TheCable

Popular Nigerian actress Ireti Doyle says as a teenager the thought of undergoing breast enhancement surgery crossed her mind but she ended up not doing it even though she has not ruled out the option entirely.

The thespian, who would soon turn 50, featured in a new movie titled ‘FIFTY’, alongside some of the biggest names in Nollywood Dakore Akande, Omoni Oboli and Nse Ikpe Eti.

In a chat with TheCable, Doyle spoke on the role she played in the movie, which will be released on December 18. She also talked about the reality of turning 50.

How are you looking forward to reaching the age of fifty?

In as much as it is a landmark year where you have to pause and reflect, yes in that regards. For the last two years I have already been thinking a lot and looking back and also thinking forward about things I would still like to do. I guess it might also be an opportunity to do something a bit more meaningful like an unfulfilled passion this may just be the time to unveil. I’ve also thought of how about just going somewhere with my kids and letting the day just go by quietly. So I’ve thought all kinds of things but it’s still a while away so I have some time to figure it out. I am also really busy living today.

What is it like for women in that age bracket?

Well, I can tell you from real life experience I don’t even need to look at the story as such. If you are blessed then you’ve attained some level of success. Women generally within this age bracket understand themselves better and you know what makes you tick. You are not afraid to be yourself. Then if you’re the one that has given a large chunk of her life to family and others, there is a good chance that your children are now away doing their own thing and what not. That’s about the age that you now start to re-think about yourself and understand what your life is about and ask yourself ‘what do I want?’ What are my dreams? Maybe as a young woman or girl you had dreams and never had the opportunity to articulate them because you were married early or for whatever reasons, at that point in your life you begin to reach for those dreams again.

You also have more self-confidence. You know what works for you and what doesn’t. It’s actually a very liberating time and I am old enough to tell you to far-off and not apologise for it.

You’ve been around the block a couple of times and fought a few battles and survived. You are no longer that naïve little girl that wants to please everybody because you’ve come to the realisation that you can’t.

Let’s talk about the new movie ‘FIFTY’, how did you get involved in it?

I simply got called up and invited for a reading, and I read for the part the first time and got a call back about a week later and was told I got the role.

I didn’t want any other role other than Elizabeth because it was a match made in heaven for me

Beyond the fact that it was produced by one of the best production houses in town, I felt it was going to be a very interesting project. I loved the character which attracted me from the word go. It was also an opportunity for me to work with Biyi Bandele and get involved with Ebony Life.

What do you love about the character Elizabeth?

She is exciting, multi-faceted and she is also a paradox because she is a consummate professional but on the flipside she is extremely naughty. In these parts she will be described as badly behaved but hey, she is just not pretentious about her life.

She lives her life like a man and that’s Elizabeth for you. She is very loyal, a consummate professional on top of her game but when she plays she plays hard and she is unapologetic

I also love her strength and the fact that she is so real and unpretentious. Very few people have the luxury of being as unapologetic as this character is. In the real world we all have to look out for other people’s feelings but Elizabeth no send.

What have you learnt from Elizabeth?

I personally am no spring chicken. I consider myself middle aged and I have a daughter who is now married for crying out loud. So I believe I have learnt my life’s lessons. I believe the right choice of words would be were certain things re-enforced? And one of the main things that was re-enforced about this character form me is that life is really short, so you need to live it to the fullest and do as little harm as possible.

In the trailer, your character Elizabeth is considering getting some cosmetic breast enhancement surgery done. Have you personally considered having work done?

Yes I have. You see it every single day and every woman wants to be beautiful. The thought has actually crossed my mind but I have never acted on it and I don’t know if I would or not. I actually love my body but let be honest I had a few issues because I grew up flat chested. I thought to myself when I was a teenager that if I could afford it I would do something about that but not anymore.