Bambam: I fell in love with acting trying to find purpose

Oluwabamike Olawunmi popularly known as Bambam is a multi-talented actress, broadcaster, singer, voiceover artiste, and event host. A native of Ogun State, she was born in 1990. Bambam is a graduate of Microbiology from the Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State. She is an MTN Project Fame season 8 semifinalist. She became famous in 2018 being one of the housemates at the Big Brother Naija (BBN) season three, where she also found her heartthrob, Tope Adenibuyan is popularly known as Teddy A and they tied the knot in November 2019 and are blessed with a daughter. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, Bambam shares her motherhood experience, her time in the BBNaija house among others.

How has motherhood been for you?
IT has been beautiful. Truth is no matter how someone else mentally prepares you for motherhood; first-hand experience is the best teacher because every child and pregnancy is bespoke. I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter; I spat and vomited till she came out, literally. My mother didn’t have that experience, nobody that I knew had that experience; so I didn’t see it coming. I’m sure you heard that I had postpartum depression; nothing stimulated it, nothing triggered it, I wasn’t stressed or anything. So, no matter what you want to say about pregnancy and childbearing, it is unique to you.

When I was breastfeeding, it was painful when I started, I was crying every day and when I was done, I had gotten used to it and I started to miss it. Every stage of pregnancy till childbirth is unique and it just made me more intentional and made my relationship with God and my daughter better. So, trusting God and understanding the uniqueness of my child has been a beautiful learning process for me.

Let me take you back to your time in BBN house, what would you have done differently?
Nothing. I would not do anything differently. The only thing I think was handicapped for me was that I didn’t watch the show before going in. I fell in love with acting when I was trying to find purpose and when I auditioned in Abuja and Lagos and saw how hard it was to be on screen, the only means to an end was either MTN project fame or BBN because I noticed that most people who went through that platform didn’t have to go through the hustle and bustle of seeking for fame. When I was done, I was seeking a platform that would propel me and put me in the face of people and make them appreciate my work. That was why I auditioned. Maybe if I had watched the show before, I would have been a bit more aware of certain things. For me, I liked how organic my stay was even though people saw it as acting and didn’t understand how it could be so effortless. So, it seemed staged.

From then to now, how would you say you have evolved?
I am such a different and more evolved person. I can’t put words to it. Life doesn’t prepare you for adulthood, motherhood, marriage, dating. People can advise you but your experiences should be unique to you and be directed by the Holy Spirit. Don’t run your life using another person’s blueprints. Take counsel but process it to see if it fits into your own unique design.

What should we be expecting from you?
I always tell people to watch this space; I don’t like to say too much. Of course, I have a few things I’m working on but until it’s cooked, what is exposed is prone to attacks and what is not exposed is preserved.

What in your growing up prepared you for where you are today?
I think it’s the seed of God sown by my mum. I grew up watching my mum ask God the colour of cloth she should put on and the colour of the scarf she should tie. So, it became a lifestyle for us. So, with how competitive and tough the industry can be, if I don’t have God I wouldn’t have lasted this long.

What does fashion mean to you?
I love fashion. Fashion to me is art, expression and beauty. I don’t try to overthink when it comes to style; I do what sits right with me. I don’t really have a fashion icon. I love art, I paint, I draw, I love to look good and I’m married to someone whose lifestyle is to look good. So, fashion is our life, it is our family, it is who we are, fashion is me.

So, what fashion piece would you say you’re really comfortable in?
Everything about fashion works for me. As long as it makes me look sexy, makes me look divine. There was a stage in my life that it is either elaborate or nothing. Now, I’m a bit less is more.

What’s your favourite local dish?
I love any soup, but if there should be one, I love Okra soup with Amala and Titus fish.
Define Bambam in three words.
Godly, Enthusiastic, Loving

What advice do you have for younger people who look up to you?
I would say seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you because if you seek God, you’d find out your core, the essence of your being and why you were born. So, your life before you knew what life wasn’t your choice. What makes you think you should be the sole dictator yours? So, you should seek the creator about what you should do and then everything you need to exist in that space will just come naturally; you don’t have to do what others are doing to thrive in that space.