Thread: I Don't Understand Why Actresses Use Sex For Roles - Laide Bakare

From The Independent

When some moviemakers used her father's hotel in Ibadan as a location in 1998, little did many realise that Olaide Bakare was catching a glimpse of life vocation as she inquisitively followed actions of the actors and their directors. Mistakenly considered the daughter of veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, Olaide got hooked on the thrills of the make-believe world and decided to cut her teeth in the entertainment industry.

That one chance encounter with film making by the mother of one completely changed her life, and engendered in her, the desire to be a screen siren. "It all started when I had a chance meeting with some moviemakers who came to shoot a film in my father's hotel in Ibadan. That day was coincidentally my father's birthday and house warming ceremony. And since that day, I desired and longed to be like them. "Meanwhile, I had already gained admission to study Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, which was really an anti-climax," she said.

Having her first incursion 2001, Laide starred in a flick entitled Eru Ju Omi later 11:45. For the young lady, her desire to be recognised in her chosen field was responsible for her rapid rise to recognition. "I think my desire to be recognised in whatever I find myself doing is responsible for my achievements. I want to succeed in whatever I do. I never liked to fail even while I was a child, so I put all I had into it and I thank God for the result," Laide said.

Laide's experience in Nollywood has become a success story, as she has been able to rise through the ranks, which to her, "is a thing of joy to see myself where I am today, because it is not everyone who started with me that is still relevant in the industry. Some fell by the wayside, while some are still trying to find their feet. So, I would say that it has been fun, as you tend to meet a lot of people everyday. "I can't really say this moment is the most challenging in my career! Perhaps it was while I was in school. It wasn't easy combining schooling with acting. You had to juggle being on location with several other things, but I am grateful to God that I was able to pull through."

However, the sultry actress maintained that despite her love for the art, she has never been desperate over it. "Yes I love acting and the art, but for me, it wasn't a do-or-die affair. I could remember when I was in school; I rejected lot of roles that clashed with important school activities. So, when people say some actress use sex to get roles, I wonder why anybody would want to, and since it hasn't happened to me, I can't say much. "The fact that I am an actress does not mean that I have to play all the roles that are thrown at me and I have the right to say yes or no to any role."

For an actress whose first fee was quite small, Laide believes making a name was of paramount importance, and as such, placed little or no relevance on the monetary gains, believing this might quickly stymie her future. "I think my level of understanding of what it takes to be an actress and a moviemaker is my unique selling point. You see, capacity building is very important in whatever we do in Nollywood, and I'm not ignorant of the happenings in the industry, so, that is why I make my productions stand out from the various movies that are being churned out on a monthly basis. "My personality is something I always believe I can improve upon. I'm not deceived that I am the best or one of the best, I believe I can always improve on whatever I have been able to achieve. "I am a very simple person, level headed, intelligent, and appreciative of my friends and easy going," Laide said on her uniqueness and personality in the make-believe world.

With the regular challenges that many married actresses face whenever they remain on the spotlight, how has she been able to withstand the heat? "When you are always busy and do not have time for your loved ones, there are bound to be complaints from them. It's even very bad when the person concerned is not as understanding as you would have wanted or expected. "I am glad that I have someone that is very understanding and loves me for who I am, and he is coping because he knew what he was doing when he proposed to me. "He understands me so well and the kind of job I do is not a problem to him. I strongly believe he saw in me someone he wanted and not the regular actress or Laide the actress!" In describing herself, Laide said, "You might find this quite unbelievable, but outside the screen, I'm a very shy person; I don't talk too much and I am still hoping to be a better actress and moviemaker. This is because the future holds so much for those who dare dream and believe in themselves, and I believe I want to be part of that special people." Said to be very respectful and polite, Laide, whose hubby lives in far away United States of America, where he works with the U.S. Customs, maintains that she is involved in other things like selling cars and running a boutique, apart from acting.

Independent