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Cover shoot

Browsing
marketplace? Some would say it takes more than just talent to be noticed.
Multi-talented Toni Tones is not just being noticed. She is being
remembered.

Born Gbemi Anthonia Adefuye, Toni Tones is a triple-threat force to be
reckoned with: She is an actress, singer, and award-winning photographer whose influence in the Nigerian entertainment industry has become undeniable.

Her role in the box office hit ‘King Of boys’ directed by Kemi Adetiba brought Toni Tones critical acclaim. Her electrifying performances in top
productions have positioned her as one of the most sought after A-list
actors in Nollywood today.

On the road to success, Toni Tones has faced and overcome challenges. In an in-depth interview with The Nation’s Flair Magazine, she speaks about this, and more.

See excerpts from the interview below:

What was it like at the beginning?

I started my career as a photographer and because of that, it was quite a challenge getting people to take me seriously as an artist and as an actor, at first. At some point, I began to wish I had never started with photography at all, because then I wouldn’t have to fight the tough battle of gaining acceptance, I would just have been able to go straight to building a fan base.  Some OAPs simply wouldn’t play my music because they didn’t take me seriously. It took a lot of hard work, persistence and determination before I was finally accepted in the industry. There were
times that I wanted to give up but I am exceedingly happy I didn’t.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered?

It was tough being accepted as an actor because people knew me as a
photographer and after then, a musician. Hearing that I was an actor as well, I think it was hard for them to take me seriously initially. A lot of people probably assumed I was just playing around as opposed to chasing my dreams. It seemed like having more than one career was looked upon as a bit of a crime; people tend to put you in a box. They know you for one thing and that is what they choose to be comfortable with and when you try
to break out of that box, there’s a lot of opposition. But I am not here to make anybody comfortable, I am here to achieve every single goal that my heart desires and achieve I will.

How do you cope with them?

I was determined not to be put in a box. I was determined to excel at
every single passion I had chosen to pursue. Sometimes, I would ask God why He didn’t just give me one passion so it would have been easier, but I remember praying one day and hearing a voice within me say, “if God has given you many skills, it is meant as a blessing, not a curse.” That put things in perspective for me.  I made a vow never to relent, to give everything I had, to show God I appreciated every skill he had gifted me and I would honour Him by using them. Successful or not, at least I would
know I tried. Being able to actually do the things I love is already
success to me, because for so long I was afraid to even try. I am glad I never gave up, otherwise I would not be living such a fulfilled life now.
Credit: Euphorique PR, thenationonlineng.net

Newlywed Priyanka Chopra is the cover star for Vogue Magazine‘s January 2019 Issue.

In the interview, the actress opens up about being the first Indian superstar to crossover into Hollywood successfully and landing the man of her dreams, Nick Jonas.

Read excerpts below:

On accepting the role in Quantico: The only thing I told her was: I don’t want my ethnicity to lead the part that I play. I want to have a job. I want to have a plot. I want to have a story.

On landing the man of her dreams: I’ve had that rule my whole life. Never publicly acknowledge a relationship. Ever. What is happening? I’ve not knownmyself like this. This guy turned me into such a girl! If I could blush, I’d be tomato red right now.

Read her full feature here.

 

Credit: Bella Naija

Nigerian-Jamaican photographer, Nadine Ijewere, has become the first black woman to shoot a Vogue cover.

(Photo: Instagram/Nadine Ijewere)

Most known for her Stella McCartney editorial, she recently photographed Rihanna for the cover of Allure. For British Vogue, she shot global pop star, Dua Lipa for the magazine’s first issue of 2019.

Announcing this on Instagram, Ijewere said:

“If you had told me last year I would have photographed for British Vogue, I would have said not possible.

If you had told me a cover, I would have thought perhaps in a parallel universe. I am so grateful for this opportunity I have been given to shoot for a publication where I once felt perhaps I didn’t.”

(Photo: Instagram/Nadine Ijewere)