INTERVIEW: I was once approached in the modelling industry to be bisexual, says Emmanuel Ikubese

Emmanuel Ikubese is a Nigerian model and actor, renowned for winning the Silverbird Male Pageant for Mr. Nigeria in 2014. His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including his appointment as a United Nations Millennium Development Goals Ambassador in 2017. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle’s VICTORY ORIMEMI, he delves into his career journey and personal life. He also addresses prevalent myths about male models needing to pass certain sexual tests or being bisexual to succeed in the industry, saying “to be honest, yes, I have been approached”.

TheCable Lifestyle: You won Mr. Nigeria in 2014 and came first runner-up in Mr. World. How has your journey evolved beyond the runway?

Emmanuel Ikubese: Very interesting. I started my career in Nairobi, Kenya as a student and runner-up in local competitions. So I had a lot of runway experiences. I later transitioned to acting, playing Femi in MTV Shuga both in Kenya and Nigeria. Despite MTV’s large platform, I felt I was only recognised as “Femi”, not by my name. I didn’t want to be confined to one role and sought to establish my identity, which led me to compete in Mr. Nigeria. Before then I wanted to do Big Brother Africa actually and you know, I tried so many times but God has a reason why that didn’t work out for me. Winning Mr. Nigeria allowed me to represent Nigeria on a global stage at Mr. World, it changed the game for me and that gave me that identity. Today, people still call me Mr. Nigeria, but Emmanuel Ikubese is a more prominent identity. My brand now includes Emmanuel Ikubese, the actor, writer, author, producer, director, and advocate, with projects and initiatives like the Emmanuel Ikubese Foundation aligning with my brand. This journey has shaped everything I do, and the multifaceted aspects of my career and advocacy.

TheCable Lifestyle: I was curious about your transition from modeling to acting, but you’ve already touched on that while explaining your journey. It’s impressive to see how far you’ve come, considering modeling launched your career. There are persistent myths about male models needing to pass certain sexual tests or being bisexual to succeed in the industry. Is there any truth to these claims?

Emmanuel Ikubese: I am glad you used the word “myths”. People engage in various activities based on personal preference, regardless of their profession. A banker, actor, politician, or CEO might engage in certain behaviours, but it’s not because of their job; it’s their personal choice. When someone in the limelight engages in controversial activities, it often creates a facade that this behavior is linked to their profession, which isn’t true.

For example, not all Nigerians are fraudsters, though some have negatively portrayed us. This misrepresentation can lead to unfair generalisations. Similarly, in the media industry, while some might engage in inappropriate behavior, it’s not a standard or defining trait of the industry. People in every field face similar issues.

By the grace of God, I believe in maintaining integrity and portraying the industry in a positive light. Just as some Nigerians are working to improve our global image, many in the media industry strive to represent it honourably. Negative behaviour should not define an entire profession.

TheCable Lifestyle: I understand it’s not fair to generalise. I would like to know if you were ever approached with such offers.

Emmanuel Ikubese: To be honest, yes, I have been approached. While I’ve heard it’s common in the industry, it happens in many other fields as well. The difference is that our industry is often in the spotlight, so these incidents are more visible. Similar things happen in other sectors, like bosses approaching employees with inappropriate offers.

I’ve always turned such offers down because they don’t align with my beliefs. I’m a believer, I love God, and I want my life to reflect who I am as a Christian and a son of God. I refuse anything that doesn’t showcase my values.

TheCable Lifestyle: Mzigo, your awareness and support initiative for sickle cell patients, seems to be your primary focus right now. What inspired this venture?

Emmanuel Ikubese: Mzigo is a Swahili word meaning burden. The initiative was inspired by my ignorance about sickle cell disease. Growing up, we stigmatised kids with sickle cell, not realising the harm we caused. My perspective changed after a conversation with a friend living with sickle cell and the loss of a cousin to the disease due to inadequate medical care.

As a filmmaker and writer, I strive to be informed about important issues. This experience made me realise the need to raise awareness about sickle cell. I started using media to create initiatives to support the sickle cell community. Through research and interviews, I wrote a book, which will become a film, to inspire hope and awareness.

The sickle cell community often feels hopeless, but seeing public figures like Adekunle Gold come forward shows the importance of visibility. Many people have a connection to someone with sickle cell, yet the stigma persists. Mzigo aims to bring this issue to the forefront, encouraging testing, newborn screening, and debunking myths. By doing so, we hope to manage the disease better and reduce the number of children born with sickle cell.

TheCable Lifestyle: You talked about your plans to make a film to raise awareness about sickle cell. Do you have a title in mind? Have you envisioned any specific cast members for the project?

Emmanuel Ikubese: The film is a Pan-African project titled ‘Mzigo’ and features actors like Daniel F Young, Shewa Ajayi, Angel Unigwe, Fred Amata, Gloria Anozie, Lesley Sawyer, Bam-Bam, Teddy A, and Elizabeth Michael from Tanzania. We’re currently in post-production and aiming for a release in September during Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

We’re also working on a musical project to keep sickle cell in the mainstream media year-round. In February, we organised the Run for Sickle Cell Warrior Challenge during the Lagos City Marathon in partnership with SAMI, a sickle cell advocacy organization. This event helped raise awareness and funds to provide medical insurance (HMO) for people with sickle cell in low-income areas. Many insurance companies either do not offer HMOs for sickle cell patients or make them very expensive. For instance, a pregnant woman who benefitted from our HMO program received essential medical care, saving her and her baby’s lives. We aim to inspire others to help and support the sickle cell community.

TheCable Lifestyle: That’s remarkable!

Emmanuel Ikubese: Thank you.

TheCable Lifestyle: Allow me to drift from Mzigo a bit. In 2020, you tied the knot with celebrity makeup artist Anita Adetoye, and by 2021, you parted ways. What were the reasons behind your divorce?

Emmanuel Ikubese: That’s something I can’t give because I intentionally decided not to speak about it. I feel like I have seen other people who have come out to speak about it, and it is never done—it has caused more harm than good. You talk once, and someone comes with their response, and before you’re trying to respond, you know…. I feel like the most important people are families who understand what it is, who truly support you, and want the best for you. I don’t know if you get my point. They’re the ones who truly need to know that, and they do. Families met and it was solved, and everyone is okay, everyone is happy, and that’s fine. For me, I’ve moved on since 2021, this is 2024. I’ve moved on! I’m just trying to do the things that I love to do, taking it one step at a time. But yeah, it’s something that I’ve put behind me, and I’m just looking forward to the future.

TheCable Lifestyle: What’s one thing you would say is crucial in marriage but often overlooked?

Emmanuel Ikubese: That’s an interesting question. One crucial aspect often overlooked in marriage is ensuring both partners are emotionally whole. Many enter relationships carrying past hurts, which can lead to projecting those issues onto their spouse. If you’re not emotionally whole, it’s challenging to truly know, find, or understand yourself and subsequently meet your partner’s needs for a functional relationship that benefits both parties. I believe in individuals being emotionally healed before entering relationships, as it allows for a deeper understanding and mutual support in serving each other’s needs to build a life together.

TheCable Lifestyle: Are you currently in a relationship, and do you see yourself giving marriage another chance in the future?

Emmanuel Ikubese: Oh, definitely. I believe in marriage and I believe in God, who created marriage. I trust that in God’s timing when the time is right, I’ll be ready for that. I’m not rushing anything; I’m allowing God to work in me so that I can become the right person for the partner He has in mind for me. So, yes, definitely.

TheCable Lifestyle: Are you seeing someone right now?

Emmanuel Ikubese: Yes, I am.

TheCable Lifestyle: Okay, great. So, back to Mzigo. My final question, actually: how can individuals living with sickle cell get involved with this initiative?

Emmanuel Ikubese: Great stuff! We have a volunteer space on our social media page where sickle cell warriors spread awareness and support each other, forming a community. You can find the link on our social media page, soon on our reworked website. We align with several global sickle cell organizations because we believe in collective action. They have members within their communities living with sickle cell. Our focus is on media advocacy, and building a team of volunteers and warriors to support this cause. We aim to empower them with media skills for advocacy. While we don’t operate as a sickle cell home due to resource constraints, we drive awareness through media and facilitate support for local organisations. This is our mission’s core importance.