Captivating and beautiful Yoruba actress, Peju Johnson relocated from Egypt to Nigeria in 2016 to give her dream of acting wings to fly and since she hit the ground running in 2017, there has been no stopping her as the scripts have kept coming.
As our Star Tracker feature of the week, Peju talks about her career, the pros and cons of the industry, love, marriage and more.
By AYO ONIKOYI and BASSEY EKAETTE
What is there to know about Peju Johnson?
Peju Johnson is an upcoming actress who likes to mind her own business. She’s focused and determined to be the best she can be, as an actress and a woman. I was born in Ile-Ife, Osun State. I had my primary education at Community Primary School and my secondary education at Kingswill College, both in Osun State. After that I started living in Shagamu, from where I relocated to Egypt in 2011 where I was living and doing a little business. I did a bit of acting on the side too.
Why Egypt?
My sister invited me over and I liked the place.
So, what pushed you into acting?
I have always wanted to be in the acting craft. It was a dream that became a passion. Although I have always dreamt of becoming an actress but the desire became a passion after I was given an opportunity in my secondary school.
I was a member of the drama group but I got my big chance when some people came to my school to shoot a movie and needed a student for a role. I was picked for a semi lead role in the movie, even as a student. Also, when I was in Egypt I did some acting too. There’s a branch of TAMPAN ( Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria) over there.
So, there’s TAMPAN in Egypt too. How active is it because we haven’t seen a film shot in Egypt?
There are many good Yoruba films shot in Egypt. There is a popular one titled ‘Omo Caro’ shot by Austin Emmanuel and many Nigerian actors were featured in it. There’s also ‘Baba Esu’, I think that one is not online yet. I was once misquoted I featured in Omo Cairo and Baba Esu, but I never did. I only mentioned them as some of the films that were shot in Cairo, Egypt. The ones I featured in Egypt are Lawori Baba Ole and Ikanju
So, tell us how your journey into acting started, when and the challenges faced along the way?
I came back to Nigeria in 2016 and met Kehinde Adeyemi in 2017. He is my boss and the person that put me through. Without him the journey would have been very hard but with his help and tutelage things have been moving for me very well. I wouldn’t say things are going on smoothly but I have been coping because acting comes with stress and some other challenges.
How many films have you done since you came back to Nigeria
I have done up to 13 films or more. There are Law of Karma, Gbajumo, Banuso, Wonuola, Farayola, Okomi-otami, Widow, Wrong number, Nkan Elege and many more!
Is it true that you cannot make it in the Yoruba industry if you don’t belong to a group or have a boss who trained you and introduced you?
I would only say it would be difficult but not impossible. Even if you don’t have anybody and God says you would make it, you will. There are people who have come to the industry without belonging to a group or being trained by anyone who have made it. If you have the talent and the passion and God’s grace you will definitely make it. No doubt, having a boss helps a lot but I don’t believe you can’t make it without one.
In your own opinion and from your experience, what does it take to breakthrough as an actor, especially in the Yoruba sector?
The most important thing is the talent and drive. And like I said earlier, having a boss that could introduce you also helps because you can be getting jobs through him. Meanwhile, if you have money to produce your own movies, it will give you fame quicker than any other way round. Because, with your money as a producer you can call the shots and take up any role you want for yourself.
You are very beautiful, do you think it has helped you in breaking through?
