Rekiya Yusuf: People think I'm as feisty as Mimi

A day is incomplete with out seeing Nollywood actress and TV star, Rekiya Yusuf on the display screen taking part in the position of Mimi in Basketmouth’s common sitcom, Flatmates. The Microbiologist defined how she wasn’t so excited getting the position, dumping her facet job as operations supervisor with a vogue home on this chat with ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR GBENGA BADA

You studied Microbiology however turned out to be an actress, TV present host, and presenter, how did it start?

Imagine it or not, I by no means knew I’d pursue a profession in appearing or leisure typically although I used to be in a drama membership and I had hosted a few exhibits again in class. After the obligatory Nationwide Youth Service Corp, I took a job which I discovered completely no pleasure in so I believed to strive leisure. One way or the other I discovered myself in appearing faculty and afterward I went from audition to audition and from one film set to a different and voila.

You turned a family title and face as Mimi within the common sitcom, Flatmates, how did you get the position?

I labored on a movie manufacturing as an actor with Kayode Peters who is among the govt Producers of My Flatmates sitcom. He invited me to audition for the character Mimi which I wasn’t too enthusiastic about at first as a result of I watched the sequence from approach again and I knew it was a comedy and I didn’t consider myself a comic book actor however I went nonetheless and after the audition and display screen check I landed the position that formed my profession.

You’ve been an everyday characteristic on the sitcom, inform us about your attachment to your position within the sitcom

I’ve performed the character Mimi for about 4 years now and it’s turn into part of me and I can get very sentimental in regards to the character. I’ve gotten so used to being known as Mimi quite than Rekiya. I feel there have been occasions the place I launched myself to a stranger who’s by no means seen the sitcom as Mimi and didn’t even notice it.

You’ve a captivating smile, how typically do you get complimented about this?

Effectively, thanks. However in regards to the praise, I’ve been instructed most individuals are cautious with me as a result of they suppose I’m as feisty because the character I play lol. So the compliments don’t come as typically as one would suppose. Lol simply kidding.

You’ve featured in some movies however your face is extra synonymous with TV exhibits and sitcoms, is deliberate transfer?

Effectively, once I received forged for the position I wished to be fully invented as a result of for a rising actor one factor we pray for is to be on TV as typically as doable to showcase your skills and I had the platform so nothing actually mattered. Additionally as a result of we movie around the clock it provides little time to do different tasks so I’ll say it was deliberate at one level however now I’m open to doing extra movie than tv.

You as soon as referred to your position in Obi Emelonye’s ‘Calabash’ as probably the most difficult. It’s been over six years now and has featured in different movies, which of the roles would you say is your most difficult wanting again now?

I feel each character I’ve performed up to now six years got here with their very own challenges… It’s the great thing about the job you see; taking part in totally different individuals in numerous settings and in numerous occasions. It’ll be very troublesome now to say a specific position has been most difficult. I merely welcome every position I play with gratitude and a brand new perspective. I’m fairly positive if I’m requested to replay a personality I’ve performed earlier than I’d play it in a different way.

You used to mix working for a vogue label, Sly Monay Style, because the Operations Supervisor with appearing, is that also on?

Oh, my days… I had completely forgotten that at one level I used to be an operations supervisor for a small vogue firm. That ended over 5 years in the past. I needed to pay extra consideration to selling my profession.

What classes has life taught you?

Life has taught me quite a lot of classes however most significantly life has taught me to be affected person. Endurance with individuals and myself. I figured half the issues we fear about immediately, we received’t even bear in mind them in one other 12 months so what’s the purpose of it? I’ve additionally discovered to be open-minded and never choose a e-book by its cowl. Additionally, I do know that if I’m going to thrive within the leisure business I wanted to be prayerful.

Has there ever been a time you felt you would possibly give up appearing for one private cause or an business problem?

I thought of quitting severally, to be sincere. On the very starting, I used to be fairly confused if I used to be making the correct resolution of turning into an actor as a result of typically I won’t get a job in a month and that may be emotionally exhausting for the actor who doesn’t have a facet hustle. Additionally, some days once I’m on the job and rolling slate at 2 am within the morning I ask myself if it’s value it however I spotted the minute I used to be performed with that job I missed the late-night shoots and I used to be hungry for the subsequent. I used to be born to be an actor

As a feminine, who identifies as a feminist, what’s your notion of feminism?

I simply need a world the place a girl is handled at least a person. A world the place my concepts and opinions matter. The place I’m paid the identical wage as my male colleagues on the identical job. And I’m free to make choices regarding my life, profession, physique, or no matter with out being judged or seen as unserious. A world the place the lady is now not seen as weak. That’s the form of feminist I’m.

What’s your largest dream but to be achieved?

One among my desires is to make use of my voice and platform to teach younger women. The world is fast-changing and I need to be a mannequin of confidence and self-determination. That’s it.