How I Got The ‘Toyosi’ Role on Jenifa’s Diary – Olayode Juliana Finally Opens Up

Olayode Juliana a.k.a Toyosi baby (nickname picked from popular TV series, Jenifa’s Diary) never believedthat she would one day act alongside her screen idol, Funke Akindele.
That explains her joy when she was chosen to act as Toyosi in the acclaimed TV series, Jenifa’s Diary. In this chat, she speaks more on how she clinched the major role. Excerpts…

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How did you find yourself on the set of Jenifa’s Diary?

I always say that it’s a miracle because I just went for the auditions like every other person.
The audition was supposed to start by 10’o clock but I got there around 8amthinking that I was very early, but I was number 273 on the list. I was so surprised because the crowd was so much and at a point, I felt like going back home, but my mum encouraged me to stay.
When I got into the audition room, I saw Aunty Funke,the director and some other people that were auditioning. I read the script, though I was nervous because I knew that a lot of people had auditioned before me, so I wasn’t really expecting anything.
After the audition, they said they’ll get back to me, and I said okay because that’s what everybody says.
Then Aunty Funke promised to call every one of us that even if we don’t get major roles, we will all appear on Jenifa’s diary.
And so far so good, she has kept to her words because so many people who did not get major roles have appeared in the series one way or the other.

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How did you feel on the day you were called back to appear in the series?

Like I said earlier, I wasn’t expect the call at all because after the first audition, we were called back three other times to appear for script reading, so it was competitive because there were many people reading for the role of Toyosi. However, at the end of the day, I got the role and I was moved to tears. Aunty Funke then hugged me, and asked why I was crying. I told her that I didn’t believe I would get the role, that I just tried it for the experience.

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Is this your first time on set?

I’ve been on about four sets, but Jenifa’s Diary was, and is still a big deal to me because I love Aunty Funke so much.
I have watched all the Jenifa movies, and I admire her so much. Being on set with her has been so amazing.
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