Nollywood actress Damilola Adegbite has opened up about her early life in Surulere, revealing that she grew up in poverty but carried herself with confidence from a young age.
According to the actress, her family was the least privileged on their street, yet she never allowed her background to define how she presented herself.
“We’re the poorest family on my street in Surulere, but if you saw me stepping out of our house, you would never have guessed my background unless I told you,” she said.
She credited her father for shaping her mindset, explaining that watching films, especially James Bond movies, influenced her sense of poise and self-assurance.
“From a very young age, I carried myself differently… I would study how the characters spoke, sat, and walked. I practiced their confidence without even realizing it,” she added.
Adegbite also recalled experimenting with her mother’s clothes and makeup as a child, using those moments to practice elegance and refine the image she envisioned for herself.
“Sometimes I would sneak into my mother’s room… practicing elegance and poise. Even then, I was rehearsing the woman I wanted to become,” she said.
Her confidence eventually paid off during an audition with MNet Africa, where she stood out among thousands of applicants.
“I was the last person chosen out of more than 10,000 women… What surprised me most was that I was selected because of just one word I pronounced correctly… That moment changed everything,” she revealed.
Reflecting on personal growth, the actress noted that becoming one’s ideal self is rarely a straight path, adding that self-preservation is sometimes necessary.
“Becoming who you dream of being is not a straight journey… Sometimes, you even have to be selfish… When you protect your space and your peace, people may call you rude, but often you are simply protecting yourself,” she said.
She encouraged others to identify and build on their strengths, emphasising the importance of self-awareness.
“For me, it’s my courage and presence… Take time to identify what has always worked for you,” she advised.
