MY BEAUTY, A THREAT TO COLLEAGUES -UPCOMING ACTRESS, AWELE ODITA

My shyness instantly disappears on set’

She’s an Ibo lady; Delta Ibo to be precise, but her good rendition of dialogue in Yoruba language has endeared her to more movie producers. This has made Awele one of the most sought-after in recent times in Yoruba movies. The secret behind this great success was shared with AJIBADE ALABI at a location somewhere in Egan, Lagos. Excerpts:

You are new in the industry and a lot of people don’t know how you suddenly became sought-after, so who is Awele? 

My name is Awele Odita, I joined the make-believe world in 2009 under the able leadership of Muyiwa Ademola, a.k.a Muyiwa Authentic. I had to leave home and relocate to Ibadan to get trained. I was born in Asaba and raised in Abeokuta, Ogun State. My mum is a teacher in the state, but we are from Asaba in Delta state.

What did you study at school?

I had my ND and HND in Mass Communication as well as did my youth service in Abeokuta.

What are your challenges?

I have been very fortunate amongst my peers. I’ve been featuring in movies, despite the fact that I am not Yoruba, yet I have been able to cope very well and I have always been on demand by producers. With this, the God I serve has really made it easy for me. Another thing is I am a very shy person, but when it comes to the delivery of lines before camera, the

shyness in me will disappear. That’s weird and it’s something I can’t even explain. Another thing is the great beauty God has bestowed on me, not in the physical alone and the ability to grasp and interpret well has really helped and some see this as threat most times.

Your acting career, how did it begin?

Well, as a communication student back at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, I can say that’s where the interest started from. Once we were in our HND year, we were given options of where to major. The classifications were three: Broadcasting, Advertising and Public Relations. I preferred broadcast, meanwhile, acting is involved and that’s where I cultivate it and here I am today.

When fully engaged in acting, what was your parents’ disposition towards it?

My mum and dad approved it right from the outset. They gave me all the necessary support despite different stories people tell about actors. They have been supportive all through.

There’s this assertion that being a lady, you must have a lover within the industry if you really want to make headway. How real is this?

From the outset, in my group, we had been warned by my boss, Muyiwa Ademola, that we should not consider sleeping around as a route to stardom. He did warn that only God can make you a star not human being. And of a fact, sleeping around isn’t working, only great talent does. I am determined to use my educational background and all I have got as talent to

get to the top as a great artiste, so help me God. Though it’s not easy surviving in the industry, with the passion one has for the job; good up-bringing and determination to live a scandal free life, I have been able to survive it and I will continue to survive. Many see me as a little young girl that needs to be projected, and with that, I always found myself from one location to the other. It’s the Lord’s doing!

How do you cope with men?

There are lots of them on my trail, but one has to use one’s wisdom to live a moderate and normal life.

How many movies have you featured in?

Actually, I have featured well in a good number, I have played the sub-lead roles and many times short roles, but the joy there is, roles come in at will and I believe the sky is my starting point. These are the movies I have taken part in: Awure Eni, Ajangbila, Aja, Koboko, Se Ko Wale, Atunida, Omo t’oja, Omo Olodo and Emi Ado.

So when are you coming up with yours?

Yes! I have it in plan to produce my movie soon. I am working seriously on it and it is coming as a big statement in the movie world. The knowledge I garnered as a communication graduate and the experience I had as a trainee under Muyiwa Ademola really helped me. The movie I am coming out with shall be a reference point in the industry.

Your love life, who’s the lucky guy?

I am not married yet; I’m single.

Could you tell us your first experience with a man?

Yeah, it happened when I was in ND 2 at the Polytechnic. My up-bringing was the root cause of my abstinence from men. We were well brought up in a Christian way. So, it took me so long to date a man.

When the relationship started, did you see yourself to have missed a lot?

(Smiles) Not at all, I cherish my abstinence because it really helped me focus well.

Besides acting, what other thing do you do?

Actually, I am into business, I do buying and selling of wears.

Are you restricted to Abeokuta alone having being based there?

Well, I can say I am everywhere. Remember, my boss is based in Ibadan and anytime he has location, he calls me. Likewise, my people in Abeokuta and Lagos within the Odunfa Caucus invite me too. There’s a young man there who has featured me severally, his name is Yinka Oladele and our bosses there: Yinka Quadri, Abbey Lanre, Ogogo, Sunny Ali and the likes of

Bayo Tijani, Owolabi Ajasa, Afeez Eniola and many more are all great people that inspire me a lot in my career. What I really believe is working for me is my calmness and belief in God. He makes stardom, and that has really been working for me.