Bold, gorgeous, and intelligent, Damilola Oni is a producer and actress on the rise. Despite having worked in the pretend industry for nearly ten years, the top-heavy actress claims her career in film has only just begun. She discusses her ambitions with SEGUN ADEBAYO in this interview.
When you reflect on your path thus far and the future you hope to create for yourself, what steps do you believe you need to take to maintain your prominence?
I believe my motivation for coming here is sufficient to keep me current. I got here thru work, prayer, and never giving up on myself, so as long as I keep doing that and improve at it, I should be alright. This time, all I need to do is work strategically and make more of an effort to get the word out there that there is a Damilola Oni and that she makes her income as an actor. I therefore plan to collaborate more with producers who have established a solid reputation for being deserving and valuable. The idea is to make the name more popular.
Having collaborated with well-known skit creator Mr. Macaroni on several sketches, how would you characterize his demeanor?
– I’ve known Mr. Macaroni for at least the past seven years. I met Jide Awobona through Debo and he’s a nice person I met through a buddy. He is an incredibly trustworthy and selfless individual. He is one of those people that looks past emotions and sees you first as a fellow human being. That’s the reason I think he’s great and I appreciate talking to him more than anyone else.
Which would you choose to do? A film or a skit?
Naturally, I would adore to direct a feature film. Even still, it’s good to observe how the lockout and other circumstances contributed to the growth of the skit industry and its current status as a standalone industry. I won’t think twice about accepting an invitation to participate in a skit, but I prefer watching a real movie over skits.
Is it true that being top-heavy is a selling point?
To be honest, I have no idea what top-heavy really implies, but everyone has a unique personality and selling point. Because of the social media environment, I suppose that having an appealing figure makes me desirable, and I can call it a selling point. The other sex then exhibits a photochromic memory, meaning that they would prefer to focus on what they see over everything else. According to what you said, being top-heavy is a major selling factor in my opinion.
How do you try to stand out in an industry full of characters and cultures that are diverse?
Damilola Oni is different and from a different background. Way back, I have noticed that we don’t try to embrace what is ours. Intentionally, I studied Linguistics in Yoruba language at the University of Ibadan and I had my Master’s degree in Indigenous Knowledge and Development, also leaning towards that path of culture, tradition and to embrace originality. When it comes to language, if I am speaking Yoruba language, I speak the deep Yoruba language and when I am speaking English too, (I speak) as a linguist. I am lucky to be able to speak effectively in English Language. I think that is one thing that has differentiated me from any other person in the industry.
Does it bother you that the Yoruba movie industry does not pay its practitioners well enough, compared to what obtains in other climes?
people say I want people to see me. I want to step on the stage and people would talk. I enjoy attention.
It must really be hard finding true love, isn’t it?
Finding true love is not hard, but I have always been unlucky with finding somebody within my age bracket asking me out. It has always been like that and I can’t complain; it is just life happening to me.
Or have you found the love of your life?
I guess the love of my life is on his way; hopefully he will arrive very soon or alight from the train or come in a private jet.
