I Can’t Marry An Actor

Film producer and actress, Omotanwa Balogun, popularly known as Tanny Bee, is gradually becoming a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s growing film industry. In this interview, she speaks on issues bordering on her career, her projects, challenges and why she cannot marry an actor.

Your profile in the industry seems to have risen convincingly in just a couple of months. What’s the secret?

First and foremost, it’s God’s making. I thank God for always being there. As a young lady who’s trying to make fame, He’s been directing my steps. And considering all the challenges I have been through, I think God deserves to be praised. Most of the time, when I have hitches, I just go back to Him in prayers and each time I do so, I get good results. Aside that, my mom is in full support of my career now, unlike before when we disagreed over it.

Also, my mentors have been good with their judgements. Sometimes, they would call to criticise and other times, they would just call to give me a pat on the back! My fans have also been supportive. All these things give me the much-needed encouragement to work hard always.

As you rightly observed, the last few months have been so hectic because I have so many projects at hand. I have been getting involved mostly with film and television productions. And I think our people now critique film and television productions including the producers and other crew members behind the camera, instead of just the cast.

I think the jobs that I got on merit and the way I discharge my duties have also contributed to my rise in the industry.

So many people believe that young ladies like you who are desperate to make fame and fortune in the industry go through the backdoor; either by sleeping around or other means. How true is it?

It’s a lie! Not all ladies do that, to my knowledge. I have been part of this industry as a professional for six years now, though each new day gives a room for learning. Morally, I know that anyone who sleeps around to make fame and fortune in life may fizzle out sooner than they expect it. I’ll never sleep with anyone to get roles or do any project. The logic is simple — give to me what I truly deserve and in return, I’ll give you the best of my ability. I’m not desperate to partake in any job. I’m a professional, though, I still learn from the classy few who are making it real in the industry.

I will never lick anyone’s shoes just to contribute my quota professionally to any production. And I must say that it’s too bad for ladies to sleep around in order to rise to the zenith of their careers.  I can bet these ladies won’t be able to stand or sit with the real professionals when that time comes in future.

But have you been sexually harassed before?

No. Never! No man will dare harass me. It has never happened and it will not happen to me. I don’t give room for all that to happen.

And what would you do if it happens?

Ha! The man will regret his actions. For now, I can’t say  what I  will do, but I can bet that he’ll live to tell the tale of his miserable life and regret ever trying it with me.

You have handled a number of productions and also acted in many movies, which among them would you pick as your claim to fame?

I must say that all of my productions (and the ones that I featured in) have been so challenging. I can’t really pick anyone for now, but Supermom, a television production I handled as a producer and now runs on all national TV channels, has really brought me fame. It has about 500 cast and I spent almost a month shooting the project. Because of the success of the project, people now call me  ‘Super-girl’. I receive calls and text messages daily from people who have enjoyed watching the production, sending me goodwill messages and all that.

Apart from Super Mom, another production that brought me to the limelight was Odo L’aiye, a Yoruba film produced by Kehinde Adeyemi, some years ago. It capped my effort in Aforesunise (The Ingrate), which was the film I first produced (in 2006). Odo L’aiye made people believe in me.

Which do you really prefer  between acting and  producing?

I love to produce and that’s what I have always been doing, even for corporate organisations. Not long ago, I produced a movie packaged by Best Of Nollywood (BON) and bankrolled by UNILEVER Nigeria Plc. I have more interest in producing than acting because it’s very challenging to produce. That’s why my face has not been seen everywhere so far. I think it pays to produce than to act always.

That’s why I always have the urge to be a producer. I only manage to act when the need arises; but you can’t take away the fact that I’m an actress.

How have you been able to curtail love advances from your male fans and colleagues?

I welcome them as friends. But I try as much as possible not to give them the ‘green light’. There’s no room for flirting or dating, as you may choose to call it but I’m a very accommodating person.

Can you marry an actor?

Never! I can never marry an actor. I don’t pray to marry a thespian.

Why? 

Because I know it won’t work. You see, most of time, I envy the Jacobs (Olu and Joke Silva) and wonder how they have been able to lead a scandal-free marriage life. I wonder what keeps them going. But I doubt if it can work for me. Apart from the fact that people generally have the perception that actors and actresses don’t enjoy good marriage, I think that the equation in my family won’t get balanced if my husband and I are into showbiz.

There are so many factors militating against showbiz couples and I can’t afford to start what I cannot finish. I don’t want to drag my family name in the mud and that’s why I’m always careful in my daily activities. I prefer a man outside the showbiz industry, who’s caring and understanding; a man who would see my flaws as those of a common mortal. A man who will not say I should stop acting or producing for his own selfish interest, or because I have been away for days. I want a happy marriage.

Do you mean actors are not responsible husbands?

No, that’s not the point. What I’m trying to say is that most celebrity marriages don’t last. And it’s not our fault. It’s because there are so many factors militating against us. Actors are responsible people and teachers in the society. They mirror the society, but most times, we find it difficult to find solutions to our problems because  of people’s  high expectations from us. It’s terrible, but don’t forget we’re just like every other person out there. We’re not extraordinary!

How soon do you plan to get married?

Well, I’m in a relationship for now, but as for marriage, God’s time is the best. It will come at the time allotted for it by Allah.