Dabota Lawson came into limelight after she won the Miss Nigeria pageant in the United Kingdom. She speaks with NEWTON-RAY UKWUOMA about her career, her newfound faith, among other things.
Every young girl loves to be called a queen or princess. Were you motivated by this?
Watching Disney cartoons somehow influences the minds of young girls – which to me is a good thing. At that young age, you start building your confidence and self-esteem. You grow up confident, able to conquer things. Men will not take advantage of you. But if you grow up being that timid, shy girl, you are most likely going to be a victim of some sort. However, that wasn’t the reason I wanted to be a queen. I believed that I was born a queen, not by blood though. I just believed it. And people always tell me I am one. I don’t know why. In the class, I was always the captain. Whenever there was a need for a leader, I was always called upon. I was always in the front. Even in drama group, I have always wanted to be the best and nothing else. So, in my mind, I am a queen and believed I should grow up and get a crown or something since I wasn’t born in a royal family.
And with this mindset, you won the Miss Nigeria (UK version). How was it for you?
It was breath-taking. In the beginning, I was confident. I got all the challenges right. We had some training before the runway. Along the process, a lot of models were eliminated. On the final day, it was about 26 of us left. I was in the last three. And when the winner was called, I literally blanked out on stage. Nobody from my family or friends knew I was participating in the competition, because I hid it from them. I didn’t want to be discouraged or something. I only told them I had a part-time job I was doing. I didn’t have anybody to sponsor me; I sponsored myself all through the whole thing. I remember I borrowed some jewellery and clothes from people for the early part of the competition. Only a couple of days to the show did I tell a friend. So, when the winner was mentioned, I went blank. It was this friend’s voice calling and shouting my name that jolted me back to reality. It was me. I had won. I eventually sat down and received the crown. I didn’t cry. I felt I deserved it. I had worked so hard for it. I had met with a lot of disappointments and rejections from modeling agencies. It wasn’t so easy for me. I had gotten into competitions that I had lost. I simply sat down there with a great sigh of relief. I was more happy than emotional.
You were in the UK for studies when you won the crown. How was life in the UK?
It was much of a big change for me because my family and I always went for summer holidays in the UK and the United States. And there is always a place to stay. For me, it was like I was staying longer. I had some of my best friends in school in the same college as me, and a couple of my cousins. It was like the whole crew moved from Nigeria to the UK. I had all the important people with me, except my parents. I knew my way around. But adjusting to being responsible adult was something I had to work hard at.
And you came back. What changed?
A lot changed. I didn’t come back until after 10 years. I didn’t grow up in Lagos either. I grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I am from Rivers State. When I came back, I moved down to Lagos. Everything was different. I didn’t know my way around. I didn’t know the difference between the island and the mainland. Everything was different and so much better than when I left. I came back to a new and well-improved society. I was so excited to come back that I didn’t tell my parents. I just stayed after Christmas.
How exactly did your career in acting begin?
It was merely by design. I went to a reality show I had put together, which has to do with tourism and lifestyle. That was where I met Desmond Eliot. He was fascinated by the ideas that I had and he invited me to try a movie he was producing in Sierra Leone. I was to work behind the scene of that movie. When I got there, there was an extra role and he asked if I could do it. That was how it started. It came to me. I didn’t go looking for it.
Being young in Nollywood, do you also face some challenges?
Getting into a role and becoming somebody else is not always easy for any actor. The truth is that these characters are not who you are. To be able to represent that character well for the audience to believe and to almost not see you in the character is one of the major challenges I face. However, I believe with more experience and hard work, it will be much easier for me.
Do you sometimes feel like voicing your opinion out about a role?
Once in a while, I have my own opinion. Well, there are directors who listen to you when you tell them. Someone like Desmond Eliot is extremely open-minded. He is someone that listens to sound suggestions.
How is your relationship with Desmond and other actors in Nollywood?
As a female generally, I get along with the male actors. I am trying to bond now with the female ones. Someone like Rita Dominic is so humble, so nice. I never expected that from her, being a big shot. I was expecting a tough lady the day I met her. I really admire some of our actresses. Being more experienced than I am, I see them as role models – people like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Uche Jombo and so on.
Who really is Dabota Lawson?
Dabota is a legend in the making. She is a fun person. She is loving and motherly. I love taking care of people and things around me. I love animals. I have a dog at home. I am a good friend. And most importantly, I love God more than anything else.
Are you born-again?
Yes, I am actually.
When did it happen?
In the past one year, I have been serious with my relationship with God.
What church do you attend?
This Present House, and I believe that the church is with me. I learn not only from my pastor, but also from the pastors I watch on TV. Christianity, to me, is not about the good and evil. It is within you. It is a lifestyle. I don’t feel comfortable explaining to anyone how my relationship with God is, but with the love that I have experienced, the things I have gotten involved in, the miracles I have seen in my life, I have decided to be a Christian, to love God, to obey Him, to live right. I have been very committed to church work, especially about empowering the people.
Tell us about your fashion and style?
My style is classy, elegant and sexy. No matter how I dress, I like to keep it classy and presentable.
Does ‘sexy’ rhyme with Christianity?
No, sexy is not in the Bible. I think I mean the idea of sexy. I mean, appealing such that you can see me as an attractive woman.
In other words, you mean appealing?
Appealing and attractive.
Was there a great necessity for the surgeries you have had?
I have had a couple of medical surgeries in my life and I guess they were necessary.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the world around me. I am inspired by hardworking men. I admire women who are able to combine business and family. I don’t admire women who promote stupidity. People like Omotola and Genevieve in Nollywood are examples for anyone to follow. Oluchi, in the modeling world, who rose from nothing to hoisting Nigeria’s flag abroad, inspires me. I admire people who rise from nothing to something.
Watching Disney cartoons somehow influences the minds of young girls – which to me is a good thing. At that young age, you start building your confidence and self-esteem. You grow up confident, able to conquer things. Men will not take advantage of you. But if you grow up being that timid, shy girl, you are most likely going to be a victim of some sort. However, that wasn’t the reason I wanted to be a queen. I believed that I was born a queen, not by blood though. I just believed it. And people always tell me I am one. I don’t know why. In the class, I was always the captain. Whenever there was a need for a leader, I was always called upon. I was always in the front. Even in drama group, I have always wanted to be the best and nothing else. So, in my mind, I am a queen and believed I should grow up and get a crown or something since I wasn’t born in a royal family.
And with this mindset, you won the Miss Nigeria (UK version). How was it for you?
It was breath-taking. In the beginning, I was confident. I got all the challenges right. We had some training before the runway. Along the process, a lot of models were eliminated. On the final day, it was about 26 of us left. I was in the last three. And when the winner was called, I literally blanked out on stage. Nobody from my family or friends knew I was participating in the competition, because I hid it from them. I didn’t want to be discouraged or something. I only told them I had a part-time job I was doing. I didn’t have anybody to sponsor me; I sponsored myself all through the whole thing. I remember I borrowed some jewellery and clothes from people for the early part of the competition. Only a couple of days to the show did I tell a friend. So, when the winner was mentioned, I went blank. It was this friend’s voice calling and shouting my name that jolted me back to reality. It was me. I had won. I eventually sat down and received the crown. I didn’t cry. I felt I deserved it. I had worked so hard for it. I had met with a lot of disappointments and rejections from modeling agencies. It wasn’t so easy for me. I had gotten into competitions that I had lost. I simply sat down there with a great sigh of relief. I was more happy than emotional.
You were in the UK for studies when you won the crown. How was life in the UK?
It was much of a big change for me because my family and I always went for summer holidays in the UK and the United States. And there is always a place to stay. For me, it was like I was staying longer. I had some of my best friends in school in the same college as me, and a couple of my cousins. It was like the whole crew moved from Nigeria to the UK. I had all the important people with me, except my parents. I knew my way around. But adjusting to being responsible adult was something I had to work hard at.
And you came back. What changed?
A lot changed. I didn’t come back until after 10 years. I didn’t grow up in Lagos either. I grew up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I am from Rivers State. When I came back, I moved down to Lagos. Everything was different. I didn’t know my way around. I didn’t know the difference between the island and the mainland. Everything was different and so much better than when I left. I came back to a new and well-improved society. I was so excited to come back that I didn’t tell my parents. I just stayed after Christmas.
How exactly did your career in acting begin?It was merely by design. I went to a reality show I had put together, which has to do with tourism and lifestyle. That was where I met Desmond Eliot. He was fascinated by the ideas that I had and he invited me to try a movie he was producing in Sierra Leone. I was to work behind the scene of that movie. When I got there, there was an extra role and he asked if I could do it. That was how it started. It came to me. I didn’t go looking for it.
Being young in Nollywood, do you also face some challenges?
Getting into a role and becoming somebody else is not always easy for any actor. The truth is that these characters are not who you are. To be able to represent that character well for the audience to believe and to almost not see you in the character is one of the major challenges I face. However, I believe with more experience and hard work, it will be much easier for me.
Do you sometimes feel like voicing your opinion out about a role?
Once in a while, I have my own opinion. Well, there are directors who listen to you when you tell them. Someone like Desmond Eliot is extremely open-minded. He is someone that listens to sound suggestions.
How is your relationship with Desmond and other actors in Nollywood?
As a female generally, I get along with the male actors. I am trying to bond now with the female ones. Someone like Rita Dominic is so humble, so nice. I never expected that from her, being a big shot. I was expecting a tough lady the day I met her. I really admire some of our actresses. Being more experienced than I am, I see them as role models – people like Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Uche Jombo and so on.
Who really is Dabota Lawson?
Dabota is a legend in the making. She is a fun person. She is loving and motherly. I love taking care of people and things around me. I love animals. I have a dog at home. I am a good friend. And most importantly, I love God more than anything else.
Are you born-again?
Yes, I am actually.
When did it happen?
In the past one year, I have been serious with my relationship with God.
What church do you attend?
This Present House, and I believe that the church is with me. I learn not only from my pastor, but also from the pastors I watch on TV. Christianity, to me, is not about the good and evil. It is within you. It is a lifestyle. I don’t feel comfortable explaining to anyone how my relationship with God is, but with the love that I have experienced, the things I have gotten involved in, the miracles I have seen in my life, I have decided to be a Christian, to love God, to obey Him, to live right. I have been very committed to church work, especially about empowering the people.
Tell us about your fashion and style?
My style is classy, elegant and sexy. No matter how I dress, I like to keep it classy and presentable.
Does ‘sexy’ rhyme with Christianity?
No, sexy is not in the Bible. I think I mean the idea of sexy. I mean, appealing such that you can see me as an attractive woman.
In other words, you mean appealing?
Appealing and attractive.
Was there a great necessity for the surgeries you have had?
I have had a couple of medical surgeries in my life and I guess they were necessary.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by the world around me. I am inspired by hardworking men. I admire women who are able to combine business and family. I don’t admire women who promote stupidity. People like Omotola and Genevieve in Nollywood are examples for anyone to follow. Oluchi, in the modeling world, who rose from nothing to hoisting Nigeria’s flag abroad, inspires me. I admire people who rise from nothing to something.
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