I’m Not The Desperate Type – Doris Simeon

She may not be of Yoruba origin but Doris Simeon has made more than a name in that genre of the Nigerian motion picture industry. The Edo-born actress recently spoke to Daily Independent’s SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, Hazeez Balogun, about the gains and pains in Nollywood 

You won some awards in 2012, which of them was the most valuable to you?

Wow, they all mean so much to me. I actually got two awards from the United States of America in from the people of my hometown, Okpella in Edo State. The award was to appreciate my effort as one of their illustrious daughters in the movie industry and also another one in Nigeria from Eldorado Entertainment in honour of my achievements in the industry. Before I went to America, I got an award from ZAFAA as the best actress in Yoruba movie. It’s been great for me. Awards are like challenges for you to work harder and compete more with people that are fresh and are willing to do better than you.

What are you working on right now?

I’ve been doing a lot of things as well as a lot of researches to start up some other things from acting like I’m used to. As a result of that, I’ve successfully done a TV talk show and hopefully, I’m praying to make headway with that. I’m actually opening up to my fans that I can do more than act, like presentation and show host. Basically, that is what I’ve been up to lately.

Your movie, which you produced, Omo Iya Kan, was a big hit, are you planning on shooting more?

I’m actually working on two movies come next year (2013) and hopefully, I’m praying it becomes a hit like the rest have been or even better. I’m working seriously on all that this year and that is why I haven’t really worked on anything this year or even started production. I want to make proper arrangements before going into the making of the films.

How was it like getting into the industry? We know you started with Papa Ajasco then

It was actually my pastor’s son at The Apostolic Church that told me about Papa Ajasco’s auditioning. The first time, he told me about it, I couldn’t make it and the second time, I went for my aunt’s wedding and I was planning to rush down to Charity Bus Stop (Lagos) and I crossed the expressway, so I was about completing the cross when a guy tried cautioning me but I thought he wanted to toast me, so I ignored him and I just got into the hands of the law enforcement agency; so I missed the audition. At the third audition, I thought to myself that it wasn’t worth it but reluctantly, I went there with the hope of meeting stars and I was asked to do something and I did to the best of my knowledge and that was it. I remember I was afraid of meeting Antar Laniyan because I’ve heard that he was strict and I was afraid not to fail and get bashed but it was Wale Adenuga that auditioned me and that was it. It was on the set of Papa Ajasco that I met the late Yomi Ogunmola, who was the director and it was Yomi Ogunmola that introduced me to Yoruba movies and got my first role in the movie, Ten Million Naira.

Now you are over a decade in the industry, how has the journey been like?

It hasn’t been easy oh. I started way back, almost 12 years now, and I thank God for the achievement so far. It’s not by power or might because some people have been here for several years and haven’t achieved one single thing to the credit of what they have been doing. But I thank God that 12 years ago when I started I never knew it would be this big, I remember when I started then, I wanted people to know my name not the face but I have remained in the eyes of people. In short, I thank God because starting and getting to this height is by His grace. Before now, there was nothing like all these gadgets and now, I still wonder how we used to get across to each other to come to location or for a job, unlike now that you get calls telling you when you should come on set. But then you either get a letter or go to a business centre to receive calls and all that but now technology has made it easier. But I think we still need more improvement and finance from corporate bodies to make our entertainment industry more attractive and encourage our effort because it’s sad to see colleagues in the industry for several decades and they can’t even afford to get three square meals and I feel we should get stronger in unity so that people can come around and help the industry grow bigger than it is.

Did your parents support you then?

Funny enough, my parents were fully in support of what I chose because while I was growing up, I used to watch TV a lot, and I would always love to be on TV as a newscaster or on the radio. Even before the audition, I had their blessings and they just said I should always remember who I was and where I was coming from. In fact, my dad was my biggest fan, he would always tell people that I’m his daughter and they would even tell me what their friends told them about my choice of career.

Can you remember your first pay as an actress?

I’m not sure but I think I was paid N3,000 per episode for Papa Ajasco and I think I got N21,000 for seven episodes that I did. For the film, I think it was N10,000 or N15,000.

How much will you reject?

Hmm! Don’t tell me you want me to come and act for N50,000 when my friends earn N50,000 as salary (laughs). Even now, people think it’s cool to shoot a film for free and I just wonder how we would grow and keep our family if we keep doing jobs free. Recently a friend of mine called me and said she had told a certain producer to request for my services but that the producer said I was just too expensive and I said I prefer it that way because I believe every artiste, who must have paid his or her dues over time needs to enjoy the benefit of what he or she has laboured for. If we keep doing it free, then how would the investors come and how are we supposed to cater for our needs and that of our families?

You have a pretty face, and so does many actresses; will you agree that it is mostly the beauty that first gets the attention of the producers and not the talent?

I would actually say it’s the talent not the face because the face might also add to the credit but it’s the talent that has actually kept me in there because the industry is growing and if you think it’s your fine face, another beautiful person would come and dethrone you. Your talent matters even if you are beautiful because I know that it’s not every producer that wants to sleep with a girl because of role, some want to sell their products and would go for only the best. I think it’s basically the talent.

Did producers and director try to woo you

It happens but it all depends on how you present and carry yourself as well as how you take your job. Some people are desperate and they would do anything just to get whatever role they want but I’m not the desperate type. I believe so much in my talent and God. I’m one of those that believe that whatever is mine would always come to me and whatever is not mine won’t come to me. To me it’s like asking me for something and if I can’t offer it or don’t want to offer it, I simply say no. No one would force you, you would always be asked to see how desperate you are and if you say no, no one would force you. No one would rape you if you refuse it, so it’s about your mindset and how you present yourself.

But you married your producer

Funny enough, when I met him, I just came back from a job and I was called up by the location manager. I didn’t want to do the job but she was on my neck and wanted me to do the job for the producer and because she told me that majority of the crew were from English movies, I decided to do it because I’ve heard a lot about these people being arrogant and all that. I wanted to see how they were but unfortunately, every member of the crew irrespective of their native tongue was friendly that I kept wondering where the perceived arrogance went. They were so accommodating and that changed my perception about a lot of these colleagues. So, it was on that set that I met him because he was the producer and director of the movie which was Omo Jaiye Jaiye. He would walk up to me and greet me and he was always friendly like others and on that location, we all didn’t want to go and we became friends. From there, marriage and a child.

And later a break up

That is not for discussion.