Lifestyle
Mike Afolarin reveals school strike drove him into acting
Fast-rising Nollywood star, Mike Afolarin, popularly known as Ishaya for his sensational role in the Netflix series, ‘Far from home’, speaks with the media on his journey towards acting.
How do you feel being part of the youths making waves in the Nigerian movie industry?
I’m just grateful for the opportunity; there are a lot of talented actors and actresses but to be the one chosen to headline the amazing project, ‘Far from Home’, is something I’m grateful to God for.
How and when did you get into acting?
My first ever acting gig was in 2013 and it was a stage play. There was a six-month strike at my university then and I was looking for what to do with my time when I saw the audition and went for it. I got to play the lead and that was my first time acting professionally.
Before then, I had done a couple of other stage plays and dramas at my church. When I finished my education, I strived to get into the film industry properly and that was in 2016. The first Nollywood movie I acted in was ‘Kasala.’ Before then, I had also done short films and telenovelas.
Who gave you your first shot in the industry?
Tolu Awobiyi, popularly known as ‘Lord Tanner,’ gave me my first shot.
Who were the inspiring figures in the movie industry that influenced your career progression?
Everyone is doing their thing right now and most legendary actors like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Gabriel Afolayan, and Funke Akindele, were people I watched while growing up. I learnt a lot from watching them and working closely with them. I can’t say I have a particular role model.
Can you tell us some of the challenges you faced playing Ishaya in the Netflix series, Far from Home?
Playing Ishaya was very interesting like you’d know, he did a lot of crazy stuff, he was running away from Isale Eko, he was running away from the Hyena and all that so those made it interesting but it was still a bit tasking, it also wasn’t too much of a big deal because Netflix and everyone were very supportive. The physicality of the character made it a bit tasking, I had to run here and there, had to play football, and so on. On a regular day, I won’t be running around Isale Eko or getting slapped in the face by brother government.
You and Carmen look very perfect on screen, should fans expect something to manifest between both of you, or you are taken?
Except what? Carmen is married, very married. Besides, there are more than enough ships in the movie.
Give us an insight into your average day as an actor.
When I’m not on set or a film shoot, I try to do some research on my work and performances, I try to watch a couple of inspiring movies and stuff, and reach out to friends and families.
What are your plans for 2023?
We’ll see how it goes; I’m taking it one step at a time. There are a lot of projects I did last year that will be released this year and I’m also looking to produce my projects as well.
If you weren’t an actor, what would you have done?
I would have been a photographer or just somewhere in the arts.
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Fashion editor and podcaster Chioma Nnadi has been named as the new head of editorial content at British Vogue, becoming the first black female head of the industry-leading fashion publication.
The 44-year-old is set to succeed Edward Enninful as the editor of British Vogue but her title will be Head of Editorial Content, unlike previous editors who were described as Editor-in-Chief.
Nnadi posted on Instagram: “I’m so thrilled to announce that I’m the new head of editorial content for @britishvogue. Huge thanks to Anna Wintour, @edward_enninful, and Roger Lynch for giving me this opportunity.
“I’m truly honoured and so excited to be coming home. Stay tuned!”
As editor of New York-based Vogue.com, with recent cover stories have featured stars such as Rihanna, Cara Delevingne and Erykah Badu, Nnadi spent 13 years as a writer and news director for Vogue, and also co-hosts the publication’s podcast, The Run-Through.
“As someone who was born and raised in London, the energy of the city — its boundary-pushing style and creative scene — has shaped the way I look at the world,” Nnadi said in a statement on Monday, in the middle of London Fashion Week.
“Now, more than ever, it feels like a moment to look beyond borders while also celebrating the broad scope of what it means to be British,” she added of her return to her hometown.
“I’m looking forward to engaging a loyal and inspired digital community that is energised by our access, point of view, and storytelling.”
Anna Wintour, Vogue’s chief content officer and global editorial director, who inspired Meryl Streep’s character in the film The Devil Wears Prada, said Nnadi was “beloved among her colleagues” and “an editor and writer with an impeccable reputation — both here and in the fashion industry at large”.
Enninful will remain as an editorial adviser to the UK title but move into a newly-created job next year aimed at growing the brand globally.
Born to a Nigerian father and Swiss-German mother, Nnadi worked at magazines Trace and The Fader as well as Evening Standard’s features desk before joining Vogue in 2010.
Her new job will commence from October 9.
All roads led to The Podium events place in Lekki, Lagos, on the night of Friday August 25th when the cream de la cream in the movies and media industry trooped out to celebrate one of their own.
It was the 40th anniversary of the gentleman that family and friends call Muyiwa but whom the generality of the creative and technical stakeholders in Nollywood simply cherish as Moses Babatope.
It’s impossible not to acknowledge the immense contribution of this suave, debonair and business savvy gentleman in Nigerian cinema since he returned to the country from the United Kingdom where he was was educated in Banking and Finance for his first degree and International Finance for his Master’s.
Several friends, colleagues abd well-wishers spoke glowingly of his passion for the industry, his humility and generosity, since his days as a young film buff that assisted in getting many Nollywood films screened at Odeon Cinena, in Surrey Quays, London.
They also applaud his exemplary career as co-helmsman at FilmOne/FilmHouse/Imax group.
The birthday dinner was sumptuous. The documentary clip about the celebrant was revealing. Music was awesome and the afterparty was as classy as it was sassy.
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