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By Rita Okoye
Mercy Aigbe-Adeoti is one of Nollywood’s leading actresses and filmmakers, celebrated for her versatility in both Yoruba and English-language films. With a career spanning over two decades, she has remained a prominent force in the industry as an actress, producer, entrepreneur, and fashion icon.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, she speaks about her career, latest projects, and journey in Nollywood.
What does Scar-2-Shine mean to you?
When you think about it, Scar-2-Shine is a very powerful concept. The scars that challenge us the most eventually become what shape us. Most times, the scars we try to hide become our strength, growth, and purpose. I have so many stories I can share because to shine is not easy. On the road to success, there will be many hurdles and challenges, trust me. People look at Mercy today, all dressed up, beautiful, and shining… but to God be the glory. It wasn’t easy at the beginning.
Can you share one of those stories with us?
The creative industry is both beautiful and very demanding. I have probably shared this story before, but this is just for people to learn, relearn, teach, encourage, and motivate each other.
Several years ago, I was on the set of a movie called Akuko Ija. I don’t know if you saw it; Wemimo Olu Paul produced the movie. The movie had Femi Branch and me wearing the same lace outfit and everything. While we were filming, a colleague of mine—another actor—was in a hurry, trying to speed things up so he could go to another set. That actor was Uncle Yomi Fash-Lanso. I then asked which set he was going to, and he mentioned the film’s title.
I was surprised. I was supposed to be in that film. The production manager and producer had called me to ask me to star in the movie. They had even given me a script, but no one ever got back to me. So, I picked up my phone and called the producer, who happened to be my friend. When she picked up the call, I said, “Hi, babe. This is Mercy.” The first thing she said was, “Who is Mercy?” I thought it was a joke, so I repeated, “This is Mercy.”
Her reply was, “You’d better introduce yourself properly. I don’t have time, and I’m going to cut the phone!” I started to wonder if we were fighting, but I replied, “Okay, it’s Mercy Aigbe.” She said, “Hmm, the only Mercy that I know is Mercy Johnson. But what do you want?”
I was baffled. I had to ask, “Are we fighting? Uncle Yomi said he was coming to your set, and I know you invited me for this job. The production manager called me, and there was no follow-up call.”
And then, she asked me where I was. I replied that I was on set in Ibadan filming. Her follow-up question was, “Who gave you permission to go to any set?” I was surprised. That was when she explained, “If you want me to be calling you for my jobs, you have to be getting permission from me before you go on any set.”
This startled me. I had dedicated four years of my life to this craft, and now I had to ask someone for permission to do my job? She went on to say that I had to get a form, request a lot of permissions, and that she would be the one to tell me who to work with and which jobs to take. She said, “Once you’re under me, under my guidance, you can’t go anywhere I don’t approve.”
Don’t forget that I said this person was my friend. So you can imagine how I felt listening to all of this. And then she followed up by saying that the sky is big enough for all birds to fly without touching each other. It is funny now, but at the time I was an up-and-coming actor, just starting in the industry. I felt so bad, and I cried.
In life, your scars are going to come with disappointment; people will misunderstand you. I was discouraged and demoralised. But I found courage. That is one thing you need to be successful in the creative industry. I kept going. There is a need to believe in yourself and believe in your journey, and I kept going because I believed in myself. I kept attending auditions and giving my best.
This person—is she still your friend?
In a way. We met on set several times after that, but for about three years, we didn’t talk. During that period, if I were given just two scenes, I would play them as if my life depended on it. I believed that a producer or filmmaker might see just that one scene. You know how people check into a hotel, turn on Africa Magic, and a random scene from a movie is playing? It may be just that one scene that a person watches, and they become captivated because this girl gave a stellar performance.
Four years after that incident, my phone rang, and guess who was calling? My friend! She said, “Hello, Mercy, how are you?” I responded, “Hello, who is speaking?” She asked if I was okay, and I asked if she was okay too, but I added, “Would you please introduce yourself properly or else I’m going to cut the phone.” She responded that I get angry too easily. It turned out that she was calling me for a job, and it made me so emotional. Since then, she has called me for more than three or four jobs.
Because I am a very forgiving person, I went and did my job. And when I got there, I brought my A-game. It was like I was going to the war front. I kill whatever role I am given. I’m sharing this because, as an individual, you have to keep at it and don’t compare your journey to others. After all, your time will come.
Also, growth is very important, and it is not pretty. It is like taking a seed and burying it; it has to die first before it blossoms beautifully. You have to keep learning, reinventing yourself, and adding value to who you are.
What does it take to be a bankable actor and sustain it in this industry?
One thing I’ve learned is that talent alone does not guarantee success in this industry. Please don’t get me wrong, talent is very important, but discipline, character, and growth are equally vital. One of the things that has helped me stay in this industry for a long time is being true to myself and authentic. People connect to what they see as real. I know a lot of actors who, when they act, you cannot connect with. You can play different characters, but be authentic.
Also, don’t stop learning; it is a continuous process. Keep bettering yourself—go for courses or find a mentor. Evolve, reinvent, and continuously package yourself. Make your brand appealing to people. Whether you like it or not, it is a very competitive space.
Finally, whatever is trending, get with it. Three years ago, I told the lead character in my movie that she was too quiet on social media. I am not saying you should become a tyrant, but you need to continuously put yourself out there because people only remember who they see. You must look for a way to appeal to all generations. Move with the times.
When I made my film, Ada Omo Daddy, I had to turn my husband into a content creator. I used my husband; he danced, and he sold the film. At one point, I even gave my husband iro and buba to wear for content. People insulted and insulted me on social media, saying I had turned my husband into something else, but it didn’t matter. My husband and I knew how much money had gone into making that film.
Your final word to creatives?
Do not lose yourself to fit into any space, because growth is continuous. Also, stop using your social media accounts to troll people. You’re a creative, an entrepreneur, and you’re using your business page to troll? You are only hurting yourself. You’re an up-and-coming actor, and you’re using your page to troll? Later, you’ll say your village people are behind your problems.
Use your social media handles as your CV, and be kind. You do not know what people are going through. The fact that we are celebrities and public figures doesn’t mean we aren’t humans. I am an Amazon, who is very focused, regardless of what people do.
