To many in the Nigerian film industry, aka Nollywood, Jaiye Kuti is not a new name. She is one woman who has paid her dues in the industry. Jaiye Oluwakemi Kuti (not a relation of the Ransome-Kuti family) joined the make-believe profession some years back and has made a name for it. Born into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Kuti in South West Nigeria, Jaiye, a native of Ilaro in Ogun State, knew what exactly she wanted even though she had begun life as a Personal Assistant to the chief executive of a company. But she couldn’t remain on that seat for long, as she soon switched over to the “location and action” profession. And years down the road, Jaiye declares: “I don’t have regrets.”
AJIBADE ALABI was at the Yaba, Lagos office of the sexy actress who is reputed to have one of the most irresistible back sides in the industry. And, like she has never done before, Jaiye spoke at length about her person and life as an actress. It is vintage Jaiye Kuti.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Jaiye Oluwakemi Kuti. I am an actress, a producer, and also the Chief Executive Officer of Jaylex Production. We are into film production, music, and entertainment in general. Jaylex Production, basically, aims to expose people that are talented – those who want to make a career and give their life a meaning in acting and the entertainment world in general. 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 Personal Assistant to the Managing Director/Chairman. Later, I discovered what I really wanted to be or do. Even while I was working, acting has always been in my blood; I knew I would be in the industry one day.
When did you join the make-believe profession?
That was about nine years ago. When I
left paid employment, I started acting gradually, and even before I left
the job I had always been in it as a part-time staff. I started with
Laffpatern 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 -“EewonLafin-Itan Kokoro ede.” Shortly after, it was
taken to Italy, and I was happy about it. I have done
another one titled, “Eni Agbelebu.” I have another one that is coming up.
What is the title of the last one you referred to?
I have a title for it, but I am not
ready to disclose it for now. In this part of the world, I don’t know
why people copy titles that somebody has already used, or wants to use.
You know that somebody is working on it, yet you still copy it. Because
of that, I am keeping the title to myself for now.
How has the journey been so far?
The journey has been up and down. Not quite rough; and I would not say it has been very smooth either. But gradually, if you are ready to grow in the industry, you have to stick to it, which is what I did, and still doing. I am still working, taking it easy. But 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 makes you unique, I mean different from other actresses?
(Prolonged laughter) 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. Apart from the piracy that we all face, which is affecting us terribly, 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 what, besides the fact that it can be shown and sold here in Nigeria, 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. We are growing fast and we are doing better now. In some quarters, it is believed that a lady has to submit herself to sex before she can be famous or successful.
But how true is that?
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 it 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 wouldn’t 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 hay; money is there; I am a beautiful girl. I want to be there. But
no! It doesn’t work like that. You may be beautiful; you may not be good at it. 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. And it does not really have to be in a hurry. You have to start gradually. Rome was not built in a day; that is the system in this industry. As you grow with it, people get to know and like you, and before you know it your phone number will be flying around. 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 believe it exists in the industry?
I don t know. I have been in the industry for nine years but I cannot point to one person that I heard is a lesbian.
Have you ever regretted being an actress?
I have never; every day I am happy being an actress. In fact, do you know that every day I thank God that I am in this industry? Because I couldn’t have done anything better. This is the industry that has taken me to France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. And by December this year I should be in the United State of America.
Have you been embarrassed before as a result of the 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 naowo landlord fun wa, sebi landlord ti fun yin lowo now.”(Yoruba for ‘spend the landlord’s money on us, at least the landlord has given you money’). So, people relate to you by what they see. They were referring to a role I played in a film 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 world thing. There was a time I played a wicked role. Recently, I was at Idumota in Lagos to buy jewellery and the next thing I heard was: “Eni Agbelebu; e ma kan wamagbelebu o.” (Yoruba for ‘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 realise is the fact that you are playing a character of another person in a film, which is part of what makes you a professional.
You are certainly a beautiful woman; so how do you handle your admirers?
You can’t run away from your admirers even if you are not beautiful. Even the ugliest woman has a man somewhere. You will hear people asking why the man married her, as he is handsome; and when you see the woman you will start wondering if this man married a monkey or what. The thing is, for every woman, there is a man; for every woman, there are several men who would appreciate or admire her. 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? … that, how can you say you are a wife to somebody and you are 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.
A word to your fans
They should continue to support Jaiye Kuti; they should know that without them there would not be Jaiye Kuti. They should also continue to buy my films. I love them all.
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