Although she’s barely 2 years in Nollywood, Jemima Osunde already has an acting résumé than can make some of her predecessors go green with envy. As an actress, Jemima has featured in about a dozen ‘Africa Magic Productions (AMOF)’ including - ‘’KIN’’, ’’Maid Of Honor’’, ’’Roadside’’ and ‘’The Johnsons’’. However, the University of Lagos medical student is more famous for her role as Leila in the 4th installment of MTV’s, HIV themed, TV series ‘’SHUGA’’.The pretty, eloquent and vibrant thespian recently had a chat with Nollywood Palaver’s Waliu Fagbemi about her career, future plans and her love for Adekunle Gold.
Enjoy the full interview after the cut.
Q: Can we meet you?
A: My name is Jemima Osunde. I'm from Edo state but I live in Lagos. I am a Christian. I come from a family of five and I am the last child and only daughter of my parents
Q: How did you start acting?
A: I started acting about 2 years ago. I auditioned for Tinsel and also auditioned for my auntie’s short film called Jungle jewel. After jungle jewel and a couple of Africa magic original films, I realized that I actually really loved acting and I wasn't so bad at it either so I continued.
Q: How was the experience like playing ‘’Leila’’ on MTV shuga?
A: Playing Leila on MTV shuga was a delight! Apart from the fact that I really loved the character, I got to work with an amazing cast and crew. It was an experience of a lifetime.
Q: How has the show and playing that character impacted your life and career?
A: Shuga definitely gave my career a boost. The love I've gotten since shuga has been immense both on and off social media. It has also put me out there a lot more than I was before it.
Q: How is life after shuga?
A: life after shuga has been great! Like I said, the love from the fans has been overwhelming. They've actively become a strong pillar of support in my life. I wake up every day to new love messages from my fans and it's honestly one of the best feelings in the world to know that someone out there is seeing what you're doing and appreciates it.
Q: Mtv Shuga is returning for a 5th season, is there any chance that ‘’Leila’’ is returning as well ?
A: Yes! MTV shuga is coming back for a 5th season. Shuga is moving to South Africa and as a shuga fan myself, I'm excited to see what comes from it. At this point, the only cast that has been confirmed to be returning is Mohau Cele (Bongi) .Let's all just keep our fingers crossed and hope that Leila and all our favorite characters return to our screens.
Q: tell us about your best moments as an actor.
A: that would have to be every time I receive a message from someone whose life is being impacted by the roles I play or just generally appreciates the way I interprete any character and enjoys watching me! The feeling never gets old.
Q: what are your aspirations?
A: I'm going to have to borrow a line fromBeyonce here. My greatest aspiration in life is to be happy! Genuinely and unapologetically happy! As well as to be there for the people that mean the most to me in this world as much as I can. It'll be really great if I could have all that and also have an amazing career and family sometime in he future.
Q: what has been your most embarrassing moment while acting?
A: lol. I'm a goofy person so that means I always have alot of embarrassing moments. It's hard to pick just one. While shooting shuga I was showing off my "jujitsu" skills while wearing socks, I fell hard & fast and trust me it wasn't lady like at all!
Q: how do you juggle between acting and academics?
A: combining acting with school is not an easy job. It requires complete dedication and utmost attention. I literally have little or no time for anything else. I've only been able to combine it so well thus far because I handle my schedule myself so I know when what can give and what not. Also because I have a priority guideline to always keep me in check. I also have people who help me keep my sanity and make my life a whole lot easier .People like my mum, my friends and definitely my course rep in school.
Q: Some actors complain that acting is not as lucrative as it seems, especially for starters,how true is that?
A: To be honest it's not all that lucrative at first, that’s why it's always better to not be in this for the "money". As an upcoming actor, my biggest hustle right now is to learn from the veterans who have way more knowledge and skills and at the same time get really good roles that'll showcase my acting abilities and propel me to bigger things that'll eventually bring in the money. It's somewhat easier for me because I can always run home to mummy and daddy or my older siblings for financial assistance. Last born privileges! Lol
Q:what is Jemima’s favorite meal?
A: my favorite meal (based on everything I've eaten so far in my life) has got to be beans and fried plantain A.K.A ewa agoyin and dodo! I love it with some beef on the side.
Q: what skill do you have that most people don't know about?
A: I'm a really good singer. Like Beyonce Knowles kinda good.
Nah! I'm lying *laughing* I don't sing well at all. I'm really good with physical and mental activities. As a matter of fact I'm sort of what you'll call a chess kingpin.
Q: Talent or skill you wish you had?
A: I wish I was a bit more creative with my hands. Like draw really well or something that artsy
Q: Your most prized possession?
A: my most prized possession would have to be my face. Second to that would have to be my shoes *love-struck*
Q: How do you define love?
A: love to me is one of the strongest forces in this world. True love is a gift only a few are opportuned to experience and genuine love is such a beautiful thing to behold!
Q: is Jemima in a relationship?
A: I'm going to have to be a party popper and decline to answer that question, for now. Even those in the public eye are entitled to a tad bit of privacy and we've all seen what happens to alot of public relationships.
Q: What is the most awkward thing a fan has said or done to you?
A: Sometime late last year, a fan sent a very personal message about his relationship with his dad and how it had left him disowned and broke. He said he needed help with his school fees. I honestly didn't know what to do. I wasn't going to send money to him because it could have as well been a scam but at the same time I wasn't going to risk ignoring someone who needed help so I wrote him back giving him the best advice that I could. I told him to go back and make peace with his dad which he eventually did and I'm glad everything worked out for him.
Q:Let’s talk about Nigerian movies…What’s the first movie you watched and fell in love with.
A: that would be blood sisters! It's an old movie starring Genevieve and Omotola. I didn't watch it until a while after its release but I loved it when I did. It had my two nollywood favourites in it! Go figure :)
Q: who will you love to work with in Nollywood?
A: That's a long list of people! Lol. To mention a few, I look forward to working with RMD,Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Henshaw, Hilda Dokuboand of course Omotola Jalade Ekeinde. These are the people that made me fall in love with nollywood.
Q: Take us back to your first experience on a movie set, were you feeling jittery?
A: I was so nervous and honestly didn't think I'd make it through the day. I had so many thoughts going through my head. I’m I doing this right? Did I interprete this character right? Is my voice too pitchy? Does the director like the way I took that line? I was a mess but I held it together and made it through the day.
Q: who are your best friends in the industry?
A: my two closest friends are wendy Lawal and Shalewa Ashafa. I also have my shugafam that have more or less become my family, Adesua Etomi, Dorcas Shola fapson and Timini Egbuson.
Q: how was your first kiss on set?
A: my first kiss on set was a bit awkward cause I had to kiss my friend Olumide Oworu. It definitely could have gone a lot worse but he made sure it didn't. He made everything so easy and comfortable for me. I'm actually glad now that it was him and not someone I didn't know beforehand.
Q: what will you consider to be your greatest achievement as an actor
A: so far, my greatest achievement as an actor is winning the Nigerian Meritorious award amongst Nigerian students as the best actress.
Q: what are you currently working on?
A: I just finished two projects. One is called silence, Written and produced by Bose Oshin. It's a story about rape and it's bound to bring you close to tears and definitely get you thinking. The other is Called Delivery boy, written, produced and directed by Nodash. Delivery boy is no ordinary project! It’s a story with so much depth and I believe we did a fantastic job shooting it. They are both really amazing projects that I'm proud to have been a part of and I can't wait till the world sees them.
Q: Who is your crush in the entertainment industry?
A: lol that changes every other month. Haha! Right now, it is Adekunle Gold! He is such a talented and amazing person. He's obviously different from alot of the other artists we have right now and undeniably talented. I'm a fan of every song he has released and all that is to come.
Quick questions:
Q: stage or film
A: film
Q: love or wealth
A: wealth
Q: olamide or David o
A: Olamide!
Q: tv series or movie
A: tv series
Q: awards or endorsements
A: ENDORSEMENTS!!
Q: Advice for aspiring actors and how can your fans reach you?
A: Don't wait for someone to give you a favour. Get up and get on that grind! Hustle! Sweat! Do all the hard work you have to do, stand in line at auditions in the rain or scorching sun! Have faith in your talent. Hardwork and persistence is the only way to make it in this industry and remember to open your mind to learning opportunities. You need to watch the people that have been there before you and learn a thing or two from them. That's the only way you can get better at what you do. In the end, you'll be grateful for all the experiences both the good and the "bad".
You can reach Jemima via,
Instagram: Jemimaosunde
Twitter : @jemima_osunde
Snapchat : Jemimaosunde
Source:Celebritiespalava
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