{"id":20344,"date":"2024-10-30T11:18:15","date_gmt":"2024-10-30T11:18:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/?p=20344"},"modified":"2024-10-30T14:21:02","modified_gmt":"2024-10-30T14:21:02","slug":"20344","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/?p=20344","title":{"rendered":"Funke Akindele\u2019s \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d Cast and Crew Unveiled"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ‘F\u00fanmil\u1ecd\u0301l\u00e1 Sanya, <\/a>Culled from BellaNaija<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

When Funke Akindele<\/a> announced\u00a0her latest film<\/a> \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa,\u201d we knew it was bound to be another blockbuster. After all, Funke isn\u2019t hailed as the queen of Nollywood hits for nothing. Her previous movie, \u201cA Tribe Called Judah<\/a>,\u201d smashed records by raking in a jaw-dropping 1 billion Naira at the Nigerian box office within just three weeks\u2014a feat no other Nollywood film has achieved this quickly. And let\u2019s not forget her other big hits that have kept us coming back to the cinemas for more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Naturally, we\u2019re as excited as every other fan of the unforgettable Jenifa to see her back on screen. And this time, in \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa,\u201d we\u2019re getting to see her in a whole new light.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joining Jenifa is a lineup of Nollywood stars, including Nancy Isime, Stan Nze, Bisola Aiyeola, Patience Ozokwor, Chimezie Imo, Jackie Appiah, Isaac Olayiwola (AKA Layi Wasabi), and Folarin Falana (Falz), and they\u2019re all set to bring their own magic to the mix.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of the film\u2019s release, we caught up with the gents\u2014Isaac Olayiwola, Chimezie Imo, and Stan Nze\u2014who shared their excitement about being part of this project. They gave us a sneak peek into what it was like behind the scenes and, of course, some hints about what we can expect from their characters.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Layi Wasabi has some \u2018legal advice\u2019 for Jenifa<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG8504-Edit-1638x2048.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Hey Layi, how are you doing today?<\/span><\/p>\n

Great! Thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you to be part of \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u206010\/10. I\u2019m pretty much excited to be a part of what I consider to be a movement and a cinematic masterpiece. It was also a pleasure to able to work alongside Funke Akindele and other actors I have always admired for the longest time.<\/span><\/p>\n

You have a unique comedic style. How much of that personality do you bring into your character on Everybody Loves Jenifa?<\/span><\/p>\n

Everybody loves Jenifa is a different ballgame. Yes, I maintain my comedic nature but this time in a different way that I haven\u2019t portrayed anywhere else. I think that to be one of the highlights of this forthcoming movie.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s one thing you\u2019d like the audience to keep an eye out for in your character? Any details you\u2019re particularly excited for them to see?<\/span><\/p>\n

Everything I intended for the audience to notice while acting my character, I made obvious. Although the one thing I would love for the audience to not miss is my fashion sense. I was definitely dripping my entire stay on set.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG8525-Edit-1638x2048.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s it been like working alongside Funke Akindele and the rest of the cast? Any memorable or funny moments from the set you can share?<\/span><\/p>\n

I mostly love that she\u2019s very funny and caring. She works very hard and doesn\u2019t joke with the welfare of cast and crew just to make sure everyone is fine. I remember when we shooting in Ghana and one of the crew members accidentally dropped into the pool rather than let anyone who couldn\u2019t swim try to get the phone, she instantly promised to get him a new phone. This is why everybody loves Jenifa<\/span>\ud83d\ude02<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ve been in a couple of films recently. How does working on Everybody Loves Jenifa compare to your other acting experiences?<\/span><\/p>\n

This is the most challenging character I have played on screen because it is different from what I have been used to portraying. I felt myself grow into character as the story developed and It was beautiful to see that side of me as an actor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Okay, \u201cThe Law\u201d, if you could give any of the characters in \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d some legal advice, who would you choose, and what would you tell them?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2060As The Law, My advice will be to Jenifa: \u201cEiin Madam, not everytime you need to be the people\u2019s superhero. Sometimes just call police and rest. Whoever is fighting crime must ready to chop blow. E pele\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Chimezie reveals he\u2019s been a long time Jenifa superfan.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG8908-Edit-1638x2048.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

On a scale of 1-10, the thrill of being part of \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d is \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

I am very much excited to be a part of \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa.\u201d I have been a fan of the Jenifa franchise for years. So when my team got the all that Funke Akindele wanted me to be a part of this project, I was excited. I loved the character. I loved the cast I was going to be playing with. She shared the vision for the project with me and I felt it was really big. I am just happy to be a part of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Describe your character in 3 words<\/span><\/p>\n

He is brave, a lover and loyal.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you think audiences will find most interesting about your character?<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s almost impossible to say anything about my character, Swift, without spoilers but I will say Swift is a loyal runner for Bebe who is a drug lord played by the beautiful Jackie Appiah. He is a good guy and has the best intentions but life just happened and he thought \u2018one more task and I\u2019m done with this\u2019 but life had other plans for him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG8976-Edit-1638x2048.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

If you could play any other character from the film in real life, who would you choose?<\/span><\/p>\n

If I am to play any other character, it would definitely be Shege. I love Shege\u2019s character. I love his naivety and innocence. You know (chuckles)\u2026 he\u2019s just very hilarious to me.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s been the most exciting part of collaborating with Funke Akindele and the rest of the cast?<\/span><\/p>\n

One exciting thing about working with Funke Akindele is, she hired professionals. Growing, young professionals who knew what they were doing. Everyone was very very professional. She has such a big heart. She catered to me all through filming while we were in Nigeria and in Ghana. I had the best room, her welfare was amazing. She is a visionaire. She has this vision and would like to see it come to fruition. She has this way of sharing the vision with you so you see what she sees. I liked that about her. She is a go-getter and she is one of the hardest worker I have had to work with. Oh my God! she is such a hard-worker and it\u2019s quite inspiring when you work with someone who is one. I feel like at the stage she is in her career, she doesn\u2019t need to work this hard but auntie Funke works as if she is just starting her career.<\/span><\/p>\n

***<\/span><\/p>\n

Stan Nze teases one thing about his character: you won\u2019t see him coming!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG8254-Edit-1638x2048.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Hey Stan, great to have you here. How\u2019s everything going?<\/span><\/p>\n

Hi BellaNaija. It\u2019s so good to be here. Thank you for having me. Everything is going fine. I\u2019m living my best life right now. I\u2019m living my dream and family is great. I wake up every day with smiles on my face because there\u2019s something to always live for. I have my son Jaybobo, my wife (Blessing) and a booming career. I\u2019m really grateful to God.<\/span><\/p>\n

Awwwn, we love it! On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about joining \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

Can it be a hundred? Can I move the scale to a hundred? Because I\u2019m really pumped up. More so, because auntie Funke is a legend. Working with her has just sort of opened my eyes to another dimension of filmmaking, to be honest. I\u2019ve learnt a lot about filming this. To be honest, I can\u2019t wait to see what it looks like. I always tell my colleagues that we won\u2019t know the gravity of the film until the premiere day. Because it\u2019s so large. The sheer scale of this project is mind boggling.<\/span><\/p>\n

What was it like working alongside such a diverse cast?<\/span><\/p>\n

Working with the cast of \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d is \u2018every day one drama.\u2019 It was such an ensemble. I had interactions directly with, of course, Nancy Isime who plays my wife, my mother in-law, auntie Patience Ozokwor, Chinenye Nebe, Destiny Etiko. These guys are my family. We\u2019ve worked together a couple of times and it\u2019s always fun doing it again, and again.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG8224-Edit-1638x2048.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

More so, the drama that comes with going to set every day even when we aren\u2019t filming. I have videos on my phone I go back to that cracks me up. For instance, us singing in the location bus on our way to set. It was a great family and it was great working with them. I totally enjoyed it and I cannot wait to do it again, and again, and again.<\/span><\/p>\n

How does this role differ from others you\u2019ve played, especially when it comes to humour and relatability?<\/span><\/p>\n

First of all, I played the role of Lobster \u2013 Lawrence Anyanwu. He got the name \u201cLobster\u201d from his love for Lobsters. He\u2019s a cool, calm, collected guy. However, he\u2019s got a lot up his sleeves. Not to give so much away. What is funny about him, in as much as he\u2019s a very serious character in the movie, is the fact that he\u2019s two-faced and the way he goes off about it including his interactions with Jenifa makes him really funny.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m trying not to give so much away. I think we are going to relate with lobster. We have a lot of lobsters around us. People who are seemingly the guy next door but if you look deeper, these guys are\u2026 (withdraws statement) That\u2019s all I\u2019m going to say about that. Enjoyable!<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG9089-Edit-1536x1229.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

What do you think audiences will find most interesting about your character?<\/span><\/p>\n

I think what the audience will find most interesting about my character is that they don\u2019t see him coming. They really don\u2019t see him coming. He\u2019s that guy, who\u2026 BellaNaija you\u2019re trying to\u2026 I don\u2019t want to say some things so that.. but the guy is, like I said earlier, the guy is (withdraws statement). The guy is\u2026 (hmmmm) (laughs).<\/span><\/p>\n

If you could live as any character from the film in real life, who would you choose?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf I can live as any character in the movie real life, who would it be? Uhm\u2026 I would have said a Jenifa, because I like how brave and daring she\u2019s grown over the years. That\u2019s seemingly who I am with my career. I\u2019ve grown, evolved, and I see that with Jenifa. However, I don\u2019t really think I can deal with bad grammar. So I will pass.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sege is alike with his bad grammar.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adaku, will it be Adaku because I like food too? I love a good life so maybe Adaku.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"ELJ-Cast_SBG9142-Edit-1536x1229.jpg\"<\/span><\/p>\n

We had such a good time having this conversation with the gents. Watch out for our next interview with the ladies of \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa\u201d and, of course, with Jenifa and Sege! You don\u2019t want to miss this.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When Funke Akindele announced her latest film \u201cEverybody Loves Jenifa,\u201d we knew it was bound to be another blockbuster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20355,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[9255,9254,4093,9256],"class_list":["post-20344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-cast-and-crew","tag-everybody-loves-jenifa","tag-funke-akindele","tag-unveiled"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20344"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20344"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20352,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20344\/revisions\/20352"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/20355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblogonline.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}