Toyin Abraham, best known as Toyin Aimakhu, has courted many controversies. The actress talks on her career, why she recently opted to slim down, and why her man must be tall, in this chat with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS.
Did you deliberately trim down?
Yes, it was deliberate. I have a new team working with me and I remember that my business manager would always tease me that my stature was not fine and I needed to slim down a bit. Any time I wanted to cook, he would tell me that I could not eat certain food so it spurred me to take charge of my physique and I love the way I look now.
Did you do it naturally or via a surgery?
No, it is all natural. I actually did this through exercise. I also took a slimming tea. In fact, I am thinking of doing my own slim tea. The public would know when the idea is conceptualised. I have actually stopped taking the slim tea and focusing on exercises. I love my new look and I would say I have a beautiful shape, just like the figure 8. But some clothes do not reveal my shape.
When did you start this journey?
I started to watch my weight towards the tail end of last year.
You have a lot of lovers but seemingly more haters online. How do you feel whenever criticism comes your way?
To be great in life, you have to be willing to be mocked, hated and misunderstood. I don’t see criticism as anything and I am unbothered whenever I am being criticised by the public. I know that some people would love me and others would hate me, so I do not let that disturb me. Trust me, criticism only makes me a better person. When people say negative things about me, it makes me understand that I cannot be right every time. I thank God that I am now getting some things right and that is because I now have people that handle everything for me. In the past, I felt that I had people that handle everything for me. So everything about me is now 100 per cent.
Why did you change your name from Aimakhu to Abraham?
That is because Abraham is my father’s name and it was a family decision. I cannot be talking about my family online; it is my life. Or is my family acting now? It is my decision. My brother who is also a famous dancer bears the name, David Abraham. That shows that it is my father’s name.
So why did you bear the name Aimakhu in the first instance?
That is the name we were using before, but now everybody had to change to Abraham. I thought about my brand before changing the name, but eventually, I had to change it. I did not want to change it but my business manager asked me to do so. I know the decision confused some of my fans but with time, they would get used to it. I am Toyin Abraham now and I am building a new brand.
Nowadays you don’t seem to speak as often as you used to. Are you being careful?
Yes. I am actually working towards that. I am a better brand now. Back then, there were some things I did not know about as a public figure. I just felt that I was being myself but there are some certain things that you do not do as a public figure. I thank God for my management team.
Have you been taken advantage of because of your happy-go-lucky approach to life?
It has happened a lot of time and people have taken advantage of me.
What would you say has been the most hurtful thing you have heard or read about yourself ?
When they say I was in a relationship with someone I never dated or when they write about things that I did not do. Sometimes, I read such write-ups and begin to wonder if I ever did those things but what will I do?
Then why don’t you speak up when false reports are written about you?
What do you want me to say? If I say anything, nothing would still change. Everyone has a way they think and some people even when they see the truth, still want to believe that you are telling lies; so there is no point. That is just the sacrifice I have to make for being a public figure.
Given a chance to change anything in your past, what would it be?
There are a lot of things that I did not know in the past that I know and I wish I knew then. My eyes are opened to a lot of things now and I know I have been the best brand ever. I still consider myself to be the best brand in Nigeria, I am the world best.
How do you feel that you are dubbed as one of the most controversial actresses in the country?
I feel it is normal and comes with the territory of being an actress. Based on the fact that I am an actress, people will always tag me with something.
What kind of man would you want in your life?
I want a man who is tall, hardworking, and loves his job. I would want to be with a man who does not chase women and would not constantly request for money from me. If he needs my help I can do it.
Does it mean you cannot date a short person?
What do you mean by short? I don’t want to be with a short man. My man has to be taller than I am.
Some online commentators believe that you trimmed down so that you would be more appealing to men?
Why would I change my look because of any man when I have my job, my career, and people who look up to me? I love my new look because it has helped my career a lot. Now I get more roles even in the English speaking industry and most of the movies are in the cinemas. Also, my clothes fit me well. My stylist does not have to go the extra mile to make my clothes.
We learnt that you said that if Hollywood invites you for a role, you would decline the offer?
I did not say that I would decline their offer, what I said is that, I would look at their script and my judgement would be based on that. If the story line is one that aligns with my culture and values, I will accept their offer but if they ask me to act nude, I will decline. Even if they pay me a lot of money, I would still decline their offer. I cannot do things that my people would not like, just because of money. I would rather be known in my country, Nigeria. I cannot trade my culture for money. I also do not want to appear in a movie that is not friendly to both women and children. I want to start doing movies that appeal to everybody, especiallywomen and children. Children would rather watch a movie than read a book nowadays. I realised that we can explore this medium to teach them and tell stories. In my latest flick, everybody can watch it and I have the daughters of Tuface and AY in it.
How do you relax off set?
I love to just stay indoors and rest. Sometimes I cook or read. If I want to have a quiet moment to myself, I just travel. I also love to watch movies, especially comic ones; anything that would make me laugh. Occasionally, I also visit the spa just to take care of my skin, especially these days that I am paying a lot of attention to my body.
How often do you cook?
Whenever I am free and I am not too tired. I am actually a good cook and I enjoy doing it.
You said you like being indoors, don’t you attend parties?
Many people do not know that I am actually a very shy person, probably because I am an actress. Whenever I am acting, it is my alter ego that takes control; besides, I hide behind the camera. I hardly attend parties or functions except I am invited or a very close friend of mine drags me or is in charge of the event.
Your new project, ‘Alakada Reloaded,’ stirred up a controversy when a picture of you kissing the upcoming singer, Small Doctor, surfaced online…
There was a scene in the movie which was supposed to be an imagination of my character who had a dream of kissing the singer, so she did so. When Small Doctor posted the picture online, I realised that people did not like it so I had to remove the scene from the movie.
But how come it took you a while to shoot your new movie, ‘Alakada Reloaded?
It is because my fans actually demanded for it. We were even supposed to make it a series but because my fans asked me for a full-length movie, I decided to concede to their request.
Why did you choose to use a lot of upcoming stars in the movie?
That is because my new mission in the movie industry is to be bringing out new talents. I want to use my movies to showcase new talents. And my plan is to bring at least three new talents in my movies; that would be a minimum.
There was a time you also went online to announce that you are going to start a reality television show. Is that dream visible?
Yes, I just spoke to someone about it. I recently had a meeting with a television network about the plan and we would soon do something about it.
What would the reality television show be about?
It would be about my daily activities uncut. My teeming fan base would have an opportunity to see the real me. You would get to see my real life and not what you get to see on the television. I am real to the core.
A lot of actors have also ventured into this line… But mine would be different, don’t worry. I would not fake anything.
