Earlyface

Sultry Nollywood actress Titi Osinowo, has risen above the hurdles in the make-believe world and she’s on her way to the big league. The thespian who started her journey into acting in 2006,opens up on career and relationships in this interview. Titi Osinowo What are you working on at the moment? I don’t want to reveal what I’m working on yet but I’m planning something big. You started your career doing English movies why did you switch to Yoruba? Yoruba scripts were coming in for me, and also as a professional actor, one must be versatile. How and when did you start your journey into the make-believe world? It was in 2006, I spoke with my friend who is also an actress, about my interest in acting. She took me to a friend of hers who was shooting a movie in Ikorodu at the time, I met Toyin Abraham on the set and we became friends. It all started from there. How many movies have you featured in? I can’t remember, I have featured in soap operas like ‘Family Ties’, ‘Crack in the Wall’ and also movies like ‘Ese Aimodi’ amongst others. How has the journey been so far? It has been challenging, my journey has been on and off because I had to leave at some point to complete my education. I returned after a while and realized I could not keep up, so, I left again to get training and came back few months ago. What are the challenges you face? When I first started my career, I was faced with the challenge of producers wanting to date me before giving me a role. In the Yoruba sector, it is the people you call for your production that call you for theirs, it’s a ‘rub my back and I rub yours thing’ so, everyone wants to be a producer for this reason. I don’t see a reason why I would want to be a producer or director when I’m an actress, that is unprofessional, acting is enough for me. How did you deal with producers that wanted you to compromise in order to get roles? I turned them down politely, but when it wasn’t working well I had to leave the industry to complete my education. What are some of the lessons you have learnt? I have learnt a lot in the course of my career. Before I started acting I had a problem with relating with people because of the way I was brought up. While I was growing I never had the chance to relate with people because we were never allowed to go out, my father was very strict. For instance, while I was in the university I always felt it was a crime for a guy to walk up to me and ask me out. Also, I have learnt to respect people and be humble; acting has helped me a whole lot.
Do you have any regrets so far? I don’t have any regrets at all. With so many talented actors in the game, what makes you unique? What makes me unique is the fact that I don’t reason the way they do; I’m talking about the Yoruba sector now. I don’t share and will never share their mentality. Can you explain what you mean by this? I don’t want to talk about it. What will make you quit acting? Before now I would have said marriage, I really can’t remember how many times I quit in the past because of my relationships. But right now, I would not quit acting for anything because I’m back for good; there is no turning back for me, no matter what. Who are your role models in the industry? I used to have but not anymore but I have people that I like and appreciate. People like Ayo Adesanya, Yomi Fash Lanso, Rita Dominic, Bimbo Oshin make the list for me. Do you have any fond memory of growing up? Growing up wasn’t too exciting or boring for me, it was just normal. I grew up knowing just my dad, mum and two brothers, there was no extended family. We were never allowed to go out; we always went from school back home. It was tough for me when I was younger but now that I’m older I appreciate my parent for bringing me up the way they did. What has being in the limelight robbed you of? Being in the limelight will never change anything about me. I’m a very playful person; I like to express myself always. I don’t appreciate the fact that people think I should not live my life the way I want to because I’m an actress. I like to do things that make me happy every time. How do you relax? I watch movies, although I don’t watch my movies. Sometimes I attend parties, in all, I’m an indoor person and I don’t keep friends. You are not married yet, why is that? (Laughs) I have been in several relationships in the past that didn’t lead to marriage, so, here I’m, still single. Do you sometimes feel pressured by your family to get married? Of course I do, my mum pressurizes me all the time to bring a good man home. Does that mean wedding bells will ring soon? I’m looking unto God, I’m a very religious person and I believe that when God says it is time, nothing can stop it. I want to get married but I’m not in a rush. Why do you think some celebrity marriages crash? People get to talk about celebrity marriage crash because they are in the limelight, marriages crash every day. I cannot talk for anyone because I don’t know what they are going through. No one wish for their marriage to crash but when you hear about some people’s experience you will understand better. What are your recipes for a perfect relationship? The fear of God, maturity and friendship. For me, love doesn’t come first because when love is not enough friendship comes to play. Sex is the last on my list, I mean being good in bed does not guarantee the success of a relationship or marriage; I don’t think sex is relevant. Can you describe your style? I don’t have a specific style; I wear what I’m comfortable in and what looks good on me.