Sometime ago in April 2017, news emerged
that Olayode Juliana, popularly known as 'Toyo Baby' in Funke
Akindele-Bello's popular Television comic series, Jenifa's Diaries, has
been cut from production.
Initially, this was initially denied by Juliana during her reaction
to our post on social media, but she has now come clean about their
misunderstanding.
In a post on her website minutes ago, she opened up about their
relationship, claiming that she was Funke's unofficial; Personal
Assistant, Makeup artist, Caterer, Costumier, Driver, Cleaner, Washer
woman, Masseur, Prayer partner and Script adviser.
Below is what she wrote:
******
Thank you for choosing to read this post. It hurts when people
spread lies about you and you cannot do anything to defend yourself. But
thank God for a platform like this. I would be saying a lot of things;
it would be a long read but I promise you would enjoy reading.
I would be stating in clear terms the relationship I had with Aunty
Funke. I used ‘had’ and would be talking in past tense because like you
know, I am presently not on the Jenifa’s Diary series. And guess what?
The news just broke lately, but I have been off the series since
May,2016 (last year); it’s been over a year already.
My post would be in two parts; who Aunty Funke was to me (Juliana),
and then, who I was to her. These are things only few people know but I
am ready to let the world know.
Yes! I will start with her. Why? She’s an amazing person and I
can’t wait for you to know how lovely she is on a one-on-one basis. We
all have our flaws but we choose rather to celebrate our strengths. Here
goes!
Aunty Funke to Juliana!
COACH
Aunty Funke met me for the first time at the auditions of Jenifa’s
Diary (she did not know me prior to that day). She saw my talent and
believed in me. I worked with her for years; she trained me and helped
me in becoming a better actress. She would not take anything short of
excellence from her cast. I honestly have not seen anyone in Nollywood
more hard working than Aunty Funke. And she made it a duty to correct me
and coach me on being better.
BENEFACTOR
Aunty Funke helped pay my mum’s hospital bill for a fibroid
surgery, two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250,000), because I had
no money at that time. She also gave to the ministry dear to my heart,
MINE Teenage Ministry when we were preparing for an event, one hundred
thousand naira (N100,000) and my pastor called to appreciate her. So
apart from my pay as an actress on the series (which I won’t mention),
that’s all I received from her money-wise, asides from change she gave
me for transport when leaving set because as at then, I used to jump
bus, ‘keke’ and bike to and fro set up until I left the series…lol. But
in all, God used her to meet that major need in my life at that time.
BIG SISTER AND ADVISER
I fondly remember the times Aunty Funke would call me to her room
while I was staying in her house (during set), and talk to me. She would
take her time to advise me and encourage me as regards life in general.
One particular day I treasure was the day she came to the room I stayed
and told me, in a mother’s tone that I was beautiful and she warned me
sternly never to bleach. I smile whenever I remember that. God bless her
kind heart!p
CHEERLEADER AND ENCOURAGER
Aunty Funke never ceased to celebrate me. Knowing how excellent she
is at what she does (acting), I was shocked, elated and excited all at
once the day she told me I was a good actress. She told me I would be
great and celebrated. She saw years ago what is happening today. I am
thankful for her words.
Juliana to Aunty Funke!
UNOFFICIAL PA
I was privileged to be the one holding Aunty Funke’s bag while on
set. I ‘kept’ the money we spent on day-to-day running and was required
to balance account afterwards. I don’t like Mathematics, so that was a
lot of work…lol. Money was never unaccounted for in my keep. I ran
errands for Aunty Funke and made sure all that was needed was supplied.
UNOFFICIAL ASSISTANT MAKE-UP ARTIST
On set, on some occasions, when I was not acting, I was fanning and
dabbing the faces of other actresses (including extras). So, this is
for those that have accused me of being proud. Please ask those I fanned
and dabbed while preparing to go on set later. On some occasions, I
also did my own makeup and that of some other cast. All I wanted to do
was SERVE; I wanted every set to be a success.
UNOFFICIAL ASSISTANT CATERER
On set, there were different occasions I served cast and crew (plus
extras) food and water. At some points, I joined in washing plates when
the plates were not enough to go round. And times I was not acting, and
I saw the ‘Mamas’ needed help, I joined them in washing plates. They
are alive to bear witness.
UNOFFICIAL ASSISTANT COSTUMIER
I hardly forget things I memorised, so I knew the continuity of
major characters on the set. Aunty Funke used to ask Costumiers to
confirm costumes with me. On some occasions.I had to go to set earlier
than others and leave later than others to sort out costumes, including
wigs and other accessories. I looked forward to doing it and never once
complained
UNOFFICIAL ASSISTANT DRIVER
I could not drive while on Jenifa’s Diary set, and I still
cannot…lol but I woke up early on different occasions to wash Aunty
Funke’s car. The times I didn’t wash, I dusted the car. She is a neat
person, so I made sure the inside of the car and the boot were tidy and
clean. For me, it was pleasure serving Aunty Funke.
UNOFFICIAL CLEANER
I lived with Aunty Funke while set was on, so I counted it my duty
to clean the house. She lived in a duplex at Chevron at that time, so I
cleaned the entire house. Sweeping and moping from room to room.
Scrubbing bathroom after bathroom. I arranged wardrobe after wardrobe,
laid one bed after another. You would not know any of these if I am not
saying this. I did all this with joy. She was special to me and you
serve those you love.
UNOFFICIAL WASHER WOMAN
Aunty Funke is neat and very tidy and she does professional
drycleaning. But there were times she needed a dress washed urgently and
I helped her wash. Please don’t accuse me of being proud or rude to
Aunty Funke again. I SERVED her WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
UNOFFICIAL COOK
Some of my fond memories with Aunty Funke are the times I cooked
for Aunty Funke. I enjoyed cooking for her. I followed someone who lived
with her then (name withheld) to market on different occasions to buy
things we used to cook. Please note, I had a home of my own. I stayed
with Aunty Funke only when we were shooting except times she
specifically asked me to come over.
UNOFFICIAL MASSUER
I learnt how to massage with Aunty Funke; I learnt on the job…lol. I
knew she was usually tired when we got back so it was my pleasure to
relieve her; she sometimes slept off while I massaged her. There was a
day we were on location and we did not take the oil. Someone offered oil
but as I held it, my spirit was not at peace. So, I bowed my head and
prayed over the oil. I did not know Aunty Funke was watching me. When I
opened my eyes, she asked what I did and I told her. Her response was “O
se oko mi”, translated, “thank you my dear”.
PRAYER PARTNER
There were different times Aunty Funke called me to pray on
location, and sometimes at home. There was a time I gave her a Word of
Knowledge. I had a dream once, I told her, and it happened the next day.
I fasted and prayed with Aunty Funke and her sister. She called me to
pray with her at midnight at some points. She knew from the onset that I
was a Christian and that I was committed to prayer. There were
different times we both prayed and asked God to give us sponsors. So,
for those that have accused me of being “holier-than-thou”, that is the
real me o! Everybody on every set I have gone, including Jenifa’s Diary,
know I am unapologetically sold out to Jesus. I am not ‘deceiving’
anybody. That is my ‘real face’…lol
SCRIPT ADVISER
I had the pleasure of sitting and gisting with Aunty Funke at
different points, whether at home or in the car. We would talk about the
script. She sometimes had inspirations in the car and she would ask me
to write it down so she doesn’t forget, and she would ask my opinion. I
treasure those moments. Interestingly,there was a day we were talking at
the house and her husband was there. I talked about loving High School
movies and Musicals. I said I wondered why we didn’t have such in
Nigeria. Then, we all started talking. JJC Skills even ‘drafted’ me into
it already but we were just talking lightly. It is my joy that
“INDUSTREET” is a reality today!
Let me stop here! So, with these few points of mine, I hope I have
been able to convince you and not confuse you that you shouldn’t believe
everything you read until you hear from the source.
Your question now is, what happened? Hmmm! We had a
misunderstanding and I cannot disclose what happened without Aunty
Funke’s permission. But if you read all I said in the post, you would
gather that we were quite close. And when two people get that close,
misunderstandings are bound to occur.
All I have said, you can confirm. 100% truth and UNCENSORED!!!
So, it is God, who saw my faithfulness and commitment, Who is
rewarding me and announcing me to the world. Dear aspiring celeb, please
SERVE and not seek to be served.
Please do well to share this post on your social media platforms
via the buttons beneath this post so we can spread the TRUTH of what
went down. My name has been tarnished by liars and bloggers seeking
traffic. God have mercy on them!
I would be posting personal things on this blog. Please visit often
or better still, follow via email, so that my new posts would land
directly in your inbox. Tomorrow, I would telling you about THE FIRST
DAY I WAS NUDE ON SET. To get that gist directly, please click the
‘follow by email’ button and subscribe.
Whew!!! This was long! Thank you for reading and allowing me pour
out my mind in love. I am just a human being who does not want to be
maligned falsely!
God bless you.
Much love!
Juliana Olayode.
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