Nollywood actor, Funsho Adeolu, tells Punch that simplicity is his watchword when it comes to his fashion style
You often sound like a family man but your work requires you to be away from home all the time, how have you been coping?
I must say that it has not been easy, but with God all things are possible. I have to get busy so that I can pay the bills and provide for my family. But all the same, I cherish my family a lot. Anytime I have a break, I stay indoors, and if needs be, I go out with my family. I see them as my inspiration after God and it is as if I go home to get charged when I have to work. It is a conscious effort on my part to remain close to my family.
But don’t your children say they miss you at times?
It happens a lot but I am lucky because my kids are boys and they adapt easily. Anytime I go home, I make up for the time I missed being with them and I make sure I stay with them. I am always around them when I’m at home and I do anything they want me to do for them, I talk, play and generally hang out with them.
Aren’t you pained whenever you miss out on little events that mean a lot to your children like school plays, debates, etc.?
I have missed a lot but I have it on record that I was present at the last one they had. My son won a dance and fashion competition and I felt very proud. Although the school asked the kids to call their mothers out, I was around and my son called me instead. I was the only man in the midst of other mothers. I eventually got him a gift for that and I am sure that it would go a long way in his life and anytime I have such opportunity, I do it with pride.
You are currently keeping a white beard; don’t you think it would make you look old?
I actually kept it this way for a particular soap opera that we just finished shooting but I like the way it is. White beard for me does not mean old age, if anybody wants me to look younger, I would just darken it. I feel the white beard just makes me look different, some people do it sometimes to show they have money but mine is not for that; neither is it because of old age, God just did it for me and it is very nice.
What influences your fashion style?
It is originality; I like to be ‘me’ all the time and ‘me’ is not a constant thing. I can change anytime and try not to be too formal. I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of person. If I wake up one morning and realise I have a lot of money, I would dress in a very simple manner; my dressing would be so down to earth you would wonder what is wrong with me. But when I am broke, that is when I love to look very sharp. It depends on my mood and I don’t have a particular colour as favourite, although I have observed that whenever I want to pick a shirt, I readily go for blue. I might decide to wear native attire all through a week and the following week, I can opt for shorts all through. I don’t like to be too flashy because I believe the Funsho Adeolu in me is already flashy to make too much noise about.
You must have changed your looks several times…?
When I was younger and I had hair on my head, it was easy for me to keep an afro, I used to keep a punk in those days and I loved it but right now, low cut is very comfortable for me but I don’t think my hairstyle is enough to project the perception I want people to have of me. I get a lot of compliments because of the beard I keep; people say I look good with it. Ironically, if I shave, I feel old. I really don’t listen to what people say. Once I look at my mirror and I feel I look alright, that is good enough for me. I only listen to the opinion of the director when I am on set and it has to do with my character in the movie. I listen because at that moment, he is my boss. Apart from God, I am my boss outside location; once I am contented with what I see in the mirror and my wife says I look cool, I am good to go.
Many entertainers complain that the bulk of their money goes into buying clothes, how true is that?
It is quite true, most of the time I want to use my clothes on set because the costumiers might not satisfy me. By the time I finish a job, I have to get another set of clothes for the next job. Most of the time, I tend to buy a lot of clothes when I need to act or have an event. Lately, I decided that I would stop wearing wristwatches because it is too stressful for me but I like African beads and accessories. I don’t want to be predictable in my fashion style; I always love looking good and simple.
What is your fashion weakness?
I love my shoes and belts, those are the major things. I like the fact that anytime I dress, my shoes and belt must have the same colour and back when I used to be crazy about wristwatches, that too must match. I like having a simple blend, I don’t like colour blocking which for me is feminine.
What would you never be caught wearing?
Agbada; it is not possible for anyone to see me wearing one except when I am on set. Even when I got married, on my engagement day, I did not wear it. I am sure when our forefathers started wearing it, the weather was not like this. As far as I am concerned, it is punishment to wear agbada. Even rich men do not wear it again. The African mentality is to show what you have outside and not inside and I am not like that. The inside of me is supposed to be bigger than what I possess outside.
What items does your wife admire most on you?
Wristwatches and sunshades; my glasses are always beautiful and she loves them.
You said you have decided to stop wearing wristwatches, how do you think your wife would feel about that?
If we need to go out together, I would wear one but when I am on set or I am not with her, I will not bother myself wearing one.
What is the most expensive fashion accessory you have ever bought?
It was a pair of shoes and probably a belt.
How much did the shoes cost?
Actor, Funsho Adeolu, tells Ademola Olonilua that simplicity is his watchword when it comes to his fashion style
You often sound like a family man but your work requires you to be away from home all the time, how have you been coping?
I must say that it has not been easy, but with God all things are possible. I have to get busy so that I can pay the bills and provide for my family. But all the same, I cherish my family a lot. Anytime I have a break, I stay indoors, and if needs be, I go out with my family. I see them as my inspiration after God and it is as if I go home to get charged when I have to work. It is a conscious effort on my part to remain close to my family.
But don’t your children say they miss you at times?
It happens a lot but I am lucky because my kids are boys and they adapt easily. Anytime I go home, I make up for the time I missed being with them and I make sure I stay with them. I am always around them when I’m at home and I do anything they want me to do for them, I talk, play and generally hang out with them.
Aren’t you pained whenever you miss out on little events that mean a lot to your children like school plays, debates, etc.?
I have missed a lot but I have it on record that I was present at the last one they had. My son won a dance and fashion competition and I felt very proud. Although the school asked the kids to call their mothers out, I was around and my son called me instead. I was the only man in the midst of other mothers. I eventually got him a gift for that and I am sure that it would go a long way in his life and anytime I have such opportunity, I do it with pride.
You are currently keeping a white beard; don’t you think it would make you look old?
I actually kept it this way for a particular soap opera that we just finished shooting but I like the way it is. White beard for me does not mean old age, if anybody wants me to look younger, I would just darken it. I feel the white beard just makes me look different, some people do it sometimes to show they have money but mine is not for that; neither is it because of old age, God just did it for me and it is very nice.
What influences your fashion style?
It is originality; I like to be ‘me’ all the time and ‘me’ is not a constant thing. I can change anytime and try not to be too formal. I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of person. If I wake up one morning and realise I have a lot of money, I would dress in a very simple manner; my dressing would be so down to earth you would wonder what is wrong with me. But when I am broke, that is when I love to look very sharp. It depends on my mood and I don’t have a particular colour as favourite, although I have observed that whenever I want to pick a shirt, I readily go for blue. I might decide to wear native attire all through a week and the following week, I can opt for shorts all through. I don’t like to be too flashy because I believe the Funsho Adeolu in me is already flashy to make too much noise about.
You must have changed your looks several times…?
When I was younger and I had hair on my head, it was easy for me to keep an afro, I used to keep a punk in those days and I loved it but right now, low cut is very comfortable for me but I don’t think my hairstyle is enough to project the perception I want people to have of me. I get a lot of compliments because of the beard I keep; people say I look good with it. Ironically, if I shave, I feel old. I really don’t listen to what people say. Once I look at my mirror and I feel I look alright, that is good enough for me. I only listen to the opinion of the director when I am on set and it has to do with my character in the movie. I listen because at that moment, he is my boss. Apart from God, I am my boss outside location; once I am contented with what I see in the mirror and my wife says I look cool, I am good to go.
Many entertainers complain that the bulk of their money goes into buying clothes, how true is that?
It is quite true, most of the time I want to use my clothes on set because the costumiers might not satisfy me. By the time I finish a job, I have to get another set of clothes for the next job. Most of the time, I tend to buy a lot of clothes when I need to act or have an event. Lately, I decided that I would stop wearing wristwatches because it is too stressful for me but I like African beads and accessories. I don’t want to be predictable in my fashion style; I always love looking good and simple.
What is your fashion weakness?
I love my shoes and belts, those are the major things. I like the fact that anytime I dress, my shoes and belt must have the same colour and back when I used to be crazy about wristwatches, that too must match. I like having a simple blend, I don’t like colour blocking which for me is feminine.
What would you never be caught wearing?
Agbada; it is not possible for anyone to see me wearing one except when I am on set. Even when I got married, on my engagement day, I did not wear it. I am sure when our forefathers started wearing it, the weather was not like this. As far as I am concerned, it is punishment to wear agbada. Even rich men do not wear it again. The African mentality is to show what you have outside and not inside and I am not like that. The inside of me is supposed to be bigger than what I possess outside.
What items does your wife admire most on you?
Wristwatches and sunshades; my glasses are always beautiful and she loves them.
You said you have decided to stop wearing wristwatches, how do you think your wife would feel about that?
If we need to go out together, I would wear one but when I am on set or I am not with her, I will not bother myself wearing one.
What is the most expensive fashion accessory you have ever bought?
It was a pair of shoes and probably a belt.
How much did the shoes cost?
The highest I have ever bought a pair of shoes is about N45,000.
For a celebrity of your status, is that not too cheap?
I would not go beyond that; it is not that I cannot go beyond that but I would not. The reason is that for over five years now, I have not been buying things again because I have a lot of fans that give me items. Recently, somebody gave me about seven Zara shoes at the same time and I know that a pair costs more than N45,000. So if I have that, why should I go to a shop and buy shoes?
What is the most favourite gift your wife has bought for you?
She bought me a tiny necklace, it was very tiny but unfortunately, it got lost and I still feel bad about it. Anytime I wore it, I won’t feel like I was wearing anything and that is why I loved it because I hate wearing jewellery. My wedding ring is my only fashion accessory.
I must say that it has not been easy, but with God all things are possible. I have to get busy so that I can pay the bills and provide for my family. But all the same, I cherish my family a lot. Anytime I have a break, I stay indoors, and if needs be, I go out with my family. I see them as my inspiration after God and it is as if I go home to get charged when I have to work. It is a conscious effort on my part to remain close to my family.
But don’t your children say they miss you at times?
It happens a lot but I am lucky because my kids are boys and they adapt easily. Anytime I go home, I make up for the time I missed being with them and I make sure I stay with them. I am always around them when I’m at home and I do anything they want me to do for them, I talk, play and generally hang out with them.
Aren’t you pained whenever you miss out on little events that mean a lot to your children like school plays, debates, etc.?
I have missed a lot but I have it on record that I was present at the last one they had. My son won a dance and fashion competition and I felt very proud. Although the school asked the kids to call their mothers out, I was around and my son called me instead. I was the only man in the midst of other mothers. I eventually got him a gift for that and I am sure that it would go a long way in his life and anytime I have such opportunity, I do it with pride.
You are currently keeping a white beard; don’t you think it would make you look old?
I actually kept it this way for a particular soap opera that we just finished shooting but I like the way it is. White beard for me does not mean old age, if anybody wants me to look younger, I would just darken it. I feel the white beard just makes me look different, some people do it sometimes to show they have money but mine is not for that; neither is it because of old age, God just did it for me and it is very nice.
What influences your fashion style?
It is originality; I like to be ‘me’ all the time and ‘me’ is not a constant thing. I can change anytime and try not to be too formal. I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of person. If I wake up one morning and realise I have a lot of money, I would dress in a very simple manner; my dressing would be so down to earth you would wonder what is wrong with me. But when I am broke, that is when I love to look very sharp. It depends on my mood and I don’t have a particular colour as favourite, although I have observed that whenever I want to pick a shirt, I readily go for blue. I might decide to wear native attire all through a week and the following week, I can opt for shorts all through. I don’t like to be too flashy because I believe the Funsho Adeolu in me is already flashy to make too much noise about.
You must have changed your looks several times…?
When I was younger and I had hair on my head, it was easy for me to keep an afro, I used to keep a punk in those days and I loved it but right now, low cut is very comfortable for me but I don’t think my hairstyle is enough to project the perception I want people to have of me. I get a lot of compliments because of the beard I keep; people say I look good with it. Ironically, if I shave, I feel old. I really don’t listen to what people say. Once I look at my mirror and I feel I look alright, that is good enough for me. I only listen to the opinion of the director when I am on set and it has to do with my character in the movie. I listen because at that moment, he is my boss. Apart from God, I am my boss outside location; once I am contented with what I see in the mirror and my wife says I look cool, I am good to go.
Many entertainers complain that the bulk of their money goes into buying clothes, how true is that?
It is quite true, most of the time I want to use my clothes on set because the costumiers might not satisfy me. By the time I finish a job, I have to get another set of clothes for the next job. Most of the time, I tend to buy a lot of clothes when I need to act or have an event. Lately, I decided that I would stop wearing wristwatches because it is too stressful for me but I like African beads and accessories. I don’t want to be predictable in my fashion style; I always love looking good and simple.
What is your fashion weakness?
I love my shoes and belts, those are the major things. I like the fact that anytime I dress, my shoes and belt must have the same colour and back when I used to be crazy about wristwatches, that too must match. I like having a simple blend, I don’t like colour blocking which for me is feminine.
What would you never be caught wearing?
Agbada; it is not possible for anyone to see me wearing one except when I am on set. Even when I got married, on my engagement day, I did not wear it. I am sure when our forefathers started wearing it, the weather was not like this. As far as I am concerned, it is punishment to wear agbada. Even rich men do not wear it again. The African mentality is to show what you have outside and not inside and I am not like that. The inside of me is supposed to be bigger than what I possess outside.
What items does your wife admire most on you?
Wristwatches and sunshades; my glasses are always beautiful and she loves them.
You said you have decided to stop wearing wristwatches, how do you think your wife would feel about that?
If we need to go out together, I would wear one but when I am on set or I am not with her, I will not bother myself wearing one.
What is the most expensive fashion accessory you have ever bought?
It was a pair of shoes and probably a belt.
How much did the shoes cost?
Actor, Funsho Adeolu, tells Ademola Olonilua that simplicity is his watchword when it comes to his fashion style
You often sound like a family man but your work requires you to be away from home all the time, how have you been coping?
I must say that it has not been easy, but with God all things are possible. I have to get busy so that I can pay the bills and provide for my family. But all the same, I cherish my family a lot. Anytime I have a break, I stay indoors, and if needs be, I go out with my family. I see them as my inspiration after God and it is as if I go home to get charged when I have to work. It is a conscious effort on my part to remain close to my family.
But don’t your children say they miss you at times?
It happens a lot but I am lucky because my kids are boys and they adapt easily. Anytime I go home, I make up for the time I missed being with them and I make sure I stay with them. I am always around them when I’m at home and I do anything they want me to do for them, I talk, play and generally hang out with them.
Aren’t you pained whenever you miss out on little events that mean a lot to your children like school plays, debates, etc.?
I have missed a lot but I have it on record that I was present at the last one they had. My son won a dance and fashion competition and I felt very proud. Although the school asked the kids to call their mothers out, I was around and my son called me instead. I was the only man in the midst of other mothers. I eventually got him a gift for that and I am sure that it would go a long way in his life and anytime I have such opportunity, I do it with pride.
You are currently keeping a white beard; don’t you think it would make you look old?
I actually kept it this way for a particular soap opera that we just finished shooting but I like the way it is. White beard for me does not mean old age, if anybody wants me to look younger, I would just darken it. I feel the white beard just makes me look different, some people do it sometimes to show they have money but mine is not for that; neither is it because of old age, God just did it for me and it is very nice.
What influences your fashion style?
It is originality; I like to be ‘me’ all the time and ‘me’ is not a constant thing. I can change anytime and try not to be too formal. I am a jeans and t-shirt kind of person. If I wake up one morning and realise I have a lot of money, I would dress in a very simple manner; my dressing would be so down to earth you would wonder what is wrong with me. But when I am broke, that is when I love to look very sharp. It depends on my mood and I don’t have a particular colour as favourite, although I have observed that whenever I want to pick a shirt, I readily go for blue. I might decide to wear native attire all through a week and the following week, I can opt for shorts all through. I don’t like to be too flashy because I believe the Funsho Adeolu in me is already flashy to make too much noise about.
You must have changed your looks several times…?
When I was younger and I had hair on my head, it was easy for me to keep an afro, I used to keep a punk in those days and I loved it but right now, low cut is very comfortable for me but I don’t think my hairstyle is enough to project the perception I want people to have of me. I get a lot of compliments because of the beard I keep; people say I look good with it. Ironically, if I shave, I feel old. I really don’t listen to what people say. Once I look at my mirror and I feel I look alright, that is good enough for me. I only listen to the opinion of the director when I am on set and it has to do with my character in the movie. I listen because at that moment, he is my boss. Apart from God, I am my boss outside location; once I am contented with what I see in the mirror and my wife says I look cool, I am good to go.
Many entertainers complain that the bulk of their money goes into buying clothes, how true is that?
It is quite true, most of the time I want to use my clothes on set because the costumiers might not satisfy me. By the time I finish a job, I have to get another set of clothes for the next job. Most of the time, I tend to buy a lot of clothes when I need to act or have an event. Lately, I decided that I would stop wearing wristwatches because it is too stressful for me but I like African beads and accessories. I don’t want to be predictable in my fashion style; I always love looking good and simple.
What is your fashion weakness?
I love my shoes and belts, those are the major things. I like the fact that anytime I dress, my shoes and belt must have the same colour and back when I used to be crazy about wristwatches, that too must match. I like having a simple blend, I don’t like colour blocking which for me is feminine.
What would you never be caught wearing?
Agbada; it is not possible for anyone to see me wearing one except when I am on set. Even when I got married, on my engagement day, I did not wear it. I am sure when our forefathers started wearing it, the weather was not like this. As far as I am concerned, it is punishment to wear agbada. Even rich men do not wear it again. The African mentality is to show what you have outside and not inside and I am not like that. The inside of me is supposed to be bigger than what I possess outside.
What items does your wife admire most on you?
Wristwatches and sunshades; my glasses are always beautiful and she loves them.
You said you have decided to stop wearing wristwatches, how do you think your wife would feel about that?
If we need to go out together, I would wear one but when I am on set or I am not with her, I will not bother myself wearing one.
What is the most expensive fashion accessory you have ever bought?
It was a pair of shoes and probably a belt.
How much did the shoes cost?
The highest I have ever bought a pair of shoes is about N45,000.
For a celebrity of your status, is that not too cheap?
I would not go beyond that; it is not that I cannot go beyond that but I would not. The reason is that for over five years now, I have not been buying things again because I have a lot of fans that give me items. Recently, somebody gave me about seven Zara shoes at the same time and I know that a pair costs more than N45,000. So if I have that, why should I go to a shop and buy shoes?
What is the most favourite gift your wife has bought for you?
She bought me a tiny necklace, it was very tiny but unfortunately, it got lost and I still feel bad about it. Anytime I wore it, I won’t feel like I was wearing anything and that is why I loved it because I hate wearing jewellery. My wedding ring is my only fashion accessory.
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