She’s big, bold and beautiful. Opeyemi Olusanya, a script-writer, actress and producer, joined the nation’s movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood, in 1999. And having delighted her far-flung fans with her acting skill in a number of popular movies, Opeyemi, who is also into business, has now found another love: Directing. In this no-holds-barred online interview with BABATUNDE SULAIMAN, vivacious Olusanya, a graduate of Computer Science from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, talks about her passion for acting, idiosyncrasies, love life and How long have you been in the movie industry?

I joined the movie industry in 1999. Actually, it was after I graduated from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, where I obtained a degree in Computer Science.

These days, you seldom appear in movies. So, could you say what you have been doing lately?

Well, I have been busy with my other businesses that I had to leave for movies.

What other businesses are you talking about?

I do buying and selling and I do one or two contracts that come my way. Apart from this, I am into events management. You see, I am doing this because the industry is not really doing well, especially because of piracy.

So, when was the last time you acted in a movie and what was the title?

Well, I am not off the screen yet. I still acted in some movies about a month ago. I recently featured in some movies like Oboro, Kokoro ate and they just came out. In fact, some of these movies came out on Monday, but I can’t remember their titles. Apart from this, I have just finished some of my own productions too.

Did you say some of your own productions?

Yes, my own movies, Ayagbangba (boldness) and Tiara.

When are they coming out?

They are coming out soon, but we are still putting finishing touches to them. They should be out of the studio soon and then I can get them censored.

I understand you have also joined the list of directors in the Yoruba home movie industry.

Yes, I do direct movies too.

Why did you go into directing and did you undergo any training in it?

First and foremost, I do script-writing and I write good scripts too. So, I believe that I alone can understand the script I write. And because of this, I believe I should also know how I want my script to be acted out. Consequently, I had to go for training in directing.

So, where did you go for the training?

For me to do a good job, I had to look for one of the best directors in the industry and I found that in Saidi Balogun. I went to him and he sure did a very good job on me.

So, Saidi taught you directing?

I trained as a director under Saidi Balogun Productions and stole some ideas from Kunle Afod too.

So, which of the two do you prefer most; acting or directing?

I enjoy them all: Acting, script-writing, directing and producing.

Have you directed any movie?

Yes. I co-directed Ojo Ori with Saidi Balogun; I also co-directed Oba Asa 1& 2; My Dream, My Life; Tiara and Aimokan.

So, how would you describe your experience so far?

Though it has been hectic, it is also full of fun.

Which is more lucrative; acting or directing?

Acting.

So, if you have been busy acting, directing and doing business, how do you create time for your boyfriend?

He’s not in the country, so I am busy with the other things that I do.

So, you don’t see each other regularly?

Yes. We are not married yet and we don’t live together, so we really don’t see each other often.

Opeyemi, the last time we spoke, you told me you had broken up with your guy then; so, when did you go back to him?

We made up. You too like amebo (gossip)! But mind you, my private life is still very private.

This is interesting! You made up with somebody who was battering you in public, as you told me. Certainly, this must be true love!

No! I never went back to that guy.

Ha! I wonder. I was thinking you went back to him.

I told you then that I had another boyfriend and that he wasn’t in the country. And that was why I broke up with him. The distance was an issue then and I was getting tempted here too. But we are back together now.

So, what does this new guy do for a living?

He is a medical person.

And he does not complain about your acting profession?

No. He doesn’t complain for now o, maybe in the future because men can be very funny.

Yeah, earlier, you said you were getting tempted here…Could you explain better? I mean were guys disturbing you?

Each time a responsible guy came my way, there were times I would feel like dating him.

You don’t mean it? But you already have a responsible guy in your hand, so why were you being tempted again. Didn’t you trust him?

That’s why it is called temptation o! I do trust him. But once such a thing happened and I told him, that would be the end of the so-called guy o!

So, now, if a guy walks up to you now and you see him as responsible, how far can you go with him?

I need to know the guy first; but mind you, my mind is made up to stick to my guy, come rain come shine. I mean no matter the temptation, na
my bobo any day, anytime.

Then, he must have really won your heart in all the sense of the world: Romance, sex, money and so on.

Money has never been part of my criteria.

So, romance, sex and others have been the considerations.

Once a guy is God-fearing, educated, responsible, focused and romantic, that’s it. So, it is not really about sex!

How? I am surprised a big girl like you is making this confession.

Why not? The truth should be told.

But many ladies would tell you they can’t do without sex for a month. So, can you stay away from sex for a month?

I can do without sex for a year self! Sex na stress o! But making money to me is more important than sex. In other word, I would rather be somewhere selling my stuff and making money than be somewhere having sex.

Be serious, Opeyemi. How is sex stressful? And is that why you don’t mind the fact that he lives abroad?

I am really not a sex person.

Don’t forget he is a medical doctor who, because of the nature of his job, gets to see many naked ladies.

Well, the only reason we are together is because I am not a sex freak and he is not either. He no too gbadun sex too. Seeing many ladies wouldn’t make him want to have sex o! You see, doctors see too many women and are too tired of seeing us. So, sex to them no be anything o!

You may not know. And has he ever told you what he loves most about you?

He loves everything about me, but I am just too stubborn. I do my things how I want them, when I want them and where I want them.

How long have you been back to him and where does he hail from?

Two years and a few days; he is Yoruba.

So, can you give me an instance where you have stuck stubbornly to your view over an issue with him?

You are getting into that private life I told you I love being caged from the public. Well, we fought and I was very, very wrong. He waited for me to apologize, but I never did. He called to ask me if I wasn’t going to apologize and I told him I wouldn’t. That period, whenever he called, he was always apologizing, thinking I was going to do the same, but I still never did. So, guess what he said. He said, “Sweet heart, you are just too stubborn. But, please, don’t teach our kids such stubbornness.”

What issue was that?

I was asked to do something and I did something else, which actually cost me a lot of stress and heartbreak. So, he was like, “Ope, I told you not to do that…” I was angry and he said he was only trying to tell me the truth.

Opeyemi, if you were to do a biopic (the story of your life in a movie), which of the events do you think will interest your viewers most?

It is my love life.

And why did you say your love life would interest your fans most of all the events in your life?

I said my love life because I am kind and always too deep in love; so, most times, I get jilted due to my stupidity of being so much in love and being honest.

Okay, how many times have men dumped you and broken your heart? And what is the greatest lesson you have learnt from all these?

Men don’t dump me! I walk out of any relationship once I see they are not honest or when I realize they are trying to be smart.

I thought you said you had been jilted several times.

I said jilted in the sense that they hurt me and I am too emotional. So, men don’t dump me. You know guys can be very funny at times. I know also that a guy really doesn’t stick to a girl that truly loves him or that is honest to him. But once he loses her, he will run back to her.
To some people, whenever your name is mentioned, what comes to their minds is: ‘Oh! That girl that exposes her boobs in public…’

What about that?

Does it mean you don’t care a hoot exposing your boobs?

I wear what I am comfortable in.

But some say you wear revealing dresses to attract attention, especially of the opposite sex. In fact, some say you should not be exposing your boobs carelessly, if you consider them as your greatest asset.

Well, my boobs are large and my body is quite small. So, if I wear my normal dress size, which is UK size 10, what do you expect? My boobs will show more now because I wear my body size and not my boobs’ size. And if I decide to wear a size 14 because of my boobs, the dress will look like I borrowed it and wouldn’t fit. So, I wear a size 12 to cover up my boobs, but it still wouldn’t hide it. Therefore, I wear what suits my body. More so, I don’t just like heat, so I need to expose some parts of my body. Does that answer your question? And I don’t have to reveal my boobs to call for attention because as a movie person, the attention is already there. My boobs are not my greatest asset, but part of it because my greatest asset is my life, which is the greatest gift from God.

So, I guess your boyfriend must have been attracted to you because of your boobs?

No.

So, when do you hope to settle down with him?

Pretty soon, but I may not invite you on the day o.

Soon; and it should and will be private.

Why?

I don’t want the press there so as not to steal our pictures o!

If you don’t invite me, then, we are not friends.

If you are to come, na to come chop rice; no bring pen and paper come o! But I will sure let you know.

What do you like most about your fiance?

I like everything about him.

How many children do you hope to have?

He said two, but I want four. We’re still fighting over that.dress sense