Fisayo Ajisola, a thriving Nollywood actress, is also giving back to society through her non-government organization, Jewel Empowerment Foundation (JEF), which is dedicated to providing for children, youths and the less-privileged. In this interview, she speaks on a wide range of topics, including personal details and plans for her NGO.
It’s interesting to know you just graduated, how have you been able to juggle academics with acting?
I would say my temperament. I’m a choleric and I’m a very good organizer. Thus, I tried to plan ahead of time so I don’t get things choked up. I think what has helped me most is proper planning. I managed acting, academics and NGO work and they all came out well.
Some lecturers or students seeing an actress schooling may feel intimidated and would want to oppress her. Did you experience such and how did you overcome such threat?
I’m very open, free and friendly. I’m down-to-earth. So one of the things that helped me in school is the fact that I was able tolerate my colleagues, play with them and make them know I’m just like every other student. I’m well known in school and some of my lecturers know I’m into acting and all that. I don’t think I was really bothered, but at the same time, in a way, I was dealt with. I’ve been able to scale through that aspect of my life.
What doors would you say stardom has opened for you?
I would say stardom has opened doors of opportunities for me: high level of exposure – going out, meeting people through my NGO, touching lives positively. Being an actress has made my NGO known. I would say stardom has opened more doors for me.
Concerning your NGO, what has been your pains and gains?
My NGO is basically for children and youths. And the main objective is to reduce societal menace by concentrating on children and youth. To me, the gain is the fact that I’ve been able to make people smile, because the motto of my NGO is: ‘Created to make you smile’. Helping the younger generation brings joy to me because I’m just like every normal young person and I’m a person that got to discover myself early in life. Thus, my NGO helps younger people to know what they want to do in life, to help them positively and being fulfilled doing it. Talking about the pain, a lot of people ask me why I’m doing this NGO thing, because a lot of people see someone starting an NGO as someone who has achieved a lot and is trying to give back to the society. But I believe you don’t have to have too much before you make impact. I would say the pain is raising fund but basically, I think I have more gains than pains.
Can you tell us about Xmas Package for the NGO?
JEF – Jewel Empowerment Foundation – went to railway stations where we have a lot of beggars, homeless people. On that day, we visited them, gave them food, and made them happy. We fed about 500 beggars
It’s interesting to know you combine beauty with brains and yet you still have passion for the less privileged. Where did you get your inspiration from?
I’m a positive-minded person. Things that have helped me include being focused, determined and contented.
What’s your plan for acting?
Presently, I’m working on producing my movie and I’m looking at mid-2016. Aside that, I’m going to be working on other people’s projects. So what I’ve got for 2016 is the best of me, because now I have more time for the acting thing and I’ll be fully available. People should expect the best from me, the really crazy me.
We hear stories of sexual harassment in the industry. Have you ever had an encounter?
Sexual harassment is everywhere; it’s in every sector and the only reason it is being pronounced in the movie industry is because of the media. About being sexually harassed before, maybe. But before one is being harassed, you know you wanna do it or not. And for me, it’s a No-No. I believe in working on myself, being good and facing reality. But honestly, harassment is no for me because I don’t give in
You are sexy, pretty and delectable. How have you been able to handle your male fans and what is the craziest thing any of your fans has ever done to you?
Person wey no dey inside T.V sef dey get admirers. But the thing is, I love them and they love me too. I’m a very friendly person and I’m down to earth. I know when to stop them whenever they are going too far. The craziest thing a male fan has ever done is kiss me and hug me. I’m always happy to see them.
You just released some sexy pictures, so can you tell us what part of your body turns men on?
I love to always say this: Every part of my body turns men on. From my hair to my toes, you will be turned on.
Which among them do men pay most attention to?
Most times, the one they get to see. I’ve a lot of people that are so engrossed looking at my eyes, or my lips which attract them so much that they want to kiss me. Some of them like my nose, and the amazing part of me is my skin. God has blessed me with a very beautiful skin. Every part of my body turns men on. Seeing me alone, you are turned on already.
What turns you on in a man?
Funny enough, nothing physical turns me on in a man. I consider intangible things in a man. Things the eyes can’t see – care, love and most especially someone that really believes in me, someone that can see; what I will become in the next five years; trust, patience. Sometimes I could be temperamental and go crazy but I need someone that can calm me down. Those are the things.
What defines your style and fashion?
I’m a bling-bling person, I like colours, and I like to combine colours. So simplicity but colourful defines my style. I like something that glitters.
Who is that person behind your smile?
My fans.
Who do you look up to in the industry?
Genevieve, Mercy Johnson, Ini Edo and Omotola
Q- Interestingly, we learnt that you featured in JENIFA’S DIARY, can you tell us about that?
R- (Laugh) you know JENIFA’S DIARY is comedy. So I played the role of a married student and then I was harassed by a post graduate student not knowing that am married to a soldier. It was a funny scenario. The guy later came after me and my husband was so aggressive, acting all that. So it was all cool, it was nice working with the crew.
Q- Will you describe the role as challengeing or fun?
R- it’s both. You can’t say acting is challenging or it was fun, all of it makes it what it is and that’s why we want to be in it. So acting is fun and challenging because sometimes, the fun part of it is that you are happy doing what you are doing and people that watch it appreciate what you do. The challenging part of it is that you will be on set for hours under stress, pressure and all of that. So it could be annoying and tasking .
Q- We also learnt that you feature in THIS LIFE
R- Yes, THIS LIFE by Wale Aadenuga production. The title is A CHANGE OF HEART. Its such a funny character because I play the role of a Portharcourt babe (prostitute). Iit was a role that I had to execute all those promiscuous character but it was challenging for me because it was not me.
Q- Can you tell us about your first kiss and how was it like?
R- (laugh) when you ask of my first kiss, you made me remember my EX. (laugh) . I was in secondary school. My first kiss was sweet. Hmmmmm……… It was really sweet I was happy. This is so sensitive, you know all this kind of kiss that…….you kiss somebody and while in your dormitory your body still vibrate (laugh) . It’s like the picture played back on your head and then you vibrate. It was such …….. You know I had that kiss on Friday and I swear with God till Monday, it was still playing on my head. So when I remember that kiss I just vibrate. I feel like Wow……. It was intimate and very lovely. I think after that time, I didn’t feel that way but that particular time it was sweet and I was happy (laugh).