In a profession largely dominated by men, Helen Paul is one of the comediennes that have
managed to stay relevant despite stiff competition. In this interview with OLUSHOLA
RICKETTS, she speaks on why men are dominating comedy, her love for education and
why people think she is saucy.
The year 2016 ends in a matter of days; how do you view all you have done career wise?
It has been a good year, as the brand Helen Paul did more in 2016 in terms of diversification. I did more movies and shows.
I started functioning on different radio stations too, such as Radio Continental, City FM and Naija FM. I have featured in some stage plays and I got my MBA as well. I am presently working on my PhD.
People do not see comedians as serious people, but you just completed your MBA while also pursuing a PhD. As a comedian, what do you need all these for?
Apart from the conventional school, we learn daily. Even in marriage or as a mother, you are still learning and discovering things. As a wife or mother, the only thing you do not get is a certificate. But going to school to get certificates is fun for me; I enjoy education.
I also beg to disagree that comedians are unserious people. It takes an intelligent person to make jokes from something serious or do comedy. When a family just lost their breadwinner, it takes an intelligent person to make them laugh.
Comedy is a ministry; it is not just a business as many people think. It is a ministry that brings joy and happiness to people. We also help people to see things from other perspectives, just like pastors.
From the definition of theatre, which is the collaborative efforts of different professions, it shows that it is a big thing and that is where comedy too came from. Comedy is not what
you just get into for the money; you must be passionate about it. I am passionate about it, which explains why I keep learning.
Why is there disunity among female comedians unlike their male counterparts?
I won’t agree that there is disunity among women. Generally, I think it is just a coincidence because I am close to Princess and sometimes I talk to Chigurl. Whenever I see Lolo around too, we gist about things and I have good relationship with Aunty Lepacious Bose.
If I go to an event and Princess is there, I cannot ignore her unless I did not see her. If I see Funke Akindele or Toyin Aimakhu too, I would definitely want to share the same table
with them.
But the truth is that women have more things to do than men. For the married ones, you have the home to protect and the children to look after. You also have your husband to answer to. Even as a married woman, your parents and siblings still reach out to you. So you have many things you are doing at the same time.
Ali Baba brought up AY, AY brought up Seyi Law while Basket Mouth has been instrumental to the growth of some comedians. It seems it is different among the womenfolk?
Maybe we are not doing enough like the males. Sincerely, AY has helped me a lot and still
helps me. Whenever he has a show, he wants me to be on it. I have noticed that anytime
Lolo is having a show too, he wants to have Funke Akindele and anytime Funke is having a programme, she carries Lolo along. If Toyin is having a production that has to do with comedy, I am always there.
Does it mean men do better because they have fewer responsibilities?
Yes, I say so. I think the responsibilities of women are more. Yes, the man is to provide for the family, while the woman maintains the house. But keeping the house is more of a work than providing for the house.
You have a theatre and film academy in Ogba, Lagos. Why are you investing in theatre school, instead of comedy?
The foundation is theatre. For you to be a comedian, you must be a good actor. For you to be able to interpret roles, you must be a fantastic actor because what you are coming to say on stage is something you’ve observed in the society. So, comedy is more of acting and expression, because as a stand-up comedienne, you can do jokes without talking.
What is the difference between Helen Paul on stage and at home?
Acting is my job, home is me. Whenever I am home, I am calm and not playful. But whenever I am outside, my goal is to make people happy even if I am not. I enjoy making
people laugh. I do not feel people should be sad because I am. Recently, I woke up one morning and I decided to give out many of the gifts I had received from the brands I represent. Instead of me keeping them still 2017, I wanted to let go and start afresh. I just wanted to surprise people and make them happy.
Did your two sons inherit your qualities or that of your husband?
I think they have both, but they are still growing.
How does your husband cope with the fact that you stay out late?
The thing about the job is that I am the CEO of myself and I can tell when to get home. I can also tell when to take a job and when to decline. When I am running late, I text and call him since I am an African woman. I try to apply wisdom in the way I communicate with him, because he is the boss of the house.
Do you get negative comments from your husband after performances?
He is the best critic ever. Whenever he feels you did not try, he would tell you. He would even go ahead to praise others who did well. At a show, at times, he would make the videos of other performances but not mine.
Don’t you feel hurt when your husband criticises you or places others ahead of you?
We are truthful to one another. Instead of pretending, he would tell me what he liked about a performance and the flaws he saw. In fact, he usually comes home with downloaded materials to help me to improve my craft. There was a time he brought me performances of different female comediennes, including Queen Latifah, Funke Akindele and Toyin Aimakhu. His belief is that you can learn from others.
What makes you unhappy?
When my baby is not feeling fine, I cry. When I miss a friend with whom I have severed ties, I feel sad. I feel bad too when people misunderstand or misinterpret me. But I have
learnt to play more with myself.
Many people have fought with me. I have friends that wanted me to do free wedding stuff for them and I had a job on the same day. Since I failed them, they never talked to me again regardless of how much I apologised.
Why do certain people feel you are saucy?
When you talk to me, you should expect a response. In communication, you do not say a word without getting a response. I grew up in Yaba, Lagos, a tough environment. Growing
up, we fought back once we were attacked. There was no point crying home or going to report to parents.
How did Gordons take the fact that you confronted him on stage after making a joke of you?
He gives me shows and we still work together. We were just acting, having fun but people took it to another level.
