I won’t expose my body on video, no matter
the price — Efe Irele
Efe Irele is a video vixen, model, and fast-rising
actress. She’s best known for the role she
played in the video of pop singer, Adekunle
Gold’s hit single “Sade.” She has since moved
on, featuring in other musical videos and
movies. Recently, she featured in Emem Isong’s
advocacy movie, Zahra, where she played the
role of Sefia, a Hausa lady who was traumatised
in the IDP camp and eventually died while in
labour due to lack of medical attention. The
movie is bound to announce Efe’s presence in
the nation’s movie industry. Showtime Celebrity
met her at the premiere of the movie last
Sunday. In this interview, Efe, who has Masters
degree in Human Resource Management speaks
about her role in the movie, music video,
modelling and why she delved into acting.
By Benjamin Njoku
How were you able to fit into the role of Sefia,
a Hausa lady, having come from the western
part of the country?
I had to get into the character properly to
make it believable. I did a lot of researches
because when the script was given to me, I
realized the producer wanted me to speak
with Hausa accent in the movie. So, at that
moment, I started hanging around with my
Hausa gate-man and all the Mallams in my
area just to learn how to pronounce certain
words in Hausa and master their intonation. I
also watched a lot of Hausa movies.
Efe Irele
How long have you been into acting to have
landed this kind of challenging role?
I started acting about a year ago. I was
actually nervous initially but I picked up
courage and put in my best. I am excited that
I am part of the cast of this film.
Did you feel intimidated while on set?
Not at all. My senior colleagues were actually
supportive. They were coming from time to
time to encourage me. The director of the
film too was very helpful. He was always
talking to me about getting into my
character. I enjoyed being on the set of this
movie because it has exposed me to a lot of
things happening out there, especially in the
IDP camps. A lot of people are suffering for
something they did not bargain for. I feel this
movie should expose a lot of ugly things going
on in the IDP camps.
How did you land the role in this movie?
There was a job I did for Iroko TV, a TV series
called “Single Ladies”, the production manager,
Onyinye was impressed with my performance
and she was the one that introduced me to
Aunty Emem Isong, who invited me for a script
reading session. After the session, she gave
me the role.
Is this your first major work as an actress?
I have done a couple of other videos. I was in
Burna Boy party video. I did that when I came
back from the UK after completing my Masters
degree programme in Human Resource
Management.
How did your parents feel after sending you to
the UK to pursue your master degree only to
come back and venture into the entertainment
industry?
My mum was open to it, but my father initially
did not understand it. My mum would book
appointment for me and asked me to follow it
up, like interviews and all that. I look at her
today and I could see smiles on her face. I am
into showbiz for real, and this is what I love
doing for a living.
But it’s not as if your father has given you his
full consent?
Initially he did not, but now, he’s okay with it.
Beyond the glamour that comes with acting,
are your parents impressed with what comes
in, in terms of returns ?
I wouldn’t say they are happy with it, but I
guess I am happy doing what I like doing.
They support me a lot.
Does it mean you will not be doing music
video modelling anymore?
I still do some selected videos, but not
everything that comes my way.
How much of nudity have you displayed as a
video vixen?
That was never me at any point in time. From
the outset, I had this kind of mindset that I am
not going to show my skin to bring any
attention to myself. In all the musical videos I
have featured in, I was properly dressed.
So, you are one in a million?
I guess so. People are different, and our
orientations are different as well.
Bu if you are paid handsomely to show your
skin in a musical video, will you reject it?
No matter how much you offer me, I won’t
expose my body in a musical video.
How did you meet Adekunle Gold to feature in
his musical video?
When I was a video vixen, it was my manager
that got the job for me. The day we shot the
video was the first day I met Adekunle Gold. It
was my manager that sealed the deal.
And your relationship with him did not go
beyond the screen?
We are good friends. Sometimes, we chat on
Instagram and other social media platforms.
Did featuring in that musical video brought a
lot of attention to you?
Yes, it brought me a lot of attention, but not
negative ones. People always recognize me
and scream wherever they meet me.
What projects are you undertaking this year?
I am already in Nollywood, but I want to go
deeper into the industry: feature in many
movies and later in the year, start producing
my own movies.
You are one year old in the industry and you
are already thinking of going into movie
production?
Of course, I have to think of the money.
Though I went into acting because of the
passion I have for the profession. When you
find your passion, you also have to think of
making money.
Before you ventured into acting, for how long
did you desire the profession?
I started modelling when I was 15 years. It
was when I realized I have something to do
with the camera.
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