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I nearly fainted when a fan bought me SUV -Bimbo Thomas
The graduate of Creative Arts from University of Lagos (UNILAG) now rubs shoulders with other big names in the movie world. Recounting some of the gains of her acting career, the Lagos-born actress reveals a rare moment when a fan shocked her with a gift that turned out to be a Murano Jeep.
“I got a call one day and the person asked if I’m Bimbo Omo Getto. I answered in affirmation then he said, I’m a huge fan and he started saying a lot of things. Next he said that he wouldn’t want to embarrass me but would like to give me a car gift. I was like are you kidding me or is this a scam? To show how serious he was, he offered to send his driver to deliver the car to me,” she recalls.
Bimbo Thomas also has a lot to say about her love life, her childhood in Lagos Island as well as how she copes with competition in the industry among several other issues. Enjoy the excerpts.
If it is possible for you to award yourself for any of the roles you have played, which movie will that be?
The movie that gave me that break is definitely Omo Ghetto. I love it and I still love it, because it’s a role that I never thought of putting much effort. I just saw that people began seeing me as being different from what I played. For instance, some people usually feel that because I am robust, I shouldn’t take up some roles but Omo Ghetto turned that perception around for me. I didn’t plan it neither did I bargain for it. I just got the script and I did what I have to do. The producer told me what she wanted and I gave it my best shot. Let’s just say God helped me. If I’m to award anything, I will give it to Omo Ghetto because I didn’t believe myself. Even after shooting, we will find ourselves playing mimicry with the slangs and gestures of the characters. I personally think that I chewed that role and it was difficult to get out of that role. Part of the things I did to get prepared was to take out time to go to the bus stop where guys are hanging out and strike conversations with them. If I see a bike man, I just want to engage him in the conversation. If I’m in traffic, I try to strike a conversation with a conductor and with the help of God, I learnt fast.
Have you been harassed by fans because of the rascally role you played in the movie?
Yes, there was one like that on the island when I went for Lagos carnival. The truth is that I was born and bred on the Island. I was with some group of friends and we were by the junction trying to catch a glimpse of the parade. This particular guy spotted me and hailed me, “Nikky!” I thought that he will just greet me and proceed, but that was not the case. If I wasn’t smart, the situation would have gotten out of hand. I never thought of that slang. Whenever I travel here and there, somebody would stop me and have something to say about Omo Ghetto.
What is the biggest favour that has come your way as an actress?
Favour comes in different dimensions. For instance, it has come in different shapes such as car gift, oversea trips and even cash. I see open doors or favours in different dimensions. I could be moved from the end of a queue at the airport to the front because someone recognizes me.
Other times for instance when I pulled over wrongly and I am supposed to get fined but because of my face, I was let off the hook. I have seen things even beyond me and I just wonder and ask why God has decided to favour me. I won’t say that this one or that one is the biggest. You see, I have seen a lot. Some people have told me that if I do the role over and over again, they will still watch it. But I tell them that as an actress, if I can do that very good, that means I can also do the same role extremely better.
Did you saw the car gift coming?
No, I didn’t. I had a car that I was using. I got a call one day and the person asked if I was Bimbo Omo Getto. I answered in affirmation then he said, I’m a huge fan and he started saying a lot of things. The next thing was, he said that he wouldn’t want to embarrass me but would like to give me a Murano Jeep as gift. I was like are you kidding me or is this scam? To show how serious it was, he offered to send his driver to deliver the car to me.
Who really is Bimbo Thomas?
Bimbo Thomas is just me. Bimbo Thomas is what you are seeing. If I’m not on set, I’m just me. And even when there is struggle or pandemonium anywhere, the next thing I want to do is to run for my dear life. I grew up in a part of Lagos Island that was very notorious but I grew up in a devout Christian home and was raised by godly parents. The area is around popular place called Tinubu. There was so much chaos in the neighbourhood but myself and my siblings were shielded by the values instilled in us by my parents. My father is a disciplinarian and he will go to any length to rebuke any kind of evil. He is a tough man and he doesn’t take shit. It was interesting for me because I observed a lot from my environment but I was strong enough to separate the good from the bad. I was taught that if I allow myself to be negatively influence, I would end up with the same fate that befalls such people. That is not to say that I am a saint. The worst is that when I get angry, I can rant but it has never gotten to the extent of exchanging blows.
I’m a different person from my roles in the movies. So, I want the audience to see what we do for what it is – a world of make-believe. They should see us as normal beings and not acting. You see a person play the role of a witch and people label such person as a witch in real life. That is why I give it to Funke Akindele any time. She is my friend and colleague - I appreciate what she does. Whenever she is on it, she is just lost in it.
Tell us about your family background
I’m the fifth out of six children. My childhood was sweet and fun filled. I enjoyed it. We are made up of three guys and three girls, so I’m not the only female. I’m a tender person; I think I got that from my mother and dad. My dad and I were very close. He pampered me with everything I need even if I didn’t ask. I really enjoyed my family around me, we loved each other, we share whatever pain together. We also share our time of fun too. I’m used to a lot that I was taught while going up. I am the type that when I make a friend now, I want to open-up and share everything with that person. I like to be open but as an actress, I’ve come to learn that I need to protect my privacy. I’m a straight person. Anything you see in the act is what I’m told to do.
What kind of parents raised you?
Like I told you, my father is strict while my mum is very soft. He was a contractor. He stopped doing that way back. He is now into church work. He is an elder in church now. My mum is still a Civil Servant. She is plain. If she fights you and she doesn’t want to talk to you, you will know. She doesn’t pretend. My parents are very open. They will share a lot of things we have. There was never anybody into acting in my family. I’m still the only actress in the Thomas family and Marshal family that I know.
How do they receive you decision to go into acting?
Like I told you, my parents supported me and they still do. Before now, I know that my father expected me to study law or communication because I argue a lot. I was going to study Mass Communication but my cut-off mark was not enough and I was given an opportunity to have a change of course. The choice was between Creative Arts and History and I thought History might be too theoretic for me. I never knew much about Creative Art. Much later, I got to know that it has to do with theater, music and visuals which appealed to me because I have always had a passion for drawing. So I went for creative art. My first year wasn’t too funny because I’m a very shy person. That was then anyway though I still have elements of shyness. I have found myself in situations when I need something and I am too shy to ask for it or say it. But I have overcome all that now.
Does your friendship with Funke Akindele date to your time as an undergraduate in UNILAG?
Yes, it started in UNILAG but it was Tayo Odueke also known as Sikiratu Sindodo whom I was closer to. It happened that Funke was a friend of Tayo just as I was a friend with Tayo. So somewhere along the line Tayo brought us together.
How do you cope with competition in the country?
There is competition no doubts about that. But I feel that I have my own space and I am different. I’m just me. If something is meant for Mercy Aigbe, I tell you, I won’t drag it with her. I have my own unique style and I put it across in a way that I also enjoy it. So, I don’t think that I’m stepping on toes with any act or that I am taking any body’s role.
Coming from Creative Art background, why are you not into mainstream Nollywood instead of the Yoruba sector?
Like I told you, I’m not done yet. I’m still stretching further. Before the end of this year, I have gotten scripts for a number of soaps but it takes a lot of time at a stretch for their shooting. Aside acting, I do some other things like logistics and cargo. When I am less busy, I still give time to my personal job. But I’m still considering Nollywood. Interestingly, that was where I started from. My first movie was Girl’s Hostel also starring Kelvin Ikeduba whom we grew up together. He is my friend. He is the one that takes me around then. But because of their protocols and their style, I was discouraged. But if I found myself back in that situation I would react differently and give Nollywood a shot. But I am still going back to it.
As a pretty lady, when do you plan settling down in life
That will be pretty soon. But that is a private matter anyway.
Does that mean there is somebody in the picture?
Oh yes, sure.
What kind of man is your man?
He has to be God fearing, he has to be able to accept life for what life is. He has to be able to know his way around and be smart. He has to be dedicated to hardwork. He has to be focused. He is focused anyway and I already have the man I am looking for. And I think that he is the right man for me.
What makes you think so?
I know so because of his kind of style. Besides, when I see my man I know. I have the qualities that I look out for and he has it.
What kind of things should fans expect from you soon?
Well, I don’t believe in too much talking. I don’t want to go into stories on societal ill. I just want you to sit back, relax, gain something out of whatever I will do. I will teach a lesson but I’m not all out for just everyday life experience.
What was your most embarrassing moment?
This embarrassing episode happened one day on Ikorodu Road in Lagos. A commercial bus drove beside me on the service lane at the Gbagada link end of the road. Then I switched on the traffic light to indicate that I want to veer into the express lane but immediately the bus driver saw me, he recognized my face and began to hail me. It was not funny. He alighted and created a scene by starting to bang on my car. He insisted that I must come down to satisfy his curiosity. Meanwhile, I was in a hurry. He delayed me and asked me to come down to give him a hug. We were on this for several minutes. This guy stood in front of my car and blocked my way. It was not until I came down from my car and I held him before he finally allowed me to move. This is just one of the numerous cases I have had but I will never forget this particular one.
Where you scared at that point?
Well, I just knew that it was just a case of one crazy fan. I knew he wasn’t going to hurt me, in spite of several appeal by on lookers that he should allow me move yet he insisted. He screamed, “Nikky, o le lo.” His conductor was very mad at him for abandoning business. It was a funny site to behold.
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