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Up and coming actress, Temidayo Adeniyi, popularly known as Shakira, tells Saturday Beats how she became an actress
Agreed that you produced a movie titled Shakira, did you have to change your name because of that?
I would say yes to that. The movie was my second production and thereafter, people started calling me Shakira.
So do you have any kind of semblance with the popular singer, Shakira?
No way. My name has nothing to do with her. My own is even Shakirat and it is a Muslim name. The character is even a girl that comes from a devoted Muslim family but later becomes a fuji musician. She changes her name from Shakirat to Shakira.
Why did you decide to become an actress after studying banking and finance?
I think the love and passion for acting sprang up along the way. I never intended to become an actress. But I developed interest. I had to study people in the profession and I asked questions about what it entailed. I eventually went for a four-year diploma course in acting and that was how it started.
Are you saying you didn’t get into acting primarily because of the fame that comes with it?
No. I like what I am doing and that is just it. It has nothing to do with stardom. It is in fact the only thing I enjoy doing.
Granted you have the passion for acting but is there a particular thing you don’t like about this profession?
I can only advocate for myself. I can say the only thing that pisses me off is that some people don’t really appreciate what we do. When they see an actress, they think she is a whore. Some think we got into this because we have a pretty face and they think we can do all sorts. You tell somebody you are an actress and the person gives you this you-are-not-a-serious-person kind of look. At this jet age, some people don’t see acting as a profession. They think it is about having a fine face. But that is not true about this business.
Why haven’t you thought of quitting then?
How can? Nothing will make me call it quits. There are so many challenges but even with them, I still walk tall.
Your senior colleagues are still there and may likely not leave in a long while; so don’t you feel intimidated?
I don’t feel intimidated at all. It is one step at a time. Before them, some people were there as well. I shouldn’t allow their presence to intimidate me. The world is evolving. Change happens. It is a gradual process and I don’t have to be in a hurry.
How supportive were your parents when you chose acting as a profession?
My mother was very supportive. She said I should go ahead if acting was what I really wanted to do.
And your dad?
He was in support as well.
What is happening to your banking certificate?
Who knows, I might pick it up one day. But my focus for now is on my career as an actress.
Does your boyfriend support your career as well?
He likes what I do and he is in support of it.
How do you cope with stardom?
I like it when I go out and people appreciate me. I reciprocate as well. It is a good feeling.
Some people see actresses as arrogant, are you not one?
No. Where is the stardom? I am not there yet; as such, there is no way I will allow stardom to get to me. I don’t see myself as a star yet. But I know with hard work, I would get there someday.
There is so much envy and rivalry among your colleagues…
I agree totally with you. But it is a large market. We know the real players. Your work will speak for you no matter what. Somebody actually asked me why I am not even active on social media and I told the person I am so busy at the moment. I am not the kind of person that flings phone at every opportunity. I know with time, my work will speak for me.
So how have you been getting jobs?
It has been God.
Or do you have one or two marketers as ‘friends?’….
No, it is not like that. When you are good, you are good. That is just it. The producers know what they are looking for. It is my talent that is speaking for me and not my body or fine face.
What do you hope to achieve in future?
I want to achieve something incredible, something fantastic.
Do you have role models?
I love Omotola Jalade, Bukky Wright and some others. They are the people I saw when I was growing up and I liked them for their talents. I know that I will be as successful as they are one day.
Has the English movie industry not invited you to be a part of them?
With time, I will get there. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
But can you deliver?
Does it look as if I cannot deliver?
I can do whatever role I am given. I interpret my role very well. I can play any role when it comes to acting. It is make-believe and I am an actress, so I can play any role.
So you can kiss passionately in a movie?
Of course I can. Like I said, it is acting.
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