I saw this interview and after reading it, i said to my self, Crush! Crush!! Crush!!! Having a crush on someone can be dangerous you know. lol... Just finding my words....Seun Akindele is gradually making a mark in the movie industry. Having won the Most Promising Actor award at the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA) held in the United States last year, the Lagos State University graduate is fast setting a pace for other up coming actors. In this interview with The Entertainer, Akindele talks about his career and dreams. Excerpts:
You won an award as the most promising actor, what would you attribute it to?
I won the Most Promising Actor at the Golden Icon Academic Movie Awards, which held in Houston, Texas last year. I was overwhelmed and I flopped when I was giving the speech. I kind of prepared but I just have to give thanks to God, I knew how much I put into that movie ‘On Bended Knees’ produced by Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha and directed by Lancelot Imasuen. I was short of words; words eluded me because it was overwhelming
Can you give us an insight to your background?
I am an actor from Ekiti State. I had my primary school in Lagos after which I moved to Jos where I attended Air Force Military School. Then, I came back to Lagos where I studied History and International Relations at Lagos State University. My formative years were in secondary school, so I will say that I grew up in the north, Jos precisely.
You’re not one of those who would raise controversy to gain recognition but all of a sudden, you are a big star, what is the secret?
There are a lot of things involved; first and foremost is God, who has been my driving force. When I wake up every morning, I go to Him and in the night before I sleep I call on Him. I make sure that I put God first in everything I do and with that I have a solid platform, coupled with hard work of which I believe in, and I definitely love my job. I am doing this out of love for the job and because I really want to get somewhere in life. job and because I really want
How was your growing up like?
It was very interesting. I grew up with my mum’s younger sister, her husband was a military man, and so she acted as my guardian. She was a strict disciplinarian and made sure that everyone under her care was close to God. She made me to believe too much in God.
What project are you currently working on?
I am currently filming ‘Better Than’ by Kingsley Omoife. It is a movie centered on a young Christian boy named Job, which is my character. I am playing along with other cast like Bimbo Manuel, Idiko, Yvonne Jegede and Braisy. It is a movie that teaches that you should always put God first in everything you do. It also teaches love, it is a must watch for everyone.
How did your journey to acting begin?
I started acting after I went for the Amstel Malta Box Office reality show in 2005; we were the first batch of AMBO where I came fourth. It was the episode that Azeezat won. Richard Mofe-Damijo was our instructor then. The formal training I had was at AMBO because they had instructors coming to drill us. After that, I decided to take that up as a profession. Then I met with RMD, he became my godfather and taught me one or two things.
What were the initial challenges you faced?
I had to really struggle and hustle because I knew what I wanted and I was hell bent going for it. I wanted to be an actor immediately I came out of the AMBO show. I faced some challenges, like sometimes when you have nothing in your pocket and you and your friend would have to lap each other in public transport. You get to the audition ground and you wait under the sun for a whole day, and at the end of the day, you aren’t picked. So, that has been the challenges until gradually with much determination and prayer, I got to where I am today.
Which particular movie brought you into limelight?
I did my first movie ‘Different World’ directed by Dickson Iroegbu. We had Onyeka Onwenu, Annie Macaulay Idibia, and Ramsey Nouah in the movie. That was my first major movie. I have done a couple of other movies and then, there was this audition that was thrown out for a soap opera, ‘Spider’ by Ekwe Venus and produced by Niyi Oladipo. She just called me over to her office and asked if I could come to Abuja to shoot the series and I agreed to give it a try. It was a soap opera so I was always on TV; through that, people got to know my face. People also knew me through Mr. Nigeria where I was the second runner-up. I tried to put my hands into many things, so it really worked well for me.
Did anybody try to discourage you when you wanted to go into acting?
My family members were very supportive. I am the last born of the family and I am quite stubborn, so they know me that I always get what I want. My sisters, brothers and parents all supported me.
What’s the hardest time of your life?
I have had plenty hardest times, but there was this one when the MNET group came to audition for Survivors Africa in Nigeria. A guy and I made it to South Africa, but we were supposed to go through another series of audition before we would go to Panama in South America where the show was to hold. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it through. I was downcast at that time. It was something I thought was going to be the breaking point in my life.
You once said that you could go nude to interpret a script, so you can bare it all for money?
First, I would like people to see me as a versatile actor. I made the comment as a joke. I don’t know what happens to you guys, you pick the interesting moment and make it a headline. I was really mad when I saw it in the newspaper and I called the guy and told him that I made the statement jokingly. I won’t want to be recognized for that because it was a joke. I can interpret a script to the best of my ability and bring out the best in it.
Aside acting, who is Seun Akindele?
Seun Akindele is a guy who loves himself. I love having quality time with myself. I am a strong believer in God, and I believe that I am that which God has made me to be.
What is your assessment of Nollywood?
We make quality movies these days. When you see Nollywood movies, you see action movies, pictures, and storylines. You see this fighting spirit about Nollywood that you haven’t seen for a very long time. We are the third largest film producer in the world aside Hollywood and Bollywood. However, people may think we produce rubbish, but our rubbish sells. I think that we are doing something unique to remain relevant worldwide.
Are you single?
Yes, I am single but I am not searching.
Who is the lucky girl in your life now?
I am still not searching.
What if your fans would like to know?
When it is time, everyone will know.
Probably, very soon you would be going to the altar?
Now, what I have in mind is my career and how to build a name for myself, and when the time comes for that, I will dive into it and continue with my life.
What is your idea of a perfect woman?
Everything I have of a woman is written on her. She should be God fearing, supportive, and must believe in my dream. I like someone who also has a dream for herself because she also has to be someone who has somewhere to get in life.
Have you been heartbroken?
Yes, I have had heartbreaks severally. It is not as if women are wicked but as a teenager, you might have a girl who likes you and unfortunately, she has moved on with life, then you are sad. It is just that kind of thing but it happened during my formative years. However, now, I am too deep into my career to worry about women.
What is your advice to the youths who look up to you?
Every youth has to find their place in life; I can’t emphasize more on it. Seun Akindele is an actor; it is good to admire me as a role model but you have to go to your creator and find out what you are meant to be in life. There is a purpose for living; there is a reason for everyone’s life. So, everyone should go back to God to discover their purpose for living and make this world a better place for all.
If you are to have crush on a particular actress, who will that be?
Dakore Egbuson, the lady with dreadlocks, I am her biggest fan. I follow her on twitter and Instagram. She is an actress but she has moved on to other things; she still does a little bit of acting, though.
Most times when you watch your movie, have you ever felt that you could have done it better?
Yes, I am my best critic. There are some films I see that I wish I had done better and there are some others that I see myself acting excellently. When I watch those movies where I act well, I give myself a little pat on the back.