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News_Naija

Fame Not As Lucrative As People Think Bukunmi Oluwasina

Actress, singer and filmmaker, Bukunmi Oluwasina, tells FAITH AJAYI about her career, motherhood and other issues You’ve had an incredible run both as an actress and singer. How do you balance the demands of both careers, and what fuels your drive to keep excelling in both spaces? Like the Bible says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It hasn’t been easy over the years, but passion keeps me going. When I started, music was something I did for fun, while acting was always my dream. To be honest, if you look at it from a financial angle, the money doesn’t always match the fame. And then there are expectations—how you should look, live, or spend—which can get overwhelming. The profession itself isn’t stressful, but people can make it so, if you let them. Until recently, not all my songs were even on streaming platforms. It took a while before I started uploading them because I never saw music as a commercial pursuit. I made songs because I enjoyed it. Most were soundtracks or personal projects. I only began sharing more when I realised people genuinely connected with them. Even when I featured Tatiana Manaois (an American singer), there was no major PR push. I released it on social media and streaming platforms, and my colleagues helped to amplify it. The same thing happened with ‘Ori’; it gained traction organically. It’s not stressful because I do it when I feel relaxed and inspired. As for acting, it’s a deep part of me. Doing something you love makes it easier. The only real challenge is occasionally getting carried away with one and neglecting the other. Right now, I have multiple projects lined up, but I haven’t had time to hit the studio. Thankfully, there’s always time to return to one when you’re taking a break from the other. Interestingly, I started with music before acting, even though acting was always the original goal. Music just happened to be the easiest entry point at the time. What kind of stories or characters pique your interest at this stage of your career? For some reason, it’s always easy for me to play emotional roles, especially tragic or romantic ones. I am a lover girl. And when I love, I love deeply, and I find joy in watching others in love, too. My ability to cry on screen comes from being in full control of my emotions. I studied Theatre Arts, and that training has been invaluable. Many great actors struggle with switching emotions on and off effortlessly, but that emotional precision is something I’ve been trained to do. At this point, I am interested in stories that explore technology and the future; roles that require research and deeper reflection. We’ve seen many variations of the same stories, but the world is changing, and our films should reflect that. As creators, we have a duty not just to entertain, but to create awareness. Our art should reflect what’s happening around us and prepare us for what’s ahead. I would love to be part of a Nigerian film that boldly explores futuristic, tech-driven themes. It’s rare in our industry, but it’s time we embrace it. Take us through the creative approach that went into the production of your forthcoming film, ‘White and Black’? It is more than just a movie. It was born from an unexpected, deeply personal experience. I had to process a lot before we even considered releasing it. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways I hadn’t imagined. The story is unlike anything I’ve written before. Working outside Nigeria and collaborating with new people also influenced my creativity. Every time you step into a new space or face a bigger challenge, it expands your knowledge and opens the door to greater success. Becoming a wife and mother has also shifted the way I see life. It hasn’t changed what I create, but it has certainly influenced how I create. It made me more reflective, intentional, and determined to tell stories that are bold and unique. Growth has become my compass. If my experiences don’t show up in my work, then I’m not really evolving. All these changes—personal and professional—have shaped my storytelling, music, and the way I navigate the industry. When it comes to music, how does your songwriting process begin, and where do you draw inspiration? Love is my biggest inspiration. I am a romantic at heart, and I love with my whole being. Thankfully, I have never experienced heartbreak, so when I write love songs, they come from a place of genuine joy. Surprisingly, I can also write heart-wrenching break-up songs. Even though I haven’t gone through heartbreak, I know what deep love feels like, so it’s easy for me to imagine the pain of losing it. I put myself in that emotional space, and people can feel that when I sing or perform. Whether it’s a love song, poem, or movie, love is my default theme. I believe it’s part of my gift. You’ve spoken often about family. How has motherhood influenced the kind of roles you choose or the music you make? Motherhood hasn’t restricted me in any way. I can still play any role, and physically, I’m still very fit. Even if I get pregnant and my body changes temporarily, I always bounce back. As a matter of fact, motherhood has energised me. It’s given me the strength to do things I didn’t know I could. It’s been a blessing, not a limitation. Every creative faces moments of doubt. Can you share a challenging period that shaped your career? There was a period when I was off the screen. It wasn’t a setback, because I had a major project in the works. The challenge was that I was navigating a new environment, with an unfamiliar crew and cast. Doing pre-production, scouting and planning without my usual support system was tough. But, it forced me to grow. I learnt how to work professionally in new contexts, and I built new networks. That phase reshaped me and opened doors I didn’t see before. It made me a better version of myself and helped me level up creatively and professionally. What are some misconceptions people have about you or your career that you wish to correct? Sincerity has always been part of my brand. But over the years, I’ve had to deal with some truly ridiculous misconceptions. One of the most persistent and frustrating is being referred to as someone’s ex—an actor I have never dated. It’s baffling because from the beginning of my career, I have been very vocal about my stance on dating within the industry. I have said it in countless interviews. Iif the last man on earth was an actor, I’d remain unmarried. That’s my personal decision. I have no problem with people marrying actors. It works for some, and I respect that, but it’s not for me. What bothers me the most is the disrespect. Even recently, someone commented on my page, saying, “I still don’t understand why you and this actor didn’t end up together.” That’s not just false; it’s offensive. It disrespects me, my marriage, and my husband. And the crazy part is, I have never been seen with this person outside a film set. I don’t even know where he lives. So, how did people decide we were in a relationship? I have never given any reason for such speculation. In fact, people have made up relationships for me, except the actual relationship I was in for 11 years. No one ever knew who that person was until I posted my wedding photos. I just wish I could go back in time and erase that false narrative. From writing scripts to producing films and singing, you’ve shown incredible versatility. Are there areas you’re yet to explore that we should look forward to? Yes—technology. I want to explore the creative potential in IT. The future feels unpredictable, even a little scary, and I don’t want to be left behind. I want to expand my skills so I can stay relevant and offer even more, no matter what changes come. I currently run my own production company in the United Kingdom. We’re involved in scriptwriting, post-production, and colour grading. We work with clients from anywhere in the world, and our services aren’t limited to the UK. For full-scale productions involving equipment, we’re currently operational in the UK and Nigeria. While I haven’t been taking on as many acting roles lately, I have stayed active behind the scenes. I still write scripts, produce films, and even compose soundtracks. In fact, I just completed a soundtrack for a Nigerian production. I still accept jobs as long as the client can meet my fees. Time is everything. I can’t be everywhere at once, but that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped being an actor, producer or writer. I’m simply working at my own pace and building sustainably. Looking ahead, what are your hopes for the kinds of roles or projects you want to be part of in the next five years? I would love to work on stories that explore the future—what life might look like in the next five to 10 years. That’s something we haven’t really done in Nollywood. If I’m not acting in one, I’d love to create it myself. It doesn’t have to come from Nigeria; it could be an international project. But I want to be part of something bold, forward-thinking, and futuristic. Something that reflects the evolving world and challenges us to think differently. That’s the kind of work I’m looking forward to.

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Healthwatch

Should You Be Sleepmaxxing To Boost Health And Happiness?

This viral wellness trend may be more hype than substance.

What is sleepmaxxing?

taping your mouth shut while sleeping

not drinking anything during the two hours before bedtime

a cold room temperature

a dark bedroom

using a white noise machine

not setting a morning alarm

showering one hour before bedtime

eliminating caffeine

eating kiwis before going to bed

taking magnesium and melatonin

using weighted blankets

getting 30 minutes of sunlight every day

meditating daily for 30 minutes.

Does any research support sleepmaxxing?

Can mouth-taping improve your sleep?

Sleepmaxxing or basic sleep hygiene?

Melatonin, early bedtime, weighted blankets, and — kiwi fruit?

Taking melatonin is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to treat circadian rhythm disorders such as jet lag. But it's not recommended for insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, or difficulty with falling asleep or staying asleep.

Is it healthier to be asleep by 10 p.m.? One video that garnered more than a million views claims it is. While it is important to maximize morning sunlight exposure and minimize evening light exposure to regulate circadian rhythms, there is such variability in how much sleep someone requires and individual chronotypes (not to mention varying personal and professional responsibilities!) that it is difficult to state there is an ideal bedtime for everyone.

While intriguing research has been done on weighted blankets, there is no convincing evidence that they are truly effective for the general adult population.

Overall, it's important to be cautious about the impact of the placebo effect on how someone sleeps. An analysis of more than 30 studies showed that roughly 64% of the drug response for a sleep medication in insomnia patients could be due to the placebo effect. A key takeaway is that studies that are not randomized controlled trials — such as this small study on 24 people suggesting that kiwi fruit may improve sleep — should be interpreted with a grain of salt.

Could you have orthosomnia?

Do you really need to fix your sleep?

profile/5170OIG3.jpeg.webp

Healthwatch

Should You Be Sleepmaxxing To Boost Health And Happiness?

This viral wellness trend may be more hype than substance.

What is sleepmaxxing?

taping your mouth shut while sleeping

not drinking anything during the two hours before bedtime

a cold room temperature

a dark bedroom

using a white noise machine

not setting a morning alarm

showering one hour before bedtime

eliminating caffeine

eating kiwis before going to bed

taking magnesium and melatonin

using weighted blankets

getting 30 minutes of sunlight every day

meditating daily for 30 minutes.

Does any research support sleepmaxxing?

Can mouth-taping improve your sleep?

Sleepmaxxing or basic sleep hygiene?

Melatonin, early bedtime, weighted blankets, and — kiwi fruit?

Taking melatonin is recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to treat circadian rhythm disorders such as jet lag. But it's not recommended for insufficient sleep, poor sleep quality, or difficulty with falling asleep or staying asleep.

Is it healthier to be asleep by 10 p.m.? One video that garnered more than a million views claims it is. While it is important to maximize morning sunlight exposure and minimize evening light exposure to regulate circadian rhythms, there is such variability in how much sleep someone requires and individual chronotypes (not to mention varying personal and professional responsibilities!) that it is difficult to state there is an ideal bedtime for everyone.

While intriguing research has been done on weighted blankets, there is no convincing evidence that they are truly effective for the general adult population.

Overall, it's important to be cautious about the impact of the placebo effect on how someone sleeps. An analysis of more than 30 studies showed that roughly 64% of the drug response for a sleep medication in insomnia patients could be due to the placebo effect. A key takeaway is that studies that are not randomized controlled trials — such as this small study on 24 people suggesting that kiwi fruit may improve sleep — should be interpreted with a grain of salt.

Could you have orthosomnia?

Do you really need to fix your sleep?

profile/5170OIG3.jpeg.webp

Healthwatch

Measles Is Making A Comeback: Can We Stop It?

Seven things to know about the recent measles outbreaks.

Can we prevent these tragedies?

What to know about measles

The measles virus is highly contagious

Early diagnosis is challenging

Measles can be serious and even fatal

brain inflammation (encephalitis), which can lead to seizures, hearing loss, or intellectual disability

pneumonia

eye inflammation (and occasionally, vision loss)

poor pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriage

subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare and lethal disease of the brain that can develop years after the initial measles infection.

Getting measles may suppress your immune system

Vaccination is highly effective

The measles vaccine is safe

Ways to protect yourself from measles infection

Vaccination. Usually, children are given the first dose around age 1 and the second between ages 4 and 6 as part of the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine. If a child — or adult — hasn’t been vaccinated, they can have these doses later.

If you were born after 1957 and received a measles vaccination before 1968, consider getting revaccinated or tested for measles antibodies (see below). The vaccine given before 1968 was less effective than later versions. And before 1957, most people became immune after having measles, although this immunity can wane.

Isolation. To limit spread, everyone diagnosed with measles and anyone who might be infected should avoid close contact with others until four days after the rash resolves.

Mask-wearing by people with measles can help prevent spread to others. Household members or other close contacts should also wear a mask to avoid getting it.

Frequent handwashing helps keep the virus from spreading.

Testing. If you aren’t sure about your measles vaccination history or whether you may be vulnerable to infection, consider having a blood test to find out if you’re immune to measles. Memories about past vaccinations can be unreliable, especially if decades have gone by, and immunity can wane.

Pre-travel planning. If you are headed to a place where measles is common, make sure you are up to date with vaccinations.

The bottom line