By Rita Okoye
Veteran Nollywood actress, Jaiye Kuti, has no plans of walking away from the screen anytime soon. With a career spanning decades, the celebrated thespian says she envisions herself acting well into her 80s and beyond.
Speaking in an interview with Saturday Sun, the entertainer expressed her unwavering passion for the craft and belief that acting is a lifelong vocation.
“If you’re not lazy and you remain focused, the future is very bright. I see myself at 80 still doing this. This isn’t a job you retire from. Even at 100, fans will still want to see your face. That’s how beautiful this job is.”
Kuti, also believes education is valuable but not an absolute determinant of success in the industry.
“Education is important, but it doesn’t mean that those without it are not relevant. Some actors have unique skills, body language, facial expressions, instinctive reactions that can’t be taught in school. They didn’t learn it from books, but they excel at it.”
On the subject of young actors prioritising social media clout over honing their craft, the comic actress urged them to stay focused and undeterred by industry gossip.
“Don’t be discouraged by any news. Some people will say directors or producers will harass you, nothing like that has ever happened to me. A director can like an actor; likeness is not a crime. We are in a civilised world, this is the AI era. Some of us are willing to pick up new talent,” she shared.
Known for her youthful appearance despite years in the industry, the Aye Afunwa star-actress revealed that maintaining her looks is part of her professional discipline.
She said: “In entertainment, you don’t want to get old because what you sell is your face, your body, your personality. You have to keep renewing yourself. That’s why people don’t see us as ageing — even though the age is there, we keep rebranding. I walk a lot. I prefer to walk. That’s my daily exercise. I also drink plenty of water to keep my skin healthy.”
Leave a comment