Kevwe Ogunje - The Life on an Enigma

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do for a living?

My name is Kevwe Ogunje,  an I.T graduate with Msc information technology and Management, a Warri boy by birth, Manchester boy by life training. Currently an entertainer (Actor, TV Host, MC/Compere, Producer).

ON HIS PERSONALITY

What was it like growing up as a boy in Warri and how has that affect you?

Growing in Warri was amazing for me, I come from an average home so I really did not experience the rough aspect of life that most people associate with warri, I have learnt or gained my entertainment swag just because I am a Warri Boy. The raw entertainment an average warri person has in them makes me stand out.

Any regret being back home?

Not at all, I try to live my life regret free, hence I always make careful and well informed decisions.

What are some of the challenges you have faced as an aspiring individual?

Acceptance into every place I have been to, I always have to prove myself and relevance most times. In few words, Communication, Culture, and the fact that we Nigerians are too religiously inclined

How would your friends describe KEVWE OGUNJE personality?

They would say I am a crazy, lovely, 'physcomotive' young man with great zeal for growth

ON HIS CAREER

What would you say has been your biggest career challenge so far?

Switching from an I.T job in the United Kingdom to full-time entertainment. It was really hard mostly when things went bad for me financially. Fast forward to coming into Nigeria,the industry and life style here is totally different from what I was accustomed to for years.

You possess a BSc. and 2 Masters degrees but chose Nollywood, why so?

It had always been my dream, if I had my way I would have studied theater arts while in university. I love speaking to people in multiple characters (acting) and also producing things right from childhood.

What sacrifices have you made for your career and would you say they’ve been worth it? 

I left a 2500 pounds paying Job for my career, that was a huge sacrifice, I had done so many free gigs that at a point when my overdraft was now overdrawn I thought of quitting my dream and going back to my I.T job. For every time I had more direct debits than Credit alert it was always a struggle.

Tell us about your first acting gig, was it an encouraging experience?

It was in 2013, January 23rd, I went for an audition in London from Manchester on the invite of my Friend Jude, I performed very well in the audition and was told by the judges that I would have gotten the role but I looked too young for the role, even though the age requested was my actual then. So I played a bit part role instead of a sub lead.

What movie projects have you featured in?

till date in about 10 movie projects.

What determines your interest in a role?

For now two things, if the role has a message and if it is challenging enough, I get bored from stereo typed casting,

Would you call acting a lucrative profession?

Not to me, it is a serious business to me, but I can use the word lucrative when talking of the financial gains.

On your BEFTTA Award, what’s the experience like and how’s that propelled your career?

I till date still find it hard to believe, BEFTTA is arguably the biggest Black award event in the United Kingdom. It was more like a dream come true quite early Lol.

Tell us a bit about your sitcom, TWISTED?

It is a story about a Warri boy that went to the Uk for his masters, and falls in love with a French/African girl from a very wealthy home and decides to dig gold from her, but along the line falls too deep in love that he forgot about his warri roots

What has been your biggest role in a movie so far and how prepared were you for it?

My role in an Iroko screened movie PERFECT which was produced and directed by uche Odoputa, I played sub lead,I had dual personality, on one hand a very sarcastic and annoyingly nice friend, and then a decent scared fiance to a lady who has dreams of having a fairy tale wedding.

In getting to where you are today, how hard did you have to work?

I have worked really hard, spent so much money and cried a lot also in the process.

ON LOVE and FAMILY

What’s your take on the value of Marriage ?

Marriage for me is over rated in Nigeria, I believe more in partnership/ strategic companionship. Lol, Marriage is a good thing but it scares me because I naturally get bored easily.

What comes first, your career or your family? How do you prioritize?

Family first in everything I do, no order of prioritizing.

Has being a celebrity affected your family life in anyway?

I am yet to sync well with being called a celebrity, I still see myself as normal Kevwe the Warri boy, though I am getting more careful with the things I do, the brand is growing rapidly and people are starting to look up to me. That kind of puts pressure on me .

Any plans to settle down in the immediate future?

Not at all lol …..kai far from that thought

ON PERCEPTIONS

Have you ever been criticized unfairly by your fans due to a misconception?

Yes, most times I crack some jokes that I feel should be easily decoded but then I get bashed and judged wrongly, also there is a general perception that I am proud which is very wrong but will maintain my normal way of doing things

What’s the one thing you’d want your fans to know about you?

I am very real and a very humble guy, I will love to save/ help everybody that comes my way when I attain the level needed. Also they should know I am a very shy person when it comes to women

Society often view celebrity life as all glamorous, is there a contradiction?

There is something called reality, real life challenges and demands. Only a handful of celebrities really do have glamorous lifestyle

What makes you Happy?

Very simple, WORK (acting, MCing, TV producitions)

What’s your most embarrassing moment as a TV host?

With an upcoming artist that couldn’t speak English, and I couldn’t speak pidgin because of the nature of the show, it was a flop show for me I had to end the show prematurely

If you could eliminate one foul smell, what would that be?

That of rotten RICE, I love rice a lot, Lol

What do you consider as your greatest achievement in life?

My brain and its ability.

If you could go back in time, what aspect of your life would you change?

That I was a virgin all through university days

If you could retract one lie you’ve told, what would that be?

That my Friend has a Twin sister and he really doesn’t, if I say the full story Nigeria will not forgive me self. Lol

What would I find in your refrigerator?

Rice, cooked one, Bread, soft drinks and probably bad/ expired eggs. Lol.

What’s your next BIG thing?

TWISTED season 2 loading, will be shot in December across 3 continents.

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