Nollywood actress, Olayode Juliana, popularly known as ‘Toyo Baby’ in Funke Akindele-Bello’s popular Television comic series, Jenifa’s Diaries has revealed that her role in the comic series gave her fame, not money. Toyo Baby made this revelation known in her new book titled “REBIRTH”. Toyo Baby reveals ‘The money Jenifa paid me was ‘nothing’.
The actress revealed this in the 23rd chapter of her book.
See also Jenifa’s Diary: Funke Akindele, Toyo Baby ‘shamefully’ parted ways because of N3, 000 [FULL DETAILS]
Toyo Baby reveals ‘The money Jenifa paid me was ‘nothing’
Here are excerpts from the book below…
Her role in Jenifa’s diary gave her fame NOT Money!
“The plans my mum and I had were exaggerated. I was paid for the series, but the money I received could not do all my mum and I had fantasized about. In retrospect, I laugh at the things my mum had planned to do with the pay; we had big dreams.
I honestly did not know how big my role in Jenifa’s Diary would be when I got the role. I thought I would be done after the first season. I was surprised when I was called back season after season. I got so busy. Jenifa’s Diary practically became my life; I was almost always on set.
Even though I was already acting in the Jenifa’s Diary TV series, whenever I got a call for ushering jobs, I took them. I needed the extra pay. I did decent ushering jobs. I had values I could not compromise. No club, bar or night ushering jobs. No jobs with indecent outfits. I did the regular wedding, and concert jobs. The pay for decent ushering jobs was as low as Five thousand Naira per job but for me it was worth it.
My mum was concerned for me, wondering why I would be on TV and still be going for such cheap jobs. I told her I had to do so. I could not sit at home when not on set doing nothing and I definitely was not going to sleep around. Dee did not like the idea either, but he understood my position.
There were times I went for ushering jobs and people recognised me. I smiled at them. At times, fellow ushers jeered at me, wondering what Toyo Baby was doing serving as an usher with them. I always found a way of laughing my way out of the teasing.
I was living with the Adiguns at this time. TiTiMi always gave us monthly stipends. Even if I asked for more before the next was due, I was sure they would give me, but I wanted to make more money myself. But eventually, the ushering job started getting very embarrassing. There was a day I went all the way to Shagamu for an ushering job and after a long day, working, we were paid One thousand Naira. The Madame said she had not been paid and asked us to write down our account details. Except she plans to pay tomorrow, I got no alert.
At that point, I cried to God. I felt cheated. It was getting too humiliating. I cried to God and He made me know I should stop the ushering jobs. It was only God that could stop me in spite of the embarrassment. I was asking Him to make sure the woman paid me, but He said I should stop ushering. I was initially upset with God, but before I left the
place of prayer, He had comforted me.
She could NOT go to school even after gaining admission cos of poverty!
You may also like Toyo Baby reveals how she was sexually abused as a child, begged on the streets for a living
“I graduated from Babs Fafunwa Millenium Senior Grammar School, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos. I was the Head Girl in my final year at school, loved by the principal, Mrs. Adebayo, other teachers and students.
My Valedictory Ceremony in school was a very emotional one. I was missing everyone and everything already, coupled with the fact that I was afraid of facing life outside the four walls of my school.
Before I graduated, I took the JAMB exam and I passed. I was already an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan as I had been given admission to study the course I applied for, Mass Communication. Mrs. Adebayo was all smiles when I made the information public. She announced it to the school with so much pride. People applauded and my teachers congratulated me.
Little did I know I was going to lose the admission. My mum tried so hard to raise my acceptance fee, tuition and other necessary payments, but she did not make headway.
I told her not to worry; I assured her our finances would be better the next year. She still tried to raise it, but we missed the deadline. She was bitter for days and wondered why they would not extend the deadline.
That was how I missed my admission to the University of Ibadan. My principal and my English teacher, Mrs. Obabolujo called me to follow up. When I disclosed the bad news, they were upset with me and told me I should have kept them abreast with how things were going.”
For more entertainment and celebrity gists, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+.