QUOTE, ‘’IT WASN’T EASY BECAUSE I WAS JOGGLING MY EDUCATION WITH ACTING, SOMETIMES, I MISS LECTURES’’
Hannah Ojo, an ACTRESS/ MODEL speaks with Flies magazine in an exclusive interview on her journey so far in the Nigeria movie industry
Background
H.O: My name is Hannah Ojo, I am an actress/model and also a wedding planner. I hail from Ekiti State but was born and brought up in Lagos State.
F.M: How did you start your career in acting?
H.O: I started way back as 2005 through a friend of mine in church. He was the one that actually took me for my very first audition and fortunately for me, I was able to get a good role. The Director liked what I did because I impressed him. That was how I started.
F.M: We understand you are a student, how are you able to manage acting and your studies?
H.O: Now, I am a graduate but when I was a student, it was not easy because I was joggling the whole thing together. Sometimes, I miss lectures and it was not easy. I was able to manage both because I enjoy acting. Thanks to God for everything
F.M: How long have you been acting?
H.O: I have been in the industry since 2005 till date
F.M: What movies have you featured in?
H.O: I have acted in so many soap operas like Seekers, Emerald, Burning Spears, Edge of Paradise, Aisha, Needle’s Eye, Barrister Anita, My Story, etc.
F.M: How was the parental support like?
H.O: My parents are wonderful people and I love them so much. At first, I could not even tell them when I started acting, not until they saw me on screen through my neighbour who told them, “I saw your daughter today and you did not even tell us, Iya Hannah”. That was how they got to know. I explained that I didn’t know how to tell them because I didn’t know how to go about it. That was in 2006 while I was doing my Diploma programme. They asked how I would be able to combine schooling and acting and I told them I could cope because I love acting so much. Ever since then, my parents have not regretted giving their support to me. (smiles).
F.M: Challenges?
H.O: Like I always say, every sector has its own challenges. For our own industry, the job is a tedious one because one has to go for auditions. I doubt if anyone calls himself/herself an actor/actress without going through auditions. Sometimes, through audition, one would be asked to pay some money and at the end of the day, might not even get the job. Another challenge is that, one could be called at an “inappropriate” hour for so-so role and you don’t have a choice than to do your job. Though, so far so good, the challenges are worth it and it comes with experience.
F.M: What should your fans be expecting from you?
H.O: (Laughter) there is this soap that is running on air now, Seekers, where I played the role of a lawyer. Most of the time my fans see me out there, they always ask me what is going to happen next to that character, they tell me they like me and what I’m doing, that I should keep up on the good work with a lot of prayer showering on me. My fans are really expecting so much from me I won’t let them down. You can follow me 0n twitter @hanseyi, facebook: Hannah seyi ojo, fanpage: Hannah ojo
F.M: Any advice for the upcoming actors?
H.O: They should not give up on their dreams. Although, it is not an easy journey but they should keep on their drive. That passion must be there as an actor or actress for you to stand any challenges in this industry. Just decide that this is what you want to do in life and never stop.
