Never in my life will I expose my body on cam, no matter the price — Efe Irele

Efe Irele is a video vixen, model, and fast-rising actress. 
She’s best known for the role she played in the video of 
pop singer, Adekunle Gold’s hit single “Sade.” She has since moved on, featuring in other musical videos and movies.

 Recently, she featured in Emem Isong’s advocacy movie, Zahra, where she played the role of Sefia, a Hausa lady
 who was traumatised in the IDP camp and eventually died while in labour due to lack of medical attention. The movie
 is bound  to announce Efe’s presence in the nation’s movie industry.

 Showtime Celebrity met her at the premiere of the movie
 last Sunday. In this interview, Efe, who has Masters degree 
in Human Resource Management speaks about her role in
 the movie, music video, modelling and why she delved into acting.


How were you able to fit into the role of Sefia, a Hausa lady,
having come from the western part of the country?


I had to get into the character properly to make it believable.
 I did a lot of researches because when the script was 
given to me, I realized the producer wanted me to speak
 with Hausa accent in the movie. So, at that moment, I 
started hanging around with my Hausa gate-man and all 
the Mallams in my area just to learn how to pronounce 
certain words in Hausa and master their intonation. I also watched a lot of Hausa movies.

How long have you been into acting to have landed this kind of
challenging role?


I started acting about a year ago. I was actually nervous
initially but I picked up courage and put in my best. I am
excited that I am part of the cast of this film.


Did you feel intimidated while on set?

Not at all. My senior colleagues were actually supportive. 
They were coming from time to time to encourage me.

The director of the film too was very helpful. He was always
talking to me about getting into my character. I enjoyed
 being on the set of this movie because it has exposed me 
to a lot of things happening out there, especially in the IDP camps. A lot of people are suffering for something they did not bargain for. I feel this movie should expose a lot of ugly things going on in the IDP camps.


How did you land the role in this movie?

There was a job I did for Iroko TV, a TV series called “Single
Ladies”, the production manager, Onyinye was impressed 
with my performance and she was the one that introduced 
me to Aunty Emem Isong, who invited me for a script
 reading session. After the session, she gave me the role.


Is this your first major work as an actress?

I have done a couple of other videos. I was in Burna Boy
 party video. I did that when I came back from the UK after
completing my Masters degree programme in Human

Resource Management.


How did your parents feel after sending you to the UK to
pursue your master degree only to come back and venture into the entertainment industry?

My mum was open to it, but my father initially did not
understand it. My mum would book appointment for me 
and asked me to follow it up, like interviews and all that.
 I look at her today and I could see smiles on her face. I am into showbiz for real, and this is what I love doing for a living.


But it’s not as if your father has given you his full consent?

Initially he did not, but now, he’s okay with it.

Beyond the glamour that comes with acting, are your 
parents impressed with what comes in, in terms of returns ?

I wouldn’t say they are happy with it, but I guess I am happy

doing what I like doing. They support me a lot.


Does it mean you will not be doing music video modelling
anymore?

I still do some selected videos, but not everything that
comes my way.



How much of nudity have you displayed as a video vixen?

That was never me at any point in time. From the outset, I
had this kind of mindset that I am not going to show my skin
to bring any attention to myself. In all the musical videos I
have featured in, I was properly dressed.


So, you are one in a million?

I guess so. People are different, and our orientations are
different as well.



Bu if you are paid handsomely to show your skin in a musical
video, will you reject it?

No matter how much you offer me, I won’t expose my body in
a musical video.


How did you meet Adekunle Gold to feature in his musical
video?

When I was a video vixen, it was my manager that got the job
for me. The day we shot the video was the first day I met
Adekunle Gold. It was my manager that sealed the deal.


And your relationship with him did not go beyond the screen?

We are good friends. Sometimes, we chat on Instagram and
other social media platforms.



Yes, it brought me a lot of attention, but not negative ones.
People always recognize me and scream wherever they meet
me.


What projects are you undertaking this year?

I am already in Nollywood, but I want to go deeper into the
industry: feature in many movies and later in the year, start
producing my own movies.


You are one year old in the industry and you are already
thinking of going into movie production?


Of course, I have to think of the money. Though I went into
acting because of the passion I have for the profession. 
When you find your passion, you also have to think of
 making money.


Before you ventured into acting, for how long did you desire
the profession?

I started modelling when I was 15 years. It was when I
realized I have something to do with the camera.