Nollywood actress, DORIS SIMEON reveals her secret formula against scandals

Popular Nollywood actress, Doris Simeon Ademinokan (posted by Samod Biobaku)

By Samod Biobaku

Sixthsense34@yahoo.com

In the last two decades, Doris Simeon Ademinokan has morphed from the starry-eyed young girl many would hardly notice into an acting brand sought by millions all over the globe.

Once upon a time, Ademinokan could afford to move through the heart of Lagos State where she resides in a commercial vehicle popularly called ‘Danfo’ or even hop a commercial motorcycle prominently known as ‘Okada’ without batting an eyelid and not many would have noticed.

Popular Nollywood actress, Doris Simeon Ademinokan (posted by Samod Biobaku)

However, like the break of dawn, everything changed and in the twinkle of an eye, the young girl with dreams of greatness in her heart gradually took the form of a nightingale; beautiful, adored by many, despised by some and unconditionally loved by many more.

As a celebrity actress, Ademinokan has enjoyed the privileges that come with occupying the coveted seat of stardom as made manifest in the remarkable success she has recorded in her soaring career.

We all however know that for every shiny angel, there exists a marauding demon always bent on pillaging and destroying the fabric of goodness and happiness. Those who have been on this side of the fence can testify to the brutality of scandals and controversies and how fast a lovable person could suddenly adorn the vile robe of malevolence.

In this interview, the fair-skinned actress revealed how she has been able to keep the arrows and bullets of scandals away from her career and her marriage to one of Nollywood’s finest film directors, Daniel Ademinokan; a living silhouette of good looks, theatrical efficiency and film-making expertise.

Besides her glaring victory against those many would describe as ‘enemies of progress,’ the gorgeous actress also spoke about her deep-seated respect and admiration of late rap sensation, DaGrin and how death denied her the opportunity of ever meeting him in person; despite playing the role of his girlfriend in the movie, ‘Ghetto Dreams (a movie centred on the life and times of the late rapper).

She spoke about the challenges of playing DaGrin’s girlfriend and how she had always looked forward to meet him before death cast its familiar ace.

My regrets of never getting the opportunity to meet DaGrin in person

I never met DaGrin till he died. However, before his death, I’ve always liked him. I liked his songs. I remember that it was even my husband that made me like the song. He was always telling me about how good DaGrin was and the fact that he personally felt DaGrin was better than Lord of Ajasa and all that. I was really looking forward to meet him until I learnt about the accident. It was really sad.

So you really wanted to meet him?

Yes I really wanted to meet him because I had heard so much about him. I was amazed at the fact that everybody felt he was really humble and that just made me more eager to meet him. He was someone I really wanted to meet and I had even began nursing the idea of casting him in one of my movies.

Some people have said that your husband’s job as a movie director has helped in giving your career a major boost. How true would you say this is?

Funny enough, I don’t appear in most of the movies my husband directs so it has no direct correlation with my career the way a lot of people think it does. I act more in other people’s movies except for my own movies that my husband directs. It’s a normal thing between us. When my husband is working, he does not consider me his wife for that period of time. During that period, I’m his artist.

I have seen a couple of your movies and I have noticed that you don’t show too much skin in your movies. Is this deliberate or is it that you just haven’t seen one that would require that?

You mean exposing my body?

Yes

Ah! Our culture does not permit that. Secondly, I don’t think anyone here would want to write a script like that for me though I’ve seen it in Ghanaian movies. I’m a very cultured person and I’m a married woman. I’m also a Christian and it really depends on what the story is all about. It also depends on where the story is going because movies are make-beliefs. We all know movies are supposed to teach moral lessons and entertain the viewers one way or the other. If I look at a script and I can take out some moral lessons from it and see its entertainment value, then I would go for it.

Playing DaGrin’s girlfriend in ‘Ghetto Dreams’

I felt very emotional. I was really touched by the story of his life and I felt honoured to have played that role because DaGrin was someone I really liked.

What were some of the peculiar challenges you faced in the making of Ghetto Dreams?

One of the major challenges was the night we shot the accident scene in the movie. While shooting the movie, social miscreants began disturbing us and the security personnel around began shooting at Oregun area of Lagos where we were filming and this was very challenging for us.

How have you been able to remain scandal free?

It’s just the grace of God. It’s not by my doing or my power. I also always remember that I have a family name to protect at all times. I wouldn’t want to tarnish their names and their image even in death. I try as much as possible to remain myself – to remember the home I come from.

Nollywood actress, Doris Simeon Ademinokan and her husband, Daniel Ademinokan