I have no problem with Iyabo Ojo Says Laragold

 

Up and coming actress, Omolara Giwa popularly known as Laragold, tells Saturday Beats how she joined the Yoruba movie industry

Why are you known as Laragold?

Apart from acting and doing movies, I am also a business woman. I sell gold. I think based on that, people started calling me Laragold.

So how do you combine business and movies?

The two don’t have anything to do with each other. When I am shooting, I don’t have to do my business. Apart from that, the business is even on a small scale. I am the CEO of the business and it is not as if I have a huge store. I have been doing the business since I was in Lagos State University.

But what prompted you to get into acting?

Right from when I was young, I have always liked actresses. In fact, if I would say, the person I even saw as a role model is Jennifer Lopez. It wasn’t even her acting skills that got me attracted to her, I just love the way she dances. I just wanted to be like her but I didn’t really know how to dance back then. Now, I would say I try. I love showbiz a lot and I have a passion for it.

So how did you get into it?

I didn’t want to go into the industry directly, so I had to go through someone. I had to join Iyabo Ojo Caucus, the Future Stars.

Why did you choose Iyabo Ojo’s Caucus?

When I made up my mind to join the industry, I started calling people. I was introduced to Muka Ray. I tried calling him but he didn’t pick his call that time. I guess he was on set. I saw a notice on Facebook that said anybody that wanted to be an actor/actress should call a particular number. I called the number and I got through to Iyabo Ojo’s personal assistant and I told her what I wanted. I was invited and when I got to the house, I met some other people who also wanted to become actors. The next day, we were invited for a shoot and I was given five roles in the movie, Fola Toro.

How easy was it for you on your first time on set?

It wasn’t easy at all. I knew that I wouldn’t just ‘blow’ as soon as I got in. But then, I was lucky.

You ended up producing your own movie…

Yes. But then, I didn’t want to produce my movie immediately. I learnt there was no gain in it, so I had to travel out of the country. I went to Dubai and I stayed for almost a year in that country. It was when I came back that I decided to produce my first movie, Tori Ife.

Don’t you think that was fast? You came in 2010 and you have already become a producer…

No. I didn’t produce my movie immediately. I graduated from Iyabo Ojo’s caucus in 2012 and I produced my movie last year but it was released this year. I didn’t rush. I wanted to know what movie production was all about. I didn’t want to join the bandwagon and end up like other failed producers. It wasn’t as if I didn’t have the money to produce but I decided to take my time. I am not so close to people in the industry. I do my things alone. When I wanted to do my film, I called the script writers and we did the movie and I took it to my boss.

Some might think you got into the industry because of the fame…

If you really know me, you would also know that I am not always seen at one location or the other. I am into this because of the passion. It is not about money or fame. If you do something you love, something good will definitely come out of it one day.

Many up and coming actresses pass through so many obstacles in the industry, in your own case, have you encountered any form of challenge?

It has not been easy. But it is in every profession. There are challenges in all industries. I was not forced to be an actress and as such; there is no need for me to go to the extreme. It is not stressful for me. Oh yes, I get ‘toasted’ but that is a normal thing. It was easy for me too because my boss is a female, so there was nothing like sexual harassment. I didn’t have any problem with her. The only problem is that at times, you would go to a location and you would wait for one or two days doing nothing. You may end up not doing any scene till the third day. It is not as if anybody would even pay for your time. It was a challenge for me back then. But that is not the case now.

How was it working with Iyabo Ojo?

She is a very nice lady. She was just like a sister to me back then. Everybody has a bad part but I don’t think I should complain. I couldn’t get close to her when I finished.

Why? We learnt you two had a problem…

There was no problem at all. When you are an apprentice and you finish your apprenticeship, you have to stand on your own. You don’t need to be spoon fed again. That was why I didn’t get close to her. She is my boss forever but people felt I had an issue with her. There was nothing like that.

How do you cope with the attention you get?

It is okay. I feel good. It is just that you cannot do things as you used to do.

Most men don’t like settling down with actresses but prefer having them as concubines and mistresses, doesn’t such bother you?

I am very comfortable where I am. I have a stable relationship and he is not even a Nigerian. I don’t really want to talk about him. He doesn’t really know about my job. I intend to settle down with him and I don’t have a problem with him.

But you have a son…

Yes. I have a child.

So why didn’t the father of your child marry you?

We had family issues. I left him even before I got into the industry. He is married now. He knows about his son and my son visits him. I am happy I have a son. I don’t know what I would have done without my child. I even have an adopted child. I am happy with what I am doing at the moment. I have a stable relationship. I am not looking at any man again. I am okay.