I’ve lovely legs but I can’t wear skimpy dresses –Sola Sobowale

Sola Sobowale

Popular actress, Sola Sobowale, tells Ademola Olonilua about her career, fashion and style

How have you been able to remain relevant in the movie industry having started a long time ago?

It is not by my power but by God’s grace. I know that He loves me and I give Him all the praise and thanks because without Him, I am nobody. I also thank my fans and friends, the people that fight my cause for me without me being around despite the bad things said about me. I would say it is by God’s grace. If there is reincarnation, I would still come back to this world as an actress. I have enjoyed every bit of it and this is what I love to do. I have no regrets. It has always been beautiful for me since I began. I started with stage play before I transited to the big screen.

Why do you think people always peddle rumours about you?

If I keep saying I didn’t peddle drugs, I was not jailed and my head was not chopped off, the rumours would still persist. So to make it die down, I have challenged those behind the rumours to show proof and collect a million naira from me. However, anyone stepping forward needs to be very sure of his claims so that he does not blame himself. Such a person would have to say who I peddled the drugs for, the person I delivered the drugs to. He has to explain how I passed security checks at airports, show proof that I was arrested and the court documents that show I was jailed. The person also has to show proof I was in jail. If they can prove that, then the money is theirs. In this life, what goes around comes around and whatever they are doing to me or others would eventually come back to haunt them. That is why I tell people to desist from evil. I have children and it is not good for my image. My children are all grown up and such negative stories are not good for them but I give God the glory because my children know and trust their mother.

Was there any time you felt like quitting?

That means you want to kill me because I can never give up on my career. I want to leave a mark in the world and show people that God is good and He is smiling down on me. By being an actress, I sent all my children to school abroad and they are all graduates. I pray to grow old gracefully and when I am gone, I want to be remembered for a legacy and that is why I am starting a crusade. It is to bring back family values because we lack that in the country. My father was a principal and my mother was a head teacher and I want to follow in my parents’ footsteps. They taught people morals and etiquette and that is why I am now being the crusader of family values. I would be pained if I cannot fulfil my dream of promoting family values.

How have you been able to maintain your good looks?

In those days, whenever I walked with my mother on the road, I would be the one that looked older. Anytime we wanted to go out, she would prefer walking while I would plead with her that we should drive. I would have to run after her; that is to show that it is God’s grace. We are all like that in our family and we took after our parents.

Why is it that most times you do not use make-up?

Whenever I am on set, I always tell them that I do not like heavy make-up because I love to look natural. There was a time I went to the salon and a girl was pulling my eye lashes, I shouted that she should stop. She apologised, saying she thought they were fake because they are long. I don’t wear heavy make-up because I believe it does not make one look nice. It makes a person to look like a masquerade. Also, I don’t follow fashion trends; I wear what fits me and what I am comfortable in. I do not wear designer clothes. I sketch most of the dresses tailors sew for me. I used to have a fashion outfit and a salon.

What is your fashion weakness?

I love everything from bags to shoes, accessories and jewellery. Despite the fact that I don’t wear designer brands, I love everything that has to do with fashion. I make my dresses myself and when I go shopping, I buy accessories that match them. I live in Woolwich in London and I shop at High Street and their prices are not expensive at all. After combining everything, I look gorgeous even though it is very simple. It is not how much but how well it fits.

Why do you like wearing flowing gowns?

I am no longer a young lady. If I wear skimpy dresses, who am I flaunting my body for? I have to dress in a respectable manner. If I am going to the UK, I always wear African attire and I receive compliments.

But some women of your age wear skimpy dresses.

That is what they like and I wear what I am comfortable in. I have lovely legs and I don’t have patches on them but I cannot wear skimpy dresses. It is for young ladies. Even when I am shooting a movie, I cannot wear skimpy dresses. Before I partake in any movie, I tell the producer that I have three conditions and the first is that I do not want to die in the movie, I do not want to run mad and I do not want anybody caressing my body. It is by choice and I don’t act under duress, I do what I am comfortable with.

Do you feel comfortable in high heel shoes?

Whenever I wear slippers, I walk like a duck but when I am on heels, I walk well and I love the way I move.

How did you discover your passion for fashion?

I don’t know but it is a gift from God because my mother was a teacher and I was the one that always helped her with her headgear. Ironically, now my daughter, Olamide, is taking after me even though she is a consultant with a big firm in London.

Why did you stop your fashion business?

I studied catering, secretarial studies, music and drama. When I was into fashion, during my first exhibition, Eucharia Anunobi modelled for me but she was not into acting then. Bimbo Akintola was also my model, she was my neighbour. I also had a restaurant that could accommodate 21 people at a time. Back then, my major focus was on my acting career and my other business suffered for it. Those I left in charge of the business didn’t handle it well. And since I could not be at two places at the same time, I decided to shut down the business.

Would you revive the business soon?

Anybody can sew clothes but I want to touch the lives of children. I want to use movies to pass a message across, for people to learn. I also want women to know that acting is not a forum to show off their beauty, it is a profession that they should respect. It is not a medium for you use to sell your body. Acting is not for prostitution, it is a job like being a lawyer and doctor.

Punch