Nollywood icon Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has reflected on her journey, from accidentally discovering acting to navigating fame, family, health scares, and life outside Nigeria.

She revealed she got into acting after accompanying a friend to an audition while waiting for her JAMB results. Before then, she tried modelling to support her widowed mother.

Omotola credits her youthful glow to staying true to herself, avoiding stress, and keeping a happy, calm lifestyle.

Looking back at fame, she said pre-social media days were dominated by misleading tabloid stories, while platforms like Facebook helped actors connect with fans. But the rise of Twitter brought toxicity that made many veterans withdraw.

Describing herself as an ambivert, she said her quiet nature in public is often mistaken for pride.

Omotola expressed gratitude for her 30-year career, international exposure, and humanitarian work, including recognitions like TIME 100.

She recently stepped into directing, creating the short film RR and her movie Mother’s Love, inspired after learning how YouTube now serves full-length films.

On her marriage, she credited shared faith and her husband’s maturity and support. Her parenting style, she said, is firm but loving.

Omotola also recounted a frightening health episode that led to emergency gallbladder surgery after months of overworking. She now urges people to take severe chest or back pain seriously.

Comparing Nollywood with foreign industries, she said Nigeria’s biggest issue is lack of structure and professionalism.

Her advice to young actors: acting is a marathon, build a brand with standards, have another source of income, and live wisely.