be penalized for it, as her impeccable dress sense
stands her out from the crowd. Toyin Adegboola,
one of Nollywood screen goddesses in the Yoruba
genre otherwise known as Asewo to re Mecca, in
this interview reveals her fashion sense, including
her obsession for gold trinkets and accessories.
She also talks of her foray into politics and why
she proudly bears the screen name that launched
her from obscurity to the centre stage.
What is good grooming to you?
Good grooming to me means looking your best on
all occasion.
What type of jewelry do you love most?
I love gold with a passion, not ordinary gold. I
mean pure gold, as a matter of fact my love for
gold jewelry prompted me to come up with a
movie entitled “Iyawo oni gold”. Although I like
beads too but it’s on occasional basis.
Do you copy other people’s style in the industry?
(Laughs) I don’t copy people’s style. I love my
style and believe in myself, Yeye Oluwatoyin
Adegbola knows her onions when it comes to
fashion and style.
Don’t you feel weird with your trademark low
cuts?
Yea, my people testify to it, you see appearing in
low cut hair style sometimes changes my look,
some people even call me sweet 16, and I love it.
Your facial makeup, do you do it yourself or you
have a makeup artist?
I have a makeup artist that makes me up any
time I am going out for any event, you know as a
public figure, you are expected to appear
gorgeous at all times and as Yeye that knows
what’s in vogue, I think I love to dazzle my fans
with my eye popping appearance even when I am
not on set
Do you have time to hang out with friends?
No, you know the nature of our job, traveling all
around, moving from one film location to another,
it has not been easy. Even to go to gym a times,
seems to be difficult due to our time- taking
career and that has been one of the major
challenges involved in acting.
How did you come by the name: Ajoke asewo tore
Mecca (Ajoke, the prostitute who went to
Mecca)?
Oga Belo, my mentor, brought the name to
limelight. I could remember I was still a civil
servant when he called me to feature in the movie
and played the character of a wayward woman,
Ajoke Asewo tore Mecca” and since then people
have been calling me by the name.
Aren’t you embarrassed by the name?
Do I have a choice? Initially I wanted to decline it,
but the more I tried, the more people called the
name, even when I went to Jerusalem, my fellow
Nigerian pilgrims still addressed me by the name.
Some even changed it to Asewo tore Jerusalem.
But now, I am flying with the name to the extent
that I make it known to people everywhere that I
am the only international Asewo with a NAFDAC
number.(Smiles)
The name has rather brought me money and
fame, you know what?
My people know me to be a respectful, reliable
and God -fearing mother. It was just a role I
played.
We hear you are now a politician.
Yes I am now a politician, not that I am
neglecting acting for politics, it’s just that my
people from Osun State sent for me to represent
my community, even I was invited by Ogbeni Rauf
Aregbesola to partake in the development of my
state.
You know when you are good in any of your
chosen career; people will appreciate your effort.
But you said acting doesn’t allow you to hang
out with friends, so how would create time to
serve the people of Osun?
Hmmm, I think I just have to put some things in
order to make it work, that’s the only way I could
pay my people back, because without them, there
would have been no me. My fans always boost
my morale and this keeps me going.
What’s the biggest challenge being a celebrity?
The major point is that your freedom is restricted
as soon as you become a public figure, there are
so many things you would have loved to do as a
normal person, but being a celebrity you need to
be careful because all eyes are on you, especially
from the press.
If you were given an opportunity to change
anything in the movie industry, what would that
be?
Firstly, I would stop multiple productions and ban
indecent home videos. I would love to abide by
our formal rules, which stipulates that not more
than five films should be produced per month.
Secondly, I would adjust our ladies’ mode of
dressing.
Advice to the up-coming artistes
Be focused and put your trust in God, though
distraction will surely show its ugly face, but
shun it and keep moving.
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