Actress and filmmaker, Peju Johnson, says physical beauty can open doors in the entertainment world but it is creativity, professionalism and devotion that sustains a successful career.
Speaking to our correspondent, Johnson said she has worked hard to make sure she is acknowledged for her acting ability rather than her attractiveness.
I think my appearances can occasionally affect the types of roles people see me in, but I don’t want to be confined by my looks, she said. As an actress, beauty is only one aspect of me. “I always want people to see my talent, versatility and the ability to interpret different characters. “I like roles that challenge me and let me display other facets of my craft,” she remarked.
Johnson, responding to the beliefs that pretty actresses are more successful, said, “It takes a lot more than good looks to be successful in Nollywood.” Saturday PUNCH writes that
“Sometimes people can be quick to judge based on appearance but I have learnt not to let assumptions define me.
“Behind every success there is hard work, sacrifice, discipline and consistency. “Beauty may open a door but it is talent, professionalism and dedication that keeps you in the room,” she continued.
“I wanted to really explore the difference between real love and unhealthy obsession,” the actress, who was promoting her latest film, said in an interview.
“This is a film that explores the themes of love, insecurity and possessiveness while encouraging the viewers to think about the repercussions of toxic relationships,” she said.
The inspiration for ‘Mine Alone’ came from wanting to write about love, obsession, insecurity, and the fine line between deep passion and pathological attachment. “A lot of people mistake possessiveness for love and I wanted to make a movie that would make people think about relationships, choices and the consequences of letting obsession take over. “It is amusing but it also has a message,” she remarked.
Johnson said she gave more importance to suitability than popularity in choosing the performers for the film.
Actor, Lanre Adediwura was selected for his intensity and emotional depth for the role while Kiki Bakare was selected for his calm nature and the natural connection between them on screen.
“It was one of the most challenging experiences of my career to produce and star in the movie,” Johnson said, reflecting on the production process.
“As a producer and actress I had to wear many hats and pay attention to every detail, from the script, to pre-production, production and performance. A big experience was learning how to mix creativity with the strain of being in charge of a complete project. The support of my cast and crew made the voyage unforgettable too,” she said.
On worries about actors’ hygiene during filming intimate scenes, Johnson highlighted that professionalism must always take precedence.
“As actors you have to deal with different situations on set sometimes and professionalism is very important. I’ve been lucky enough to work with people who appreciate the value of hygiene and respect your scene partner. Scenes of romance involve confidence and preparation between performers so good personal hygiene is something every professional actor should take seriously,” she said.
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