Actress Sola Sobowale is viewers’ delight any day. A multi-talented script writer, producer and actor extraordinaire, who injects every bit of her energy into any role assigned her at every given time, this screen goddess has remained relevant in the movie industry for nearly two decades. Having featured in countless movies, television soaps and commercials, Toyin Tomato, as she is fondly called since her role in Wale Adenuga’s Popular TV Series, Oh Father!!Oh Daughter, took time out to speak with MUTIAT LAWORE about the job, why she was away for some time and her return, amongst other issues.
Were you not skeptical about how fans would receive you after your long hiatus from the movie industry, especially when you were cast for Wedding Party?
It’s God who provides for the birds of the sky, the same God provides for fishes in the ocean and it’s impossible for Him to forget me whom He created in His own image. God didn’t give me talent by half-measure; He didn’t also give me strength in halves, which is why I give my all into whatever I do. I always put 100 per cent of the energy and talent that God has given me into whatever I’m doing; that I guess is responsible for the success that I’m enjoying. This is what I keep telling everyone, it is not good to lean on one’s understanding; it is best to have faith in God. Even when you make mistakes, go back to whatever it is you’re doing, make more effort and you will see that you will be able to do it better.
This is my own philosophy. I don’t look at anybody when I’m taking decisions; I just do what I want to do and when I do it. I put things before God Almighty; after all, I just commit the rest to Him. It’s true that I left Nigeria for a long time. In fact, I left the country roughly 19 years ago or thereabout. But the thing is acting is my passion; there’s really nothing else that I think I can do in life. I don’t do any other thing apart from acting. It’s what God ordained me to do, but if I would even consider a career detour, I still want to do what put smiles on people’s faces, these are the kinds of job I can do.
Why did you leave Nollywood in the first place?
I left Nollywood to take care of my children. You see, children do not beg to be born. We, parents are the ones that brought them to this world, so when you have them, you must take care of them. I couldn’t do two things at a time, meaning I couldn’t face my career and carry out my responsibilities as a mother. So, I had to sacrifice one for the other. I have five children and I had to take care of them. I left Nigeria 15 years ago, took them with me and gave them the best of education. The truth is if I am not acting I won’t be fulfilled.
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Did you at any point miss the industry while you were away?
Yes, I did because every year, I came home, produced a movie, and returned to England. Now, I have my time and now I only travel abroad on holidays. I am also glad that Wedding Party came at the right time because if I didn’t play that role, I would be so envious of the person, who played the role.
Not many are able to leave Nollywood for a long time and then return as if they never left in the first place. What is your secret?
It’s not my doing; it is God Almighty’s doing and I believe so much in Him. I believe that this acting is what God ordained me to do and that is why I am still relevant. I am very sure that if I had toed a different career path, I would have been forgotten by now so this is the path; this is what I have been led to do.
There are many sides to you, as we have seen in movies. Sometimes, you are portrayed as being very hot, at other times; you come across as very meek and lukewarm. Who exactly are you in real life situations?
You see, what you saw in Wedding Party mirrors what Sola Sobowale is in real life. I love my family passionately. I protect my family. With me, what you see is what you get because I call a spade a spade. I don’t mince words because I’m a very down to earth person. I’m also a very free person; I play with a lot of people, male and female alike. I love people around me. I don’t like to be around unhappy people and if I find myself there, I’d do my best to make them happy. I’m always smiling and you can tell that my therapy is on my face. If you brood and waste time thinking evil, soon, virus would enter into your system. I’m a very happy person.
So, how did you get the role in the Wedding Party?
I wasn’t even invited for that role in Wedding Party; it didn’t come to me on a platter of gold. I’d never even seen Mo Abudu before then in my life, I didn’t know her. Apart for another investor, Chris, he’s late now, may his soul rest in perfect peace. He was the only one I knew and I didn’t even know he was involved in the Wedding Party project. I got the role through my daughter, Olamide. She was a consultant. There was this company that was on its way to Nigeria and was looking for people, who matter in the movie industry. They went online and the name that popped up was Kemi Adetiba, they read and realised the lady was going to be directing a movie produced by Mo Abudu. They realised Mo Abudu was the same lady, who produced the movie titled ‘50’. Then, my daughter told me that, “mum, there’s this woman, who produced 50 and she’s producing another one. That’s the kind of movie you want to be involved in. Mum, you have to go back to Nigeria and do what you love to do best.” She also told me that I must go for an audition. I believe that we learn every day and I’m still learning. I’m not too big to be auditioned. If I see any movie and I like it, I would go for the audition. So, when my daughter told me the audition was just two days to go and that I had to go. I forgot again and I was just sleeping one day when she called me again and said, “mum, where are you?” I told her I was still in bed and she said, “No, mum, you can’t be in bed. Have you gone for the audition?” I apologised that I couldn’t go and I went the following day. I got there, did the audition and got the role. I give God all the glory today for everything. I don’t know how to thank God enough for the privilege.
Come to think of it, we see less of you in Yoruba movies, as you feature quite often in English movies; does that mean the script isn’t coming from that part of the industry?
You are actually right, I am not the regular face in Yoruba movies but I have acted in a few but the truth is when the Yoruba movie makers are ready, I am ready. Sola Sobowale loves Nigeria and I’m a typical African woman. I don’t joke with my root. I always even advise that when we want to produce a movie, don’t just do straight English language, code-switch and co-mix appropriately. I like it when we input our culture in movies. Whether the movie maker is Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, I’m ready to act any day. I don’t have a shop where I sell, the only thing I do is to act and I’m ever ready.
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How did the journey begin for you?
I opted out of a College of Education to follow my dream by going to Ibadan, which was then the hub of entertainment in Nigeria. I initially enrolled as a Secretary in training at Sight & Sound, Ibadan.
However, Tunji Oyelana, (Sura Di Tailor), who married my elder sister, Kikelomo, enrolled me in the University of Ibadan’s Department of Music. But I switched to Theatre Arts. I starred in Village Headmaster, Lola Fani-Kayode’s Mirror in the Sun and a couple of stage productions, including Femi Osofisan’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again.
I was lucky to work with Adebayo Salami, and we shot Asewo To Re Mecca. Before the advent of home video though, I also shot a celluloid movie, titled: Eri Okan, with Adebayo Salami.
Is there any movie that is very dear to your heart?
I hold every one of them close to my heart. Toyin Tomato took me almost everywhere; it brought me to limelight and so I want to thank Wale Adenuga for giving me the grace.
How do you feel when you sit down and watch the role you played?
Sometimes, I don’t sit down to watch it but when I finish my work, I know I have my peace. My families and most especially my fans are my greatest critics and I appreciate every comment towards making the brand grow bigger.
What do you do to maintain this stature?
I love aerobics, I do that a lot.
How health conscious are you and what is your advice on this to other actors?
I don’t joke with my health because only a healthy person can relate well with others. I am mindful of whatever goes into my system. I can tell whenever my body needs rest so; I take a break off the movie set. Believe me sincerely, we are at a point in the industry where we need to take our health matters seriously because when you are gone, you are gone, there are a thousand and one people, waiting out there to get your role.
How exactly do you unwind?
I read impactful books and listen to good music.
What genre of music do you listen to?
I am a lover of highlife.
