I Am Single and Free – Nollywood Actress Dayo Amusa

In a recent interview with a soft sell magazine, Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa spoke about her new movie, the impression people have about her and she also disclosed that she is single and free… Read excepts from the interview below

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE MOVIE?

I witnessed a particular incident, that actually prompted the story. I witnessed a particular incident between a couple that had to do with violence, beating and abuse generally. I just felt there was a need to create awareness for it and doing something in that area will actually make a lot of people get the awareness that it exist and it’s not something we should encourage in the society. This is the main reason UNFORGIVABLE came into existence in the first place.

IS IT A YOURBA MOVIE BECAUSE I HEARD YOU FEATURED SOME ENGLISH ACTORS IN IT?

It’s a Yoruba movie. It has a Yoruba version AINIDARIJI in bracket. But it is pure Yoruba movie. More like 80% Yoruba, 20% English. It is directed bu Desmond Eliot and lead character taken by Mike Ezurounye and myself and it involves Bukky Wright, Iyabo Ojo, Faithia.

WHAT NO IS THIS MOVIE?

This is number 8. I started with Ajegbodo – 2006, then Oju Awo-2007, Nkan Soso-2008,Obunseli Mii- 2009, Dewunmi Iberu-2010, Inu and Ida was in 2012. I did 2 movies that year, then this new one.

YOU CUT THE PICTURE OF A CONTROVERSIAL OR TROUBLESOME ACTRESS. YOU ALSO HAVE THE SERIOUS SIDE OF YOU. HOW DO YOU BALANCE OUT THE 2 SIDES?

I think it has a lot to do with my roles in movies. Many people have come to see me taking some roles that are not that emotional. Then, I had to feature in many movies that had to do with crime, thuggery and stuff like that. So, my genesis in the industry has actually given them this particular feeling that this girl is a rugged girl. They didn’t take their time to understand me that just as she can play this role, she could probably play other roles.

That’s why I had to slow down on acting in any script that has to do with crime except it has something to really, really sell out to the people to learn from. At a point, I was feeling I was being stereotyped with crime, so I started turning down a lot of scrips that has to do with crime and had to do something totally different after Dewunmi Iberu.

HOW DO YOU REACT TO ALL THE OCCASIONAL UNFAVORABLE MEDIA REPORTS ABOUT YOU?

I am a very blunt person by nature and I am a realist. When negative stories comes up. I take it in my stride. I take it that people will talk. Even when they see the good that you are doing, you will still find someone saying what is she doing. So I have tried to put myself in the position that Dayo, look, whatever you do be ready for criticism . I enjoy people saying what has she done? Who does she think she is? To them they feel by saying it I will feel hurt but to me I like it. It is from what they say that I will work on.

Just like the single I released for the movie. A lot of people are like why is she going into music? She does not have the voice. I just read the comments on the blogs and i laugh. Whoa! And I say that is exactly the controversy I wanted to create in the society. So, I am so happy having them dance to the beat. For me, I don’t get bothered about what you think of me, or the way you see me because for me, I am realistic, as long as I am okay with what I am doing. Hey! I don’t expect you to buy into my idea. Fingers are not equal. So, I don’t see it.

YOU HAVE BEEN LINKED WITH SO MANY BIG BOYS. HOW DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SEE THOSE REPORTS?

I am single and free, so I can date anybody I want to, for those I have dated truly no problems. I feel like you have got me there. For those I did not date, I feel like go ahead and fool yourself because its not true. I don’t get bothered. I am close to so many male folks for so many different reasons. It’s always about dating. I maybe close to you because there is something I tap from you one way or the other. You may not be aware if it. A times some of the things you say may broaden my scope or help enlarge my thoughts. So I will always want to be around you.

I will want to relate with you and talk to you. In Nigeria, any actress who is seen around a big guy the first impression is you are dating that person. If we were having this interview at a restaurant in Ikeja now, what you will hear is Seye Kehinde was seen at a restaurant in Ikeja, so that are dating. That’s why i am not bothered. If I date somebody and the relationship does not work out and I choose to walk out, I have a right to do so, and to be happy. Nobody can crucify me for that. I am not married. Being a celebrity does not mean that I don’t deserve to be happy or that I won’t have a life of my own. I am not a perfectionist, so they should not expect me knowing one guy all my life. If my relationship with you does not work out fine , then I’ll move on. A times, If something is affecting me emotionally or psychologically, I let it go and move on.

HOW COME DAYO IS NOT MARRIED?

I wouldn’t want to say maybe because guys out there are intimidated. Someone that does not see what I am seeing, that does not support what I am doing, wont get on well with me. Majority of the men out there like the fact that she is a celebrity, she is my type of girl, but there is so much rejection behind that she is my girl. It is more of how they wish she is not doing what she is doing. Why will I have to jeopardize my career and what makes me happy for a man. So, I believe I am single because the right man is not available yet. If he is available, of course I would have been picked.

I have had one or two relationships that felt could lead to marriage but I ask myself, is this what I really want? I listen to my mum a lot. She says to me. 10 years broken relationship is better that a day broken home. I don’t see myself as having a home that is going to break in any way. I feel I can try to make my marriage I go into work. But I can’t do it all alone. So, a man that does not see what I am seeing in terms of my career, that cannot be superlative, with me will definitely probably be intimidated about my status.

DON’T YOU THINK A LOT OF GUYS WILL BE INTIMIDATED BY DAYO’S HIGH PROFILE i.e YOUR DRIVING A BIG JEEP, THE BIG BABE IMAGE STUFFS…

I don’t think that is really, really the major problem. There are 1,0001 young unmarried guys out there, that are living very comfortable and they are not married.. Why are they not married? They must have their reasons, I beg. Which money I get now? I no get money. I never build house oh! I get only one car. Dayo Amusa is just a struggling babe out there trying to make a living for myself. And trying to offer something back to the society. They made me who I am. I am an Entertainer.