I will act nude for $1m - Seun Akindele

He won the award for the Most
Promising Actor at the Golden Icons
Academy Movie Awards held in
Houston, Texas last October. Seun
Akindele   talks about the award and his
career

Who is Seun Akindele?

I am an actor from Ekiti State. A
graduate of History and International
Relations, from Lagos State University. I
am the last child in a family of nine
children.

What was growing up like?

Growing up was fine and lovely. I did
my primary school in Lagos and my
secondary school in Jos. I grew up in Jos,
with my mum and siblings.

You won the award for the Most
Promising Actor at the GIAMA last year,
how did you feel?

The movie, On Bended Knees, produced
by Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha and
Emem Isong, won me that award. I
wasn’t expecting it. When I got the
script, I was hell-bent on doing
something extraordinary. I gave it my
all, and if an award came out from it,
I’m proud of it. That was my first
international award.

What inspired you to go into movies?

I discovered I had the passion for acting
sometime in 2001, but I didn’t go
straight into acting. I went into
modelling. I just finished from
secondary school then. In 2005, the
audition for Amstel Malta Box Office
came up and I went for it. I have been
an actor ever since.
The journey has been challenging,
interesting, and fun all the way, and I’ve
got my feet down.

How flamboyant are you?

Everyone is entitled to his opinion. This
is the entertainment industry. It’s
showbiz, so you really have to show
what you’ve got. I wouldn’t blame
those who are flamboyant and
extravagant. I am just okay the way I
am.

How did you overcome initial challenges
in the industry?

I told myself I could be better than
whatever challenges life threw at me,
and I just tried to be a better person.
And it worked for me.
What challenges are you facing
currently?
I still face the regular challenges, when
no one will admit that he or she has the
money to produce a movie. But
somehow the money still comes out and
movies are also produced.

What has kept you going?

God has been top on the list of my
motivations. My passion for the job is
another motivating factor. I love my job,
I love acting. And my family of course,
they have been very wonderful. They
are a hundred per cent behind me.

Do you miss not working with your
History and International Relations
degree?

Not really. I know that the degree
could still come in handy someday. I
may use it when I am much older.

What would you be doing if you weren’t
acting?

If I wasn’t acting, I would be a pilot.

How do you cope with competition?

I do not see myself competing with
anyone. I am Seun Akindele, and there
is no one else. I am not there for
competition.

How would you rate Nollywood?

Nollywood is number three in the world,
and I hope we maintain that. I look
forward to when we will be number one
someday.

Who are your role models?

Locally, Joke Silva and Olu Jacobs are
veterans that I would like to emulate. I
like the kind of control they have over
their career and family. Internationally,
all Hollywood actors would be my role
models.

Where will Seun be ten years from now?

I will be an internationally-acclaimed
actor. I see myself doing movies in
Istanbul, New York, Los Angeles,
Somalia and other places. That’s my
dream.

How do you handle female fans?

I know where to draw the line as an
actor and a celebrity so that I do not get
carried away. There are lots of women
out there but I have a line that I don’t
cross.

What are your likes and dislikes?

I do not like to be cheated or taken for
granted. I do not like when someone
doesn’t appreciate his fellow human
being. Everyone was created equally.
No one should use his position or
appointment to oppress other people. I
like it when you respect people’s views
and opinions.

Can you recall the happiest moment of
your life?

That would be October last year when I
won the GIAMA for Best Promising
Actor, internationally, in Houston, Texas.

Are you dating anyone?

I am in a relationship. But I can’t talk
about her now.

What’s your typical day like?

My typical day is a location day. I am
mostly on set.

How much will make you act nude?

One million dollars

How do you unwind?

I go to the cinema to watch movies. I
watch my movies too. I am my own
critic and I always score myself. Each
time I see something I did not do well, I
would wish I did it well and I would
learn from my mistakes.

What is your preferred style of dressing?

I am a very casual dresser. I only dress
formally when I have an event to
attend.

What would you not be caught wearing?

I would have said an Agbada, but I
would probably wear that for my
engagement and traditional wedding.
But as an actor, I can wear anything.

What advice would you give your fans?

Stick to God, believe in yourself, find
your place in life, know what you want
to do, and pursue it doggedly with the
help of God, and hard work.

*See His pic below*