Prominent Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon, reflects on his extensive journey in the movie industry, acknowledging the absence of notable awards in his accolades. Okanlawon shared these insights during a recent interview with Hip TV, discussing his sources of inspiration and emphasizing his ability to derive motivation without relying on public validation.
Despite the lack of recognition from award organizers in the country, Okanlawon remains resolute in maintaining his focus, highlighting his inclination towards self-encouragement. He expressed a willingness to graciously accept any awards that may come his way while refusing to let external validation shape his identity.
In his own words;
“I have never won any of the serious awards in Nigeria. I have been around [in the entertainment industry] for long enough that if I were the type of person to feel a certain way, I would have been like, ‘Why had I not been awarded this or that?’
“The truth is, I can look into my mirror and congratulate myself. I have done this all my life. And if recognition or validation comes from somewhere else, I will take it graciously. In fact, I had to learn to take compliments instead of deflecting them. Validation shouldn’t define you. If anything, my presence should validate an award, not the other way round.”
English (US)