Thread: "I'm not infatuated by my good looks" -Joseph Benjamin

Beyond the glamorous TV presenter and Nollywood actor, Joseph Benjamin has unarguably charmed his way into the hearts of many.

With awards including Outstanding Male Act at the 9th Abuja International Film Festival, Best Actor of the Year, Best New Actor and Sexiest TV Presenter at the Broadcasters Award, this MTN Project Fame West Africa co-host speaks about his very humble and inspiring beginnings and book of life experiences.

He has played lead roles in Mr&Mrs, Married But Living Single, Kiss and Tell, Spell Bound, Tango With Me among others.

Today you are a successful TV personality. Can you remember where you were and what you were doing 15 years ago?

15 years ago I still had my eyes peering into entertainment. I had done a few TV series and had made my ambition clear from the start that this is what I would like to spend the rest of my life doing. 15 years ago I clung to the hope that there was light at the end of the tunnel; I was still crawling in that tunnel and all I had was hope. I had done so many things to survive – I had been a conductor (my route was Ikeja/Ojuelegba), I had worked as a security guard, worked as a waiter; sold women’s shoes at Balogun; before getting into IT, and then acting.

What did you learn from the streets in those years of menial jobs?

Being street smart is a whole educational process on its own – they call it school of hard knocks. The streets taught me the importance of standing on your feet; the significance of being independent. Since I have seen both ends of life – in lack and in comfort, it has ingrained in me the value of hard work. There is very little you can achieve if you despise hard work. The streets made me whole; it made me confident and wiped every trace of naivety.

Some of your fans have also asked that you turn your life story into a book. Is that something you would consider?

Yes, I am actually working on that. I got feedbacks on an interview I had on radio where I shared my story and I have decided to make a coffee-table book of what experiences I gathered whilst becoming who I am. If the book can inspire one young person to hold on to his/her dream then it would have achieved its aim.

What fascinates you most about being a celebrity?

The fact that people admire what you do and are inspired by you can be very intriguing, but it can be burdensome sometimes because you are placed on a pedestal that makes you unable to make human mistakes without being judged ruthlessly. To have so many people appreciate you is to ensure that you keep them believing that you are above certain mistakes which can be exasperating.

Are you infatuated by your own good looks?

No. I do not wake up in the morning to kiss my mirror.

Do you think your talent would have been recognized if you did not come with good looks?

Talent is big enough to get you anywhere you want to go, no matter how vain the world gets.

What would you say is the biggest challenge for an enterprising young man living in this era?

Keeping it real. It always seems people expect you to carry on with a pretentious personality. The best thing you can do for yourself is never keep up with the Joneses. Live your life on your own terms, as it best suits you.


"I'm not infatuated by my good looks" -Joseph Benjamin | Daily Times Nigeria