Jenifa’s Diary: Acting As Toyosi Has Taught Me To Be Patient And Tolerant – Olayode Juliana
Olayode Juliana a.k.a Toyosi baby (nickname picked from popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary) never believed that she
would one day act alongside her screen
idol, Funke Akindele. That explains her joy
when she was chosen to act as Toyosi in the
acclaimed TV series, Jenifa’s Diary. In this
chat, she speaks more on how she clinched
the major role. Excerpts…
How did you find yourself on the set of
Jenifa’s Diary?
I always say that it’s a miracle because I just
went for the auditions like every other
person. The audition was supposed to start
by 10’o clock but I got there around 8am
thinking that I was very early, but I was
number 273 on the list. I was so surprised
because the crowd was so much and at a
point, I felt like going back home, but my
mum encouraged me to stay. When I got
into the audition room, I saw Aunty Funke,
the director and some other people that
were auditioning. I read the script, though I was nervous because I knew that a lot of
people had auditioned before me, so I wasn’t really expecting anything. After the
audition, they said they’ll get back to me,
and I said okay because that’s what
everybody says. Then Aunty Funke
promised to call every one of us that even if
we don’t get major roles, we will all appear
on Jenifa’s diary. And so far so good, she
has kept to her words because so many
people who did not get major roles have
appeared in the series one way or the
other.
Jenifa’s Diary?
I always say that it’s a miracle because I just
went for the auditions like every other
person. The audition was supposed to start
by 10’o clock but I got there around 8am
thinking that I was very early, but I was
number 273 on the list. I was so surprised
because the crowd was so much and at a
point, I felt like going back home, but my
mum encouraged me to stay. When I got
into the audition room, I saw Aunty Funke,
the director and some other people that
were auditioning. I read the script, though I was nervous because I knew that a lot of
people had auditioned before me, so I wasn’t really expecting anything. After the
audition, they said they’ll get back to me,
and I said okay because that’s what
everybody says. Then Aunty Funke
promised to call every one of us that even if
we don’t get major roles, we will all appear
on Jenifa’s diary. And so far so good, she
has kept to her words because so many
people who did not get major roles have
appeared in the series one way or the
other.
How did you feel on the day you were
called back to appear in the series?
Like I said earlier, I wasn’t expect the call
at all because after the first audition, we
were called back three other times to
appear for script reading, so it was
competitive because there were many
people reading for the role of Toyosi.
called back to appear in the series?
Like I said earlier, I wasn’t expect the call
at all because after the first audition, we
were called back three other times to
appear for script reading, so it was
competitive because there were many
people reading for the role of Toyosi.
However, at the end of the day, I got the
role and I was moved to tears. Aunty Funke
then hugged me, and asked why I was
crying. I told her that I didn’t believe I would get the role, that I just tried it for the
experience.
role and I was moved to tears. Aunty Funke
then hugged me, and asked why I was
crying. I told her that I didn’t believe I would get the role, that I just tried it for the
experience.
Is this your first time on set?
I’ve been on about four sets, but Jenifa’s
Diary was, and is still a big deal to me
because I love Aunty Funke so much. I have
watched all the Jenifa movies, and I admire
her so much. Being on set with her has
been so amazing.
How has the experience been like working
with her?
She is an amazing person, because she
respects you no matter the role you’re
playing, and how big or small you are. She
loves making everybody happy, and she’s
also a disciplinarian. She gives advice, and
she wants to assist in everything. She helps
the make-up artist, and she sometimes
helps to fuel the generator just to make
sure that everything is going right.
Diary was, and is still a big deal to me
because I love Aunty Funke so much. I have
watched all the Jenifa movies, and I admire
her so much. Being on set with her has
been so amazing.
How has the experience been like working
with her?
She is an amazing person, because she
respects you no matter the role you’re
playing, and how big or small you are. She
loves making everybody happy, and she’s
also a disciplinarian. She gives advice, and
she wants to assist in everything. She helps
the make-up artist, and she sometimes
helps to fuel the generator just to make
sure that everything is going right.
How do you find her character, Jenifa?
Jenifa is very hilarious. She could be lousy,
but she is also a very loyal person. She is
funny but at the same time you can learn a
lot from her character. She is someone who
is a hustler, and she wants to make it big.
She is also caring; sometimes, Toyosi gets
home tired and Jenifa would have already
prepared her food. Basically, Jenifa is not
just a funny character, it’s a character that
people should watch out for and learn a lot
from.
Jenifa is very hilarious. She could be lousy,
but she is also a very loyal person. She is
funny but at the same time you can learn a
lot from her character. She is someone who
is a hustler, and she wants to make it big.
She is also caring; sometimes, Toyosi gets
home tired and Jenifa would have already
prepared her food. Basically, Jenifa is not
just a funny character, it’s a character that
people should watch out for and learn a lot
from.
Would you like to have Jenifa as a friend in
real life?
It’s a yes and no for me. Yes, because she is
honest, loyal and caring. No, because it’s
difficult to put Jenifa in her place; she
always wants to be in everyone’s business,
whether or not she is called.
real life?
It’s a yes and no for me. Yes, because she is
honest, loyal and caring. No, because it’s
difficult to put Jenifa in her place; she
always wants to be in everyone’s business,
whether or not she is called.
Some of the things treated in the series are
funny but do you think they are close to
reality?
Everything in Jenifa’s Diary is realistic. A
couple of times, some people say is there
anybody in the world that speaks the kind
of bad English Jenifa speaks. But recently, I
met somebody who spoke even worse
English than Jenifa. We were
communicating and she said something that
made me think this is Jenifa for real. Many
of the characters in Jenifa’s Diary can be
found in people out there.
funny but do you think they are close to
reality?
Everything in Jenifa’s Diary is realistic. A
couple of times, some people say is there
anybody in the world that speaks the kind
of bad English Jenifa speaks. But recently, I
met somebody who spoke even worse
English than Jenifa. We were
communicating and she said something that
made me think this is Jenifa for real. Many
of the characters in Jenifa’s Diary can be
found in people out there.
What has being on Jenifa’s Diary changed
about you?
It has brought fame, because sometimes, I
walk out of my house and people walk up
to me saying they know me. And when I go
to church just wanting to be myself, people
also come to me. Since so many people are
big fans of Jenifa, they always like to watch
the show, and they get to see other characters and the people playing them.
about you?
It has brought fame, because sometimes, I
walk out of my house and people walk up
to me saying they know me. And when I go
to church just wanting to be myself, people
also come to me. Since so many people are
big fans of Jenifa, they always like to watch
the show, and they get to see other characters and the people playing them.
Acting as Toyosi has taught me to be patient
and tolerant because she tolerates Jenifa so
much.
and tolerant because she tolerates Jenifa so
much.
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