Datasets:

babs

/

podcast-13

like 0

Follow

Babs Technologies 8

Speaking of rain talent, you stepped into your producer bag. Talking about you. Talking about you. | All right.

Love that for you. | Loved it.

As you can tell, they enjoyed you as well. Genevieve. | I loved it. I loved it so much. I loved it so, so much. Like, I really, really enjoyed it. It's like one of my favorite auditions ever. Now who do I need to fuck to get a drinker on? Wrong show. Wrong show. Yeah. Um, where am I?

Okay, so then we get to Blood Sisters. | Yes.

Timing. | Yes.

What was it like to be part of a production on that scale? First of all, just as an actor, then secondly, as a Nollywood fan, having the opportunity to work with so many Nollywood legends, you know, people you're fans of. What was that experience like, would you say? | Mind blowing.

Like that style London in here from ends. I'm just trying to compose myself. | Why?

Mhm. | Like once in a lifetime opportunity. That's what it felt like to me. One, I'm working with Ebony Life. You know, I've always been, I've always watched Ebony Life, I've been watching their shows from YouTube, from our bunker bed in uni. So like, okay, like I can't believe, you know, you've given me this opportunity. And then I walk into the table read and I see, you know, Uncle Ramsey, like Auntie Kate, you know, who I've to a large capacity with, Auntie Kate and like Kaede Bancole, you know, these guys, I've been in the same room with them, but I've just always been in the background. So like having to like spar with them on stage, screen, just so, so, so exciting. So yeah, no, I. What, What a dream.

What has been the biggest change in your life? Pill's Blood Sisters, would you say? | I think what I've noticed is that I have to hold on to like my people.

Yeah, for sure. | Like much closer than ever. Like, you know, be more aware, be present. Um, so yeah, it's been great that more opportunities are coming my way. I guess that's the big change. Um, but um, just holding on to God and like family and friends is key for me right now.

You're now in a space where your work takes you all over the world, travels, you work days, a visa. | Hey, go on, get flown out, get flown out.

So you were recently in South Africa with your co star on Far From Home, Mike Afalari, and you know, some of the cast of Blood and Water. | Mhm.

How was that trip? It looked amazing. So I want you to Describe that trip in three words. Lit. | Lit, A dream and mind blowing.

Mind blowing, yeah. Another really cool opportunity you did was you shot an ad with Burna Boy. That was your. I've been the owner of 2022. Anybody else is coming to. | That was so sick.

I was like, how cool was that? | No, that was so cool. Like, because I love Bernard, right?

Yeah. | And like, just because I know, like, he's from ends, like he's a London boy, you know what I mean? Like, and like the largest stent from in my teenage years, I'm a London girl. So, like, you know, I just really wanted to like, work with him. I got, I got to say, um, I sat next to him and I just like, I was just like you, I'm a huge fan, blah, blah. And he was like, yeah, so like, I just got to talk with him before, you know, we rolled. Um, so yeah, so it was just, it was easy.

Yeah. | And he works hard.

It's not every day in the presence of a star who carries herself with such grace, class, dignity, poise, talent, humility, charisma. Just wow. Too many things to say. But let's just start there. That's just the beginning. | You're very kind. Because I'm a huge fan.

Like he does. | He works hard. He made. It was seamless. Really seamless. That's really, really enjoyed that.

That's good. Let's circle back to Blood Sisters a bit. | Mhm.

The scene with you and Kate Henshaw in Blood is one of the most talked about Nollywood scenes of last year. What do you do in terms of process to get into the headspace when you have to film tough scenes like that? | So it depends on the scene, but for tough scenes like that, I try to kind of stay quiet. I've noticed that that's my process. I don't need to be talking. Um, you know, I save the chatter for like later, you know. Um, so yeah, I make sure that I really, like, think about what the character needs or what she's feeling or what the objective is for that scene. And I focus on that, like, get.

A little bit personal. Are you dating anyone at the moment besides me, obviously, because that's what we're doing at the moment. | No, I'm dating you now.

No, but Jennifer, I don't want to share you. So. Are you dating anybody else? | I'm not dating anybody else at the moment. Yeah, it'll be good. I'm not dating anybody else at the moment.

Yeah, sure. | I'm certain.

When it comes to dating, will you say you have a type? If so, what, what is it? | Oh yeah, for sure. I have a type.

Mhm. | You have to have beards.

Okay. | You know, um, you have to be a pretty boy and you have to be smart. Mhm. Yeah. I love a smart guy. I love a cool guy.

Yeah. | Someone that Is like really fun. Loves God, of course, you know, but it's just. Just brings the energy to the room. Yeah, yeah, for sure.

I'm a huge fan as well. | That's why we're on this blind date period.

You got your first AMVCA nomination for your role as Anita. | Yeah.

What did that moment mean to you? Just as someone, you know, moved to Nigeria in 2018 with just a dream and no house. | It was literally ridiculous. Like, that's what it was like. It was to me. I was just like, this is ridiculous because not a lot of people had seen the film. It's not publicly, you know, on any platform. So I was just like, okay, like, how did, how did we get here? Because I know I shot this like, beginning of 2020, just before the pandemic. Um, I just kind of enjoy the craft. So, like, that was like, wow, huge validation that, oh, Jen, you know, you know what you're doing and just focus on the work. Um, so, yeah, it was actually incredible. And to be like, you know, next to like the queens, like Kinde Bancolo, who. I'm a huge Kinde bank, you know, who I'm a huge fan of. I've been huge fans of. So, yeah, no, it was, it was beautiful.

Now let's talk about your parents a little bit. I know they are so proud of you. I know. I think they're super proud of you and understanding of your career. But when, you know, you initially made that big pivot to law, Right. What were their thoughts on that? You know, how were they feeling about that? From law. Sorry. To acting. | To acting.

Yeah, exactly. | We had a sit down. Because we have to have a sit down for these things. Um, and then they were like, okay, so are you going to go back to Nigeria to do law school? I said, no. Are you going to.

Another similarity. | Yeah. Are you going to. So what is the plan? How are you going to act to this thing? I said, mommy, I'll just go and see how it is. Then they said to me, are you going to marry somebody from Igbo land?

I said, from where to where? | You know, but like at the time they were just like being really protective and stuff like that. Um, they've changed their views, you know, since then. Since then, yeah. But, um, yeah, no, that was the conversation. Um, and then I came here and I think they're really supportive. They're really supportive. I know that we did have moments where like, okay, so if this thing is not working out, come home because you're gonna have that. Like, especially when. Yeah, as a parent. Um, no, I literally went back home Christmas and, um, I was literally.

It's Good for your heart. | It was really good for my heart. Good for my soul. Literally. I really needed it.

Yeah. | I didn't know how much I needed it until I went back home. Yeah.

Because I was going to say it was the first time you reunited not just with your family, but so many of your friends you hadn't seen since 2018. | Oh, my best friend. Like, all my homegirls from uni. Like, uh, so many friends. Geez. Like, and it was so interesting to, like, experience their lives, you know, um, you know, post uni post, like 20, 18 times, you know, so loved spending time with them. I was living life like a baby girl. I was treated like a princess. Like, I didn't wash anything. I didn't wash any plates. I didn't. All I did was eat. That's why my cheeks were chubby. Yeah.

Bolu, I just sent you the money. | Wait, I didn't even send you my account number.

My eyes are open, Shah. So for me it was an open eyed date. | Yes. Mhm.

Yeah, but we got money. When you have someone in your contacts, you can send money via contacts. And m. I have your contacts. Ooh, I've seen it. Do I really need to say you deserve to bank with ease again. Okay. You deserve to bank with ease. Download the Go Money app this year and enjoy. Okay, let's go back a little bit to your growing up. What was growing up in Enugu, like? What, if any, childhood memories do you. | Have about my Enugu? I'll never forget this. No, growing up in Enugu was just really fun. Like, my parents are cool people. They are the coolest. Like, good vibes, you know, going back home, I realized, geez, I'm really a descendant of these people. Because now I know where all my energy comes from. Like, you know, where I can be a bit neurotic sometimes. Now I know. Um, so yeah, they're really cool people. So I remember just kind of having to experience all the creative sides that I knew. Yeah. Of them and of myself. So they were really supportive at, uh, parties, you know, encouraged me to dance and win first place. You know, get first prize. You know, do a lot of contemporary dances. You know, the white gloves. Now behold the lamb.

Yeah, yeah, complete the sentence. Dating me is like. | Dating me is like coming home.

Listen, Jennifer, I want to come home. | Oh, uh, please. You're welcome.

Okay. | You're welcome. I make my home, like, really comfortable.

So you feel. I was watching an interview you did on tvc and, uh, you said last year you were in South Africa for a little bit over a month. | Mhm.

Shooting three films. | Yeah.

So exciting. | Yeah.

When can we expect those films? And what was that experience of, like, not just going for holiday for a few days, you know, being there and being immersed in that culture for like over a month? | Oh, I loved it. I loved it. First of all, going back to the cold was interesting.

What about anywhere in Africa? I'm like, yeah, in Africa. Why are you cold? | It's cold in South Africa. Yo. Like July, Shem. I picked up a lot of, you know the terms. Yeah, love that. I worked with Lasagna Productions and we shot like, soccer seasons. It was an adaptation of three books. Um, so, yeah, that was very interesting. I got to meet the author and like, working with loads of other Africans, which was so cool. I made loads of friends. Um, but it was also nice to be filming elsewhere and working with different directors. Like, geez, it was such an amazing opportunity and Fingers Crossed is out this year. I think the more I grow, the more I realize that, oh, you know, work outside of just acting is for, like, all the young people that are really inspired and want to do this job.

Yeah. | Um. And don't know how to start.

We went to the same acting school. What are the odds of that? | Yes, I did.

Yeah. | Honestly, I'll just say just start, like, do it like, jump on that bus. You know, enter that. Because we're doing. I was doing OP and Gokada back in the day. You know, jump on those things and like, you know, get to where you need to be like, you know, take yourself serious. Yeah. Rate yourself, rate yourself.

Take yourself serious. | That's really what it is.

Take your dream serious. | Yeah.

And don't expect it to be easy, because it's not. And don't expect it to be glamorous because it's not. | It's not really not.

Or it's not until it is. But you need to really put in the work. | Yeah.

100. Um. And if you don't listen to me because you don't take me seriously, listen to Jennifer. | You've always listened to her.

Listen to Jennifer. | You know, she's a star.

Speaking of stars. So AMVCA nomination. BAFTA nominated film. Wow. Multiple Netflix credits, Amazon prime credits. God is Blessed Endorsements. Flourishing, Thriving. What are you excited to continue to do or what are you excited to explore? Even if that's not within acting film? What are you just excited to do next seeing us? You know, it's Genoveva season. | Pirapu. Um, you know, outside of acting, I just. I kind of really want to get back into my hobbies. So I know that, like, swimming. I discovered swimming last year and I love that. So now I kind of want to Go back into, like, karate, Shotokan. I know. I was a huge fan of that. Like, maybe train some more and get into rooms where I'm teaching, like, acting for young people. I think that's really. That's really, really, really, like, my focus this year.

Yeah. I was going to talk about you learning how to swim next year, but Genevieve is just here. | Happy to. You too.

Bring all my questions. | Don't wear in sync. We're together now, but what was the.

So crazy. I think that was the first thing that really blew my mind. While doing like research for this. I'm like, there's so many parallels in our journey. That is insane. | Hm.

Experience of, you know, learning how to swim? Like, what was that? | So I'd done it, like, briefly, like in high school. So it was. But just learning, actually learning the techniques to it. I enjoyed that. Like, so, yeah, it was just like, as soon as you know the techniques, you're more likely to feel comfortable with the water. The water is your friend. So every time I go in, I'm telling you, I have to tell myself, the water is your friend. Practice your breathing techniques. You know, like, you can't just enter the water. The water, you and the water needs to be one. But it was such a great opportunity to learn how to swim because we were actually kind of working. Doing that for a film or prepping for a film.

You created a collaboration with 1011. | Yes, I did.

Last year with stunning pieces. Everything. I was just like, another one. A hit. A hit, A hit. Every bat. | Yeah.

What was that process for you stepping into that and exploring that part of yourself? And, um, how involved were you with the creative decision making? What actually is in the styling? | The thing with Eniola, I like to call her Enyegu. Thing with Enola is that she'll push you. She was like, oh, we need to do a collection. I was like, I haven't even finished acting and you want me to step in? What do I know about fashion? But she was really encouraging, really. Um, shared her process with me. So I wouldn't say, like, I 100. I can't take credit for all of that work technically. Um, but she just kind of, like, helped me see what, you know, what she was doing and why she was doing it. And then we kind of renamed the collection after a few of our friends and close for our family friends. So, um, yeah, no, I'm looking forward to growing in that aspect as well with her.

Let's talk about Zina from far from home. For me, there's a lot of Genoveva and Xena, you know, if you ask me. | Right.

Charisma, right. Carefree, you know, a great friend, a lover girl, an encourager. | Yeah, yeah.

Ah, great fire Dancer, of course. You know, someone that stands up for that stands up for what is right. So how much of a joy was it to play Xena? | Just, like, the joy of my life, man. Like, absolutely loved it. Like, I was literally saying to my friend that, I don't know, you know, like, all the other characters were, like, dealing with a lot.

Yeah. | And this was the first time that my character is not dealing with much, you know, like, so I worried about the stakes because, you know, as an actor, you kind of, like, want to know what's going to be the stake for this character. But, like, it was easy. Literally said, carefree spirit enjoys life. A, uh, joy to be around. That was, like, her description, so it was just so fun to play her.

Let's talk about that Chellydoon scene, because the way you ate it up. The way you ate it up. | We're going to go there.

The way you ate it up, I said, jelly diva. Is this what we're doing? You know, a cute little cherry. How did you prep for that? What was the prep? What was the prep process? | Number one, I have to say this. Like, it did say the music video is a music video Vixen. That's what girl.

We both studied law. | Mhm.

You did amazing. | Thank you.

Honestly, it was amazing. | Thank you.

I was thoroughly impressed because I just didn't think it was going to be all out. And I was like, Genevieve said, when I'm on stage, I'm on stage. The screen is my stage, and I'm gonna. Yeah. The world is more Instagra. | Oh, no. Uh, I have a choreographer friend. I'll take that again. I have a choreographer.

Genevieve has a choreographer friend. | Yes, I have a choreographer friend. Um, his name is Obi Jackson. And I remember just, like, just prior to getting to that scene, I was like, yo, I don't want to just do anything. So I reached out to him. He came through. Um, we rehearsed a lot because boy, dancing was like, we know when you have not been practicing, and now there's a whole routine. So, yeah, we did that. And then, um, yeah, it was time to shoot it, and we had fun shooting it.

Yeah, you're obviously very in demand at the moment. Like I said, it's Genoviva season, period. How do you decide what projects you know, you want to work on? | So I think I've learned that, you know, saying no is, you know. Okay.

Yeah. | Um, I've also had conversations with people that have encouraged me to, like, go with, you know, where my heart leads, you know? Um, and honestly, if I read it and it. It doesn't scream at me. If it's not a character I want to like, I want to take on, I will say no.

Um, and that's okay. Even the way you're saying, I'm like, girl, you can't apologize for anything. It's your time, it's your effort. You want to do justice to a story, so it's very important that you align with it. And that, like you said, it screams at you. So. | Absolutely.

Speaking of ranged talent, you stepped into your predecessor bag. Talking about you. | You're talking about yourself.

Talking about you. | All right, cool.

Talking about you. Seen that Spider man meme? That's me and Genevieve. You said you watched the show, that you're a fan of the show. | Yes.

Both now act as producers. | Absolutely.

So I'm going to ask you a very classic Itasty question. | Oh yeah?

What's the question? Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Okay, let's. Let's eat some of the food. | Mhm.

Let's try. This is plantain mash. | Mhm.

With curry chicken. | Okay.

And red wine. So enjoy enjoyment. I know you love drama at school. | Sunday. Yum.

No, Delicious. Delicious. David, I hope you're seeing this. Whiskey burner. Ashake. We give amazing food and, um, we have stars. So just come and be with your peers. It's only right. I have so many fond memories from acting school. I'm sure it's the same for you. Do you remember any that you can share? | M. I have two.

Okay. | Um, one was. I don't know if Femio Goons was ever like, at your.

He was there, but only for like a showcase. So he wasn't there for like the teaching. Yeah, yeah, yeah. | So like, there was a class where we had the pleasure of having him come in. All right. And then he had like the older class or like the more advanced class. Professionals, you know, they were called. He had professionals come in and do their scenes. Right. So it was like the first time I was watching Damson Idris do a scene with like, Simona, who I know now, like, so it was just nice to like, see like, actors, like, really acting the asses off acting getting in it. Like really, um, just exploring every emotion beat by beat.

Yeah. | Um, and I loved that. Um, and then I remember another, like, time was like, you know, just having McDonald's with Damcy Idris. Like, I was such a huge fan of his talent then that.

Have you had McDonald's with. Damn. From any. Go to McDonald's with dancing Idris, period. | Like, do you know girls are traveling. Girls don't Jackpa based on talent, period.

Both went to identity. Both moved to Nigeria in 2018 to pursue M acting. | What month did you move in?

What's an instant ache for you? Ache? Mhm. Ache. | Pompous. Being pompous.

It's a new year. Happy New Year. | Thank you. Happy New Year.

What is your word for 2023? | Oh, my word. My word for this year is self care. M. Yeah, self care. Self care and like, because I'm already disciplined, right? But I think self care and like, just, um. I don't want to rush. Like I felt. I feel like although there were so many things going on in 2020, I was panicking. Like M through it all. Like, I wasn't present, I wasn't at ease with myself. Like there are things going on and it's amazing, but like, I'm not enjoying it.

Yeah. | So I really just want to enjoy myself, enjoy my hobbies, be intentional about things. I want to do. Do them. Um, yes. That's. That's all self care for me. What's your word?

Ease. | Ease.