Ageless beauty Ireti Doyle is one of the celebrated movie stars in Nigeria, with a career that spans over 2 decades. For the pretty wife of one of Nigeria’s movie icon Patrick Doyle, her charisma, carriage, youthful looks and professionalism stands her out. The seasoned actress played a lead role in the new hit movie Fifty, an Ebony Life Production that is currently garnering a lot of rave globally, following its premiere at the British Film Festival. In an interview with City people, she speaks on her acting career, staying power, her experience working on the big budget movie Fifty and why it’s one of the biggest movies she has featured in.
What role did you play in the movie Fifty?
I played the role of Dr Elizabeth, an Obstetrician, consummate professional, loyal friend and hard worker but she likes the good life.
How challenging was the role for you?
I think the challenge for me is that she is very risqué, sexy, out there and I had never played a risqué character like that, my challenge was playing her in such a way that she didn’t come out as a tacky or cheap. She has a very good taste, and very unapologetic. She is a woman who wants to be happy and she goes for anything that makes her happy. The challenge was being able to throw a balance but showing her risqué and carefree side without coming out as cheap but I had a director I could trust, he knew the character well and he made it easy.
How long were you on set?
5 weeks
What attracted you to the role?
One Elizabeth was a fantastic character, and secondly it was an Ebony Life Production so I knew it would be top notch, and it was an opportunity to work with Biyi Bandele.
The movie took you guys to the UK, what was the experience like?
It was a very gratifying experience. Most of us knew we had a great thing on our hands but to now have the work unveiled to a greater audience and get all that warm and positive feedback, that was good.
Would you rat
e it as one of the biggest movies you have done?
Of course, it is one of the biggest movies I have featured in all ramifications. How many Nigerian productions can cut across and go mainstream international? It’s not for lack of trying, sometimes we have a fantastic story and a good cast but the production is not good enough. Sometimes you have fantastic production but the story is whack, there is always something left to be desired. But in fifty, all the required elements have come together in a beautiful way. The production is world-class technical value, the acting is tight, the story is plausible, and everything just comes together perfectly.
What was it like working for Mo Abudu’s production?
It was quite interesting and good. We had to work hard, fast and under pressure but that’s the nature of the business am into. You either sink or you swim.
How rewarding was the movie for you both financially and otherwise?
It was very rewarding in every ramification.
In the course of your career, you seem to be very selective of the roles and movies you feature in, why?
I would say am lucky.
How long have you been acting?
I have been acting for 20years.
And what has kept you going this long?
The drive to be better than I was yesterday.
What are some of the challenges you have encountered?
Being a Nigerian alone is a big challenge, then being a Nigerian woman is a bigger challenge but you don’t have to think about that because I love the life am living and am happy. So waking up in the morning regardless of what happens, I still stay happy. There are challenges but I simply don’t see them because I don’t focus on them, I focus on the solutions.
Asides acting, what else do you do?
I produce, I write and I am an entrepreneur.
