Beautiful, well-endowed Nollywood Actress and young entrepreneur, Aderonke Atere is one of the rising stars doing Nollywood proud with their beauty and acting prowess.
The Ibadan, Oyo State born actress who is a graduate of Political Science from the Ekiti State University in this exclusive interview speaks on the challenges she faced while starting out and explained the difficulties she experienced in the industry at the early stages of her career and how she remained unshaken because of her passion for acting.
You’ve been off the radar for a while, can you tell us what you’ve been up to?
That’s right, I have been away from the industry for a while now. My other businesses were taking more of my time. Also, I needed to take some time off to re-strategize for a strong comeback.
Your latest production, what’s the title and what’s the story about?
The title of my new movie is LOVE LOOP. It’s a story based on a complicated love triangle, Obsession, and how far people are willing to go for who they love. It’s my first movie production project.
Who are the actors that starred in it?
The movie cast include Ronke Odunsanya, Akeem Ogara, Jide Oyegbile, Yhemolee, Oyindamola Sanni and so on.
The Nigerian film industry is experiencing a phenomenal growth, with people stepping up their production and many people wanting to go to the cinema. What’s your take on this?
I feel like it’s a great move, I’m super proud of how far Nollywood has come. Seeing how Nigerian movies are taking over foreign movies in the cinemas is really amazing. It’s definitely going to encourage more movie producers and I must admit they have done so well in paving way for us the new generation of movie producers.
The cinema culture is coming back and growing with ticket sales improving and many Nigerian movies outselling foreign movies at the box office. What do you think is responsible for this?
I cannot say one thing in particular is responsible, I think it’s growth and exposure.
A lot of actors and producers are well traveled now and everyone is doing well in upgrading their crafts. Setting goals and achieving them and I cannot be more proud.
Are you planning to hit the cinema with any of your productions any time soon?
We’ll see about that, but for now I am more focused on building my fan base from the scratch which is through YOUTUBE.
How did you get into acting?
To start with, my name is ATERE ADERONKE. I have always had a passion for acting since I was young and I do write movie stories growing up. I liked acting so much, and I could remember how I did invite our neighbors then so we could do a short drama in our house. Acting has always been my thing since childhood. Then fast forward to when I was done with my secondary school, I had one big sis in our neighborhood then and she’s into acting as well, her name is Iwalola. She was the first person to take me on a movie set in 2010 in Ibadan, and I featured as an extra in a club scene though I can’t remember the title of the movie anymore, but there were great actors in the movie such as Damola Olatunji among many others.
So do you have formal training in acting?
Like I said earlier, I don’t have any formal training in particular. I have always had a passion for it.
Were your parents in support of your chosen career when you first started?
My dad wasn’t in support at all! You know how African parents can be when it comes to acting as a career. But my stepmom was partially in support, she has always been a lover of Nollywood movies and the industry in general and we also had a video club where we rent out movies on our street as well. I was able to go to the first movie set because my dad was on a business trip.
So how has the journey been so far?
It’s been a rough one honestly; having to combine acting with my other businesses is not an easy task, more reason why I haven’t been going on movie sets recently.
What were the challenges you faced when starting out?
It was quite tough starting out but because of the great passion I have for acting, that has been what has been giving me the staying power and kept me going on.
How many movies have you starred in so far, and their names?
I have featured in quite a few movies but I can’t remember all, these are the few ones I can remember, BRUNO AND THE LAW, WIFEY, PJ, JAMAL, EWO ILARA and THE GHOST AND THE TOUT TOO.
What’s your take on piracy? Especially, with the ways people takes movie and illegally screen it on Telegram?
It’s quite disheartening! Movie production takes a lot of blood and sweat. We individuals can do better honestly. I understand that not everyone has access to platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, etc., it is still not enough excuse to water down people’s efforts via watching of pirated movies. A whole lot goes into production and producers deserves better.
When not on location or working, how do you relax?
I enjoy traveling a lot; I book a flight and travel if I want to relax.
Are you a romantic lady?
Even though most people see me as a hard lady, I still think I’m very soft on the inside. I’m such a baby at heart, so yes.
What do you look out for in a man?
Above any other thing, a God fearing man.
What is style to you?
Style is more about being yourself, style is being comfortable in your own choice of clothing and other fashion accessories.
What are your favourite fashion items?
I love good hair, nice shoes, good perfumes; anything that has to do with fashion is just always a YES for me.
Your signature perfume.
I have a few but OUD ISPAHAN from Dior is a favourite.
Do you have a particular beauty regimen?
I exfoliate my skin to get rid of dirt and make it glow and I also do facials when it’s necessary.
What part of your body do you consider as a selling point?
I believe it’s my shape lol! I have a nice figure and I’m also bursty. I get a lot of compliments about my body mostly.
Aside from acting, are you into some other form of business?
I’m the creative director of ATRON INTERIORS, I am into interior designing, and I am also a makeup artist Sophz Glam. I also own a clothing brand HOUSE OF SOFFY.
