TikTokNigerian sensation taking the entertainment world by storm
Meet Eso Dike, a Nigerian powerhouse, conquering stages and screens with charisma, music, and captivating roles, setting the entertainment world ablaze!
What is your favourite TikTok you have made to date and why?
My favourite TikTok is the one I captioned: 'When your toxic ex is the DJ at your best friend's wedding.' I found it on the Explore page, where the DJ rapidly flipped through songs, making it funny. I was filming a wedding scene when I saw it, and it immediately gave me the idea to recreate it.
How has being a part of the TikTok community specifically helped you share your talent with global audiences?
TikTok communities have been instrumental in helping me share my talent with a global audience. I can't emphasise this enough because TikTok connects people from various backgrounds and regions worldwide. It offers a diverse range of methods to share stories, and it's a fantastic platform to showcase my talents to a broad and varied audience. Additionally, TikTok has effectively increased visibility and user engagement, allowing me to reach even more people and connect with them on a deeper level.
Are there any Nollywood films or actors who have had a significant influence on your content or style? If so, who and how?
Regarding my content and style on TikTok, I admire Maurice_sam. He's a personal friend, and I appreciate how he has brought his unique style to TikTok. I admire the randomness of his posts and his consistency in posting regularly.
What challenges have you encountered as a Nollywood actor, and how have you overcome them?
I've faced several challenges, to be completely honest with you. One of the significant challenges was the pursuit of acceptance. In Nollywood, where we have many new actors and established figures, breaking into a particular circle requires recognition from industry insiders and decision-makers. It's an ongoing challenge, but through hard work, consistency, and a dash of luck, I've made significant strides in overcoming it.
Another challenge I encountered, particularly at the outset of my career, was financial. The path in Nollywood wasn't initially financially rewarding, and it took me over six years of persistent effort and other income sources to stabilise my finances. In those early days, much of the work was unpaid, geared towards building a public presence. While challenging, I knew it was a stepping stone toward my goals. Instead of letting it deter me, I diversified my income sources.
The mental aspect was another formidable challenge. Waiting for that breakthrough and wondering when my time would come was mentally taxing. But I always had hope. I believed in God's timing and remained prayerful and optimistic, which helped me persevere.
Additionally, I was fortunate in making decisions regarding specific projects. Predicting which projects would gain traction or go viral is impossible, but I was fortunate that some of my choices were highly successful. Luck played a role in my journey as well.
In summary, I attribute my ability to overcome these challenges to hard work, enduring perseverance, unwavering hope, and a bit of luck. I remained prayerful and optimistic, and with time, everything started falling into place. A combination of factors and determination led me to where I am today.
What advice would you offer aspiring producers and actors/actresses just starting their careers in acting and content producing?
Consistency is the golden advice, especially regarding content creation and acting. You've got to keep at it, even when things may not seem at their best. Just keep going, and eventually, you'll see progress. It might not happen as quickly as you initially hoped, but trust me, it will come. That's my advice for those venturing into content production and acting. Stay consistent, and you'll see your dreams manifest.
