I am Ayo Adesanya. I am an actress.
Journey into acting
I started acting right from primary school. Then, the Nigerian Television Authority used to bring their cameras to our school and we would act Shakespeare plays. I also took part in drama competitions. I attended St. Ann's, Ibadan, where I also acted. I read Communication Arts at the University of Ibadan. In 1996, after my national youth service, I worked in a company at Agege, Lagos, and was living in Lekki. After a year, I got to the office late and was suspended. I seized the opportunity and went to African Independent Television for an audition. There, I met someone who said he was going for auditioning. From there, I went to Zeb Ejiro's office. I left for Opa Williams' office, where I was auditioned for 'Onome'. After a few takes in some films, I found myself in Tunji Bamishigbin's soap, Palace.
No other passion
I love acting! I don't see myself doing something else. I can diversify but I will always continue to act because it is my world. There are some things you cannot be in real life but you can act it out. I have acted for 19 years and I can tell you that some people treat actors like gods! It has been fun and I give God the glory.
Challenges
They are too numerous to mention. I have been on some locations where we were chased out when our time was up. With production, it could be crazy especially if the days have been pencilled down. There was a time my son was very ill and as the main actor, I was expected on set. The location was in Ogun State and I had to leave my son with my mother. I cried but the job had to be done. As a producer, there are days you experience hell with some members of the cast and other production challenges. I still enjoy everything.
Marriage
I was never married to Goriola Hassan. We lived together and had a child. He is nine years old now. Reconciliation? I don't want to talk about that. I have moved on and I guess he has moved on too.
Actresses and failed marriages
It is not only actresses, other professionals experience failed marriages too. I just feel you shouldn't marry someone in the same field because it has a lot of challenges. When you are together, you do the same thing and then the home suffers for it.
Fans
I think some fans just get it mixed up. Some see you on television and have a crush on you. They see you, like something about you and they want it. Really, I don't blame them and I have learnt to handle both the good and bad. No actor can do without fans, they make us and we appreciate them.
Regrets
None. I try not to go back on things in the past. That is what makes me unique. I do things my own way and I am in my world. I don't call it regret, I have done things that I felt that I should have done the other way but at the end of the day, God makes me see that, even if you had done it that way, you could still come this way.
Inspiration
Everything inspires me— music, movies and nature. I watch Nigerian movies a lot and listen to lots of music. I learn from newspapers. Also, I get inspired by my fans too, especially when I upload things on my Instagram page. As a Christian, the word of God also inspires me a lot.
Fashion
I am a bit on the big side and I wear what fits me. I know I have good legs and show them off. I find my legs sexy and I wear things that show them off too. I wear miniskirts and shorts when necessary.
You were a year older last month, how has the journey been so far?
I am just grateful to God, I feel blessed looking back at everything and I am sincerely grateful.
You have not been as prominent in the industry as before, what have you been up to?
These days I do more of Yoruba films and soap operas so I wonder why people say that I am not as prominent as I used to be. I just finished shooting Superstory which would be aired very soon. I do quite a number of things; I am still working very hard.
Has motherhood changed your fashion style in any way?
I don't think it has in any way. For me, I use fashion to express the kind of person that I am. I wear things according to the way I feel and how I want to be seen at a particular time and that is how I dress. Motherhood has not affected me in any way and even if I wanted it to, my work would not allow that. The kind of job I do is showbiz and fashion goes with it. I must be at the top of my game all the time. Motherhood has not affected me one bit.
What influences your style?
I get inspired by a lot of things, what I see, hear and I also make things to suit me because I am on the big side.
Often times, plus size ladies complain that they do not get clothes they like and the market does not cater for them, do you face such challenge?
To make things easier, if you do not get what you want 'ready-made,' then you can make it yourself and it would still look lovely on you. Because of my job, most times we have to make our costumes, most of the things we wear on set are ours and that is where our money goes to!
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