Binta Ayo-Mogaji, a talented and versatile actress is always a delight to watch. In both English and Yoruba movies, the petite actress who is also very active on stage has never failed to sizzle and sparkle. In this chat with AZUH ARINZE, BAM, like her close admirers fondly call her, bared it all…
Who is Ayo Mogaji?
Ayo is a simple human being, loving and just a day to day person like you.
Tell us about your background.
I grew up in Ibadan, Lagos and Benin, but I spent the greater part of my life in Ibadan. I went to Ansar Ur-Deen Primary School, Ibadan, Hasafe Girls High School and Oyo State College of Arts and Science.
What inspired you into acting?
I was inspired by a brother in the family. He used to act, my mother’s first cousin. He was a musician, and apart from watching a lot of films when I was growing up, having an actor in the family also helped. He really inspired me. He actually gave me my first break because when they were looking for somebody to act somebody’s child in a play at NTA, Ibadan in 1979, he came and picked me.
How has it been since then?
We give glory to God. There has been a lot of ups and downs, hot and cold, but we give glory to God.
What was your first professional job?
My first real professional job was Village Headmaster, but I had been doing a lot of stage plays before then. In fact, I was made on stage.
What do you think of the home video revolution?
It opened the floodgate to commercialization of talents. It helped the profession in terms of remunerations, professionalism in delivery of jobs, but it also has its side effects. Everybody now is a producer, actor and actress. Just like that! They are not allowing the experienced professionals to do their job and as you can see, the stage has been killed by the movie industry.
Who is your role model?
I admire Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, I admire her professionalism, personality and the humane side of her. She strikes me when it comes to the job, she knows her onions and her personality is striking. She can hold herself in any situation. I want to be like her.
Tell us about your happiest moment.
I’ve survived death, but I think I am happy all the time. I try to make myself happy. I don’t allow my happiness to depend on another person. I am happy when I wake up and I say thank you God.
How do you cope with stardom?
I say thank you, but when they talk about a certain bad character that I’ve played in a movie, I tell them to go and watch another one that I did something positive.
What’s your most challenging role?
There are so many, but I think Igbanladogi because I usually don’t play lead roles; not on movie, but on stage.
What is responsible for you not playing lead roles?
I don’t know. Look at Daybreak, I was a prisoner; in Above Death, I was a witch, my roles change.
What is then responsible for that?
I pick my scripts and if anybody does not approach me, I don’t beg for roles. But if you give me side attraction roles and no matter how small or big a role is, I still do my best.
What is the first consideration before doing a job?
In those days, it used to be for the love of the character, but these days if the money is good…
Even if the script is bad?
Not really, I seldom do bad scripts. Sometimes, you don’t have the opportunity to see the full script. They just pluck out your own bit and tell you how the character is. So, if the character is good and if they intend paying well, I just do it.
What do you think of the alleged clique in the industry?
That’s true. I won’t call it marginalization, but I think it is the political side of the industry. You see a job you can do better, but they give it to another person because you are not from the same ethnic part of the country. I think it is the Yorubas who started it, but they have not developed it. The thing is the Igbos are more business-like, so let the Yorubas too pump in money and marginalize if they want to.
What advice do you have for young girls who want to be actresses?
I tell them, if you want to sleep around, go to the junction, but if you want to work, let your ability tell. Why should you demean yourself because of a job?
Have you heard of lesbianism in the industry?
I read about that in the papers.
You’ve not experienced it?
No.
How about sexual harassment?
I only read about it; it has not happened to me. Some people say they don’t give me jobs because I am arrogant and blunt, but not sexual harassment.
What are your favourite colours?
White, black or gold.
What is your favourite food?
Amala.
Why did you stop smoking? Are you now born again?
I am not. I was born only once. My mother had me only once. I smoked because I enjoyed it then. Nobody forced me to smoke, nobody forced me to stop. I tell you that in the life of every individual, there is always a passing phase. Some people’s adolescent years were worse than that, but people were shouting about mine because I am Ayo Mogaji and I am a star. I am not the only female that smokes. I know a lot of them that smoke and even get drunk and get molested and nobody writes about them.
What is your aspiration for the new millennium?
I want to be a better Muslim than I am now.
Which director pushed or supported you most?
Niyi Akanju in Who is Afraid of Solarin? On stage.
Will you produce a movie soon?
If we are in a sane environment, I won’t bother, but because if you want to make it in this kind of society, you have to produce a movie, I would produce one soon and when I see somebody who believes in me. But I won’t beg.