Michael Onabanjo, popularly known as Mikky, is a British-born Nigerian actor. In this interview with ESTHER EGBE, the Nollywood Superstar speaks on his career, his recent movie Ijebaby Chopping Centre, the entertainment industry, among other pertinent issues.
Is Ijebaby Chopping Centre your first Television program?
My first time on television was a series called False Paradise in London and I have done a couple of movies before “Ijebaby Chopping Center. My first series in Nigeria was ‘’Jack of all Trades’’ with Salami Rotimi then followed by “Oasis“ showing every week on African magic. I have done at least 30 theatre performances in the UK and several movie projects internationally. I was part of “Loose lips”, a Big House production in London. I have also performed at the Lyrics in Hammersmith, London. I have appeared in a couple of British films and also a few UK Nollywood films.
The last two years have been hectic for me as I have been on several Nollywood sets in Nigeria, including playing the lead role in “Tough Love” a TV series, Lucky in Lagos, which is also a twenty-six episode web-series. I also played a sub-lead role in “The Caxtons” a feature film featuring top Nollywood actors. I can rap, sing and I have running speed. Though I was born and raised in the UK, and have a British accent, I can also switch to a Nigerian accent as I have Nigerian parents and I’ve learned a lot from them.
What was your first role as an Actor?
That was 2017 at the lyric theatre in Hammersmith, London. I have always liked performing from a young age. I used to watch my mum on Television in London and I always aspired to be like her. The biggest audience I have performed in was two hundred people. I feel like communication comes naturally. You can’t force vibes. My mother has her own Television Show in the United Kingdom about showcasing Africa running on for eight years consecutively. She recently got into acting but she’s been in show business for some years now. She has produced about eight movies and we just finished co-staring in a show called “Lucky in Lagos”.
Do you contribute to an organization or group outside acting?
I’m an ambassador of a company called Madav. It’s for the movement against drugs & violence. We go to areas and try to get people off drugs. And try to get young people away from violence, sometimes we do workshops. Also with T.A.C Foundation. It’s a company we feed the homeless and less fortunate every month.
Do you live in Lagos with your parents or London?
I’m back and forth between London and Nigeria. But I plan on relocating to Nigeria full time. Yes I liked acting since childhood. I decided I wanted to be an actor from age ten. My biggest influences are Nino B, Will Smith, Timini Burna Boy and Titi Aboyde Cole.
What else do you do other than acting?
I’m into music, influencing, and farming. Looking back, I would say I’m happy the way things started for me, but I wish I knew what I was getting myself into and I would have done some things differently. I chose acting because I have a passion for it and I like making people smile. Nollywood movies have definitely evolved over the years but I wish there were more action movies to catch the younger generations attention not just always love and family. At this stage of my career, I know I still have a long way to go but my foot is at least in the door and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.
While I shoot films, I honestly don’t miss anyone. It’s like I’m in a whole different zone. I stop thinking about what Mikky feels and instead form by character and try thinking about what they feel, what they want and what they would do to make my role more believable. I love working with stars. I’ve never been star struck and I would say I’m a very confident person.
How does it feel to be a star?
Being a star feels great, but often I forget how many people I influence. Then I gotta snap into the real world so I can lead by example. I joined the Nollywood industry in 2018 in the UK and I have appeared in a few UK Nollywood films. I am presently working on a series of projects in Africa where I have just completed a two-season Television series featured in Africa and on Sky Television in the UK. I have featured in movies in two different languages playing lead roles in about six.
What would you want to say to your fans?
To my fans, I will just say keep pushing never give up. It’s not about how much life knocks you down it’s about if you can get up and keep pushing.