Meet Adeodyin Kukoyi, a remarkable and talented actress and presenter known for her work in the entertainment industry. Her journey through life has been nothing short of fascinating, marked by a series of educational pursuits and a captivating career that combines acting and presenting on television. Her work continues to inspire and entertain audiences, making her a respected figure in the industry.
Adedoyin narrates her story:
How she started
I started acting in 1994 and I have always been a very outspoken person. Growing up, I told my dad that I would love to be a lawyer, later I changed my mind and told him I wanted to be a banker. He gave his blessings but hey, I changed my mind again when I started seeing people like Siene All-Well Brown, Tokunbo Ajayi, Hauwa Baba Ahmed, Cyril Stober and the likes of them reading the news and I got really attracted and I just said, this is exactly what I want to do. That was what prompted me to study Mass Communication and I later majored in Broadcast.
Navigating the realms of acting and presenting
Well as an actress and a presenter, we encounter different experiences and challenges, but all of those things people call challenges are actually things that made us better. Personally, they are things that made me a better person and all of the things that we have come across during the course of our career have been beneficial to me, and have impacted me positively.
whatever you do, you need to have a Unique Selling Point (USP), something that stands you out
I am able to balance acting and presenting because the times when I am on set or a location, that is what I do, I immerse myself in acting, and when I step into the studio to record my programs, it’s a different facet of my talent, and God has been merciful. He has been there for me because I am doing what I love to do I am not seeing any big deal in it, that is why it seems to a lot of people that it has been seamless. Yes, it is because I am doing what I love to do and God is being helping me.
Programmes anchored
A lot of people knew me through the programme ‘Gbajumo Osere’, which I anchored for 11 years and because I was doing that for a company, I felt it was time for me to start my own thing; that was why I started ‘Eto Adedoyin’, meaning Adedoyin’s show, the likes of Ellen DeGeneres’ show, and Oprah Winfrey’s show. God has been good, we came up with our own idea and a lot of acceptance followed it.
Love for culture and tradition
I am a traditionalist, a person that loves our culture and tradition and I want to promote it as much as I can. I want to be seen as somebody who loves her background. A lot of people are saying that the Yoruba culture will go into extinction, but I don’t believe it because when we promote our culture, when we support and believe in it, it can’t go into extinction. That is why anytime you see me, there will always be a touch of where I come from so that people can relate.
anytime you see me, there will always be a touch of where I come from so that people can relate
Evolution of Nollywood
Nollywood has really evolved with a lot of progresses and development. A lot of good things are happening and of course, the way we were some 10-15years ago isn’t the way we are right now as technology is advancing, people are growing, and so, it’s been amazing.
Though, Nollywood is known all over the world but I am yet to work with international film makers, I am looking forward to doing that by the grace of God and it will be amazing.
Maintaining authenticity as an actress, presenter
There is something I tell people, whatever you do, you need to have a Unique Selling Point (USP), something that stands you out. Everybody knows me and when they see or hear me, they know, this is Doyin Kukoyi because I have created a niche for myself and I stand by it, I stand with it. I feel it’s my own uniqueness.
Connection with fans
My fans all over the world have been amazing, there is no where I go to that I don’t see people who will come to me and give me a hug and tell me that I am doing a good job and we love watching your programme. Some older women will say, ‘You know what? You are my husband’s favourite, my husband loves you’ and I send my kisses and hugs to them. That is heart-warming enough for me.
My advice to the young ones is that they should strive to be better than us
Coping with criticisms
It can be demanding because we are in the faces of the people, these are things we should get used to. You don’t expect everybody to love and accept you, even when you have done no wrong, some people will not just like you. So, the earlier you take that in, the better for you. You don’t let things get at you, just do your things and be happy, knowing that you are the only one who can make yourself happy.
Advice to young talents
My advice to the young ones is that they should strive to be better than us and have a unique selling point. They should be good at what they do, practice regularly, stand out, be consistent and be true to themselves.
