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Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede discusses her career, single motherhood, and why she believes marriage doesn’t always favour women in a candid interview. Read More: https://punchng.com/marriage-doesnt-favour-women-yvonne-jegede/

Actress Yvonne Jegede tells Anjola Dawodu about her career, motherhood, and other issues

Looking back at your 20-year journey, what would you say has defined your staying power in Nollywood?

Consistency, I’d say, has kept me going. Over the years, I’ve realised that talent alone is not enough; you have to keep showing up.

Resilience has also played a big role. This industry is not always predictable, and there are moments when things slow down or don’t go as planned. But staying committed, even in those moments, is what makes the difference.

Above all, it’s my passion for the industry that has sustained me for over 20 years. If you don’t genuinely love what you do, it becomes very difficult to stay for that long.

You took a break early in your career. What did that period teach you?

That period taught me the value of consistency and standards. When you give 100 per cent to everything you do and refuse to lower your standards, people remember.

Even when you’re not physically present, your work continues to speak for you. That’s something I came to understand deeply during my five-year break.

When I eventually returned, the industry still embraced me. That showed me that authenticity and dedication don’t go unnoticed, even over time.

You took a five-year break and remained relevant. What kept your name alive?

That break was intentional. I used the time to get a degree and build something I could fall back on. It was also a period of reinvention. When I returned, I was willing to start from scratch and rebuild.

I wasn’t in a hurry, and I think that humility helped people reconnect with me.

You’ve said that passion alone is not enough in acting. What else is required to survive in today’s Nollywood?

Yes, passion alone cannot sustain you. You need resilience because the industry comes with ups and downs.

You also need connections, placement, and positioning. Where you are, who you know, and how you present yourself all matter.

The industry has become more competitive, and you have to be strategic about your moves. Passion is important, but it has to be supported by these other factors.

Have you ever felt typecast or underestimated in the course of your career?

I don’t think I’ve been typecast because I’ve had the opportunity to play a variety of roles.

I have been trusted with different characters, which shows that people believe in my versatility. That’s something I’m grateful for. So, I wouldn’t say I’ve been stereotyped or limited in that sense.

Your marriage and its subsequent crash were quite public. What lessons did you take from that experience?

One major lesson is that you don’t have to let people into your personal life. You don’t owe anyone explanations, especially when your life is already in the public eye. I have learnt that over-explaining can sometimes reduce your value. Not everything needs to be addressed or clarified publicly.

Now, I focus on living my life on my own terms. People will always have opinions, but you don’t have to engage with all of them.

You once said you contributed more financially in your marriage. Do you think financial imbalance affects relationships?

Providing for a family shouldn’t be about ego or competition. If both partners are responsible for the children, then both should contribute in whatever way they can.

For me, I don’t believe in rigid gender roles when it comes to providing. Whoever earns more should be willing to support the other person. That’s what partnership is about.

I don’t have a problem making more money. The focus should be on the well-being of the family, not on who earns more.

You’ve described marriage as “overrated” and linked it to pressure and intolerance. Was that shaped more by personal experience or observation?

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—marriage is overrated. For people who have found happiness in marriage, I’m genuinely happy for them. But from my perspective and within my environment, marriage doesn’t always favour women.

There are exceptions, of course, but from what I’ve seen and experienced, many women carry a lot of pressure and expectations that are not always balanced.

How has raising your son as a single mother influenced your career decisions?

I’m fortunate to have a strong support system. My parents live with me, so I’m not raising my son alone in the strict sense. I made a conscious decision to have my family close, so they can help me balance motherhood and work.

I don’t have someone providing for me, so I have to take responsibility for myself and my child. That has influenced the kind of decisions I make, especially when it comes to work and stability. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s something I’ve embraced, and I don’t regret it.

You’ve experienced both admiration and backlash. How do you separate public opinion from your personal truth?

Admiration and backlash are both part of being in the public eye, but neither defines me. I don’t go out looking for validation, and I don’t dwell on criticism either. I’ve learnt to focus on what truly matters.

I don’t even read comments on blogs. I only engage with what is on my personal page, and even then, I control that space. People will always have opinions, but their opinions don’t change who I am.

After everything you’ve said about your past relationship, what does “healing” look like for you now?

Healing, for me, is about moving forward. It’s about letting go of the past and not allowing it to define your present. Life comes with different experiences, and holding on to pain only prolongs it. I’ve learnt to dust things off and keep going. That’s how I protect my peace.

You described that moment with 2Baba at your event as “full circle.” What did it mean to you beyond the public celebration?

2baba played a role in putting a spotlight on my career, especially with the ‘African Queen’ video, which I appeared in. I didn’t even know he was in the country at the time, so I hadn’t planned to invite him. But, he showed up anyway when he heard about my event, and that meant a lot to me.

It wasn’t just about the moment; it was about the gesture. It showed support and respect, and I truly appreciated that.

People often project narratives online. How do you deal with that?

People will always project, regardless of what you do. Even something as simple as saying “good morning” can trigger reactions. I have come to understand that not everything requires a response. As long as my intentions are good, I’m at peace with myself. That’s what matters.

Do you think people projected certain narratives onto you because of your past connection with 2Baba?

I don’t really have a personal connection with him beyond the music video. We’re colleagues in the same industry, and that’s where it ends. There’s no deeper relationship there, and there has never been.

There were viral clips from your event showing Natasha closely following 2Baba. What was your reaction to the conversations it generated online?

I didn’t really follow those conversations. I was focused on my event and everything happening around it. I have a team that handles my online presence, so they’re the ones who deal with that side of things. I have learnt to separate myself from unnecessary distractions.

Do you feel you were unfairly pulled into a narrative that had nothing to do with you?

I don’t see it as unfair. I actually see it as a sign of relevance. For people to talk about you, even when you’re not actively involved, means you’re visible. So, I don’t take it negatively.

What kind of example are you intentionally setting for your son?

I am raising him to be kind, respectful, and conscious of others. I teach him to treat everyone equally, regardless of gender, religion or status. The goal is to raise a good human being, and that’s the most important thing to me.

Do you think longevity in Nollywood is luck, strategy or reinvention?

It’s a combination of all three.

You need strategy to navigate the industry, reinvention to stay relevant, and what people call luck is really opportunity meeting preparation. All these elements work together to sustain a long career.

If you weren’t an actress, what career would you be in?

It would probably still be something within entertainment—maybe television or mass communication. I have always been drawn to that space.

Do you think Nollywood treats outspoken women differently from outspoken men?

I think outspoken people, in general, face criticism, whether they are men or women. The world isn’t always comfortable with people who speak their minds.

But at the same time, it’s important to stand by what you believe in.