Nollywood actress Bisola Aiyeola has revealed that acting was never her original career goal, stating that music was her primary passion before an unexpected opportunity during the talent show Project Fame led her into the film industry. The entertainer shared these details during a recent interview on the PaulAndBaaj podcast, describing her entry into acting as almost accidental.
Aiyeola, a single mother of one, clarified that her initial focus was entirely on singing. “Music was my first love, not acting and performing as people think. I didn’t even know that I would ever be an actor. I was always out there chasing music,” she said. She noted that singing was integral to her life from childhood, recalling how she frequently entertained her mother and those around her with her music.
“I am not really outgoing, but for industry events, I try my best to be there, as well as cinema meet-and-greets,” Aiyeola said.
Before her breakthrough, Aiyeola faced significant challenges in the music industry, including participation in several fraudulent competitions. She recalled paying entry fees of N500 or N1,000 for forms, only to arrive at audition venues where the organizers had disappeared with the money. “Funny as it may sound, when you got to the audition venue, you would not see anyone. The supposed organisers had squandered the money and abandoned the competition,” she explained.
Her career trajectory shifted during her time on Project Fame, where she received acting lessons from veteran actress Joke Silva. Additionally, director of photography Bimbo Ogunsanya observed her versatility during the competition, noting her ability to change her voice and mimic others. Impressed by her character, Ogunsanya offered her a role in the Yoruba television series Sababi, which marked the official start of her acting career.
Despite her current celebrity status, Aiyeola admitted that she is not naturally an extrovert. However, she makes deliberate efforts to attend industry events and cinema meet-and-greet sessions, particularly when promoting her films, to connect with fans and colleagues.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
