Allwell Ademola is a multiple-award-winning actress, filmmaker and scriptwriter. The Ogun State- born and a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife began acting at a very tender age in 1987 and rose to stardom in 2008 with movies such as Laroda Ojo, Omo Emi, Aye Keji and You or I. She is more popular for her roles in the Yoruba film sector than in the Igbo sector. And in this interview, the thespian shared with Newton-Ray Ukwuoma some of her successes in the last few years, her wishes for the Yoruba film sector, her career goals, her relationship among other things
How would you rate last year in terms of achieving set goals?
Last year was a very beautiful year for me. Better than my past years. Really better in all ramifications. I got three awards in 2018. My career blossomed. I was able to achieve a whole lot. I did the movie of my dreams. In fact, I am a happier person than I was before.
How will these achievements rub off in 2019?
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I will not relent. It will make me work just harder. I have more energy and impetus now. I got three awards in 2018, I hope to have like 10 in 2019. I also plan to make a cinema movie this year.
These days, you do more of Yoruba movies than Igbo movies. Are you planning to make any switch this year?
True. I started out with Igbo movies until Uncle Jide Kosoko invited me over to act in a Yoruba movie. I obliged after spending like 15 years in the Igbo sector. I did just one Yoruba movie, and it did gel. I was all over the place. The movie took me to the next level. I was surprised because I have been in the industry for quite a while, but didn’t get such attention. Now, I act, produce and direct Yoruba movies. I still do Igbo movies, once in a while. I produced two Igbo movies in 2017, then I only did the movie entitled, “In Love With April” in 2018.
Would you say your kind of body gets you easily noticed and even more movie roles?
Yes, of course. Initially, it was challenging getting movie roles perhaps because I didn’t discover myself then. I didn’t know the value of what I have. Now, I know that they are very few people that have this kind of body and endowments that I have, so producers would always look out for me.
As a teen actor, were their challenges managing your big boobs?
Not at all. My boobs were never a challenge to me. I have been acting with it since I was a child. Variety is the spice of life. Not everybody is meant to be slim or have small breasts. If everyone is size 8, who would act the size 16 roles? Even as a child, I still got contacts to play certain roles, so I never had self-esteem issues because of the size of my boobs.
So, what were the challenges you faced in the industry in your early days?
When I joined the Yoruba sector, my Yoruba wasn’t fluent. But with time, I conquered that. I am a champion now.
What do you think should be done to take the Yoruba sector of the industry forward?
For me, I think the Yoruba sector should shoot more good quality movies and also take more Yoruba films to the cinemas. We can do it. We have all it takes.
Are you in a relationship at the moment?
Yes, but I am single.
How do you explain that?
Presently, I am not in any serious relationship.
Are you ruling out marriage this year?
Well, man proposes and God disposes. I had planned to get married sometime ago. But it didn’t work out. I was so close to the altar, but God disposed it. So, for now, I don’t have any plan for marriage at all.
It is said that you lost your fiancé two months to your wedding, and moved on with his best man. How true is it?
It’s true. He was first my best friend. He had been my best friend even before I met my fiancé. I planned to make my best friend the best man at my wedding. About the time I lost my fiancé to armed robbers , his fiancée jilted him, so he felt maybe God didn’t want us as friends, and proposed to me. What do you expect from a heartbroken woman at her lowest? I fell for it.
He also jilted you. How did you deal with the heartbreak?
I had people around me. They showed me so much love and support. I was able to scale through it after a while.
Tell us a bit about your growing up days?
My growing up days were interesting. I joined the industry 1986 while growing up. I started with NTA’s Animal Games with Uncle Wole.
Have you always aimed at joining the entertainment industry?
Yes, I have been on TV while growing up and ventured into stage productions as well at NCAC.
Lately, there has been so much talk about “Fake It Till You Make it”. What do you have to say about it?
I hate to be a fake. I like to be real no matter what. God’s blessings are real, so why fake it? I believe in simplicity and moderation in all things.
What can’t you leave home without?
Of course, my clothes. I can’t leave home without them. (Laughs)