The central theme throughout the night was consecration—a call to separate from the distractions of the world and separate unto God. The speakers repeatedly emphasized that consecration isn’t about perfection but about posture. It’s a daily surrender to God’s will over our emotions, a letting go of cultural compromise, and an embrace of a life of holiness, no matter the cost. This wasn’t surface-level Christianity; it was a challenge to go deeper, live purer, and become radically set apart for God’s glory. Pastor Stephanie and Pastor Shola Fola Alade both drove this home, reminding us that consecration grants us spiritual authority and intimacy that can’t be faked.

Ambassadorship also stood out as a resounding message. We aren’t called to blend in, we’re called to represent the culture, ethics, and atmosphere of heaven on earth. Whether it’s in our marriages, careers, or callings, we’re here to reflect Jesus in everything we do. That means choosing obedience over convenience, truth over trendiness, and God’s voice over public opinion. Pastor Shola especially emphasized that as ambassadors, we don’t speak from opinion, we speak on behalf of the kingdom.

Another urgent takeaway was spiritual maturity. There was a strong push to move beyond “baby faith” into discipleship. We were reminded that emotionalism isn’t the same as transformation, and performance isn’t the same as presence. True maturity looks like prayer becoming a lifestyle, not just a moment. It looks like choosing submission, even when it’s uncomfortable, and walking in love, even when it’s not easy. Minister Brenda Palmer spoke with grace and vulnerability about growing through hidden struggles, and learning to surrender, not just perform.

Marriage, purity, and spiritual discernment were also key discussion points. The speakers didn’t shy away from tough conversations, like the normalization of divorce or the danger of choosing culture over covenant. Whether single or married, the message was clear: God is calling us to steward our relationships with intention, honesty, and humility. Pastors Susan and Ayokunu shared real and relatable insights about submission, humility, and communication in marriage, while Pastor Stephanie shared her personal journey of surrendering control in her marriage.

A deeply healing conversation between Pastor Stephanie and Apostle Isi Igenegba focused on soul wounds, identity, and the need for internal transformation. They discussed how many believers try to walk in calling while bypassing the hard work of healing and how true consecration often begins with letting God restore our foundations.

The night ended with a powerful time of prayer and intercession led by Pastor Stephanie. It wasn’t just a quiet altar call, it was deep, intense spiritual warfare. From groanings in the Spirit to bold declarations over wombs, marriages, and destinies, the room turned into a battleground for breakthrough. She reminded us that deliverance and alignment don’t come by watching, they come by contending. As the presence of God moved, many experienced freedom, clarity, and healing in ways that could only be described as supernatural.

Above all, The Gathering was a prophetic reminder that the times we’re living in are not ordinary. This is a season of divine transitions, shifting atmospheres, and deeper callings. Many hearts were stirred to recognize that playing it safe in faith is no longer an option. As Pastor Stephanie put it: “We are at war. You don’t get to be lukewarm anymore.” This is a time to wake up, to consecrate, and to proclaim the kingdom with boldness and fire.

The post “And be not conformed”: What we learnt from The Gathering 2025 appeared first on Queen moremi.

From pop icons and scientists to journalists and advocates, these women are each bringing their full selves into this historic moment. And while they all come from different walks of life, what connects them is their shared courage to step into the unknown, and their commitment to making space not just a destination, but a source of inspiration.

Lauren Sanchez is the force behind the mission’s vision. A journalist, bestselling author, pilot, and mother of three, Lauren founded the first female-owned aerial film company and is passionate about storytelling from the skies. Her dream? To inspire a new generation of explorers—especially girls—to see themselves in the stars.

Katy Perry brings star power in more ways than one. Known globally for her music, she’s also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and the founder of the Firework Foundation. Katy hopes this journey reminds her daughter and everyone watching that there’s no dream too far when you believe in your light.

Amanda Nguyễn is a scientist and activist whose journey is as bold as it is brilliant. With experience at NASA and MIT, and recognition as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Amanda represents resilience, advocacy, and the power of using science to heal and unite.

Aisha Bowe is redefining who gets to explore space. A former NASA rocket scientist and CEO of two STEM-focused companies, Aisha is taking experiments and student dreams with her. Her mission reflects access, representation, and the beauty of beginning from anywhere—even community college.

Gayle King is showing us it’s never too late to try something new. As a beloved journalist and media personality, Gayle has spent decades telling other people’s stories. Now, she’s stepping into a new one of her own—one rooted in bravery, curiosity, and openness to the unknown.

Kerianne Flynn brings heart and humanity to the crew. From fashion and HR to nonprofit work and filmmaking, her career has always centered around building community and telling meaningful stories. She hopes her flight will inspire her son and other young dreamers to reach higher.

Together, these women are not just launching into space, they’re making history. They are mothers, scientists, artists, advocates, and visionaries, and their presence on this mission is a loud, beautiful reminder that womanhood and wonder go hand in hand. And maybe that’s what makes this moment so powerful. It tells a new story—one where women don’t have to shrink or choose. One where faith and ambition can coexist. One where being soft doesn’t mean being small.

Whether you’re a woman in tech, a woman in ministry, a woman in transition, or a woman still figuring it all out, this space flight is for you too. Because if these women have taught us anything, it’s that the stars are not too far and neither are your dreams

The post Inside the Historic All-Female Space Crew appeared first on Queen moremi.

Here’s how we’re preparing our hearts (and lives) for the beauty and power of this sacred season:

1. Make Space—In Your Mind and Your Routine

Sometimes, the loudest noise is internal. As Easter draws near, start by decluttering your mental space. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect environment, but a little intentional silence can go a long way. Step away from the constant scrolling. Make time to breathe. Journal. Listen. These little pockets of quiet are where God often whispers truth.

2. Reflect on What’s Died—And What Needs to

The resurrection didn’t happen without the cross. So many of us are walking around with parts of us that have already outlived their purpose: limiting beliefs, bitterness, self-doubt, the need for control. Take a moment to ask: What have I buried that God wants to bring back? And what am I holding onto that He’s asking me to let go?

This season isn’t just about rebirth, it’s about surrender too.

3. Create a Resurrection Playlist (Yes, Really)

Don’t underestimate the power of music. Whether it’s Maverick City Music, Hillsong, CalledOut, or old-school Kirk Franklin, curate a playlist that lifts your spirit and reminds you of God’s power to restore. Let the lyrics fill your room and your heart. Sometimes, worship does what words can’t.

4. Choose One Area to Renew

You don’t have to overhaul your whole life, just choose one thing to breathe fresh life into. Maybe it’s your prayer life. Maybe it’s reconnecting with a friend or forgiving someone (even yourself). Or maybe it’s just giving your body the rest it’s been begging for. Let renewal begin with small, intentional steps.

5. Dress the Part (Because Why Not?)

There’s something about aligning your outer world with your inner shift. As you prepare for easter, don’t be afraid to refresh your style too. Wear what makes you feel beautiful, whole, alive. Whether it’s flowy dresses, cozy sets, or bright lipstick, let your look reflect the joy that’s coming.

Easter isn’t just a moment, it’s a reminder that nothing—not even death—is final in God’s hands. So take these next week to reset, refocus, and rise again. You don’t have to be perfect, just present.

The post A Gentle Girl’s Guide to Easter Season appeared first on Queen moremi.

If this has been you lately, breathe. You’re not alone, and you’re not behind. You’re just on a different path.

It’s easy to feel delayed when you measure your pace against someone else’s story. But life isn’t a race, it’s a journey with personal lessons, divine timing, and unique breakthroughs. God is not slow concerning His promises, He’s intentional. The season you’re in right now might not be flashy, but it’s sacred. And He’s working: deeply, quietly, intentionally.

So, how do you fix that feeling of being behind?

Start by renewing your mind. Instead of saying “I should be further along,” try “God is still writing my story.” Get into the Word, remind yourself that delay is not denial. Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good; not some things, all.

Next, stay off timelines that steal your peace. Sometimes the best thing you can do is unfollow or mute the noise. Protect your heart. Your joy shouldn’t be shaken by someone else’s progress.

Also, pray intentionally about your restlessness. Don’t just bottle it up, lay it bare before God. He cares about your disappointments, your hopes, your comparison struggles. Invite Him into the tension.

And finally, celebrate your small wins. You may not be where you want to be, but you’re not where you used to be either. There’s beauty in the in-between, even when it’s messy and uncertain.

You’re not falling behind, you’re being refined. Trust the pace God has you on. He makes everything beautiful in its time.

The post You’re Not Late: A Reminder for the One Who Feels Behind appeared first on Queen moremi.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, her story reminds us that “balance for better” is more than just a catch phrase. Damola reminds us that when we balance our faith in God with our human expectations, a beautiful thing happens – God takes the wheel and gives our situation a total makeover, and in the end, we are better for it.

When and how did you first gain an awareness about God?
I was born into a Christian home so I have always been aware of God. As a child, I had the sort of relationship that is expected of a child – I loved Bible club, the Christian videos etc.

My teenage years were a bit of a blur as I suffered a loss that disconnected me from the reality of God. So, I always knew God was there, but if we were going to have a personal relationship, He was going to have to catch my attention big time – I wanted my burning bush experience!

In 2011, I was to undergo a surgical procedure and I said to God, now is your time to show me who you are. I was radical about it, I didn’t know how He was going to do it , but I wasn’t having any surgery. A few months down the line, I travelled to the UK to have the procedeure. Two days before the scheduled surgery date, I had a routine consultation with the doctor where he talked me through the procedure and any questions I had ( my main concern was anaesthesia – what if I didn’t wake up!). Anyway, after the consultation, the Doctor looked at me and said he didn’t think undergoing the procedure was necessary any longer and cancelled. He cancelled the scheduled surgery!

That day was it for me. I was, and still am, in awe of a God that was willing to come down to meet me right where I am. A God that will do whatever it takes to prove Himself to you.

How has your journey with God been since then?
Have you ever heard the phrase “walk with Jesus and you will never walk alone”? This is what it has been for me. It hasn’t been the easiest or smoothest of rides and there have definitely been times that have caused to momentarily question my faith. But as I have continue to strive to grow as a Christian, God has consistently shown Himself to be an amazing father and friend – I have found joy in the midst of pain, stumbled on love in some very dark places and gained the confidence to be myself.

As a Nigerian millennial woman, were you ever influenced by societal pressure to get married by a certain age?
In my teenage years, I had it all worked out – get married at 24 and have 4 kids by 30. This was just what I assumed the natural progression of life was. This didn’t happen. I wasn’t even married by my 30^th birthday.  At about 25/26 most of my friends were getting married and having babies, there was definitely some pressure there but it wasn’t something I let influence me.

You recently got married, congrats! How’s newlywed life treating you?
Thank you! It has been a great journey so far. As I always say “we are learning everyday”

How did you meet your husband?
We met at Church. We were both on the launch team for a youth church and leadership team after inception. One day, he asked me to coffee, I said “sure,” we went to the café… the rest as they say, is history!

In what ways did your faith in God play a role in picking your spouse?
Honestly, I did not always use faith as a guide when choosing the relationships I got into earlier. So, I always say my marital destiny was special to God’s heart because He was constantly uprooting me from the wrong relationships – one day I’m in a relationship, the next it is over. I just knew in my heart that God wanted the best for me and that my husband must be a physical representation of God’s love for me. So I was always glad for His interventions!

One day, I was having a heartfelt sincere tête-à-tête with God about why I seemed to not be making the right decisions about my relationships. And God said to me clearly, that his desire for me was a relationship where we will both complement each other’s ministries –  in God’s actual words “someone who you will do ministry together”. I remember laughing out loud and saying to God, as if the pool of eligible men isn’t small enough, you are adding ministry into it.

From that moment, it became more important to me to be with a man that was not only God fearing (because we all say we are) but someone who had a genuine heart for God, that you could see from his faith, ministry and worship.

You were once engaged years ago but that relationship did not lead to marriage. Can you tell us more about that?
It just didn’t. Marriage has never been the be all or end all for me. We were not right for each other and did not see the future that I wanted with him.

How did you cope in the aftermath of that relationship?
I was actually okay with. During our engagement, I was often filled with fear and apprehension because I knew in my heart that getting married to him was not the right decision for me. So when we did break up I actually felt relieved more than heart broken. Plus, my formula is give yourself a “crying period – and then move on.

How did you find the will and courage to give love a second chance?
I always said that I will never let one person or experience rob me of a lifetime of happiness. I think hidden in me somewhere was a fairy-tale I wasn’t willing to let go of.

In what ways have you evolved as a result of these experiences, and what valuable lessons do you feel you have learned?
The one key thing I have learnt is to be intentional about relationships. Be very clear, mature and reasonable on what it is you want from a partner. Don’t just see as things go, don’t ignore red flags and don’t settle! This applies to all areas of life – be intentional!

What advice would you give to any millennial woman who may be in a relationship but is unsure if their partner is husband material?
What is “husband material” Well, according to whatever your definition is, if you there are things that are making you unsure about a man, leave. Ladies please, we are not talking about petty things but things that you know you cannot come to accept or live with. No one changes in marriage, marriage actually amplifies everything – the good, bad and ugly!

What are some practical ways you would advise newlyweds to involve God in their marriage?

• Let the Bible be your reference point for everything. For me, I have chosen a verse to guide my actions and thoughts. Proverbs 14:1 – The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.
• Pray together, be it the simplest of prayers.
• Have Godly mentors. People that will guide you truthfully and not fail to admonish you when you are wrong.

The post A Healing Miracle, Finding an Amazing Husband & Evolving in Christ: Oyinda Sanwoolu Shares Testimonies of God’s Love appeared first on Queen moremi.

When the Devil Wears a Robe

False prophets don’t show up looking like villains. They come with charisma, deep revelations, and sometimes even miracles but Jesus already warned us about this. Remember Matthew 7:15? “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Translation? They look holy, but their hearts tell a different story.

Social media has only made things trickier. But Stephanie reminds us: God doesn’t call people based on social media engagement. In an era where social media can turn anyone into a “spiritual leader” overnight, the need for discernment is greater than ever. 

How to Spot the Fakes

Pastor Stephanie breaks it down, it’s not about how powerful someone sounds, but about the fruit they produce. Miracles, charisma, and powerful messages don’t always equal a true calling from God. The real question is, do their lives reflect humility, integrity, and a heart for God? 

Another warning sign? Manipulation. Many false teachers prey on desperation, promising breakthroughs, financial miracles, and life-changing prophecies, often in exchange for money. Real prophets lead people to Jesus, not to their bank accounts.

So, How Do you Stay Safe?

The answer is simple but powerful: Know God for yourself. If you’re constantly relying on prophets to hear God’s voice for you, it’s time to strengthen your personal relationship with Him. Read the Word. Pray. Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Stephanie leaves us with this: Real prophets bring people closer to God, not closer to themselves. They don’t just preach; they live out the gospel. So before you fall for the next “anointed” voice, ask yourself—does this person reflect Jesus or just perform for an audience?

At the end of the day, discernment is your best defense. Because while false prophets may rise, the truth will always stand.

Watch the full video by Stephanie Ike Okafor here:

The post Stephanie Ike Okafor Exposes the Truth About False Prophets appeared first on Queen moremi.

The truth is, Christianity and feminism share core values: justice, dignity, and the belief that every person is created in the image of God. Jesus himself uplifted women, breaking cultural norms by engaging them in theological discussions, defending them against unjust treatment, and making them central to His ministry. From the Samaritan woman at the well to Mary Magdalene being the first witness to His resurrection, Jesus constantly affirmed women’s worth.

Being a feminist doesn’t mean rejecting biblical womanhood, it means embracing the full spectrum of who God created you to be. Feminism, at its core, advocates for equal opportunities, respect, and the dismantling of systems that oppress. Christianity, at its core, calls for love, justice, and lifting others up. The two don’t have to be in conflict.

And what about fearlessness? Walking in faith requires courage. Fighting for fairness requires boldness. Standing in your convictions as a Christian woman in a world that often wants to box you in? That takes fearlessness. Whether it’s in the workplace, relationships, or ministry, choosing to live fully, both as a believer and as someone who advocates for women is a bold declaration of faith.

So, can you be all three? Absolutely. Because at the heart of Christianity is love, at the heart of feminism is justice, and at the heart of fearlessness is faith. And if God is for you, who can be against you?

The post Christian, Feminist, and Fearless: Can You Be All Three? appeared first on Queen moremi.

Kofoworola Kayode Adeyemo’s media journey began in childhood, watching Keke and D1 host Kennis Music Africa, a spark that shaped her dreams. Today, she is a media personality, global event compere, PR consultant, and brand storyteller making bold moves in the industry. From hosting events for brands like Mamador, 9ja Sailors, and Horizon Stars Development Foundation to building Lehagbir Africa, a thriving hub for brand communications and influencer marketing, Kofo is steadily leaving her mark. But beyond the glitz, she’s a homebody at heart. On a perfect day, you’ll find her in bed, listening to Stephanie Ike or Olori Boye-Ajayi, and eating pasta. For Kofo, peace, faith, and good food will always be the real flex.   In the corporate world, Tosin Akinbode Osho leads with brilliance and heart. A corporate and technology lawyer, gender policy adviser, and business executive, Tosin wears many hats effortlessly. As the Managing Partner at BVAC Legal and co-founder of the Safe Space Initiative, she is committed to driving positive change and creating safer, more equitable spaces. Her passion for faith and relationships also shines through her book, Walking in Love, God’s Way — a practical guide for dating and love, rooted in biblical wisdom.Adaoha Vivian Njemanze has spent over a decade mastering the art of strategic communications. With deep expertise in media relations, brand strategy, and crisis management, she’s been the go-to consultant for both regional and global brands, delivering impactful results time and time again. As the founder of NOVVA Media & Communications, her leadership has earned her industry recognition, including a spot on the 2024 PR Power List and awards such as PR Agency of the Year by the Africa Choice Awards. But beyond the accolades, Adaoha’s real power lies in her dedication to storytelling that drives change, fosters growth, and uplifts voices.Jennifer Obiuwevbi is a creative force whose work is grounded in faith and intentionality. As the Head Creative at Pen-Shy Media, she knows how to bring ideas to life and craft content that connects and converts. Her role as a Strategy & Event Specialist at HUCE VALERIS allows her to curate experiences that leave lasting impressions. Whether she’s leading digital storytelling at her fellowship, White Harvest, or helping brands tell their stories online, Jennifer’s warmth, vision, and unwavering belief in purpose shine through everything she does.Obianuju Lilian Ikegbune is a Public Relations and Marketing Communications strategist with a passion for storytelling and social impact. She specializes in brand management, reputation management, and building strategic partnerships that drive business growth. As Managing Partner at The Lifestyle Brand Consult Agency, Uju leads creative campaigns that amplify brands. She also sits on the advisory board of Regalo Hope Foundation, supporting community-driven initiatives. Uju is committed to using communication as a tool for positive change. Her work blends strategy, advocacy, and real impact. Loreta Eloho Osigbe knows how to create moments that linger long after the curtain falls. As a consumer experience strategist and film producer, she is the founder of Almare Xperience and Almare Production, leading innovative campaigns for brands like Coca-Cola, La Casera, and Sterling Bank. Loreta’s brilliance extends beyond corporate campaigns; her work in film and music production has given us unforgettable content, including award-winning commercials and videos for artists like Phyno, BNXN, and The Cavemen. She understands how to blend creativity and strategy to deliver experiences that stick.Finally, Satira Osemudiamen is proof that storytelling, when done right, can transform brands and build lasting legacies. As the Principal Consultant of Satira Media and Public Relations Limited, she leverages her experience and creative insight to craft strategies that help African brands thrive. Certified by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), Satira is known for providing solutions that not only protect reputation but also add commercial value. She is one of the brilliant minds shaping how African stories are told and received.These women remind us that success looks different for everyone: sometimes it’s on stage, sometimes behind the scenes, sometimes in boardrooms or quiet acts of service. This Women’s Month, they inspire us to own our stories, stand tall in our purpose, and keep showing up every single day.

The post 7 Nigerian Women Who Are Thriving and Inspiring Us This Women’s Month appeared first on Queen moremi.

The Bible makes it clear that community matters. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, *“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either falls, one can help the other up.”* True sisterhood is about lifting each other, offering encouragement, and being a safe space where vulnerability meets grace.

Friendships aren’t always easy. Personalities clash, seasons shift, and sometimes, wounds from past relationships make us hesitant to trust again. But godly friendships aren’t about perfection, they’re about intention. It’s about choosing to show up, to extend grace, to speak the truth in love, and to build something that lasts beyond life’s ups and downs.

The beauty of godly friendships is that they mirror our relationship with Christ. Jesus calls us His friends (John 15:15), showing us that true love is sacrificial, patient, and rooted in genuine care. When we build friendships the way God intended, we reflect His love to the world.

So, if you’ve been feeling isolated or struggling with friendships, here’s your sign to pray for the right people. Ask God to surround you with women who challenge and uplift you, who pour into you as much as you pour into them. And while you wait for those friendships, be that friend first because the best relationships are built on mutual love, support, and a whole lot of grace.

Sisterhood isn’t just about having people to hang out with, it’s about having a tribe that reminds you who you are in Christ. And that? Well, it’s a gift worth cherishing.

The post Building Godly Friendships: Why Sisterhood Matters appeared first on Queen moremi.

Lola was well known as one of the best publicists and talent managers in the country, who worked with lots of big names in the industry including Tiwa Savage, MI, DJ Cuppy, and many others. 

I “met” Lola back in the day when I used to work at BellaNaija as Assistant Editor and Business Development Manager. I met her via e-mail and phone calls actually. Something about her just really resonated with me even though I had never met her in person. Maybe it was something about her tone. I had spoken to my fair share of talent managers/publicists back in the day and for some reason, a lot of them had a tendency to sound really frantic (due to the nature of their job I guess, they were always under pressure to deliver). Lola always sounded calm, and I found that so interesting. Then of course I researched her and found out she was this really huge deal. 

Anyways, I’d always admired her work from afar. Over time, I noticed she wasn’t as active in the industry as she once was and I wondered why.

So I asked her, and she graciously granted us this interview where she reveals personal details about the road to switching careers in her 30s, following her true calling, how her faith in God changed the trajectory of her life, and much more. 

Hey Lola, where have you been?
Hiya! Hahaha, the question I’ve been getting a lot lately. Physically, I am currently in Los Angeles taking acting classes to perfect my skills and at the same time taking the steps to secure a better future .

For people who may not know who you are, please introduce yourself?
My name is Lola Adamson and I am an actress, a lover of life. A firm believer of first finding yourself (knowing your true identity), then finding your purpose and working your hardest to achieve it.

You used to be a talent manager/publicist in Nigeria at some point. Tell us more about this career path and why you deviated from that?
Oh wow, being a talent manager and publicist was a very interesting part of my life, it helped get me to where I am today. But it wasn’t something I was meant to do forever, and I think I always knew that, but I suppressed the feeling for a long time. I like to think it all happened for the right reasons.

I moved back to Lagos in December 2009 after completing my masters in England (I really don’t like using the word “moved back” because I lived there for just about 2 years, lol).

I decided to go into PR in 2009 and in January 2010 I set up my company. I met M.I in February with the hopes of being his publicist, but he said “No, I want you to be my manager” (I was honestly asking myself back then, “what did I do right and am I manager material?”). Turns out I was perfect manager material, Lol. And that’s how management came into my life.

The next 6 years after that was mainly focused on management and PR (I added tailored event production to my company services in 2017), big and small jobs, A-list clients and underground talents. I enjoyed it, but I always felt incomplete. I always thought there was more I could achieve as a publicist/talent manager but most of the things I tried to work on never seemed to pan out well for me. So as a typical Lagos hustler, I decided to add more to the mix of what I was doing.

I worked with Ndani as the social media manager and events coordinator from 2014-2015, started a blog and moved on to a vlog on YouTube later in 2016. I got a job with RocNation as the General Manager for Africa in 2015 and this brought me back full time into the music industry.

Months after I had stopped managing Cuppy in 2016, I started asking myself series of questions, “what’s really next Lola? Continue managing talents?” and not long after that, my boss from RocNation called to say, “Lola we just signed Tiwa Savage, that’s your next project?” and then I said to myself,  “Well, looks like I’m still managing talents”, Lol.

I loved what I was doing but I wasn’t complete, and I had to feel complete and honestly, I thought feeling complete was doing what I have always wanted to do, be an actress, but I didn’t realize then that that’s not what I needed to fill the void within me, now I do. Only Jesus could fill that emptiness which when I did realize, made me complete and gave me the confidence and strength to go after my dreams.

January 1 2017, I woke up in my cold room in Birmingham and literally said to myself “I AM DONE”.

I had a minor argument with my dad 2 nights before. I started the conversation with “Daddy please, when the time comes, let my siblings do what they really desire to do and let’s just guide them. Remember how you didn’t want me to study theatre arts when I wanted to?” and he responded with “I did what a good father would have done, the industry wasn’t looking hopeful then and I wanted to protect you”.

What I was doing was trying to blame someone else for me not going after my dreams when in true context, I had every opportunity to go after it, I mean I was 33 going on 34, I had stopped asking my father for money years ago before that night (well he actually bought my ticket for the family vacation, let me not lie, Lol), I could have picked it up but I was scared and not confident that I could pull it off.

As much as I loved what I was doing, it always felt like a JOB and that wasn’t what I wanted. I decided to stop management and PR that very day, even before going back to Lagos. I turned down almost every offer that came my way that year. I continued with my vlog which wasn’t paying me and the moment I decided to add event production to my bag of talents, I was approached to handle PR for, and plan the entire 2-day musical showcase for Tolani in 2017. Handling the PR for that job was not so much an issue for me as I used it to explore a skill I had but never really put to good use.

The only client I had left as a talent manager was Tiwa Savage and that was via my contract with RocNation which I couldn’t abruptly end, and I was glad because working with Tiwa motivated me some more as it showed me a different side of her, a side that inspired me so much. Her work ethics. Tiwa does not play when it comes to her career and seeing first hand her passion to do things right and professionally motivated me to keep pushing myself.

How did acting come into the mix?
My dad is an artist and as the only child back then, I would always be with him in the studio, watching him paint, listening to music and dancing together, I had my mini canvas and paint brushes as well, it was perfect.

I grew up wanting to be an actress, a musician and a model (the triple threat, lol) but then I grew up and all that changed, lol. As a child, my dad would always show me magazines with models and actresses and tell me I had to eat right to get good skin, take my education serious so no one could say they made me because only God can make and break anyone.

I have always loved movies and everything involved in the process of making one, it has always fascinated me. The stories in some movies would have me pondering on certain issues for days, I would day dream about being in movies with Julia Roberts and Bimbo Akintola. I was actually in a movie Bimbo Akintola shot in 2017, and that blew me away. She’s such a fun person. It was a minor role, but I was such an excited puppy to be on set, the waiting didn’t even bother me, Lol. One time I had to wait till 4am before they shot my scene and I had been there since 8pm, lol. I would also picture being in movies with Macaulay Culkin, Whoopi Goldberg and a lot more. I still feel that way today. In fact the feeling is stronger and the pictures in my head are more vivid.

In my own weird way, I always held on to the desires of being an actress, but I wasn’t confident enough to chase it. I wasn’t getting the right support and I felt people would end up laughing at me, so I made myself believe there was no point chasing a dream that wouldn’t be a reality for me. A fantasy, that’s what I called it.

Before my decision in 2017, I would tell friends in the film industry I wanted to be an actress and honestly they didn’t take me serious, Lol. They literally thought I was joking and would say things like “Lola stop now, Lola music genius, Lola music guru.” All that didn’t help. Some friends like Seun Ajayi and Kunle Idowu (Frank Donga) gave me good support and pushed me to go after it, this was back in 2015 when we all worked together at Ndani. Seun pushed me to go for an audition which I did but never got called back for, lol. That didn’t make me feel good, I wasn’t confident enough and that made me think there was no point and I wasn’t good enough.

After I made that decision in January 2017, I spent most of that year going for auditions in Lagos, I cannot stress on how hectic that process is. I respect all the actors and actresses who go through this. When next I go for an audition in Lagos, I will be ready, Lol.

I would get asked at these auditions “ahh why are you here, leave this hustle for us now”, “all you have to do is call one of these producers and you will get a role”. My first thought was “do they know me?”As a talent manager I didn’t think I was well known. I couldn’t explain to anyone then how going through that process was important to me, I was ready to do the work, I really was not going to ask for favors, I had said to myself “if this is going to happen for real, I want to earn it.”

Luckily, I was able to book 3 roles that year, 2 of those were speaking extras and I was the happiest I had been in a long time. I got call backs and got roles, God was moving in my life.

Tell us about your ongoing professional acting training?
Ohhhh, it has been such an exciting experience, the main workshop I attend is Truth Be Told Acting Collective coached by Bojesse Christopher. First time I took his workshop was in September 2017 as a test run and I fell in love with his techniques, Meisner repetition and Stanislavski techniques. I knew I would always go back, and I did.

I also went to Identity Drama Acting school (Los Angeles campus) where I learnt some more skills added to what I learn every week at Bojesse’s workshop. There I learnt more about breaking down scripts, movement techniques, voice classes and so much more essentials. It has shown me the extensive work that goes into being a great, talented and skilled actor and that’s what I want to be.

Bojesse’s workshop is also like therapy for me. I started the workshop with a huge wall up, cut off on the inside, almost numb to feelings, stone cold look, it was a huge period of transition for me. But as the great coach he is, he challenged me and pushed me to be more vulnerable and open without holding back, when to suppress and when to let go. It has truly been a blessing and it helps my everyday living. My confidence boosted, I started looking people in the eye and not avoiding contact, when I get in front of a camera or people, I am not in my head thinking of what to say or do, I am there with them.

It’s all been such a life changing experience, I am always looking forward to going to class.

Will you be pursuing acting full time now?
Oh Yesssssss!!!!!

What were your family and friend’s reaction when you told them you wanted to take your acting more seriously?
From my past experience, I have learnt to speak with those who matter, whatever anyone wants to say, they are free to say. Everyone is different, we can’t all agree on the same things or see things the same way, it is humanly impossible. So, I focused on telling those who mattered and who cared, the rest just seem to have stumbled on monologues posted on my Instagram page.

My dad was still a bit worried when I initially told him I decided to drop management and focus on acting full time, I could hear it in his voice but the amazing father he is, he said I will support you in every way I can, I’ve got your back and he has. My dad rates my class performances, points out habits he notices, tells me to be myself and not feel anxious. Then he’ll say, I rate you 45%, do better next time, Lol.

That’s exactly what I want from people, I want you to be honest with me, don’t just gass me up and say “you go girl, you’re killing it”, when you’re thinking to yourself “she blinks too much, she should have paused a bit before responding” or whatever you feel should be worked on, don’t be a yes man or woman with me please. If you can’t be honest, I would respect you more for not saying anything or commenting on my post. I have had a few of those, some friends have DM’d me with their thoughts and areas they felt I could do better, and these are actually people I never thought would reach out, I respect that and always take on their advice.

I remember someone sending me a DM on Instagram last year saying “na wa o, you’re really taking this your acting serious”, my mental response was “no, I’m waiting for you to tell me what to do and how to live my life”, but I just responded with YES! Lol.

My mum is an original Lola cheerleader, lol. My super prayer warrior.

My best friends have been nothing but supportive, Oh My Lord. I am so blessed to have the close friends I have. They have been there, never backing down. My best friends Aj and Aramide send me money all the way from Lagos (isn’t it usually the other way around, Lol). My childhood best friend Grace lives in Manchester and at some point this year, she was sending me a particular amount monthly, like pocket money. She would call panicking, how are you eating, how’s your account, you just paid your fees, you just paid your rent, in-fact I will start sending you this amount monthly, Lol. I truly truly am blessed.

Did anyone ever discourage you from pursuing your acting career?
Not really, at least not boldly saying “don’t do it, you won’t succeed”, I could see it in their faces though and hear it in their voices. They didn’t believe in me, some would laugh, and some would say “okay don’t worry, I’ll let you know”, and of course I never heard from them again. After a while I thought that’s fine, I believe in myself and that’s enough, I am ENOUGH.

When did you first get saved?
First time for me was in 2013, I was slowly hitting depression. I could hear it knocking on my door but GOD!!!! I dodged a bullet, I was saved, I found Jesus, but I just knew Him surface level, I didn’t continuously seek Him when I found a certain peace. I would pray baby Christian prayers, I hadn’t learnt the true meaning of worship (I don’t mean just singing. Worship is our love expressed to God as a response to His grace towards us, and this covers many grounds). I was still doing certain things I shouldn’t have been doing, I was trying to eat my cake and have it, Lol.

How would you describe your relationship with God?
I don’t think there are any existing words to truly describe my relationship with God, I’m sure a lot of people will agree with me on this when it comes to describing their relationship with Him, words are not enough.

God is my everything, we talk everyday without fail. I have grown to love and respect Him more and more. It has not been an easy journey but worth every second and I appreciate it more each day.

I do not want to EVER want to do anything, take a step, make plans, eat, sleep, speak, anything at all, without Him, there’s just no point. He’s the foundation of everything and anything concerning Lola Adamson. And talking about Him just gets me excited, I am all smiles right now.

In what ways did your spiritual life impact the change in your career?
A whole lot! But at the beginning I didn’t realize that it was what was fueling my decision, my drive, my passion. It really was the push.

I was finally positively confident, I was starting to figure myself out and that confidence in me had risen to a point of me finally letting the thought of acting out of the cage I had put it in. The source of my confidence was Christ, it was His grace that was developing and shaping me into the Queen I was created to be. I am constantly working on it, I believe there’s more I haven’t explored yet.

My faith started building up from 2016. By 2017 I was attending church more frequently, praying on my own, going for night vigils and looking forward to it. I had cut a lot of things out of my life, I just wanted more of Jesus (I still do) and because of this, things were slowly shifting in my life. One of my closest friends who helped me a lot from 2016 is Lynxxx. Not a lot of people saw Jesus the way I did, I wanted to be around people who were hungry for His love and presence in their lives and were not ashamed to say it, that was my new cool. I don’t mean just going to church on Sunday people, lol. Some people thought talking deeply about God wasn’t cool and some said your relationship with God should be private, I mean how can you keep Him private? He said go out into the world and tell the people about Him and His promise.

Thankfully, Lynxxx for me was that one perfect friend, he still is and it’s always great when we link up (physically or over the phone), which is often.

As my spiritual life developed, I believed more in myself because I believed in my Savior. If I ever questioned anything in my life, I didn’t have to question the right things, it just felt right and didn’t feel like I was deceiving myself.

Do you ever struggle with self-doubt? If so, how do you handle this?
I did and in a little way I still do, it’s been a long battle but I’m winning now, lol. I didn’t believe people would accept me as an actress, I never should have let that get into my head, but I did. I fed the negative seed of “no one thinks you’re good, no one will accept you”, when I should really have been saying “I am great, I should go for this because this is what I was born to do, it’s not about people, it is about me and I am enough”. I put people’s thoughts and opinions first before mine and that was my first mistake.

As a talent manager I didn’t think I would get to the stage I did, every client was a surprise to me. I actually do not remember going after a client and selling my company and services, I was always approached. Wow look at God. Thing is I may doubt myself a little, but I do not doubt God, and that’s all that matters.

As a Christian, the way I handle it when negative seeds pop up in my thoughts is to first of all surrender it to God. We all know what those thoughts feel like, they don’t feel good and they don’t make you feel good. They make you feel negative about yourself or situation and that is no way to life a full life. Those are not my thoughts, they are not of God and therefore are not welcome.

What I do after is to speak to someone I trust, someone close. I pour out my feelings, I cry if I have to, I let it all out and I have been blessed with amazing people that when I speak negatively about myself, they respond with something positive and speak positivity into my life.

I would advise people to always open up to people close to them, could be a friend, family, Bible study partners, accountability sisters or brothers, people who will bring you back to the positive side. Not people who will feed the self-doubt with fear, doubt and worry. Figure out who is right for you and who isn’t, that helps. I have different people I speak to about different things; my accountability sisters have been a huge blessing in my life. I have never met these women face to face and we have all only been friends for a year, but it feels like forever.

What’s next for Lola?
That’s a great question. I say that because I don’t fully know, Lol.

I know what direction I am headed, what I want to achieve, I know what gets me excited, emotionally happy that I start to cry at just the thought of it. There is no prefect way/route to get there but there’s a perfect Father, God, and His ways and plans for my life are far better than my plans for myself.

There’s no doubt that I am meant to be an actress, I have never believed in it more than I do now. I also do not want to rush and make unnecessary mistakes or decisions along the way, it would be amazing to get called up for a role right now, but there’s a process, I don’t want to start half ready, so I am doing the work now.

I take life as it comes, one day at a time. It’s good to make long term plans but I don’t rely on those plans because we all know how life is, Lol. I rely on God. I have grown to appreciate the NOW, where I currently am because where I am today is connected to where I am going to. It’s no mistake that this is my path, I feel it and I am ready to face the tests and trials because most importantly, I know I am not running this race alone, God is always with me. I do not take it for granted, I pray for contentment and patience a lot because it is so easy to miss my old life of always having money when I needed it, spending how I liked, traveling when I want to, to now when my cash flow is limited. I have literally started a new life chapter, I have started from the bottom again and that’s perfectly okay. I knew there was more in life for me and I am sacrificing what I have to, to achieve it all. There’s a price to pay for everything great, your dreams, desires, passion. The questions are, are you ready to pay for it? How bad do you want it?

What advice would you give African millennial women who desire a career in the arts?
Please go for it. If you feel it deep in your gut, if it keeps you up at night, the slight thought of it makes your heart race and you can see the pictures so clearly in your head then please GO FOR IT.

People say you can do whatever you set your mind to, I didn’t believe it until I started chasing my dreams.

Africa is evolving daily, and our creative industry is one to look out for. We have so many talented people who feel chasing their dreams is a waste of time because their parents or someone said it to them that and they believed it.

Understand that you are who you choose to be, do not live life dependent on what others have to say about you. You have to make your own decisions.

If it seems hard at first, that’s because it is, and you have to work twice as hard if you do not have things easily handed to you. Never give up, do not quit, keep pushing. There will be days where you’ll feel drained and tired and you’ll probably scream and say God why, God when, God do they have two heads. That’s fine, scream, cry, but get back up and keep pushing forward.

Surround yourself with positive people, think positive thoughts. And most importantly, seek God and not just surface level, it has to be continuous and once it becomes a part of you, you will want nothing more than to be in His presence. I am a Jesus baby and it’s pretty hard to not include Him in everything I say and do. I really can’t believe I have become this person, I love it, lol.

Do you think it’s ever too late to pursue your dreams?
It is never ever too late to pursue your dreams. We all wish we started early, we say if we go back in time we would have lived life in our 20’s the smart way but I don’t mind because not everyone was created to start at a certain age. Our destinies are not the same, our paths are all different, they may connect but they are all different.

So, I say do not beat yourself up, it is never too late. What’s important is the journey and to finish right. When you realize you’re not doing what you were created to do, no matter what age, get up and start going after that one thing that brings all the joy to you and doesn’t feel like a job.

As a spiritual person, I’ll say this; This life is never without troubles, sadness, disappointments and tears. However, what distinguishes the people of God is their relationship with God.

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