#ThrowBackThursday: The Three Sides Of Omotola Jalade Ekeinde
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is still setting the world on fire with a new movie role (Alter Ego) and lucrative endorsement deals (Scanfrost and Knorr). With 22 years in the industry under her belt, Omotola still remains one of the biggest movie stars in Africa. In our March 2015 issue, we had the amazing Omotola on our cover for the second time – the first time was in September 2012. As at then, Omosexy, as she is fondly called, was celebrating 20 years in the Nigerian film industry, and she opened up to tw about her three different sides.
Enjoy!
OMOTOLA THE ACTRESS
Omotola’s career started at a time when being an actress was a career to be flaunted. “We were coming from a place where it was disgraceful to be an actor. My first plan was to earn money to help my brothers. When I achieved that, my dream was to make this job a success so much that people would respect me and I would be proud of myself. It was just to earn the respect of Nigerians,” she adds.
In retrospect, Omotola has pocketed more ‘respect’ from her acting career. Straight from the set of Venom of justice, she played another lead role in the chart busting Mortal Inheritance landing her first award as the ‘Best Actress in an English-Speaking Role’ and ‘Best Actress’ overall at the 1996/1997 Thema Awards. She has not looked back since and the viewing public has not blinked.
The actress literally lived her life in the eyes of the public and such exposure at a young age came with its own challenges and controversies. At some point, it was with the managers on movie sets where she demanded that things were done appropriately. That had a backlash, which pitted her against some individuals who perceived her as arrogant and headstrong. “I realised I was different and it made me a target. A long time ago, when it was not popular to do so, I demanded that they pack my food on set. And they said I was proud. I tried to fit in, in the past, but after a while, I felt I didn’t have to be apologetic. I have always demanded high standards. I have realised that I have the grace and energy to do it. But people do not understand the whole purpose until I am done,” says Omotola.
OMOTOLA THE HOMEMAKER
Away from the klieg lights of her dazzling career is a family that has existed for as long as the world has known Omotola. Indeed, talking about her children lights up her face any day. The thespian is a mother of four adorable children – two daughters, Princess and Mariah; and two sons, Michael and MJ. And then there is her heartthrob, Captain Martin Ekeinde who she calls ‘Honeyboy’. The screen goddess affirms that she can never cheat on her husband who has never been miserly in the tender loving care department. “I am favoured. He trusts my decisions. He knows I am not irresponsible even if I say so myself. I consider every decision carefully. He may have some reservations but that is human, and that is not going to be a deal breaker,” says Omotola.
OMOTOLA THE ACTIVIST
It is in the honour of her hardworking mum who is now late that Omotola established the Omotola Youth Empowerment programme (OYEP), best known for their annual Widows makeover event. Omotola has also been the ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme since 2005 and has been around Africa raising funds for charity.
Omotola may have found a calling in humanitarian works, but she says her passion lies in activism. “I think I was born into activism. When I was a kid, I would ask you why. I never let things slide if I feel something is unfair, even when I was a three-year-old. Everyone keeps telling me I should have been a lawyer, Maybe I would have been dead by now,” she chuckles.
It was wonderful to have Omotola on our Macrh 2015 Cover.
We cant wait to catch up with her again!