Sophia Michaels
Toyin Abraham confided in me….
I met Toyin Abraham on the set of one of Kunle Afod’s movies. As a Script Writer on that set, I already knew she was coming on set of course I had seen her movies and how very talented she is but nothing prepared me for the humility she displayed.
Toyin walked in and I approached her, “hi, ma Mr Afod isn’t here. Please sit down what would you like to drink.” I was expecting her to answer in a dismissive manner as most superstars would, instead she looked at me and asked ” what is your name?” I answered and she said ” you wrote this script” I nodded still shocked she said ” you are very good” I like you. Star struck and spell bound, I managed to say “thank you” as I turned to walk away she said “I saw your movie too, I love the way you act. It’s really different from what we do and I love it.” In that moment she won my heart and I will tell you why.
She was already Toyin Aihmaku as at then, a well established brand, household name, billboard and poster queen, as at then I had only played the lead in just 2 movies and she saw my movie, she watched it enough to know that I am Different. Of course she won my heart but thats not why I decided to write this. In the Last decade everyone on entertainment or even in the world at large can testify to the fact that this enigmatic human went from loosing everything to gaining everything.
She was one celebrity that was crucified because of her role during the Jonathan Elections as if that was not enough her marriage crashed, she lost her good name, was almost suicidal, took to drugs…she literally hit rock bottom but wait a minute,in 2019, The same decade she lost Everything in, Our dear Toyin has gained it all back.
If this isn’t a success story, then I do not know what is, love her or hate her she is a force to reckon with in Entertainment today, her home is steady and her Business is growing. So I called her and I asked her how she did it. Toyin told me, these were her words ” the first thing I did was to cut off all the negativity around me” then I learnt to keep my mouth shut, keep my plans to myself until they actualize. Mo,I also decided that past events will not determine the course of my life, yes I have made mistakes and I did the best I could to learn from every single mistake I made.
From losing a Marriage she worked so hard to build, she went through a very messy and public divorce. Her attempt to move on was ruined by issues beyond her control, one thing worthy of not about this woman is that she never gives up especially on love. While she might be a feminist she still loves the idea of loving and being loved on return.
She has always dreamt of marrying an actor, when the first marriage did not work out, Toyin took her time to re-strategize and now she is in a very happy relationship with her own man. Worthy of note is also the fact that she is a new mom who successfully juggles work and motherhood very effectively.
Each one of those mistakes have built the Toyin you now admire. Like a Phoenix Toyin Abraham rose from the ashes and became a spectacular sight. The proverbial stone that the builders rejected is now the chief cornerstone.
Let us learn a thing or two from Toyin. Do not let the happenings of this decade determine your position in the next one, Everytime you fall pick yourself up and remember Toyin…If she did it, Yes you can.
Thank you for being such an inspiration. Toyin did confide in me and I had so much to learn from it.
Source:operaNews
