EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH OLATUNDE ABIOLA,EX-TV CONTINENTAL PRESENTER

EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH OLATUNDE ABIOLA,EX-TV CONTINENTAL PRESENTER! NIGERIA’S NOLLYWOOD DAMSEL IN MIAMI, FLORIDA REVEALS: Sexual Assault in Nollywood is Real…She was never Sexually Harrased, Sexually Attracted * Says:’I made my First Million at 15yrs

How long were you a model in Nigeria?

I started out since 2002. That makes it 10years (a decade) that i had been a model in Nigeria.

Kindly take us through your adventure both in modeling

It all just came my way. My first job came to me because earlier i never modelled or done
anything pertaining to entertainment. I did not even know what it was.It just
happened of a sudden that sumone mistakinly presented my photo at a job.It was just a normal
picture not even a studio photo and i was called to shoot the billboard.

How about your entry into soap opera in Nigeria?

I would say it was very similar to the way i entered into the modelling,i found myself in Nollywood.
What happened was a good friend of mine had asked me to accompany her to an audition just to
keep her company. And while we were there waiting for her turn to get auditioned, the receptionist
asked me to go in. I hesitated first because i was shy and i was like (i dont know how to act), but
she insisted ,so i went in and i got picked for the job.That was how i shot my first tv soap opera.

What were the challenges you faced in modelling industry?

Like i said, modelling jobs came so easy, since i did not experience the hassle of going to castings.
From the outset, the first first job came to me. This led to the next and the next led to the next.
I think it was after the 3rd job i did that i attended my first audition. So, i did not experience
rejection  as a new comer which is what usually makes it hard for a lot of new models. Some of them
invariably back-out, while few others prefer ‘short-cut’ to fame and fortune. Better still, they wanna
take short cuts(wink)

Can you recall when you made your first miilions of naira?

I can boldly tell you that i made my first 6 figures at age 15, been my first job.

Then as a top model, what major jobs did you feature in?

In all honesty, i have worked with Coca-Cola, MTN, Guiness, LG, Dudu Osun, Apple hair cosmetics, Opral
benson,International Distilleries, Glo, Nokia, Midea Air conditioners. I guess those are all i can
remember for now.

What can u tell us about sexual harrasment in the industry?

Well,sexualharassment exists EVERYWHERE i mean in every organisation. It is only left to you to choose
your path by the way you handle it.

Were you ever sexually harassed at any point of your career?

I don’t think there is a big deal with a bee getting attracted to nectar.It is a free world. I am not
saying it is right though. I dont want to cal my case sexual harrasment, but attraction. Producers/managers did get
sexually attracted to me a lot and i choose my path. And trust me, my path paid off
and that is why i am who i am and where i am today because i was never sexually harrased.

How were you able to wriggle yourrself out of the sexual thorns of producers?

(laughs) Attraction u mean? Well, like i said ,it is a free world and you should choose the path that
suits youu. I am a very strict person that would not even take nonsense from myself. For me, acting or
modeling is not a “DO OR DIE” thing. Anything i cannot chew,i spit out. Believe me, i did spit out a
lot and that is why i have my teeth intact honorably.

So how many movies or modellig jobs did youu sacrifice due to sexual harrassment?

I did sacrifice a lot of modeling jobs and soaps due to this sexual attraction

What else have you done apart from modelling and acting?

I worked with tvc(television continental) as a tv presenter where i anchored a live entertainment show
called  “Weekend Splash”. Aside showbizness, i am a business woman.

What lesson did you learn from being a top model in Nigeria?

I have learnt that you should always follow your heart, believe in yourself, never let criticisms
let you down. You must never give in to pressure, but reach for the skies because that is just your
starting point. Above all, carry God along, that is very necessary.

How is United States treating you?

Ooh, very well. I feel very wellcomed and i am at home here.

When you left Nigeria for the United States, what were your aspirations and aims?

Honestly, my plan was to get into the system as swift as i can and then take America from there (wink)

Now that you are here, does that mean you are not going to be on the Nigerian television anymore?

Nahhhhhhh! that is not possible. Nigeria wil hear from me from time to time by the grace of God.
I am actually working on something at the moment. It is my little way of giving back to Nigeria.
I assure you that you will hear about it.

Are you ready to merge your experience in Nollywood with that of Hollywood?

Sure, being that they say “no knowledge is lost”

Hope you know Hollywood is the world center of sexual corruption, are you stil going
to be sacrificing movies and modelling contracts due to sexual harrasment?

I love the showbiz soo much, but i stil stand by my slogan “what i cannot chew ,i spit out). It is
my policy and wil never change for any reason. I cannot and will never exchange my body for a job.
not even my lips. If i am best for a job and God wants it for me, then it will get to me no matter what.

How do you intend to rebrand Nigeria’s image here in the US?

I am a very proud Nigerian. I have to let people see that in me in whatsoever i do. Also, gotta
enlighten people on the values of our culture and people. I would love to erase that negative idea
foreigners have about my country at every opportunity i get.

What are u doing at the moment?

I am working on a project at the moment. Though it is in the works and i would love to keep it on the low.
I can assure you that you all wil hear from Tundegirl SOON.

Are you married?

I am happily married to a man i have a man in my life now.

How does your man cope with the job you do and the attraction you may be getting from men?

God brought us together and we both love and trust each other. The rest is minor.

As an A-list acttess and model, what is the most treasured part of ur body?

Every part of my body is very special, because they all work together to make
tundegirl. They all make me money, so i take  good care of EVERY parts of my body. And i thank God for
them.

What is your best nigerian dish?

Now you wanna make me buy the next ticket to Nigeria. I love amala n ewedu/ila asepo/efo riro,
edikaikong etc. infact i love food ,i cannot deny it.

How do you keep fit?

I am frequent at the gym and i make use of my home workout kits. I go jogging, walking
and also dancing plus i try to keep my diet healthy.

What advice do you have for young girls that are aspiring to come into the
showbiz industry?

First of all, education is very important: keep your head up and don’t get carried
away. You have to hold on to God because He is the only producer that produces long life. He is the
director that won’t mislead you and the make up artiste that gives you ever lasting beauty. Also, when you
acheive your dream, be a sweetheart and touch lives positively like i just did.