Sometimes I’ve to be extremely serious for people to know I’m not joking -Femi Babs, actor/comedian
Comedian and actor, Femi Babs aka Zualakate was a teenager when he lost his father. But that tragic loss didn’t make him give up on his dream.
Known for mimicking pastors, ironically Babs was able to graduate from Covenant University with the assistance of some clerics.
In this interview, the producer of Like Father, Like Son opened up on his Nollywood odyssey. Here are excerpts:
What inspired your last movie, Like Father, Like Son?
I lost my dad early. I was just 16 when my father died; it was tough for me. I saw the need for a father figure many years after when I would love to be in the room alone with my father, talking about life. There are so many deep things you can discuss with only your biological father. Well, God helped me to fill the void. First of all, God helped me to gain admission into Covenant University, as Bishop Oyedepo became a major replacement for my dad. He indeed became my father. Growing up, I also got close to Apostle Johnson Suleman who took me as a son and assisted me financially, spiritually, morally and intellectually; he is a father all round. I struggled in the industry trying to gain recognition.
Which work announced you?
There were different series. I was in Covenant University playing love roles for which I became a campus celebrity. But stepping out after graduation, comedy gave me recognition in the industry. My life changed in February 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown when I did a Pidgin English prayer, it was very funny. I was saying some funny, funny things and within 24 hours, my phone rang and the call came from a man who said, ‘my name is Richard Mofe-Damijo. I watched your video and I have been discussing your matter with AY and I Go Die. You have the talent and you deserve to shine, when the lockdown is over, come to Lagos’. And the rest is history. That’s how RMD became my father in the industry.
What is it like working alongside those big names?
I didn’t do a video with him (RMD), he instructed all his ‘children’ to post my video on their pages. He instructed I Go Die, Warri Pikin, AY and they posted it. And in four days, I had 10,000 followers. That’s the level of the influence I had, and I am forever grateful. So, if you say he (RMD) is my godfather in the industry, I will say yes.
Coming from skit making to filmmaking, how do you navigate both?
I started as a movie producer, and the first production I did was a romantic movie. It was a love story shot at Covenant University. I was the producer and director. So, I am not a skit maker, I am an industry practitioner. I have been in Nollywood since 2014. Skits only gave me relevance. So, how I combine stage comedy and film production is by hard work. I am just one privileged son with many fathers. I am really grateful that Pete Edochie is also a father to me.
What has the church done to your career?
The church has helped my career greatly. It’s a supernatural advantage for me, because the fathers of faith accepted me. I am a Christian, unapologetic Christian. I am not 100 percent righteous but I am sincere.
When you started as an actor, were there people that discouraged you?
Like I said, the fathers of faith accepted me but the baby Christians insulted me. People were cursing me on Facebook, saying ‘you are blaspheming, you will not live long’. But when the fathers of faith loved what I was doing, the criticism stopped. People of the world were not criticizing me; it was majorly Christians who didn’t know their left from right. They don’t even understand that we are trying to infuse scriptures into comedy. Recently, just before we started the project, the Lord told me to paint Nollywood with scriptures.
How spiritual are you?
I am very conscious and sensitive. I am conscious that life is spiritual and I believe there is a world outside this realm. I understand that you cannot rise without obeying certain principles.
A man is known for three habits; he’s either smoking, drinking or womanizing. Which one do you do?
I don’t smoke; I have never smoked before. I am single and I don’t drink. I just came out of a broken relationship. I am the kind of man that if I have a woman, I will be faithful to her. That’s the reason why it is very difficult for me to go into a relationship, because I am very selective.
What led to your broken relationship?
I think it was compatibility issue; the lady called it off. I respect her so much; she is a woman of God.
What kind of woman do you desire?
A Mummy G.O for sure! At a point, I think my expectation was unrealistic. I have asked myself if I possess the level of perfection I am looking for in a woman. Do I ever have it because when the woman I am looking for doesn’t exist, it means I have to create her. I need to learn how to identify raw materials for what I am looking for. I know I can never find a finished product but the truth is, I will not marry an ugly woman by the grace of God.
How has your comedy role affected you in real life?
It has affected me. I am a pastor but people don’t take me serious. Sometimes I have to be extremely serious for people to know that I am not joking. My fans react to me based on the skits I make. They are so much excited that at times some will grab me, and some lady would say ‘G.O, I love you, don’t you like what I carry?’ I will be like ‘this is a pastor you are talking to, this is not morally right, you shouldn’t be doing this’.
Have you ever been sexually harassed?
Yeah, I have been sexually harassed. People send me wrong pictures I should not see. They send me Instagram messages like ‘I think you will be good on bed’. And these are not people I know.
What is the craziest thing a fan has done to you?
It was at a university I visited recently. The lady was following me everywhere I was going, and she was crying. It happened in UNIBEN.
Aside who we see on the screen, who is Femi Babs?
I am a purpose-driven young man. I see life from the perspective of purpose. My definition of fun is assignment, so fulfilling assignment for me is fun and I love my personal space. I love to be indoors. Sometimes I don’t come out for days. I love to pray, I love my secret place.
Have you played a role different from comedy?
I think God literally wants to use this (comedy) role to announce me because if other roles have announced me, I will be more controversial. I am very good at playing occultist role; I am very good at playing native doctor and also very good at playing lover boy. So, imagine if I have come out playing a lover boy role, a sexually explicit role and that announces me. How will I keep up with my ministry? I will be the most controversial, and people will say ‘oh… that church, I don’t want to go’.
Would anything make you give up on acting?
Remember I told you I am purpose driven, assignment focus. So, this is the assignment God has given me.
Do you still keep your old friends and what has fame denied you of?
I keep a very small circle of friends. I have a friend who went to nursery, primary and secondary school with me. I was his best man and his wife just delivered, we are still very close. Some people watch me struggle and they pray for me to excel. But when you excel, they get jealous and they begin to react. Fame has taken so many (jealous) people out of my life.
Sunnewsonline.com
