By Damilola Fatunmise
Celebrated and multi-talented actress, Dayo Amusa, who recently became a new mother, is a well-known figure in the movie industry, boasting an impressive body of work and numerous awards.
This Ijebu-born actress is also a producer and singer who frequently shuttles between Nigeria and abroad. In this interview with The Entertainer, she shares her experiences with motherhood, her drive for continued relevance, and other topics.
Enjoy!
Can you recall your journey into acting?
It is something that I have always wanted to do. I like being in the entertainment industry. Although I read Food Science and Technology at Ogun State Polytechnic, the fact remains that I saw myself more in the art world. So, after earning my ND at Moshood Abiola Polytechnics, I just felt I needed to pursue my dream, which I did, and the rest, they say, is history.
Some of your colleagues believe that rising to the top comes with a special price, which could sometimes be inexplicable. How did you manage to remain level-headed?
There isn’t any special price to be paid as far as I am concerned. Nothing has ever gone beyond putting in my best at every opportunity I get. In this field, consistency is key, the reason you see a lot of filmmakers releasing back-to-back projects is to stay relevant.
You were off the movie scene for a while and now, you are back; what are you doing differently?
I am fully back to work to show my unwavering commitment to my craft, working with producers, directors and the corporate world at large. As it’s been established, we at Amzadol Productions bring on quality storylines and creative content, and we are not relenting on that as my return is a testament to my resilience and determination.
In one of your posts on IG, you said this comeback is personal. Did you feel left out at any point?
How can I feel left out when my break was intentional? Of course not; I was dealing with personal issues then, and yes, I lost interest in everything that mattered. My career suffered the most as I gradually lost focus and interest in my passion. I ran into my shell battling with depression for many years.
You are a new mom; how does it make you feel?
I feel completely fulfilled. I have done so many wrong things in life but one thing I have done right is having my son. Motherhood is beautiful and now I am beginning to see things from a whole different angle. Right now, all I want to do is to be available for my son at all times; I want to be an intentional mother.
Can you share some of your struggles before you welcome your son?
For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be a completely ideal woman. Having had three miscarriages, in 2015, I was diagnosed with uterine myxomatosis, and some doctors recommended removing my womb due to the complications and discomfort I experienced every month during my menstrual cycle. I decided to fight and reject that option. I was on medications to stop the growth of tumours until my uncle’s wife advised me to come to the UK for treatment.
On the 14th of February, 2015, I had surgery to remove the tumour via TCRE Laparoscopy dye ovarian drilling procedure as I was really afraid of being opened. Then in 2016, myself and then-partner decided to try again as we were so eager to welcome our first child together but later discovered one of my tubes was broken, and it would be almost impossible to get pregnant naturally. My dear the rest is history now as God rewrote my story for me.
You’ve released a lot of songs in the past one or two years; what do you intend to achieve with music?
I love music. I love to write songs. It’s another way of passing messages across and expressing myself and my deeper thoughts. I am not giving up on music. I am an entertainer! Not just an actor. I work for a cause, not for applause. Therefore, I make music to express myself, not to impress.
We’ve seen a lot of actors who tried music and failed, does that scare you at all?
I am never afraid to fail! So, I am not scared of failure or disappointment. I think not making an effort and not trying is a major failure.
The Nigerian movie industry has evolved significantly in the past few years. What changes have you noticed, and how do you plan to adapt to the new Nollywood?
I agree with you that the game has changed over the years. A lot of efforts have been made to improve our cinematic elements in general, and of course, I am looking forward to adapting to the new Nollywood.
You have built a strong brand over the years. What do you think has been the secret to your longevity and relevance in the entertainment industry?
I would say my unwavering commitment and resilience to my craft are filled with hard work, dedication and determination.
Social media has become a major tool for celebrities. Will you also be engaging in a trending marketing style like we’ve seen your colleagues do recently?
Seeing some very outstanding creative content from my colleagues, I definitely will infuse some of theirs while exploring mine.
