Taiwo Gasper Okeowo is an actor, model and event compere. He is known for his roles in TV soap operas such as ‘So Wrong So Wright’, ‘Tinsel’, ‘Chairman’ and ‘Ruthless’.
But he didn’t start out as a professional actor; he delved into Nollywood in 2009 courtesy of a revelation, and ever since, he has found a home in the world of make-believe.
In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle, he talks about his foray into Nollywood, side hustles and plans to venture into Hollywood.
When did you get into acting?
In 2009 to be precise. When I came back from the UK, I did an advert for a brand. I was actually shortlisted with Joseph Benjamin for that role. I thought I wasn’t going to get it but luckily for me, I was the one they chose and on the set of that production, some white guy from South Africa came and said to me, Taiwo you’re a fantastic actor, keep acting.
Have you always wanted to act?
It all started when I was younger, I always wanted to follow my passion. Talent and passion were my driving force. I used to work with a telecommunications company when I finished school but I knew then that it wasn’t for me. I knew I was just waiting for the right time to leave. I wanted to do my own thing, I wanted to be happy, I wanted to follow my dreams.
So when you decided to make that switch, did you face any brick wall?
No, the person who would have been a brick wall was my dad but he was late at that point.
So it was easy for you to switch?
It was easy for me to just switch because before then, I got a revelation that I’m good at this.
So far, has it been profitable?
Yes, it has been profitable.
Money wise?
Yes, it has been profitable moneywise and it has made me to see other opportunities. The most rewarding aspect of it is I could use the platform to do other things, you understand, to me that’s a double deal.
After the revelation you mentioned, did you start chasing auditions aggressively?
Yes, I did. You have to pay your dues. The more I went for auditions, I got more roles. For example, if I go for 10 auditions, I’d get a callback for six.
What was your first role?
My first role was ‘So Wrong, So Wright’. I played Wole Benson. That was my first role and it was a major role, it was first challenging because for you not to have a background in theatre, you need to learn quickly on the job. It was quite challenging but I picked up.
After So Wrong, So Wright, what next?
I did Tinsel for about a year plus. I played the character of Greg, Bimpe’s boyfriend. Afterwards, I shot a movie, ‘One-minute Man’. Afterwards, I did a lot of work with M-Net. I did ‘The Reunion’, I did ‘Freeze’ with Mary Lazarus and Daniel Lloyds and some other actors. I’ve done a lot but the one that really exposed me was ‘One-minute Man’.
What’s the most difficult role you’ve played in a movie?
‘Kpians: The Feast of Souls’. It’s a horror movie I shot with Stanlee Ohikhuare. That was in 2014/2015.
Why was it different?
Well, the storyline was horror and it required us doing stunts. The likes of Kiki Omeili, Deyemi Okanlawon were there. But the fact that we had to do stunts, bring our own ideas of how we could do this stunt because there was no body double. So 90 percent of us had injuries. It was very challenging. There’s a point where I was in the woods, I was being pulled by the plants in real life. I got myself injured from my chest downwards.
Where was the movie shot?
We rented a house in Mende. One storey building. They took everything out from the main floor. Everything was done in one building but we had to go to Lekki Conservation Centre to shoot the bush scenes.
Would you say that’s the best set you’ve been on so far?
Well, my best was ‘One-Minute Man’ because I got an AMVCA nomination for that but my most challenging was ‘Kpians: The Feast of Souls’.
You work as a compere sometimes?
Yes, I do.
How did you come about that?
Okay, my friend Mr Benjamin called me up one time and said, “Taiwo, I want you to take up this role for Heineken launch”. It was in 2013. They needed someone who could act, control the stage and they told him to refer someone. So, I went for the audition. Luckily for me, I got the role and I’ve been doing compere work and weddings but I do more of corporate events.
It seems you’ve done more soap operas than movies, why?
Well, let’s just say, it’s the job I’ve been able to see more, people call me more for it than films.
What role do you look forward to playing?
Bad boy roles.
But you already look like a bad boy
I play more of lover boy roles.
Is that the antithesis of what you are in real life?
Yes, it is.
What are you in real life?
I love this question, let me break it down. In real life, I’m a real person, I like integrity, I like being able to go for what I want without any obstruction, I don’t believe in impossible, I’m a goal getter, I don’t care how long it takes, if I want something, I get it, that’s just me.
You said you have a flow chart. What’s on it that you are yet to do?
I’ll like to work in Hollywood. I’ve been cast as Idris Elba for TV commercials. I did a First Bank advert. They wanted someone that looks like Idris Elba. Hollywood is where I see myself.
Nollywood is enjoying a rapid growth but many will argue that quality could be better. Do you agree?
I totally disagree. Maybe four years ago. Okay, basically we have the new Nollywood and the old Nollywood
We have the old veterans and people who believe in the old way of doing things and we have trained hands who are so much in the industry now, those ones are doing good quality jobs. We find them all African Magic all the time. There are good stories, good picture quality, good editing.
At this point in your career, who are you interested in working with?
In Nigeria, RMD, Femi Branch, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Rita Dominic. I’ll love to work with Adesua Etomi. I’ll love to work with Tunde Kelani, Kunle Afolayan, Those are the few I’ll love to work with for now.
Internationally, Steven Spielberg. I’ll love to work with Mel Gibson and Denzel Washington. I’d love to work with them because I see me in them.
Tell us about your background
I’m from a very strong Christian background, my mum is an assistant pastor at Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in London. My dad was a jagaban, he studied abroad and got married to a white lady. She had three kids, my mum had five. Before he travelled, he impregnated a woman, so we are nine. Five from my mum, three from a white lady and one from a girlfriend.
Have you encountered any sex for role issue before?
In Nollywood, I’ve not encountered such a thing before so I don’t know how it works. I hear about it but I have not been in that position.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the job?
Well, there was a point I went for a reading and I discovered I actually got the role but because some other actor knows the producer, he didn’t even go through the process of auditioning, he just came from nowhere and connected. They gave him the role, that happens a lot.
Will you go into filmmaking at some point?
Yes, I will.
What should your fans expect from you in the nearest future?
Taiwo Gasper in newspapers in America, working with veteran actors in Hollywood. Taiwo Gasper working with the likes of RMD, in a blockbuster movie, the likes of Ramsey Nouah.
You are also a businessman? What’s the nature of your venture?
I have a honey business. It’s just on the starting stage right now, we’re expecting to expand very soon.
What inspired the business?
I look up to American actors a lot. I believe that for you to be successful as an actor, you need some business at the side. I’ve always wanted to do business. I’ve always wanted to float my own brand of business. So If I’m a brand as an actor, why can’t I also be a brand as a businessman?
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle
This is beautiful! A new dawn is approaching the entertainment industry. Keep it up bro.