One-time Huge Brother Africa winner and actor, Tayo Faniran, tells KEHINDE AJOSE about his profession and different points
Final 12 months, you featured in two main films— ‘Gangs of Lagos’ and ‘Ada Omo Daddy’. Did you see your self going this far as an actor?
Sure, I noticed it coming. I’m a purpose getter. The distinction between my return to Nigeria, and after I left for South Africa as a mannequin was that I used to be already a star in Africa via Huge Brother Africa. Once I returned to Nigeria in 2019, I used to be prepared to provide it my all. I believed it might be simpler, as a result of I already had a reputation and a face that folks knew and liked. I believed I’d get again house, make calls to my connections, and they might simply give me performing jobs. Nonetheless, issues didn’t go that method. Some individuals I reached out to averted me. I believed that, maybe, as a result of they knew how sturdy my potentials have been, they have been afraid of serving to me.
If an individual treats me poorly (much less); as a substitute of letting it depress me, I’d use it to make myself greater.
Once I returned to Nigeria, I had so much to study and work to do on myself. One of many first productions I featured in was Funke Akindele’s My Siblings and I. She (Akindele) was a serious a part of the explanation I got here again house. Once I had a difficulty with the police in South Africa, she reached out to me and requested, ‘What are you doing in South Africa? Come again to Nigeria’.
The subsequent individual that God additionally touched his coronary heart to provide me a job was Mike Ezuruonye. I’ll at all times be grateful to him as nicely. He gave me a lead character in a Rok TV movie. What I don’t fail to acknowledge is that I’ve a really sturdy potential to turn into the best actor.
Would you say your physique has contributed to the sort of roles you get?
Let’s say my appears have contributed to the sort of roles I get. I’m six toes 4 inches. I’m actually tall and I’ve broad shoulders. I’m dark-skinned as nicely. These issues, put collectively, already make me a brilliant enticing character for TV. In the event you see me on the display screen, even with out me speaking, you’ll love to have a look at me. It’s vital that we (actors) appeal to the viewers to what we’re showcasing, whether or not it’s storytelling, actuality, or no matter it’s. Nonetheless, that’s not all there may be to it. There are handsome individuals on TV who aren’t good actors. I need to be a correct and versatile actor that may ship, whether or not as a mechanic, farmer, or headmaster.
How straightforward was it so that you can transition from being a actuality TV star into an actor?
It’s numerous work and an extended journey. I’m a really religious particular person, although not non secular. I consider that each one the steps I’ve taken and people I’ll take sooner or later have been orchestrated by God. There’s nothing I’ve achieved or have turn into that I’ve not dreamt about earlier than. Even earlier than I turned the nice actor I’m at present, I’ve at all times bragged to folks that I used to be a very good actor. And, I saved on working in direction of it. Typically, I learnt some issues simply by pondering deeply about them. I learnt some issues simply by watching others do them. In an identical vein, I learnt some issues by taking corrections from folks that I do know love me genuinely and wish the very best for me. One instance of such people is my brother-in-law. He’s certainly one of my biggest influences and advisers. He isn’t an actor however he’s clever. He is aware of one thing about all the pieces. He loves me a lot and has been part of my journey. At a degree in my profession, he advised me, ‘Tayo, you’re a mannequin; a poser (sic). If you’re speaking and saliva drops out of your mouth, you need to wipe it. If you’re standing and your shirt is just not hanging correctly, you need to repair it. You do the identical if you end up performing. Meaning you haven’t forgotten who you might be. That’s not performing. That you must let go of your self. Don’t be a mannequin if you end up performing’.
I then learnt tips on how to separate being a mannequin from being an actor, who performs totally different roles.
What’s your evaluation of the expansion of Nollywood, particularly in latest instances?
Nollywood is rising actually quick. Administrators, producers and actors are competing with each other positively. As an actor, one might be impressed by what one’s colleagues are doing. That can encourage one to do higher.
It additionally applies to afrobeats. When Burna Boy releases a track and it’s a hit, somebody like Wizkid might be motivated by the success of that track to make his personal higher. That’s what’s going on in Nollywood in the intervening time.
Worldwide buyers are coming into the business, and actors are incomes the kind of cash they by no means used to earn years again. We simply pray it retains going like that. I consider that we will truly get to a spot the place actors earn royalties on movies endlessly.
I don’t assume individuals have seen the very best of Nollywood but. We’re simply beginning. I’m grateful to God.
Do you make New Yr resolutions?
I don’t assume New Yr Resolutions actually work. One doesn’t want a brand new 12 months to alter. If I need to cease consuming eba, I don’t have to attend earlier than I get into a brand new 12 months to do this. My philosophy is to be a brand new particular person every day, and that’s what I try for. We thank God for the grace to rejoice one other 12 months. It’s one thing I don’t take without any consideration.
The 2 issues I admire most in life are life itself and good well being. Each different factor can be okay if one has these two issues.
How has fatherhood modified you?
Being a father is a accountability. I turned a father deliberately. I do know what my father was to me, and I need to be that for my youngsters, and much more. Fatherhood has taught me so much. Now, I’ve individuals to think about even earlier than myself. There are some issues I must deprive myself of, as a result of I’ve to deal with my obligations as a father to my youngsters.
Additionally, if for instance, I’m performing a task that includes me holding cigarettes, I’d inform my youngsters that smoking is unhealthy. I’d allow them to know that I’m simply performing. Or, in the event that they see me in a romantic scene with one other girl, I’d inform them that it’s make-believe for my work.
How do you chill out?
I’ve a seashore home at Elegushi seashore, Lagos, known as Nsuku seashore home. That’s the place I am going to chill out. I really like water, and a peaceable pure setting. I additionally promote good meals there. We have now hosted distinguished individuals there as nicely.
How do you like to decorate?
I really like to decorate the best way I really feel. The way in which I gown is religious. I’d put on an all-white outfit, as a result of I may be feeling low in spirit and I simply need to really feel peaceable. The event I’m attending additionally influences what I’d put on.
Nonetheless, I gown my very own method. I don’t comply with developments; reasonably, I set them.
