In a recent interview with Punch newspaper, actor Adeniyi Johnson talked
about several things including his relationship and more. See excerpts
below:
Why do you always rock an afro hairstyle?
I think it started with a particular
soap opera that I did. Initially, I kept a V-shaped beard but for the
soap opera, the director said he would want the beard to grow around my
mouth because my face looked younger than the character he wanted to
portray. The old school hairstyle is just a personal decision. But I do
change my look depending on the role I am interpreting. Generally, I
love my afro and my beard. I see that as my trademark. I am more
comfortable with it.
Also based on my nature and physique, people always call me a small boy. Often times, they tend to think I am a 26-year-old man.
How come you look this lanky and smallish?
It is hereditary. My father also looks
like this. He is in his 60s but he still wears jeans and walks like a
very young boy. I am sure I inherited that from him. He dyes his hair
and I think that is what is going to set us apart because I would never
dye the grey hair on my head except for a movie. In my 30s, the grey
hair is coming out gradually. People find it difficult to know my
precise age except I tell them because of my youthful looks. I love the
way I look even though I go to some places and people call me ‘small
boy.’ When it comes to my face, I may look small but at heart, I know
how old I am.
Do you feel bad when people call you small boy?
At times I feel bad but when I think of
what I can offer and my accomplishments, I smile within me. A lot of
people would look at me and say I am 25 years old and I tell them that
was eight years ago. It is the way God made me. At times I feel insulted
but I just smile.
Are you happy with the fact that you have grey hair at 32?
Of course, I am. I cannot dye my grey
hair. It is not easy to come across this rare gift, how many young
people have grey hair in this industry? I love it and I would never dye
it except for a movie role. I did not give it to myself; it was a gift
from God. The Yoruba call it the ‘wisdom hair’ and I am glad I have it.
It sets me apart from everyone else, it makes me unique and it could be
my own trademark. Except my character does not need it, then a make-up
artiste has to work on it; otherwise I go everywhere with it and I’m
proud. I love the grey hair and I hope it grows fast or stay at a corner
like General Diya’s own. It commands respect.
How come you did not gain weight even after marriage?
It is because I exercise regularly. It
is not because my wife does not cook for me, in fact she loves to cook
for me a lot but I exercise every day. I remember an incident that
happened in the house a while back. My wife had to pack my jogging kit
and hid it. I searched the whole house but I did not find it, I did not
know that she hid it in one of the cabinets in the kitchen. Eventually I
saw it and she said she hid it because I am not fat and I still jog
every day to burn fat. I like to keep fit and I discovered that once an
actor gets married, he has tendencies to grow a pot belly and lose
shape. Even though I am not muscular, I lift weights too. I also watch
what I eat; I cannot eat solid food at night for instance.
Even when I am on location, before
anybody wakes up, I would have jogged round the hotel like 8-10 times.
It is a part of me now and I have been doing so for years. I am used to
it. I wish I could go for Olympics.
What kind of clothes do you feel complement you?
My keyword is comfort. I wear anything
that is comfortable. If I am attending a red carpet event and I feel
like wearing a T-shirt and jeans, I opt for that. I don’t believe we
have to break the bank for a red carpet appearance. I wear what I’m
comfortable in and it must be able to boost my carriage. I wear what I
am proud of so that when I step out, I would feel comfortable enough to
talk to my colleagues. Very soon I would be doing strictly African
attires, especially on the red carpet. I am an African man.
Is that why you like wearing beads?
Yes, it is part of my trademark, besides
I am an African man. I am proud of where I come from. Something on me
must show that I am African regardless of where I am. I don’t joke with
my language. I once met an Italian man and I greeted him in Yoruba. He
was confused until I told him the meaning; he also taught me how to
greet in his language. I taught him more Yoruba words and we became very
good friends. All through the conference, we were best friends.
What is your most priced fashion item?
That would be my body. It is my fashion
empire and I don’t know what I cannot do with my body when it comes to
fashion. I also love wristwatch; it is my fashion fetish and you would
hardly find me without a good wristwatch.
Why don’t you have tattoos?
I think it is a matter of choice and the
day you see me with a tattoo, ear or nose piercing, plaited hair, then
you know it is for a movie. I would never inscribe anything on my body;
neither would I ever pierce my nose or ear. I do not criticise people
doing it but my upbringing would not permit me to do such. I am also a
mentor to my children; I have people who look up to me. If I indulge in
such, I am not passing the right message across to them. I am not doing
it just for me but for the younger generation. I will never do such.
0 comments:
Post a Comment