Joke Jigan has become a sought after Nollywood actress since her breakthrough with her popular film ‘Bisola Beyonce’. In this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, the Ogun State-born actress speaks on her career and fashion preferences. Excerpts:
What I have been up to lately
I have been working a whole lot lately and it has been hectic. In
fact, I hardly have time to rest and even concentrate on my own
production since I produced “Oyinkansola”. Honestly, it has been crazy
working round the clock. But I thank God for the grace and strength to
deliver despite the stress. When I say work, I mean I have been going
from one location to another.
My experiences at locations
Location means a whole lot to me. Acting is what I love doing and I have followed my heart ever since I discovered my passion for acting. I feel like I am with family and it is also like home away from home whenever I am with my colleagues at location. The experience is interesting, because it is also an avenue to meet new people. I also see it as an adventure, especially when we have to visit some locations and, along the line, we come across fans who will want to appreciate us. Location is fun and stressful, because there are times we work late and we have to wake up early the next day to continue from where we stopped. I like everything about location because this is where I make my money. I don’t care about the challenges. As I said earlier, it is fun at the same time, just as a saying “no pain, no gain”.
Take on rumours that locations are full of dirty games
I don’t know what you are talking about. For me, the only dirty things that happen in locations are when people are given roles that will make them look untidy, such as when someone is to act in dirty water or mud to achieve a certain scene.
On whether I have reached my peak in the industry
No. And that doesn’t mean that I am struggling; I am working hard for fame and money. I want to be rich and famous like Beyonce. You will agree with me that she still goes to the studio to record, shoot videos and go on tours despite the fact that she is famous. So, who am I to say that I have reached my peak.
Take on the insinuation that celebs go out of their way to become famous and rich
I can only speak for myself, I wouldn’t know about others; I get my money and fame from my sweats. So, I am sorry I have no idea about the insinuation that celebs go out of their way for be famous in this industry. Some people don’t understand that we have other sources of income; some run wine shops, boutique e.t.c. Personally, I am happy with the little I get from acting, because I don’t do it for free. People who know me very well will tell you that I don’t joke with money, even my close friends who are producers pay me. Shola Akintunde, popularly known as Lagata, who is my boss, pays me. So, I don’t know about the idea ‘you rub my back, I rub your back’. The truth is that I can’t work without being paid, because it is one of the principles to be successful as a business person.
How I discovered the passion for acting
Someone introduced me to Richard Oshin and I produced a movie, though we haven’t released it till date and I got to know other people through him. I later met Lagata and that connection which became an open door has made me stamp my foot in the industry. I will say that I started acting professionally in 2008 and I have been enjoying the industry since then. I see it as fun, stressful and time consuming.
Greatest challenge
Every work has its own challenges and as a result of this I am determined to face whatever comes my way in this profession. Interpreting script could be challenging sometimes, but I usually have my way with divine wisdom. I am flexible to interpret any roles.
What I would have become if not acting
I think I would have become a newscaster or an On-Air-Personality. I would have carved a niche for myself in the broadcasting profession, just as I did with acting. The secret is that there is always a way out when it comes to what you really want to do concerning your life and career. I did Diploma in Mass Communication at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and Business Management at the Lagos State University.
What I do aside acting
I run my own business and family business. I am one of the excecutives of the Jigan Security Company. It is a family company located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, which specialises in providing security personnel to companies.
My assessment of the movie industry
I think we are going places. The government should support us and also help to fight piracy.
On competition with other female actresses
No. The only person I want to be better than is who I was yesterday. I am not in a competition with anybody. If you get there before me, God wants you to watch me arrive. Of course, I have seniors as well as juniors as colleagues. I give respect to whom it is due.
My relationship like with male actors
We work together and there is no string attached. I can work with any actor I come across, but I cannot marry an actor. Divorce is not peculiar to celebrities, it happens everywhere, but people make a big deal out of it because it involves celebs. However, I can’t marry an actor and that is a personal decision I made even before I ventured into acting. In fact, I am enjoying the man in my life. We are in a relationship that is leading to marriage by His grace. I also have his full support in my acting career. So, I will not quit acting after marriage.
Why I frowned on some fans
Some fans have a way of making you really mad and expect you not to react regardless of what you are going through at the moment. This is unfair. Though we cannot run away from the fact that we are celebrities, people should also not forget that we are humans; blood also runs in our veins. I am not always like that though. It happened just once and since then, I don’t give them that power over me.
I wake up to read different comments every day: the good, bad and terrible, but it is all good because replying them wouldn’t change anything and will also not remove a strand of hair from one’s body. I have also discovered that most of these people are confused admirers; they are skeptical and also monitor one’s life. To be candid, I am not bothered, because all these happen as a result of the kind of career I have chosen. At present, I am no longer moved by these comments. I only read and ignore.
What I did when I was accused of exposing my body
I am not correcting anything about that. I don’t live my life to please people. It is my body and I wear whatever I am comfortable in. We are now in a world that some people will just choose to hate you for no reason, irrespective of whom or what you are. Even if I wear hijab and a long dress, they will still insult me. So, excuse me when I say I don’t live my life to please people. It is my life and I am living it to the fullest. I am not bitter with anybody; I just don’t owe anyone an explanation on how I live my life.
Numbers of films I have produced
I have done over 40 movies and I have produced seven movies including: ‘Bisola Beyonce’, ‘Oyinkansola’, ‘Idoti’, ‘Ikoko’, ‘Ihoho Mi’, ‘Olote’, ‘Kogbodomo’.
My most embarrassing moment
I remember the day I fell down flat inside a market. Though some people came around to pull me up, Christ! I was so embarrassed.
Definition of style
To me, it is classy and trendy. I love to be elegant and neat, because this will always speak good volumes of me.
Favourite designers
I love fashion so much and also play dresses up with my friends. Mostly, I wear whatever I am comfortable in whether long or shirt, tight or stretched. I don’t overdo it with hair and makeup, because I am not really a makeup person. I wear it when it is a must, probably if I am going for an event or photo shoot. I am not a makeup freak. I only wear anything that fits me nicely and don’t care who makes it.
Self description
I am simple and nice; as real as possible. What you see is what I am.
Beauty regimen
I go to the spa regularly. I use charisma glow products. I also eat fruits a lot and stay healthy and detoxify myself.
Favourite perfume
I wear nice perfumes; stay healthly and clean, because I am gifted with a beautiful skin.
Opinion on provocative dressing
It depends on individual’s choice. Do whatever makes you happy and wear whatever makes you comfortable.
Special treat
I unwind with friends.
Cosmetic surgery and toning
I am not in support of any of the two, because I won’t do any of them and I would not advise anyone to go for them.
My experiences at locations
Location means a whole lot to me. Acting is what I love doing and I have followed my heart ever since I discovered my passion for acting. I feel like I am with family and it is also like home away from home whenever I am with my colleagues at location. The experience is interesting, because it is also an avenue to meet new people. I also see it as an adventure, especially when we have to visit some locations and, along the line, we come across fans who will want to appreciate us. Location is fun and stressful, because there are times we work late and we have to wake up early the next day to continue from where we stopped. I like everything about location because this is where I make my money. I don’t care about the challenges. As I said earlier, it is fun at the same time, just as a saying “no pain, no gain”.
Take on rumours that locations are full of dirty games
I don’t know what you are talking about. For me, the only dirty things that happen in locations are when people are given roles that will make them look untidy, such as when someone is to act in dirty water or mud to achieve a certain scene.
On whether I have reached my peak in the industry
No. And that doesn’t mean that I am struggling; I am working hard for fame and money. I want to be rich and famous like Beyonce. You will agree with me that she still goes to the studio to record, shoot videos and go on tours despite the fact that she is famous. So, who am I to say that I have reached my peak.
Take on the insinuation that celebs go out of their way to become famous and rich
I can only speak for myself, I wouldn’t know about others; I get my money and fame from my sweats. So, I am sorry I have no idea about the insinuation that celebs go out of their way for be famous in this industry. Some people don’t understand that we have other sources of income; some run wine shops, boutique e.t.c. Personally, I am happy with the little I get from acting, because I don’t do it for free. People who know me very well will tell you that I don’t joke with money, even my close friends who are producers pay me. Shola Akintunde, popularly known as Lagata, who is my boss, pays me. So, I don’t know about the idea ‘you rub my back, I rub your back’. The truth is that I can’t work without being paid, because it is one of the principles to be successful as a business person.
How I discovered the passion for acting
Someone introduced me to Richard Oshin and I produced a movie, though we haven’t released it till date and I got to know other people through him. I later met Lagata and that connection which became an open door has made me stamp my foot in the industry. I will say that I started acting professionally in 2008 and I have been enjoying the industry since then. I see it as fun, stressful and time consuming.
Greatest challenge
Every work has its own challenges and as a result of this I am determined to face whatever comes my way in this profession. Interpreting script could be challenging sometimes, but I usually have my way with divine wisdom. I am flexible to interpret any roles.
What I would have become if not acting
I think I would have become a newscaster or an On-Air-Personality. I would have carved a niche for myself in the broadcasting profession, just as I did with acting. The secret is that there is always a way out when it comes to what you really want to do concerning your life and career. I did Diploma in Mass Communication at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State and Business Management at the Lagos State University.
What I do aside acting
I run my own business and family business. I am one of the excecutives of the Jigan Security Company. It is a family company located in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, which specialises in providing security personnel to companies.
My assessment of the movie industry
I think we are going places. The government should support us and also help to fight piracy.
On competition with other female actresses
No. The only person I want to be better than is who I was yesterday. I am not in a competition with anybody. If you get there before me, God wants you to watch me arrive. Of course, I have seniors as well as juniors as colleagues. I give respect to whom it is due.
My relationship like with male actors
We work together and there is no string attached. I can work with any actor I come across, but I cannot marry an actor. Divorce is not peculiar to celebrities, it happens everywhere, but people make a big deal out of it because it involves celebs. However, I can’t marry an actor and that is a personal decision I made even before I ventured into acting. In fact, I am enjoying the man in my life. We are in a relationship that is leading to marriage by His grace. I also have his full support in my acting career. So, I will not quit acting after marriage.
Why I frowned on some fans
Some fans have a way of making you really mad and expect you not to react regardless of what you are going through at the moment. This is unfair. Though we cannot run away from the fact that we are celebrities, people should also not forget that we are humans; blood also runs in our veins. I am not always like that though. It happened just once and since then, I don’t give them that power over me.
I wake up to read different comments every day: the good, bad and terrible, but it is all good because replying them wouldn’t change anything and will also not remove a strand of hair from one’s body. I have also discovered that most of these people are confused admirers; they are skeptical and also monitor one’s life. To be candid, I am not bothered, because all these happen as a result of the kind of career I have chosen. At present, I am no longer moved by these comments. I only read and ignore.
What I did when I was accused of exposing my body
I am not correcting anything about that. I don’t live my life to please people. It is my body and I wear whatever I am comfortable in. We are now in a world that some people will just choose to hate you for no reason, irrespective of whom or what you are. Even if I wear hijab and a long dress, they will still insult me. So, excuse me when I say I don’t live my life to please people. It is my life and I am living it to the fullest. I am not bitter with anybody; I just don’t owe anyone an explanation on how I live my life.
Numbers of films I have produced
I have done over 40 movies and I have produced seven movies including: ‘Bisola Beyonce’, ‘Oyinkansola’, ‘Idoti’, ‘Ikoko’, ‘Ihoho Mi’, ‘Olote’, ‘Kogbodomo’.
My most embarrassing moment
I remember the day I fell down flat inside a market. Though some people came around to pull me up, Christ! I was so embarrassed.
Definition of style
To me, it is classy and trendy. I love to be elegant and neat, because this will always speak good volumes of me.
Favourite designers
I love fashion so much and also play dresses up with my friends. Mostly, I wear whatever I am comfortable in whether long or shirt, tight or stretched. I don’t overdo it with hair and makeup, because I am not really a makeup person. I wear it when it is a must, probably if I am going for an event or photo shoot. I am not a makeup freak. I only wear anything that fits me nicely and don’t care who makes it.
Self description
I am simple and nice; as real as possible. What you see is what I am.
Beauty regimen
I go to the spa regularly. I use charisma glow products. I also eat fruits a lot and stay healthy and detoxify myself.
Favourite perfume
I wear nice perfumes; stay healthly and clean, because I am gifted with a beautiful skin.
Opinion on provocative dressing
It depends on individual’s choice. Do whatever makes you happy and wear whatever makes you comfortable.
Special treat
I unwind with friends.
Cosmetic surgery and toning
I am not in support of any of the two, because I won’t do any of them and I would not advise anyone to go for them.
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