BY ROTIMI AGBANA

 

Since she registered her presence on the Nigerian entertainment scene with her appearance in Big Brother Africa 2014, Nollywood actress recently-turned movie producer, Lilian Afegbai’s career has been on a steady rise. The model and TV Presenter has featured in MNet series, Tinsel.

 

Fondly called Lily Afe, the lively actress is known for her role in the highly- successful block buster Road to Yesterday where she starred alongside Genevieve Nnaji and Oris Erheuro.
The native of Edo State began her educational career at the Word of Faith Secondary School, Benin City from where she proceeded to the Benson Idahosa University also in Benin City where she studied Accounting.
Over time, her passion for the screen has overtaken accounting and she has clearly registered herself as a movie personality in the Nigerian Film industry. To pursue her career further, she recently floated an entertainment company, the EEP Entertainment.
For her efforts in the movie, Bound, Africa Magic series Ajoche and other TV appearances, beautiful Lily was in 2015, honoured with an entertainment recognition award by her Alma Mata, the Benson Idahosa University.

The light skinned actress who loves to dance, travel and meet people has a knack for interpreting her roles beautifully.

 

In this exclusive interview with Vanguard Allure, Lily talks about her life after BBA, her projects, sense of style and more.

 

You recently premiered your first movie as a producer. What has that experience changed about you?
The question should be what has it not changed? It has affected every area of my life and revealed to me another side of me I really didn’t know, and shown me my capabilities. It has built my self-esteem and has boosted my career. It has created new opportunities for bigger projects.

Are you currently working on any project?
The movie, Bound has shown to me that life does not give you what you deserve, but what you demand of it. So, I’m a young lady who is constantly striving to become better at my best. So yes, there are a plethora of projects in the works.

Four years down the line, do you regret anything you did or said in the Big Brother Africa House?
The beginning of failure is dwelling on the past; life is about ups and down, the good times and the bad times. These experiences, basically, shape who you are as a human being. So the good the bad, the ugly is what has made me who I’m today. I don’t regret anything I did in the Big Brother House.

While in the Big Brother Africa House, you admitted to being a ‘twerk’ addict (20 times in a day at least) Do you still have time to do so?
With the amount of projects I have right now, I find time to have fun.

Has being a celebrity attracted the right people to your life?
Just like everyone else, I meet different people every day; good, bad, right, wrong. But with the help of God, I’m able to know where to place them in my life. The truth is the love and support has been amazing.

What has being in the limelight robbed you of?
Being in the limelight hasn’t robbed me of anything because I do me. What you see is what you get. I am a free spirited person. I don’t like being put in a box. So, I soar above boundaries.

Keeping up appearances is a norm in the entertainment industry, how have you been able to cope?
If you know me well, you would know I do not keep up with the Joneses. I’m not even trying to keep up with the Joneses. I live within my means, and I’m content with where I am today but, working hard to move up to where I want to be. Life is basically in stages.

What beauty products do you use?
I use good moisturizers; good exfoliating scrub and I use a lot of natural products.

What beauty products can’t you do without?
I can’t do without my scrub and sunscreen.

How would you describe your fashion style?
My style is very diverse; I can dress it up or dress it down depending on my mood. Sometimes, I’m really edgy, at other times, I go for the glam, elegant look and another time, I can go for the boho chic look. The bottom line is that my style is not predictable.

Clothing wise, what do you subscribe to?
You know I love fashion and I love to look good. I like outfits that accentuate my figure. Comfort is key when choosing an outfit. Anything fun, flirty and interesting, you will find me in. I love to mix and match also.

What brand names do you wear?
I wear clothes with or without a label. What’s key to me is the style, the fit and the quality.

What is your worst fashion day like?
My worst fashion days are days I have a wardrobe malfunction. I get really irritable.

How do you relax and unwind?
I love to watch series, go out with friends to the beach, spa dates, anything that just helps me relax.

When you are not working, where is your travel destination especially in Nigeria?
I like Tinapa in Calabar, it’s serene and beautiful.

If you weren’t an actress, what profession would you have probably been into right now?
As an actress/producer, I have multiple sources of income and one of it is being in the Real Estate Industry, and many more. I would have loved to be in the Oil and Gas sector.