Late actress, Funmi Martins’ daughter, Ayomide has been waxing strong since her mother’s demise. The pretty lady who rumour mongers said her marriage has collapsed refuted that in this interview with YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine. She also opened up on other issues…
When you started out as an actress, what were the goals you set for yourself?
I wanted to fulfil my mother’s dreams. You know she couldn’t get to where she dreamt of getting to; so I wanted to be there and make her happy wherever she maybe now. Fine, I don’t know where she is now, but I know she will be happy because of the things I am doing now.
Were you planning to go into acting before she died?
Not really. Actually, I was in school when she died. But when she died, I said to myself that I just had to take it up from where she stopped, because if I didn’t do it then, many people will forget her. She will be forgotten by now. I had to leave every other thing and continue from where she stopped.
At that particular time, how difficult or easy was it stepping into her shoes, because like you said, you didn’t prepare for it?
Yes, it wasn’t easy. You know it happened suddenly and I wasn’t prepared for anything. I was actually young then. I was like maybe 17 or 18, so I didn’t know anything at all. It wasn’t easy at all leaving me alone with everything; with my siblings, job and everything, but I thank God today because He has been faithful, He has been with me all through the years and I am alive and thank God.
How will you describe a good actress?
Well, a good actress to me must be able to interpret every role given to her. That’s just it.
So many people believe the person you married was because of the assistance he rendered to you when you were starting out. How true is that?
That’s not true. My husband I have been married for like 11 years now. So, if I actually married him for a particular reason or the other, I think that reason should have faded by now; if it’s not a natural feeling. So, I married my husband because I love him naturally. That’s why we are still together till date.
So many people get confused when you use ‘Mide Martins, without adding his name. Why?
Well, I hardly do that. I add his name most of the time. I use the two names together. ‘Mide Martins-Abiodun. That is what I use. Except when people don’t use it like that for me.
When you married, what were your plans for acting and marriage? How were you able juggle both?
It wasn’t easy combining the two together. You know you have to be there for your family, for your husband, for your kids and at the same time you have to work. But I am a super woman, so by the special grace of God, I have been able to cope with the two tasks and to God be the Glory, I have never failed in any of the two.
When will you describe as the turning point in your career. What happened then?
I think that was when I did a film titled Baba Asa. That was like five, six years ago. That was when I really came to the limelight.
Was there any time in your career that you felt like giving up?
No. I have never felt like that before. Actually, my job is a very interesting one, so I love it with all of my heart. I have never regretted anything in my career. I wish and pray to do it for the rest of my life.
What don’t you like about being an actress?
It’s not being able to have your privacy (Laughs). If you just want to sneak into a somewhere now, people will just be shouting your name. But I think it’s okay. We have been coping with it and it’s not new to us. So, it’s not a big deal.
What do you like about it?
It’s fun. When you go to locations, you can never worry about anything. You know, it takes away all your sorrows. So, it is fun. It is a very good one.
So many people will hear rumours about themselves and feel bad. In your own case, what was the worst rumour you ever heard about yourself?
The worst rumour is that I left my husband and I didn’t feel bad about it because we are still together. It is nothing to me. It’s no big deal.
What led to that in the first place?
Well, I don’t know. I can’t really say. Maybe because people don’t really hear bad things about me, so they just wanted to spoil my name or something. I don’t really know.
Don’t you think attending events alone could trigger such rumour?
I don’t really go to events like that because I am a workaholic. I work 24/7 and I only come out once in a while. So, it’s not as if I go to events like that.
What are you working on now?
My new film, Abike.
Tell us about it
It’s a long story.
NB: First published December 2014