From the structured world of corporate project planning to the vibrant sets of Nollywood, Etinosa Idemudia has never been afraid to redefine her path. Celebrated for her comedic skits and candid persona, she recently took on a more serious challenge: bringing her native Edo culture to the screen in the internationally acclaimed epic, ‘Osamede’. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle, Etinosa opens up about her transformative career journey, the unique challenges of her latest role, and how she navigates the complexities of fame with unwavering authenticity.
TheCable Lifestyle: Your background is in computer engineering. What prompted the significant shift from a corporate career to the creative world of acting?
Etinosa: True, for three years I worked on an oil and gas construction project as a planning engineer. My work was to plan the project and management meetings. At that time of my life, I didn’t feel fulfilled; I felt there was more I could do and give to the world.
The background I come from, you have to be an engineer, doctor or lawyer, but it has always been in me to perform, I love to make people laugh. I was even a free MC for my company, for anything event I get involved in. My transition happened during one of my leaves when I decided to go to a film school and see if there was something for me in the film industry.
Contrary to what most of my colleagues say, for me, I didn’t just switch immediately; I was still employed when I ventured into Nollywood, and the rest they say is history. At a point in my life, I just felt this is where I feel fulfilled, touch lives directly, so I made a gradual switch.
TheCable Lifestyle: In ‘Osamede’, you played a key role closely tied to the lead character. What specifically attracted you to this project?
Etinosa: Whenever I hear any film related to Edo, Benin, I’m always very excited because I pride myself as Edo’s first daughter, so that was what first drew me to the story. The story with a twist, the superhero angle, something I have never seen before, and I was really excited. I also fell in love with the character I played because she is not comedic, so when I see serious, semi-challenging roles, I’m always very excited because it makes me conquer the notion that I only do comedy movies.
Then I asked who was playing Osamede, and I was told it’s Ivie Okujaye, and I accepted immediately. So I would say the mix of all of these made me accept the role.
TheCable Lifestyle: How did you prepare for the role, and what was your biggest challenge on set?
Etinosa: Funnily, I would say the biggest challenge was the language. Yes, I’m Edo’s first daughter, but speaking Bini wasn’t easy. I speak Bini but not fluently, and it’s different when there is no camera there; you’re just speaking to your mum, and she laughs at you and corrects you, but this one was going to be screened internationally, so if you have to represent your culture, you have to do it right. I was under pressure to do the right thing and speak the language well. I was always asking the language coach if I spoke the language well.
Our location was also challenging. We shot in a very remote area in Auchi; it wasn’t easy, and we had to climb hills.
TheCable Lifestyle: You excel in both film acting and comedy skits. Which medium do you find more personally fulfilling, and which has been more financially rewarding?
Etinosa: I enjoy skits more because shooting is easier. It’s just for fun; it’s not that serious, and it doesn’t take as much as a movie. You can make a skit in a few hours, except for the complex ones, but a movie takes at least five days and can be very stressful. I think skits are more interesting, you’re free to express yourself, and the rules aren’t strict.
Financially, skits are also more rewarding. You can monetise your skits across several platforms with no limits. You can post today, earn from it, and post again another day or on another platform. Distribution for skits is far better than for movies; there’s nothing like a godfather cabal; you’re free.
Apart from monetisation, skits also open opportunities for brand endorsements. There’s a lot of money in skit-making that acting for a producer may not provide.
TheCable Lifestyle: As a filmmaker with your own YouTube channel, how does it compare to traditional distribution like streaming platforms and cinemas? What are the unique challenges?
Etinosa: YouTube comes with its own challenges, and I don’t prefer it to streaming platforms. Other streamers may not push you as much in marketing compared to YouTube.
The major challenge with YouTube is marketing. There are thousands of movies out there, so for you to stand out, you need to work hard. As a business owner, you have people to pay, and the risk of the business is solely on you. With YouTube, you get both the risk and the reward. It’s every man for himself, which is exciting but very challenging as well.
TheCable Lifestyle: You’ve been open about your body enhancement, which sparked public conversation. How did you handle the mixed reactions, and would potential backlash deter you from future procedures?
Etinosa: Actually, it’s being 50/50; there have been both praises and backlash. I focus more on the praises rather than the backlash from people who are not exposed enough to understand the advantages of body enhancement. If I want to get another enhancement, I wouldn’t consider this backlash in any way. I feel so sorry for the people who were dragging me because they are so backward.
If a change like an upgrade in technology happens in a community, there are always people who are sceptical about it. There are also people who project their uninformed concerns and fears onto others. I remember the Ebola season when there were talks on drinking salt and all manner of misinformation, and that’s just the same way body enhancement is. People haven’t read about it, and then the few people who know are keeping it a secret and don’t want to talk about it, making it difficult for people who are interested to get information, and, unfortunately, fall into the wrong hands and get casualties.
I feel people who are criticising me should read, and some of them are just hypocrites, they want it and can’t afford it, so they demonise it. Also, every human being has one thing they are insecure about; it is not caused by anything on social media, it’s just life. Everybody is trying to get better and improve any situation they are in, so we should be grateful for modern technology. If you know what my stomach used to be like, how embarrassed I used to be sometimes, but because of my strong self-worth, I don’t let it bother me and wear whatever dress I want, despite people mocking me. But since I have the financial resources to make it better, I will do it.
The people who are criticising are wearing wigs, artificial nails, and microblading, so they don’t have the right to criticise someone who did cosmetic surgery. I feel like the people criticising should read because I’m not even done enhancing my body.
TheCable Lifestyle: There has been significant online curiosity about your marital status, including claims about a relationship with a Caucasian man. Can you clarify the truth, and do you see yourself getting married again?
Etinosa: I’m not married to the Caucasian as widely claimed. It was a stunt I pulled at that time to promote a movie titled ‘Perfect Client’ I did with a Caucasian, who is an actor. For getting married again, I would say never say never, but if it were up to me, I would say no. Though, like I said, never say never because you don’t know what your destiny holds, so you never can tell. Let the will of God be done.
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