Veteran actress Toyin Afolayan, widely known as Lola Idije, has clarified that her on-screen character should not be mistaken for her real-life personality.
Idije, who is often cast as a tough mother-in-law in Yoruba movies, stressed that her real-life nature is quite different from the roles she plays on screen.
In a chat with Ayo Adesanya, Lola explained that her powerful performances come from her strong faith in God, adding that she lives a modest lifestyle and stays away from habits such as drinking alcohol and smoking.
She attributed her disciplined approach to acting to the influence of her late ‘brother,’ Adeyemi Afolayan, popularly known as Ade Love, who was a pioneer in Nollywood.
Her breakthrough role came in 1995 when she played Madam Adisa in the film Deadly Affair.
Over the years, she has grown into a household name and is credited as the originator of famous catchphrases like “Soro Soke Werey” and “Pele My Dear,” both of which have trended widely on social media.
Her works are also available on various online movie streaming platforms, making her performances accessible to a broader audience.