjoy privileges of people recognizing and being nice to me. When I go to an organization, I am recognized and they are nice to me. Even when I am on the street, it is always a lot of Baba-Baba, anything for your boys? Every one sees you as someone who is doing better than them, carrying a blessing they can tap from. They do not see me as someone who has his own responsibilities and challenges. Sometimes, I also take time to explain that ‘look I also have one or two challenges too, I am human as well.’ But they do not understand it that way. They believe I have a lot more to offer. Everyone looks up to you and come to you. Sometimes people will also see you, like you and decide to be good to you. Other times, people will misunderstand one and brand him or her whatever they think due to the character one played in a movie, or what they read on social media. And these are people who do not know your true personality.

How was growing up? Talk about your family, parents and siblings?
Growing up was great. I enjoyed growing up in Oyo though we were left with little or no opportunity then. We were always at the last of the table when it comes to things on social or entertainment industry. That time a music or fashion that has reigned in Lagos would hit Oyo after one year. Growing up there taught me a lot of things. I am deeply rooted. I can boldly say that I am both a traditional and cultural man. I know who I am as a Yoruba man. I know the dignity and pride that comes with culture and tradition. Wherever I go to, I can never forget the son of who I am. So, growing up was fun. I am glad that it played a major role in the person I have become today. My father passed unto glory in 2015, my mum and siblings are all doing very well. I am the last of seven from a family of two boys and five girls. My sisters are my mothers because they are much older than me and spoilt me when we were growing up.

What advice would you give to upcoming actors?   
As an actor that wants to be great, just keep pushing, believe in yourself. There definitely would be a lot of challenges, and pains. There would be times you want to quit, but if it is what you really want, stay there and keep pushing. A day will come and you will smile. If you really love what you do, you will make exploits. For someone like me, I started doing entertainment when I did not know I would make money from it. I love it and worked hard to see doors opened for me. However, the world is a battle field, it does not end, one will keep forging ahead, believing in yourself is key. Finally, do not stop, do not relent.