Vanguard Allure

Top Menu

  • Vanguard

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
  • Vanguard

logo

Vanguard Allure

  • Home
  • Allure Magazine
    • Female Influencers Cashing Out

      March 19, 2023
      0
    • IWD: Young Women Driving Tech

      March 12, 2023
      0
    • Buogo Obi-Oloketuyi: The Chic Carpenter

      March 5, 2023
      0
    • BOLANLE AND BUNMI NINALOWO: To Love And To Hold

      February 14, 2023
      0
    • Vanguard Personality Of The Year Awards 2022

      January 29, 2023
      0
    • Ruky Ogbetuo: From Fashion Writing To Prolific Designer

      January 21, 2023
      0
    • Bisola Alabi: Tech Savvy

      January 15, 2023
      0
    • Wumi Jubril - Providing Ultimate Wellness Experience

      January 13, 2023
      0
    • Celebrities Share their New Year’s Resolutions with us

      January 2, 2023
      0
    • Features
    • Magazine
    • Profiles
  • Allure TV
  • Celebration
    • Fashion & Style
    • Weddings
    • Lifestyle
    • Events
  • Wellbeing
    • Allure Woman
    • Healthy Living
    • Beauty
  • Happiness
    • Food
    • Shopping
    • Travel
    • Relationships
    • Career
  • News
    • Whitemoney to sue BBN, real estate company over unfulfilled promise

      March 20, 2023
      0
    • Stop making statements that are oppressive and divisive -IK Osakioduwa urge Nigerians

      March 20, 2023
      0
    • How my dollar cash was stolen at Delta hotel -BBNaija's Phyna

      How my dollar cash was stolen at Delta hotel -BBNaija's Phyna

      March 17, 2023
      0
    • Olu of Warri, wife, joins world leaders to celebrate Commonwealth Day in ...

      March 16, 2023
      0
    • Amandla Ebeye reveals why she is changing name

      March 14, 2023
      0
    • Mercy Johnson's husband dedicates his Certificate of Return to her

      March 13, 2023
      0
    • Singer Tiwa Savage hosted at Buckingham Palace

      March 9, 2023
      0
    • 'I became a millionaire in Lagos' - Edo State born Toyin Abraham

      March 7, 2023
      0
    • Actor, Deyemi Okanlawon bags Silverbird Trailblazer Award

      Actor, Deyemi Okanlawon bags Silverbird Trailblazer Award

      March 5, 2023
      0
  • Whitemoney to sue BBN, real estate company over unfulfilled promise

  • Funke Akindele moves on from electoral defeat

  • Winners emerge for 2023 African Women in Development Awards

  • Exquisite look of Temi Otedola at 27 (Photos)

  • Stop making statements that are oppressive and divisive -IK Osakioduwa urge Nigerians

News
Home›News›Allure Cover: AY Makun – The Game Changer

Allure Cover: AY Makun – The Game Changer

June 7,2020
Share:

By Rita Okoye

He rose to fame after he performed at a comedy show hosted by Opa Williams in 2006. He has since risen to the top of his game and become one of the most bankable comedians in Nigeria.

Ayo Makun

Ayo Makun

Known for blockbuster movies like, 30 Days In Atlanta, A Trip to Jamaica, 10 Days in Sun City, Merry Men 1&2, on Easter Sunday, he set a new record by hosting online, his annual comedy show which was earlier called off due to COVID-19 pandemic!

Born Ayo Makun and fondly called AY, the Comedian, Movie Producer, Actor, Writer and Entrepreneur is arguably, one of the most creative comedians that has influenced the Nigerian entertainment industry in recent times.

The happily married, father of one has a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Delta State University, Abraka.

In this interview, the multiple award- winning Entertainer opens up on life as a seasoned comedian, surviving the COVID-19 meltdown and lots more.

 

Ayo Makun

Ayo Makun

How has life been since the lock down?
Life has been quiet but eventful. I am typically a home guy so, the lockdown did not really affect me socially.

You were at the verge of having a show when this pandemic swept through. How much loss does that translate to?
Yes, we were at the verge of hosting our 2020 Easter edition of Ay Live Comedy Concert when the pandemic hit Nigeria. We had to postpone it due to government directives, and the restrictions that resulted from the health implications. Though the loss was enormous, I try not to think of it as a loss because, there is no price that can be placed on human life. As long as we are still alive, then Ay Live Comedy Concert is alive and will hold in due course.

You did something novel by taking the show online. How did you pull that off?
This was an interesting concept we did in partnership with HipTV. As a team, we were aware of the challenges staying at home was having not just on Nigerians but, for humans across the globe. As a result, everyone was either in front of the television set or mobile device. So, we decided to put together an online show, in keeping with the tradition of holding Ay Live on Easter Sunday. We discussed the idea with Mr Ayo Animashaun, and worked out a plan that will allow the show to be seen by both the social media viewers across the globe, and television viewers via the HipTV platform.

Do you think this is something that may catch on even after the lockdown?
I believe the lockdown has given everyone a new appreciation of the power of social media, and this trend of creating content specifically will definitely outlive the lockdown. For example, I created an online version of The Ay Show which I streamed to YouTube and Facebook. This is a show that I will definitely continue even after the lockdown because, it gives me the ease of presenting the show wherever I may be.

 

Ayo Makun

Ayo Makun

For the first time we saw celebrities dressed in their never-before-seen outfits for an online show because you told them to. How did you feel about the positive response?
The lockdown period removed the need for pretence because, our primary concern was about survival. The positive response from the viewers was overwhelming. Myself and every other comedian who participated at the event, enjoyed the positive energy we got from the viewers. We even did an online red-carpet competition and a lot people participated by posting what they were wearing to the online event.
You have become versatile with your craft taking comedy from stage to the big screen with international collaborations.

How were you able to break these grounds?
By not taking no for an answer. Those who are close to me know that I am a restless person, always looking for the next platform to showcase Nigeria to the world. I have done this by bringing international acts to Nigeria for my annual comedy concerts, and by creating movie projects that took Nigerians on a tourism adventure to various cities such as; Atlanta, Johannesburg and Jamaica. I have also brought in international talent, cast and crew, to work with us in the 2 movie projects we wholly produced in Nigeria.
Your movies are steadily becoming blockbusters and high budget. Do you write your scripts and how do you fund your movies?
I come up with my stories, and I get talented screenplay writers to turn my stories into movie and television screenplays. I have worked with talented screenplay writers like; Kehinde Joseph, Kenny Ogunlola, Patrick Nnamani and Diane Diaz. My movies are usually self-funded, but I have partnered with Filmone Entertainment in co-producing 2 of my projects.

What challenges do you face when you have to shoot in other countries?
Travel logistics and cultural differences are the major challenges we face when we shoot overseas. While the travel logistics affects the budget, the cultural differences affects the shoot because we must learn to live and work with each other. That we all speak English does not mean we are effectively communicating because our cultural uniqueness affects our communication. So, every movie we have produced outside Nigeria, has been a learning curve for me and my team.

Delta state and Warri in particular have been over exaggerated in comedy. How would you defend yourself?
Delta State and the city of Warri are always evolving because people live there. So, the comic materials from this area can never run dry.

Some youths called you out on social media recently alleging that in spite of all that you have used Warri to gain, you didn’t do anything to help during this pandemic. How would you react to that?
It is a factor of the information they have access to. While I may put some of the charitable acts I do online, there are some that very personal to me that never come online. Warri is personal to me, so I do some things for Warri. I consider it as doing something for family and family matters are not for public consumption.

What would you say has helped you reach this height looking back from your days of little beginning?
The grace of God is my explanation for my successes. God opened doors for me and gave me vision helpers to carry me across.

Did you get mentorship from your seniors in the industry while you were starting out?
Yes. Everyone who knows my history knows how Alibaba took me as his Personal Assistant, and I understudied him and his style of doing business.

 

Ayo Makun
What trade lessons did you learn then that you can pass to aspiring comedians now?
Always be innovative. Never be so comfortable with your current success that you stop planning on new ways of reinventing yourself for the future.

Beside comedy, what’s your side hustle?
I do not have a side hustle. Everything I do is done with all my might and attention.

Should your fans look forward to something wonderful after the lock down?
We are planning multiple projects for post lockdown. So, they should definitely, look forward to something unique and entertaining. We will start production of our new movie and also the season 2 of the call to bar series.

What would be the first thing you’d do after the lockdown?
Depending on the day the lockdown is called off, if it is a Tuesday, then I will go for a football exercise.

How does your wife and daughter react to your jokes?
My wife and daughter are my biggest fans and meanest critics. They review my content critically and if I can make them laugh, then I know I have gold.

You are beginning to score points in the fashion department. How would you describe your style?
I have always loved style and even whilst in school, I won awards as the fashionable student on campus. My dress sense is about how I read scenarios and events. I dress to compliment event themes and that is unbelievably valuable in my line of work.

Why do you like white a lot especially with your sneakers?
I love the colour. It speaks about how much I love excellence in my work.

Ayo Makun

Who’s your favourite designer beside your brother?
Vodi is another talented designer that makes stuff I love to wear. He partnered with me when I produced Merry Men 1 and made the attire I used for the Agbada Challenge. I also like Needles and Stitches, Labaleo and Michael Black Collections.

Taking a look at your wardrobe, what would you say is your most expensive fashion item?
Hmmmmm. Let me get back to you when next you come around to interview me.

TagsAllure CoverAy comedianAyo MakunNigerian comedian
Previous Article

‘To be a rape victim no be ...

Next Article

Allure Fashion: Tell the Time in Style

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Allure MagazineFashion & StyleStyle

    Allure Cover: Trish O Couture – A World Of Fashion and Luxury Furnishing

    July 8, 2018
    By RITA
  • Okey Onyegbule
    Allure MagazineMagazine

    Allure Cover: Okey Onyegbule – Life of A funny man

    May 24, 2020
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineFashion & Style

    Allure Cover: Bunmi Olatunji – Evolving with times

    July 8, 2018
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineFeatures

    Bisola Alabi: Tech Savvy

    January 15, 2023
    By RITA
  • Azeez Oladapo Yusuf
    Allure MagazineMagazine

    Allure Cover: Azeez Oladapo Yusuf – A Proud Nigerian Export

    March 21, 2021
    By RITA
  • Allure MagazineFeatures

    Titi Ogufere… Born to Design

    October 31, 2022
    By RITA
0

  • CelebrationEntertainment

    T-boss celebrates 36th birthday with beautiful photos

  • Lifestyle

    Gentlemen don’t take gifts back – Daddy Freeze cautions men

  • FoodHealthy LivingWellbeing

    Delicious jollof spaghetti recipe

  • 5312
    Followers
  • 12744
    Likes

Timeline

  • March 20, 2023

    Whitemoney to sue BBN, real estate company over unfulfilled promise

  • March 20, 2023

    Funke Akindele moves on from electoral defeat

  • March 20, 2023

    Winners emerge for 2023 African Women in Development Awards

  • March 20, 2023

    Exquisite look of Temi Otedola at 27 (Photos)

  • March 20, 2023

    Stop making statements that are oppressive and divisive -IK Osakioduwa urge Nigerians

Categories

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Whitemoney to sue BBN, real estate company over unfulfilled promise

    By joy onuorah
    March 20, 2023
  • Funke Akindele moves on from electoral defeat

    Funke Akindele moves on from electoral defeat

    By joy onuorah
    March 20, 2023
  • Winners emerge for 2023 African Women in Development Awards

    By Temitope
    March 20, 2023
  • Exquisite look of Temi Otedola at 27 (Photos)

    By Temitope
    March 20, 2023
  • Chioma Jesus, Sammie Okposo, Midnight Crew set for #THUGGLA2018

    By RITA
    April 24, 2018
  • American rapper, Kendrick Lamar wins Pulitzer prize for 2017 ‘Damn’ album

    By RITA
    April 17, 2018
  • Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti drops new album titled ‘Black Times’ 

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018
  • Actor, Yul Edochie declares intention to run for presidency

    By RITA
    April 23, 2018

Entertainment

  • March 16, 2023

    Burnaboy to perform at Champions League final in Istanbul

  • March 16, 2023

    EbonyLife’s Mo Abudu, Idris Alba, partner on Africa-inspired movie

  • March 16, 2023

    Actress, Efe Irele declares support for colleague, Desmond Elliot

  • March 16, 2023

    Actress, Laide Bakare reacts to nude video allegations

  • March 14, 2023

    All you need to know about Sabrina as she drops ‘Johnny’

Follow us