Bolaji Ogunmola: Playing a biopic role will be a dream come true

Bolaji Ogunmola is an actress, model and social media influencer. The Nollywood sensation, who holds a degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship from the National Open University of Nigeria, is also an alumnus of the University of Ilorin. She trained professionally as an actor at the Royal Arts Academy, Surulere, Lagos, to improve her craft. Amongst the movies and series she has featured in are Tough Love, Sobi’s Mystic, All Shades of Wrong, Okon Goes to School, Tempted, Outcast, Lekki Wives, Jenifa’s Diary, Progressive Tailors Club and A Simple Lie. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, she spoke about her love for her craft, others.

Your career has evolved over the years. Share with us your journey into the industry?
My journey into the movie industry started from church. At the time, after secondary school and while trying to get into the university, we had a drama team in my church and I joined them. It started from there. Afterwards, I went to the University of Ilorin. I also joined the drama group there. When I came back to Lagos, I attended the Royal House Academy and that was how I started.

You have become a Netflix and amazon sensation, which is usually a Biodun Stephen’s direction. What is your relationship with her and how crucial has she been in your career?
Biodun Stephen is my mentor. She is the woman who gave me my first big break and I am forever thankful to her. She is still like a fairy godmother to me and I love her deeply.

What attracts you to a script; why will you take up a certain role?
Majorly, for me, it is how well grounded and rounded the character is. A character that has the different layers and is very interesting to play and very intriguing to express her world, that is one of the things that I look forward to in a script and if I have not played a certain role before and if it has so much layers to it, I am excited to dwell, to just enter that realm and see how far it takes me.

Share an unforgettable memory you had on set?
I have had so many unforgettable moments, like meeting people that I watched on TV growing up and sharing a screen with them is so amazing. For me, it is a big deal getting to share the screen with the likes of the late Racheal Oniga, Ramsey Nouah and others whom I have adored growing up.

Would you say you have been stereotyped in your roles; what other roles do you look forward to?
To be honest, I have been really fortunate with my career. I don’t think I have been stereotyped, I have played different types of character on TV, on the big screen and series, I don’t think I have been stereotyped at all. And for the other kind of roles I look forward to playing, I think I want to do a biopic. I have been saying it and manifesting it since, and maybe play Moremi Ajasoro, that would be a dream come through.

What are you currently working on?
I am right now working on a Showmax original. We have some films coming out for December. We have one on Netflix coming very soon.

What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion means being comfortable; it is the way you express yourself. I think I dress the way I feel at that time. I am very comfortable, classy, very adventurous with my style also. I wear what I feel happy and comfortable in.

What is your most valuable fashion accessory?
I think it is the necklace that someone very special bought for me.

Who are your style icons?
In Nigeria, I love Rita Dominic’s style, Toke Makinwa’s style. They are so classy. I also love MO Abudu, but because my body type is so different from theirs, I literally have to make some mix and match, combine different things, so they suit my body type and I am very comfortable in what I am wearing.

What will Bolaji never be caught wearing?
I am very adventurous, so I don’t know. I will never be naked, but I am very adventurous with my style. I will always keep it classy and nice, that is me.

What are your hobbies?
I like to stay indoors, watch movies, eat, travel, have a good time with friends, family and loved ones. Those are my go-to-do things to help me reset and just come back.

What has the entertainment industry taught you?
The entertainment industry has taught me that there are no permanent friends and enemies, we are all just working and trying to achieve our goals and make some money for our families and have a better life. Also that anybody can make it, if you put your mind to it you can make it, if you are consistent, you will have an excellent grade and go for it. You can make it.

What is your life’s mantra?
Love people, love yourself, love the world. I think one of the most amazing things I have heard recently is that you are a mirror of what you receive. Whatever you mirror is what you receive. For me, I try to mirror positivity, happiness, love, joy, so that I will receive that in return. And the most important things in life are not things you can hold on to, there are memories, it is time spent with people that really matters.