After 12 years as an actress, Doris Simeon has decided to direct her energies to some other ventures in the entertainment industry, while still acting. She spoke with TUNDE AYANDA on her latest passion, her breakthrough in acting, even as she kept mum on her failed marriage.
What have you been up to lately?
I’ve been doing a lot of things as well as a lot of researches to start up some other things outside acting like I’m used to. As a result of that, I’ve successfully done a TV talk show and hopefully, I will make headway with that. I’m actually opening up to my fans that I can do more than acting, that I can present and host shows. Basically, that is what I’ve been up to lately. Though all this hasn’t stopped me from acting, I would only do that when I get a script, and I think I’ve been getting scripts.
You have successfully produced three movies- Onitemi, Omo Iya Kan, Asiri; are you working on another movie or you want to put a stop to it?
I’m actually working on two movies and I’m praying they become hits, like the rest, or even better. I’m working seriously on them and I want to make proper arrangements before going into the making of the films.
Taking you back to the awards you won recently, what were the criteria for these awards?
I actually got two awards from the United States of America, this year, from the people of my hometown- Okpella in Edo State. The award was to appreciate my efforts as one of their illustrious daughters in the movie industry, and also another one in Nigeria from Eldorado Entertainment in recognition of my achievements in the industry. Before I went to America, early this year, I got an award from ZAFAA as the best actress in Yoruba movie. It’s been great, but to me, awards are like challenges for you to work harder and compete more with people that are fresh and are willing to do better than you.
How actually did it all begin for you?
Funny enough, I didn’t join the drama group while in school but my friends and family members always teased me to join a drama group. It was actually my pastor’s son at the Apostolic Church that told me about Papa Ajasco’s auditioning; and the first time he told me about it, I couldn’t make it; the second time, I went for my aunt’s wedding and I was planning to rush down to Charity bus stop and was crossing the express when a guy tried cautioning me but I thought he wanted to toast me, so I ignored him and fell into the hands of the law enforcement agents (for not using the pedestrian bridge), so I missed the audition. At the third audition, I thought to myself that it wasn’t worth it but reluctantly, I went there with the hope of meeting stars and I was asked to do something which I did to the best of my knowledge and that was it.
I remember being scared of meeting Antar Laniyan, because I had heard that he was strict and I was afraid of failing but it was Wale Adenuga that auditioned me and that was it. It was on the set of Papa Ajasco that I met the late Yomi Ogunmola who was the director; he was the one that introduced me to Yoruba movies and got me my first role in the movie, Ten Million Naira.
Some believe your face and complexion have helped you rise in the movie industry, while others feel your talent is what actually sold you. Which would you agree sold you?
I would actually say it’s the talent and not the face, because the face might also add to the credit but it’s the talent that has actually kept me in there. The industry is growing and if you think it’s your fine face, another beautiful person would come and dethrone you. So, your talent should sell you. Your talent matters, even if you are beautiful, because I know that it’s not every producer that wants to sleep with a girl because of role; some want to sell their products and would go for only the best. I think it’s basically the talent. I’m the first to act in my family.
Twelve years down the line, how has it been?
It hasn’t been easy oo! I started way back and I thank God for the achievements so far. It’s not by power or might, because some people have been here for several years and haven’t achieved a single thing to the credit of what they have been doing. But I thank God that 12 years ago when I started, I never knew it would be this big. I remember when I started then, I wanted people to know my name and not the face but I have remained in the faces of people. However, I have been able to produce and have my name attached to a flick; I’m also working on producing TV shows. I thank God because starting and getting to this height is by His grace. Before now, there was nothing like all these gadgets and now, I still wonder how we used to get across to each other to come to location or for a job, unlike now that you get pings or calls telling you when you should come on set. But then you either got a letter or went to a business centre to receive calls and all that; technology has made it easier. But I think we still need more improvement and finance from corporate bodies to make our entertainment industry more attractive and encourage our effort. It’s sad to see colleagues who have been in the industry for several decades and can’t even afford to get a three square meals.
Did your parents support you then?
My parents were fully in support of me, because while I was growing up, I used to watch TV a lot and I would always love to be on TV as a newscaster or on the radio. Even before the audition, I had their blessings and they just said I should always remember who I am and where I’m coming from. In fact, my dad was my biggest fan, he would always tell people that I’m his daughter and they would even tell me what their friends told them about my choice of career.
When you started and got your first role, can you remember how much you were first paid?
I’m not sure, but I think I was paid N3,000 per episode for Papa Ajasco and got N21,000 for seven episodes that I did. For the film, I think it was N10,000 or N15,000.
As an established actress, how much do you charge per role?
I can’t divulge that, It’s not business-like.
But can you tell us the range?
No! I’m sorry I can’t. Like I said, it’s not business-like.
Is there any amount you wouldn’t take to act a role?
For me, it’s actually about the passion, however, this is what I do and how I feed and do several things, which include my upkeep. So, I would say, don’t tell me you want me to come and act for N50,000 when my friends earn N500,000 as salary. Even now, people think it’s cool to shoot a film for free and I just wonder how we would grow and keep our family if we keep doing free jobs. Recently, a friend of mine called me and said she had told a certain producer to request for my services but that the producer said I was just too expensive and I said I prefer it that way because I believe every act who must have paid his or her dues over time needs to enjoy the benefits of what he or she has laboured for. If we keep doing it freely, then how would the investors come and how are we supposed to cater for our needs and that of our families?
As a beautiful young lady at that time and now, how often do you get producers or directors coming after you for affair in order to get a role?
It happens, but it all depends on how you present and carry yourself and how you take your job. Some people are desperate and they would do anything just to get whatever role they want, but I’m not the desperate type, so, I believe so much in my talent and God. I’m one of those that believe that whatever is mine would always come to me and whatever is not mine won’t come to me.
Have you had occasions like that?
Well, to me, it’s like asking me for something and if I can’t offer it or don’t want to offer it, I simply say no. You would always be asked, to see how desperate you are and if you say no, no one would force you. No one would rape you if you refuse it, so, it’s about your mindset and how you present yourself.
So, how did you meet your ex-husband?
When I met him, I just came back from a job and I was called up by the location manager and I didn’t want to do the job but she was on my neck and wanted me to do the job for the producer and because she told me that majority of the crew were from the English movies I decided to do it because I had heard a lot about these people being arrogant and all that. I wanted to see how they were but unfortunately, every member of the crew was so friendly that I kept wondering where the perceived arrogance went. They were so accommodating and that changed my perception about a lot of these colleagues. So, it was on that set that I met him; he was the producer and director of the movie, Omo Jaiye Jaiye. He would walk up to me and greet me and he was always friendly, like others on that location.
But didn’t you feel he wanted to take advantage of the fact that he was the producer and director?
No, I didn’t feel that way because all of us on the set were so close. We just chatted normally and that was just it. It was more like a mutual thing.
So, what happened to the relationship that produced a kid?
Well, like I’ve said several times, I wouldn’t want to discuss that with the public, because like you know the future of an individual, who happens to be our son is involved and nothing is more precious to us than his future.
What have you been up to lately?
I’ve been doing a lot of things as well as a lot of researches to start up some other things outside acting like I’m used to. As a result of that, I’ve successfully done a TV talk show and hopefully, I will make headway with that. I’m actually opening up to my fans that I can do more than acting, that I can present and host shows. Basically, that is what I’ve been up to lately. Though all this hasn’t stopped me from acting, I would only do that when I get a script, and I think I’ve been getting scripts.
You have successfully produced three movies- Onitemi, Omo Iya Kan, Asiri; are you working on another movie or you want to put a stop to it?
I’m actually working on two movies and I’m praying they become hits, like the rest, or even better. I’m working seriously on them and I want to make proper arrangements before going into the making of the films.
Taking you back to the awards you won recently, what were the criteria for these awards?
I actually got two awards from the United States of America, this year, from the people of my hometown- Okpella in Edo State. The award was to appreciate my efforts as one of their illustrious daughters in the movie industry, and also another one in Nigeria from Eldorado Entertainment in recognition of my achievements in the industry. Before I went to America, early this year, I got an award from ZAFAA as the best actress in Yoruba movie. It’s been great, but to me, awards are like challenges for you to work harder and compete more with people that are fresh and are willing to do better than you.
How actually did it all begin for you?
Funny enough, I didn’t join the drama group while in school but my friends and family members always teased me to join a drama group. It was actually my pastor’s son at the Apostolic Church that told me about Papa Ajasco’s auditioning; and the first time he told me about it, I couldn’t make it; the second time, I went for my aunt’s wedding and I was planning to rush down to Charity bus stop and was crossing the express when a guy tried cautioning me but I thought he wanted to toast me, so I ignored him and fell into the hands of the law enforcement agents (for not using the pedestrian bridge), so I missed the audition. At the third audition, I thought to myself that it wasn’t worth it but reluctantly, I went there with the hope of meeting stars and I was asked to do something which I did to the best of my knowledge and that was it.
I remember being scared of meeting Antar Laniyan, because I had heard that he was strict and I was afraid of failing but it was Wale Adenuga that auditioned me and that was it. It was on the set of Papa Ajasco that I met the late Yomi Ogunmola who was the director; he was the one that introduced me to Yoruba movies and got me my first role in the movie, Ten Million Naira.
Some believe your face and complexion have helped you rise in the movie industry, while others feel your talent is what actually sold you. Which would you agree sold you?
I would actually say it’s the talent and not the face, because the face might also add to the credit but it’s the talent that has actually kept me in there. The industry is growing and if you think it’s your fine face, another beautiful person would come and dethrone you. So, your talent should sell you. Your talent matters, even if you are beautiful, because I know that it’s not every producer that wants to sleep with a girl because of role; some want to sell their products and would go for only the best. I think it’s basically the talent. I’m the first to act in my family.
Twelve years down the line, how has it been?
It hasn’t been easy oo! I started way back and I thank God for the achievements so far. It’s not by power or might, because some people have been here for several years and haven’t achieved a single thing to the credit of what they have been doing. But I thank God that 12 years ago when I started, I never knew it would be this big. I remember when I started then, I wanted people to know my name and not the face but I have remained in the faces of people. However, I have been able to produce and have my name attached to a flick; I’m also working on producing TV shows. I thank God because starting and getting to this height is by His grace. Before now, there was nothing like all these gadgets and now, I still wonder how we used to get across to each other to come to location or for a job, unlike now that you get pings or calls telling you when you should come on set. But then you either got a letter or went to a business centre to receive calls and all that; technology has made it easier. But I think we still need more improvement and finance from corporate bodies to make our entertainment industry more attractive and encourage our effort. It’s sad to see colleagues who have been in the industry for several decades and can’t even afford to get a three square meals.
Did your parents support you then?
My parents were fully in support of me, because while I was growing up, I used to watch TV a lot and I would always love to be on TV as a newscaster or on the radio. Even before the audition, I had their blessings and they just said I should always remember who I am and where I’m coming from. In fact, my dad was my biggest fan, he would always tell people that I’m his daughter and they would even tell me what their friends told them about my choice of career.
When you started and got your first role, can you remember how much you were first paid?
I’m not sure, but I think I was paid N3,000 per episode for Papa Ajasco and got N21,000 for seven episodes that I did. For the film, I think it was N10,000 or N15,000.
As an established actress, how much do you charge per role?
I can’t divulge that, It’s not business-like.
But can you tell us the range?
No! I’m sorry I can’t. Like I said, it’s not business-like.
Is there any amount you wouldn’t take to act a role?
For me, it’s actually about the passion, however, this is what I do and how I feed and do several things, which include my upkeep. So, I would say, don’t tell me you want me to come and act for N50,000 when my friends earn N500,000 as salary. Even now, people think it’s cool to shoot a film for free and I just wonder how we would grow and keep our family if we keep doing free jobs. Recently, a friend of mine called me and said she had told a certain producer to request for my services but that the producer said I was just too expensive and I said I prefer it that way because I believe every act who must have paid his or her dues over time needs to enjoy the benefits of what he or she has laboured for. If we keep doing it freely, then how would the investors come and how are we supposed to cater for our needs and that of our families?
As a beautiful young lady at that time and now, how often do you get producers or directors coming after you for affair in order to get a role?
It happens, but it all depends on how you present and carry yourself and how you take your job. Some people are desperate and they would do anything just to get whatever role they want, but I’m not the desperate type, so, I believe so much in my talent and God. I’m one of those that believe that whatever is mine would always come to me and whatever is not mine won’t come to me.
Have you had occasions like that?
Well, to me, it’s like asking me for something and if I can’t offer it or don’t want to offer it, I simply say no. You would always be asked, to see how desperate you are and if you say no, no one would force you. No one would rape you if you refuse it, so, it’s about your mindset and how you present yourself.
So, how did you meet your ex-husband?
When I met him, I just came back from a job and I was called up by the location manager and I didn’t want to do the job but she was on my neck and wanted me to do the job for the producer and because she told me that majority of the crew were from the English movies I decided to do it because I had heard a lot about these people being arrogant and all that. I wanted to see how they were but unfortunately, every member of the crew was so friendly that I kept wondering where the perceived arrogance went. They were so accommodating and that changed my perception about a lot of these colleagues. So, it was on that set that I met him; he was the producer and director of the movie, Omo Jaiye Jaiye. He would walk up to me and greet me and he was always friendly, like others on that location.
But didn’t you feel he wanted to take advantage of the fact that he was the producer and director?
No, I didn’t feel that way because all of us on the set were so close. We just chatted normally and that was just it. It was more like a mutual thing.
So, what happened to the relationship that produced a kid?
Well, like I’ve said several times, I wouldn’t want to discuss that with the public, because like you know the future of an individual, who happens to be our son is involved and nothing is more precious to us than his future.
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