Zainab Balogun Chats With 234Star

234Star.com caught up with actress, model and TV presenter Zainab Balogun recently for a chat on her soon to launch shoe line, her blossoming acting career and everything in-between.

234Star: So, model, actress, presenter, designer – which of these caps do you wear more often these days?

Zainab: I am mostly wearing the acting cap at the moment.

234Star: You recently announced that you’re launching a shoe line, why shoes?

Zainab: I love shoes! From sneakers to heels, I have a huge collection. When the opportunity came to partner on a collection, I couldn’t resist the chance to design something that has my own spin for all my fellow shoe lovers.

234Star: We’re so westernised in Nigeria and you’ll find that a majority of the people tend to believe that if it’s not “foreign”, it’s not of a good quality. Do you not worry that this is something that would affect your business? And how do you intend to convince the people who hold this belief that something good can actually come out of Nigeria?

Zainab: This isn’t a conflict that I can say I have experienced personally. We have to recondition people to want to support their own by simply amplifying the message. This is something my shoe line XYZ does. We focus on delivering, quality made in Nigeria products only.

234Star: So, is it just slippers, or there’s more on the way?

Zainab: We’re launching with slides, slippers and hope to bring mules out in the near future.

234Star: Was acting always in the plan for you?

Zainab: Acting has always been my first love.

234Star: Let’s talk about Wedding Party. Did you at any point during the course of shooting the movie, suspect that it would be as massive as it turned out to be?

Zainab: The moment you realise that you’re finding it hard to stay in character because the entire set raptures with laughter in every scene, you know that you’ve got something special on your hands.

234Star: There will always be the naysayers, and I’m sure that in your line of work you must have met a lot of them. But how did you feel about the people who had a negative opinion about your portrayal of Wonu in The Wedding Party.

Zainab: Everyone is entitled to an opinion and this I appreciate however i spend more time focusing on the positives rather than the negatives.

234Star: You recently played your first leading role in the Royal Hibiscus Hotel movie, how was the experience for you?

Zainab: RHH was a fun movie to shoot and definitely a big moment in my career. Leading roles are desired but aren’t as easy as most expect them to be. The process of this movie was extremely rewarding.

Rapid Fire Questions  

234Star: How many shoes do you own?

Zainab: Over 100.

234Star: Who’s your dream male co-star in Nollywood?

Zainab: Shawn Faqwa

234Star: Favourite TV series?

Zainab: Modern Family

234Star: Favourite word?

Zainab: Erm

234Star: The last thing you bought with your money?

Zainab: Food!

234Star: Favourite place to vacation in the world?

Zainab: Kenya

234Star: Favourite Nigerian food?

Zainab: Amala and gberiri.

234Star: Describe Bolanle in one word?

Zainab: Kind

234Star: Who’s the last person that texted you?

Zainab: Abay Tours

234Star: One person in Nigeria you’d love to raid their closet?

Zainab: Lisa Folawiyo

234Star: If you could live your whole life in one outfit what would it be?

Zainab: Tracksuit

234Star: One thing people do not know about you?

Zainab: I was in a girl band.

234Star: Biggest pet peeve?

Zainab: Lateness

234Star: How old were you when you got your first haircut?

Zainab: I don’t remember

234Star: Rihanna or Ciara?

Zainab: Both

234Star: Kim K or Beyonce?

Zainab: Beyonce

234Star: What’s your life motto?

Zainab: Just do it!

234Star: Where do you worship?

Zainab: House On The Rock, Lagos.

234Star: Are you the sensible friend or the wild friend?

Zainab: A bit of both.

234Star: What one word best describes you?

Zainab: Professional

234Star: Black Panther – over hyped or worth the hype?

Zainab: I haven’t seen it yet so I can’t say.

234Star: Would you keep your surname after marriage?

Zainab: I don’t know.

234Star: Your favourite housemate in this season’s Big Brother Naija?

Zainab: I don’t watch the show.

234Star: You’re stuck somewhere and can only call one person in the whole world, who are you calling?

Zainab: Jesus!

234Star: Sneakers or stilettos? 

Zainab: Sneakers