Although she shares a name with the famous Ransome-Kuti family, sultry actress Jaye Kuti is in no way related to them. As a screen goddess of many years, however, this beautiful actress is not just a popular face on TV soaps and home movies, she is equally loved and respected by many. In this interview with YEMISI OLUSINA, the sexy actress who is reputed for the talented way she interprets her roles spoke at length about her person and journey so far as an actress.
No doubt, the name Jaiyeola Kuti is a household name in the Nigerian movie industry. Tell us more about yourself.
Jaiyeola Oluwakemi Kuti is not just an actress; she is a producer and the Chief Executive Officer of Jaylex Production Jaylex Production is into film production, music, and entertainment in general. Jaylex Production, basically, aims at exposing people who are talented and want to make a career in the acting and the entertainment world.
So, it is all about creating jobs for creative minds. I attended Ikorodu Grammar School, and from there I went to the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, where I studied Secretarial Administration. Later, I went to the University of Lagos to read English Language. I also did Computer Science. After that, I started work in a company as a Personal Assistant to the Managing Director. While I was working, acting was on my mind. It was in my blood; I knew I would be in the industry one day.
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Were you not afraid of the uncertainty of this new world?
A step like this is part of life. If you don’t take a risk in life, you might not make it, because life itself is a risk. Like I told you earlier while I was working in a company, I still had my eyes fixed on becoming an actress, so it was not a coincidence I found myself in the profession of acting. And so far so good, I have no regret.
When exactly did you join the make-believe profession?
That was many years ago. When I left paid employment, I started acting fully because before I left the job I had always been in it as a part-time staff. I started with Laffpattern and Everyday People. So, when I left my job it was easy for me to continue with acting. I took it up as a career. Coming into the industry is like entering a familiar terrain. I knew I had the acting talent. That was how I started gradually and to God be the glory, I started growing in it. From the soap opera, I have been doing home videos.
At a time, I was the Assistant Coordinator of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Ogun State, and later, I joined the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP). I started with Oga Bello, and then Jide Kosoko. I understudied many people. After that, I came out with my own film -“Eewo Lafin,-Itan Kokoro Ede.” Shortly after, it was taken to Italy, and I was happy about it. I have done many others like, “Eni Agbelebu.” “Oro Mi” and “Olori Amolegbe” the last two were premiered in UK. I have another one that is coming up, which I am presently working on.
You celebrated your birthday recently and the whole social media was really involved. How did that feel?
I must confess to you that I was short of words when I saw the volume of messages that came pouring in from different quarters, my family, friends, professional colleagues and fans, I was like, waoh, what did I do to deserve all the accolades, the care, the love and all. I don’t want to start mentioning names, but I have to state here that Bimbo Oshin surprised me with a special gift on that day. And so many people out there, some even used my pictures as their DP, I mean, it was really overwhelming. So many people, all I could just say is that I love them and I appreciate them all.
How would you describe your acting journey so far?
I will say the journey has been so far not quite rough, not very smooth either. My conclusion is that anyone who is ready to grow in the industry must be ready to get stuck to it, which is what I did and still doing. I am still working, taking it easy. The journey so far has been wonderfully great. At least, I have a good story to tell about it and I am enjoying it. I thank God.
As an actress, what do you think makes you unique, I mean different from other actresses?
I think God made me special; everything about me started from God. Every day I ask God for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. With those, you can stand with any other person. So, I think God created in me that uniqueness and I also try to be unique in my own little way, trying to create things better than what I see. So, creating what is better than the best, of course, will stand you out.
What can you say about the Nigerian movie industry?
It is growing and growing fast. I can say we are growing fast. These days, our people are producing good movies, because gone are the days when people produced inferior quality movies, which Nigerians accepted all the same. Now, even the cinemas will not take it. So, everybody is now sitting up to think of a good story, and do movies that can be shown and sold here in Nigeria, and can also be distributed anywhere in the world. I won’t do a movie that I can’t take out of Nigeria. I want to be able to take it anywhere in the world. But if you don’t do a good movie, you can’t take it anywhere. So, you see, we are growing fast and we are doing better now.
Some people still believe that a lady must sleep her way up to success in the industry. How true is this?
Let me just put it as a 50-50 thing. From my own experience in the industry, I have never been asked out by any producer or any director, or even co-artistes. Although as co-artistes, we may just admire ourselves. I have never been told specifically that because of this role I have to go out with you. I don’t think anybody has reported this to me, even though I know that once in a while it might happen.
But you see as you make your bed, so you lie on it. When you are focused and you know what you want to do in the industry, nobody will say look if I don’t sleep with you, I will not give you that role. If you are good, they will beg to use you. I know some actresses who, if they come for your audition, you would not just let them go because they are good. You have to ask yourself whether you are really an actress. Because some people just see the industry and feel that, hey, money is there.
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I am a beautiful girl. I want to be there. But no! It doesn’t work like that. You may be beautiful but not be good at the job. So, if you are not good at it and you want to be there by force, then you have invited trouble. The producer will want to sleep with you because he knows that at the end of the day you are still not usable. Some of these people create problems for themselves. What you cannot do, you say you want to do by force. When you are good, I think the director himself will not let you go.
So you have to be focused; you have to face what you want to do, and you have to know why you are there. You must also know that this does not really have to be in a hurry, you have to start gradually. Rome was not built in a day. That is how the industry runs. As you grow with it, people get to know and like you, and before you know it, your phone number will be flying around. They will be saying, please, let me have the number of so, so, so person. They will get you there; it doesn’t have to be: ‘I want to get there today.’
What about lesbianism in the industry?
They talk about it, but I have never encountered those who indulge in it. I don’t know anyone in the industry who is a lesbian.
But do you think it exists in the industry?
I don’t know. I have been in the industry for years, but I cannot point to one person that is said to be a lesbian.
Have you been embarrassed before as a result of a role you played in a movie?
I can’t really say it was an embarrassment. I only got a feel of that when I started becoming popular. One day, I went to a market to buy some things and the market women were shouting at me, saying: “E de na owo landlord fun wa, sebi landlord ti fun yin lowo now.”(Meaning, come and spend the landlord’s money on us, at least the landlord has given you money).
They were referring to a role I played in a movie as a landlord’s wife. A lot of people get carried away by what they see. They don’t want to see it as part of acting. They see it as a real thing. There was a time I played a wicked role. Then I went to Idumota in Lagos to buy jewellery and the next thing I heard was: “Eni Agbelebu; e ma kan wa magbelebu o.” (Meaning, please don’t crucify us on the cross o!’) When I wanted to talk, one woman said: “I know you will be wicked. You are just acting as if you are nice.”
Because they believe that a nice person cannot be that wicked, they think you must have that wickedness in you. But what they fail to realize is that you are playing the character of another person in a film, which is part of what makes you a professional.
As a beautiful woman, how do you handle your admirers?
One thing that is clear is that no one can run away from his or her admirers even if he or she is not beautiful. The thing is, for every woman, there is a man. God created women for men to appreciate. So, I have lost count of men who say they want me. Some will even say they want to take me away from my husband at whatever cost. They don’t care.
That means you may even have admirers among top politicians and company CEOs.
I don’t know. I have never been approached or spoken to either by governors, senators or commissioners. But, what I do is to give those who make the effort my phone number. I have a special number I give to such people.
Why don’t you give them your regular phone number? Are you afraid that your husband may catch you?
I am not afraid. My phone is available even to my children. I have two lines: one is for business; whatever comes out of it are my official and business activities. I cannot go out with two or three phones. My husband knows what I do; both of us read my scripts together. My husband once told me that he doesn’t like Yoruba movies, because they don’t act romantic roles well.
That I should try and switch, that they are not real? He once queried how someone would say she is a wife to somebody and she is far from the person? He saw me in one movie in a romantic role, and he asked: “Is that, my wife? What is that man doing with my wife?” He was just joking! Because Jide Kosoko was hugging me, and at the same time Aremu Afolayan was in the same bed with me, romancing and caressing me and my husband was watching. He said: “Kai! My wife!”
What do you think gets you attracted to the male folk?
I have this physique of an African woman, and when you have it, believe me, it is the hottest in the world. We call it ‘Figure 8.’ When a woman has a pretty face, and every other thing in the right place; with the front, you have got the future; and the back, you know what I mean; and above all, you are friendly. That makes you a hot figure and irresistible to the opposite sex, and I think I have got all that.
What would Jaiye Kuti not want to be caught with?
I can never be caught with another man.