Helen Paul-Bamisail has been a household name in the
entertainment industry. The Edo State-born comedian, presenter, singer
and actress popularly known as Tatafo doesn't need any introduction.
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) graduate of Theatre Art is counting her
blessing that her baby voice has brought her to limelight with little
or no scandal. In this exclusive interview, the mother-of-one bares her
mind on her journey into entertainment as an all-rounder, and the reason
behind the name Tatafo.
Background
I am from Edo State but born and bred in Lagos.
I attended all my schools in Lagos - primary school to the university. I had my Master's degree and other certificates in Lagos.
The name Tatafo was given to me by a friend called Matthew. Matthew is
someone that is very hilarious. We used to work together at Eko Mix
schools, that's Eko FM.
And most times we sit together and exchange jokes. So, later Matthew
left Eko real mix studios and got a job at Radio Continental as a
producer. He suggested that I could use this Tatafo thing as a good
content on radio. I accepted the idea as longer I would make a living
out of it.
Sincerely, I just enjoy mimicking people and I mimic not just children,
even adults, friends and family. By so doing, I was now able to adopt
the baby voice and ever since I've been using it.
Growing up
Very funny, I had an interesting scenario and a lot of fun.
I grew up in Fadeyi area of Lagos with my great-grandmother, a strong
disciplinarian. Later I started staying with my mum, though she is
playful, but at the same time disciplined. She doesn't need to shout on
you or talk too much, with her blinks alone, you already know what she
means. Her singing also tells you something, so you should know what to
do. I grew up with those things, learning to talk with non-verbal
communication. It was very interesting and that's what made me who I am
today.
Parents
My dad is in Abuja and he is someone who is busy, but my mum is the one I
see every time when I need to pay school fees, eat and when I cry. She
laughs with me when I laugh. She is always there with me. That's why I
am always fond of her as the only child.
Challenges
I don't think I have challenges in my life. I didn't actually know I was
going to shine. So, I'm always enjoying myself, doing what I like to do
best. But I didn't really struggle. I was actually shocked at a point
that I would get this type of attention, audience and love from my fans.
Sincerely, I want to use this opportunity to thank all my fans that
showed me love and made me feel special.
With my fans, I don't think and feel like coming out faking. I would
like to come out real - the way I want to look, talk, dance and jump.
They make me work hard and try to give them new things. So, when we talk
about challenges really, I am just grateful to God because I'm not
always talking about odd moments. If you keep celebrating your past, you
will never move forward.
So, I only look forward.
Marriage
I got married in 2010. I met my husband through my boss, Uncle Paul in
our office then in Eko FM and we were friends. He was first brother. I
used to call him brother, but now I call him by by his name, Femi.
For me, I'm just enjoying myself. Anything I feel like doing, I invest
in it and tell God about it. I am not thinking evil of anyone, I've
never thought of destroying anybody's life nor doing any evil to
someone. So, why should my own have any problem? Things would work for
me except anyone that is sitting down, thinking of evil and not have
time to think of new ideas. I've never thought of all that.
There's no way you will be plain with God that things will not keep
coming to you. Ideas and concepts would be coming, but when you are
there, destroying other people, busy thinking of what you're not meant
to think, of course you will not be able to come out with concepts or
ideas.
Why celebrity marriages crash
No one wants to break up his/her marriage, no one wants to cry.
It can happen because there are no rules on how you can stay in
marriage. If God is helping you, you thank your God. If it is not
working for other people, we have to pray for them that God will help
them locate the best person that would make them happy all their lives.
It's not just in entertainment industry that marriage problem comes. No,
it happens in other industries but just because we are famous, that's
why people keep shouting that actresses, actors, musicians, comedians
and those in the industry don't stay in marriage.
The real fact is that it happens, it's a normal thing that happens in
our society. It happens in the banking sector. It happens to doctors,
lawyers, etc. No one wants marriage break-up, no one wants to pull out
of marriage. Marriage is a good thing, but you know, it's not easy
coming together as husband and wife. That means you're thinking of the
other person.
Scandal
Some people always abuse me too.
Sometimes when I don't have time to make up, they abuse me. They would
say that without make-up I'm not fine. Some people would say I'm a short
woman, but I don't care because it is not about size. If they don't
talk about you, that means you are no more living or relevant.
Programmes
I like it. I feel very cool. I just love camera. When I see camera or
anytime I see microphone in front of me, I'm always excited. Experience
doing her job and at the same time pregnant It was not easy, our body is
different. For me, I'm a sanguine.
It's very funny. Whenever I was pregnant, the child would start blowing
me when I was on duty. I would caution him not to disturb me, that I am
working. I would tell the unborn baby, "You know I've tried by
transporting you down to Nigeria, so you too behave yourself."
I took my drugs when I was meant to take them. It's not easy being a mother.
Advice to youths
I tell them to keep being themselves, live a positive life and don't try
to please anyone. If someone is wearing Brazilian hair, you wear your
three-in-one if you can afford it and carry yourself well. Success is
not the way you look, it is what is inside you.
If you are joyful and happy inside, the sky is your limit or your
beginning. Just keep being yourself and don't let anyone talk down to
you. You don't try and follow what the society wants you to be. Who does
God want you to be? Those are the questions you should be asking
yourself. It is up to you to confess it over and over again to yourself
that you are a great woman of substance, different from other women.
Vision
We thank God for the gift of life. The Bible says, "Write the vision and
make it clear so that men can run along with you." So, this is the
vision you're seeing now. I have a bridal shop, I sell ankara, lace
fabrics and all stuff. I want God to keep giving me concepts; I pray for
more ideas, I pray to get better each year, each time and season. If
you cannot utilise your dreams, someone else would use them to utilize
his/her own.
Crazy experience by a fan
My fans are my friends and my love.
One of the experiences I had was the day a fan slapped me from behind,
out of excitement, but I could not talk. I am sure I cannot take that
again. Such a person would be arrested person.
Treasure
Truth be told, God's mercy. I value His mercy; I pray His grace should not leave me.
Advice by mother concerning sex and men
She told me, "Don't open your laps for men, they are bad". Everybody is
my friend, I said so, but men are bad, simple. And they are very
deceptive. I had it in mind.
So, I fought them, I made them my friends and nothing more than friends.
Not only men that deceive, women deceive too and women's own is worse.
Most times, I'm the one that breaks their hearts, because I have many
male friends. Often, men don't actually see me as a girl they can toast,
rather they see me as a sister. My mind is not dirty, anything that
wants to happen would happen, first through your mind.
So, my mind is plain and their mind too is plain. It is when one is
thinking of evil that evil would come and consume the person. I was a
tomboy, so they didn't see me as a girl, they saw me as a sister.
Uti and me
My husband is jealous of me and my love Uti. He is my love on Jara show,
nobody can take the place of it. Uti is my love, because Uti makes me
get money from Jara. I like Uti very well.
Music album
As I said, every gift of God within me must find expression. I have talent to sing, dance and do comedy.
I have talent to sell things, so I am just enjoying myself. Stage fright
As I said before, be yourself, enjoy what you do and definitely people
would identify with you. Once you are good, people will follow you.
People, who wouldn’t want to follow will sit down, so just be you and
observe your society.
Acting career
I act now. My director and producer, Elvis Chuks invited me one day.
He said I'm funny and should come and act. I demanded my money and he
quickly paid me and I was very happy. When I heard I was going to act
along with Funke Akindele, Mama G and Bishop, I was excited. That
brought out the joy in me. We did it, so we thank God.
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