Tinsel Star Victor Olaotan
M-net popular series Tinsel star actor, Victor Olaotan, reveals to Vanessa Obioha how he has managed to escape scandals and other messy stuffs that stick on celebrities like a second skin.
Maybe it’s his immaculate looks or his unwavering charisma but it seems to be the plausible reason why the ladies in Tinsel fall for the enigmatic Fred Ade Williams as he is quite a charmer in real life. With his deep baritone voice, he held his guest spellbound at a Jazz bar on the Mainland where we scheduled this interview. Though clad in shorts and t-shirt, Victor Olaotan still strikes an admirable poise. The few minutes I spent waiting for him to round off his discussion with his guest made me draw to this hasty conclusion that there was not much difference between him and the character he plays on the M-net popular series, Tinsel.
Take away the amnesia and women scandals; he appears cool, calm and collected. I would later be proved right as he revealed that indeed that there is not much difference between him and Fred Ade-Williams.
“There is this tendency to become the character you play after some years. You tend to become the character or the character becomes you. Basically it was an open character that I took on and I tried to create a niche but eventually the character becomes me. Apart from the money Ade Williams has and him taking a lot of bullshit, I think we are alike in some ways.” he enthused.
‘I’m a Lagos Boy’
Quite an eagle beaver, Olaotan eats, sleeps and breathes acting. There is no compromising when it comes to acting for him. Though he possesses talents in other forms of arts as a Theatre Arts student, acting outshine others as he revealed that he’s dyed in the wools actor. Even when he left for America as a young man, he never stopped honing his skills in acting despite the financial challenges he faced. A thorough Lagos bred; the actor exudes confidence and once in a while, a glimpse of the typical enthusiastic Lagosian. This he shows off at occasions where he sings popular folk songs with killer dance moves.
"I'm a Lagos boy and we have some kind of old songs we love to sing. There is this song that Lafiaji is the owner of the land. I love singing these songs when I'm at a bar or other functions."
‘I Was Unable to Make it to Hollywood’
Popularly known for his enigmatic role in the M-Net series, Tinsel, Victor Olaotan is a veteran actor and model who had soared through the highs and lows of life. Sojourning in the USA for more than 20 years, Olaotan came back home in 2002 to continue his acting career when his mission to be in Hollywood was unsuccessful. “The USA experience is a mixed sensation because I didn’t really achieve what I went for, I was hoping to make it to Hollywood but I was unable to. But I believe that it is never too late to achieve that dream. Anything can happen.”
“There is this tendency to become the character you play after some years. You tend to become the character or the character becomes you. Basically it was an open character that I took on and I tried to create a niche but eventually the character becomes me. Apart from the money Ade Williams has and him taking a lot of bullshit, I think we are alike in some ways.” he enthused.
‘I’m a Lagos Boy’
Quite an eagle beaver, Olaotan eats, sleeps and breathes acting. There is no compromising when it comes to acting for him. Though he possesses talents in other forms of arts as a Theatre Arts student, acting outshine others as he revealed that he’s dyed in the wools actor. Even when he left for America as a young man, he never stopped honing his skills in acting despite the financial challenges he faced. A thorough Lagos bred; the actor exudes confidence and once in a while, a glimpse of the typical enthusiastic Lagosian. This he shows off at occasions where he sings popular folk songs with killer dance moves.
"I'm a Lagos boy and we have some kind of old songs we love to sing. There is this song that Lafiaji is the owner of the land. I love singing these songs when I'm at a bar or other functions."
‘I Was Unable to Make it to Hollywood’
Popularly known for his enigmatic role in the M-Net series, Tinsel, Victor Olaotan is a veteran actor and model who had soared through the highs and lows of life. Sojourning in the USA for more than 20 years, Olaotan came back home in 2002 to continue his acting career when his mission to be in Hollywood was unsuccessful. “The USA experience is a mixed sensation because I didn’t really achieve what I went for, I was hoping to make it to Hollywood but I was unable to. But I believe that it is never too late to achieve that dream. Anything can happen.”
Notwithstanding his inability to fulfill his America dream, the veteran actor enviably performed in Broadway shows in Lancaster and other cities in America, a feat, which he is very proud of. He was also among the cast of the popular South African play, ‘Sizwe Banzi is Dead,’ which was produced by Jathol Fugard, Winston Ntshona, and John Kani (the producer of the new South Africa’s TV series ‘Inkaba’) in Canada where he stayed for a period of six months.
On his return to Nigeria, he was asked to feature in a play by Wale Ogunyemi titled the ‘Divorce’ as part of the Lagos State Festival of Arts, FESTINA. This somewhat paved his return to stage.
Before Tinsel
For the younger generation, Tinsel might appear to be the breaking ground for Victor Olaotan, but the old fox had been on stage for more than two or three decades. Trained as a director but an actor professionally, he landed his first role in 1969 by featuring in a play by Laaolu Oguniyi titled 'Candle in the Wind' after going through some training at the University of Ibadan, Theatre Arts department. "It was the first full-length drama in Nigeria television and I played the lead character.”
Before his well-acclaimed fame from Tinsel, Olaotan disclosed that he was famous in the South-west, which is known to be the hub of some of the popular Thespians in the industry. With great admiration, Olaotan acknowledged that Jimi Solanke influenced his acting career.
Before Tinsel
For the younger generation, Tinsel might appear to be the breaking ground for Victor Olaotan, but the old fox had been on stage for more than two or three decades. Trained as a director but an actor professionally, he landed his first role in 1969 by featuring in a play by Laaolu Oguniyi titled 'Candle in the Wind' after going through some training at the University of Ibadan, Theatre Arts department. "It was the first full-length drama in Nigeria television and I played the lead character.”
Before his well-acclaimed fame from Tinsel, Olaotan disclosed that he was famous in the South-west, which is known to be the hub of some of the popular Thespians in the industry. With great admiration, Olaotan acknowledged that Jimi Solanke influenced his acting career.
“Jimi Solanke is my mentor. He was among the first set of theatre actors in Nigeria. Though he is now into children books where he is doing very well, he didn't want to come back to theatre because he felt the integrity in the profession is somewhat gone. And he felt his integrity cannot be compromised. After his departure, I filled his place. I'm the second generation of actors on stage. In fact, he was the reason why I loved acting. I repeated most of the production he did back in the day just to stamp my foot in the good book of theatre arts.”
Besides stage acting, the actor had been involved in modelling and had featured in some of the country's big brands adverts such as MTN, Airtel, Multilinks and Ribena among others. He also produced the popular Yoruba drama ‘Baba Sala’ while in the employ of NTA Ibadan.
‘People Sometime Mistake Me for Wole Soyinka’
Probably his signature looks- afro- and a goatee links him to the likes of Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-general, and Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate. But Olaotan seems to have groomed his look right from his teen days.
‘People Sometime Mistake Me for Wole Soyinka’
Probably his signature looks- afro- and a goatee links him to the likes of Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-general, and Wole Soyinka, the Nobel Laureate. But Olaotan seems to have groomed his look right from his teen days.
"I have always looked like this. While I was in the USA, people called me Kofi Annan. Over here, people sometimes mistake me for Wole Soyinka. Though he was my lecturer and had taken me abroad once, I have had this look before I met him. The other day at Abeokuta, someone saw me and started shouting Wole Soyinka. Maybe when I get to his age, I will look much more like him."
Great Artists ‘re Scientists
Though he is a celebrated actor today, Olaotan would have been a medical doctor if he had not failed Biology. His father had wanted him to study Medicine but Providence steered him into an unanticipated direction. He did admit that great artists are writers because, according to him, there is a cohesive bond between the two professions. He cited the creator of Tinsel as an example. “The creator of Tinsel was an architect. Most of the celebrated artists today in the world were formerly scientists.” He applauded the Tinsel crew for being consistent and focused to celebrate the 1000th episode, which was recently held in a grand style that left a remarkable and enviable legacy in the industry.
Lover of Arts
A lover of arts, Olaotan paints and sings besides his acting skills. But he wouldn’t be lured into writing. “I don’t have the patience for writing. I’m more like an action person. I took on acting because I’m very active, and as a Lagos boy, you know we are always on the move. Though I have written some things in the past but not published. There are some I would love to publish maybe later in the future.” As a young boy he had some of his paintings stored at the former Lagos library at CMS.
Iji on Stage
Raised by a fashionista mother, Olaotan happily relived his hey days when he decked out on his lean jeans on stage, which earned him his popular name 'iji' (storm) among his friends.
"My mum was a fashionista and she made sure her children looked good. Particularly me. My favourite wear was the lean jeans. This became an emblem for me that whenever I'm on stage, you would hear my friends hailing me 'iji'.” The father of five proudly stated that his love for fashion was spurred by his mother, and his children are taking after him, though he bragged that he was more gorgeous back then to the extent it fetched him and his peers the nickname ‘Hollywood of Ibadan’.
How He is Scandal-Free
One of the intriguing parts of the Tinsel patriarch is his ability to stay off the public glare. One can hardly find any scandalous story about him in the traditional media and online. How could he have escaped the media radar? He explained thus: “I’m not a show off kind of person, I drive a vintage Benz, I don’t make noise in the bar or get involved in girlfriend brawl in public.”
No Plans for Nollywood Yet
Nollywood has over the years been faced with criticism irrespective of its burgeoning fame. Though recently, it garnered support from the FG in a bid to improve the industry, the veteran actor still won’t be easily swayed to join the industry.
Great Artists ‘re Scientists
Though he is a celebrated actor today, Olaotan would have been a medical doctor if he had not failed Biology. His father had wanted him to study Medicine but Providence steered him into an unanticipated direction. He did admit that great artists are writers because, according to him, there is a cohesive bond between the two professions. He cited the creator of Tinsel as an example. “The creator of Tinsel was an architect. Most of the celebrated artists today in the world were formerly scientists.” He applauded the Tinsel crew for being consistent and focused to celebrate the 1000th episode, which was recently held in a grand style that left a remarkable and enviable legacy in the industry.
Lover of Arts
A lover of arts, Olaotan paints and sings besides his acting skills. But he wouldn’t be lured into writing. “I don’t have the patience for writing. I’m more like an action person. I took on acting because I’m very active, and as a Lagos boy, you know we are always on the move. Though I have written some things in the past but not published. There are some I would love to publish maybe later in the future.” As a young boy he had some of his paintings stored at the former Lagos library at CMS.
Iji on Stage
Raised by a fashionista mother, Olaotan happily relived his hey days when he decked out on his lean jeans on stage, which earned him his popular name 'iji' (storm) among his friends.
"My mum was a fashionista and she made sure her children looked good. Particularly me. My favourite wear was the lean jeans. This became an emblem for me that whenever I'm on stage, you would hear my friends hailing me 'iji'.” The father of five proudly stated that his love for fashion was spurred by his mother, and his children are taking after him, though he bragged that he was more gorgeous back then to the extent it fetched him and his peers the nickname ‘Hollywood of Ibadan’.
How He is Scandal-Free
One of the intriguing parts of the Tinsel patriarch is his ability to stay off the public glare. One can hardly find any scandalous story about him in the traditional media and online. How could he have escaped the media radar? He explained thus: “I’m not a show off kind of person, I drive a vintage Benz, I don’t make noise in the bar or get involved in girlfriend brawl in public.”
No Plans for Nollywood Yet
Nollywood has over the years been faced with criticism irrespective of its burgeoning fame. Though recently, it garnered support from the FG in a bid to improve the industry, the veteran actor still won’t be easily swayed to join the industry.
“Even if I’m going to feature in a Nollywood movie, it has to be classy. I have had independent producers invite me to play cameo in their movies; I have not really taken a full role in Nollywood. Maybe now that FG has given them N3bn, I can become part of it because that sum can do a lot for this industry. We really don’t have content problem, we have many stories and we are telling it. But we do have problem in terms of integrity in business, dedication to profession and compromising in the profession,” he concluded.
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