Known as Titi K in the soap, Tinsel, Abiola
Segun-Williams talks about her career and
style
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I was born in Lagos. I have always lived in
Lagos. While I was growing up, my father was
very strict, while my mother was a very soft
woman. Unfortunately, he died in 1995. I am
married to Segun Williams but the name is very
general. I wanted to answer just Segun and
drop the Williams but it occurred to me that my
parent in-laws may feel bad.
Q: What did you study in school?
A: I studied Theatre Arts at the Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Actually, God told
me to go and study drama. What happened
was that I finished secondary school in 1983
and I kept writing JAMB. When I wrote it the
fourth time, I decided that was the last time I
would ever write the exam. I asked God to give
me direction on what to study and He
instructed me to make use of the talent He
gave me. When I heard the instruction, I
decided to apply to study drama.
Q: What was your first performance as an
actor?
A: I was with Chuck Mike, who taught me
directing in school at a time. But he left as I
was entering final year and because of that, I
decided to major in playwriting. I felt Chuck
was the only lecturer who could teach me
directing. Studying playwriting sharpened my
skills in writing. I could see a play from the
perspective of a writer and not just from that
of a director. The movie, ‘Home’ was my first
professional job and it was directed by Chuck
Mike.
Q: How did you meet your husband?
A: I met him in church. He is a brother to my
pastor’s wife. The first day I saw him, he
winked at me and I thought, ‘who is this
mischievous person winking at somebody in the
church?’ I asked who he was and they said he
is the brother to my pastor’s wife. My husband
plays with everybody. He has an amiable
nature and he also loves to worship. He has a
very good conscience.
Q: How long have you been together?
A: I met him in 1992 and we started going out
in 1996.
Q: How many kids do you have?
A: We have two kids.
Q: You have been in the industry for a long
time. How old are you?
A: I am definitely not going to say my age. But
I am few years short of fifty.
Q: Apart from Tinsel, which other movies
have you done?
A: I have done quite a number of movies and I
cannot remember all of them. I did ‘In the
cupboard’ by Desmond Elliot and I got an
award for it. The award was given to me from
the United States America for my role in the
movie. I did ‘I will take my chances’, also
directed by Desmond Elliot and produced by
Emem Isong. I also featured in ‘Damages’ with
Uche Jombo. The latest is a non-English
speaking character I played in a film called,
‘Finding Mercy.’
Q: What determines how you choose your
script?
A: I would definitely not play some roles. I
cannot kiss in a movie. As a Christian, I would
not be unequally yoked. One may say it is a
role in a movie but my mouth is still the one
that is being kissed! In fact, my husband would
kill a man if I should kiss him in a movie.
Moreover, I will never go nude in a movie.
Q: You have been on Tinsel for six years
now. How did you get into the series?
A: Some friends informed me about an
audition which I attended. When I got there, I
met a mammoth crowd of young people
pushing themselves around. I could not wait. I
went home and called my friend Austin. I told
him I could not wait for the audition. My friend
talked to somebody and I was given another
day to come for the audition. They gave me
the character I auditioned for.
Q: How has it been since then?
A: It has been fantastic. I have enjoyed playing
the character of Titi tremendously and I thank
God for my experience on Tinsel.
Q: How do you relate to your character in
the series?
A: Titi is just a stupid person. I can never be
like that. Number one, I don’t like social
gatherings. I don’t attend parties and if I do, I
will always go late in order to leave
immediately. Titi likes to associate herself with
socialites. I don’t even know people who are
socialites in Nigeria. I am always in my house
when I am not working.
Q: Was it challenging playing the character?
A: No. Titi was not challenging for me. There
are people like her all over the world. There
was a time I was in Punch as a reporter and I
went to interview one actress. She had a very
high estimation of herself and it showed
through her speeches. In order to play Titi, I
remembered her.
Q: How do people react when they see you?
A: They meet me either at the shopping mall or
at the market. When they see me, they see
the real Abiola. A lot of times, I don’t wear
make-up. I am always simply dressed with my
pumps. When they see me, they become
confused. They would not recognise me as Titi
but would comment instead, that I look like
her. I am smaller and I look younger in real
life than I do on television. But the character,
Titi, helps me when there is a long queue
somewhere. People would naturally make
space for me.
Q: How do you keep yourself looking so
trim?
A: I have always been slim. I have not been
able to get around to exercising but I know
that I need to exercise to be fit. When one gets
to a certain age, one needs to keep fit. My
husband does not want me to exercise. He
exercises for both of us because he is on the
big side. But I always watch what I eat and I
have been doing that since I started having
children.
Q: What do you do at leisure?
A: Leisure for me is sleeping. I don’t have a lot
of friends. I don’t encourage people to come
and visit me because I don’t know how to host
people.
Q: What turns you off about people?
A: I don’t like it when people are dishonest.
Q: Have you had sad moments?
A: As a young person, I did not know anything
called sadness. The first time I would lose
anybody close to me was when my father died.
My heart wrenched then and only God consoled
me. Then, when Pastor Bimbo Odukoya died, I
was below depression. She was my sister in-law
and I worked closely with her. I loved her a lot.
Everybody in the church loved her. She was a
rare woman.
Q: What does style mean to you?
A: Style is confidence. I had a friend who had a
few clothes but she wore them with such
confidence that people who had more clothes
felt small beside her. Basically, that is style. My
mom also taught me that whatever I wear, I
must have confidence.
Q: What would you never wear?
A: I would never wear micro mini. I would
never wear clothes that show my cleavage. I
feel it removes from your femininity if your are
showing all that to men.

nowadays ...

how did God directed u of what next to do?

I cannot kiss in a movie. As a Christian, I would
not be unequally yoked. One may say it is a
role in a movie but my mouth is still the one
that is being kissed! In fact, my husband
would
kill a man if I should kiss him in a movie.

eunisam: how did God directed u of what next to do?

you can google search for the answer

Monstertrucks: nowadays ...

Sure nowadays! but this only suggests to us that,we still have people (ladies) with integrity and decency.

I like this woman. I really do. She is one of the few actresses I respect.

OP, can we at least get a picture?

Didn't read but the only silly thing about putting on a mini skirt is trying to pull it down all the freaken time. Like seriously, it aint coming down!

What is the difference?

Intereting principle, quite audacious. A preacher once said actors and actresses should use their talents with eternity in view.

morett: Intereting principle, quite audacious. A preacher once said actors and actresses should use their talents with eternity in view.

sure of course

Q: What did you study in school?
A: I studied Theatre Arts at the
Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Actually,
God told
me to go and study drama.

No theatre arts in Obafemi Awolowo University. Cooked story