Nancy Isime, the Nollywood actress, has opened up about her difficult early career days and the support she got from singer Yemi Alade.
In a recent Instagram photo featuring the two in matching outfits, Isime recounted her struggles as a 17-year-old usher and model in Lagos.
Nancy disclosed that she was often stranded after late-night jobs with no way to return to her family home in Ikorodu.
The 33-year-old actress described how she would sometimes sleep on makeshift beds of joined chairs or event venue rugs when co-workers couldn’t host her.
“I’ve told this story before and I’m sure Yemi is probably rolling her eyes right now but Yemi, I meant it when I said I’ll tell this story every chance I get,” she wrote.
“As I was saying. As a lot of you might already know, I started working at 17 and as an usher/model whose parents lived all the way in Ikorodu while most of her jobs were in town, it was difficult to go home most days when we closed too late for me to find a bus or bike to take me home.
“I’d have to ask any of my co-workers then if it was okay to crash at theirs till morning, and when there’s enough people staying back with me at the venue, I’d sleep on chairs joined together or the ground/rugged area till it was bright enough to get a bus home.
“The ages 17-19 was basically me struggling for a place to sleep when I work too late to go home.
“Sometimes I’d brave it back home to Ikorodu at 2/3am in the morning, trekking with my koin koin shoe with my dad worried calling me every 3minutes and my brothers in the streets trying to meet up with me. Let’s just say I’m destined to live long.
“Yes, my family were worried especially my dad but I am a dangerous girl and it’s best to let me figure out life my way, else!
“The rebellion is quite rebellious I must confess I’m a full blooded Esan Woman, our stubbornness is from above.”
She said the tide turned when she, then an acquaintance of Alade through a mutual friend, asked if she could stay in her off-campus apartment.
Isime added that Yemi welcomed her in, allowing her to stay for weeks.
“Now comes Yemi, who I had met through a mutual friend and had become an acquaintance,” she wrote.
“I asked her over the phone one day if it was okay to stay at her off campus accommodation for a bit and she immediately said Yes!
“Fam, I stayed for weeks and this woman NEVER EVER complained! Infact the peace was too much, I had to leave when I wasn’t ready to.
“Shortly after, I could afford my own space in her building as I gained uni admission and the friendship and kindness continued. Yemi becoming my kind neighbor. My padi, I dey you for life.”
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The duo attended the University of Lagos, with Isime studying social work while Alade graduated from geography department.
Isime began her career after winning the Miss Valentine International Beauty Pageant in 2009.
Two years later, she made her acting debut in the TV series ‘Echoes,’ and has since featured in several Nollywood titles including ‘The Set Up 2’ and ‘Shanty Town’.
She is also known for her work as a television presenter and has earned numerous awards and accolades for her craft.
Alade, on the other hand, rose to prominence in 2014 following the release of her hit single ‘Johnny’.
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