By Enimiem Etomi for NEXT – Kemi got her first taste of the media industry as a little girl accompanying her father, Dele Adetiba, to radio and television stations. “He used to be an on-air personality himself and then he joined Lintas, the advertising company, and I was privileged to be behind-the scenes when some commercials were being shot. Actually I did some commercials myself as well.” “I started my career relatively early, I think when I was about 21 years old, and I’ve been in the industry ever since. I joke with people that I feel like a veteran already.” Hers is a story of luck, chance, opportunity and fate.
Her CV boasts a slew of radio and TV jobs where she acquired valuable experience which has attributed to her success. From her start as a radio anchor on Silverbird’s Rhythm 93.7, Kemi transitioned to television, eventually securing a gig as a presenter on M-NET’s Studio 53, a move which catapulted her squarely into the spotlight. “Every single person, opportunity and place of work has helped me along my career, whether good or bad.
Everything is a journey and you never learn anything if you stay static in a position or if everything goes exactly the way you want it. I can confidently say I am who I am today because of everyone that has given me an opportunity along the way.”
Asked if she always had a flair for presenting, Kemi responded, “I still feel I don’t. It takes a lot of mental preparation before I go on stage or before the camera is turned on. I still suffer from anxiety before I’m about to go on stage or when a director is counting down for an on-camera performance. The difference now is, I have discovered over the years, exercises that turn the anxiety or nervousness into adrenaline.”
Pushing the boundaries
While currently living in New York, Kemi shuttles between the Big Apple and Lagos frequently. “I was in Nigeria four times last year for work. It’s looking like I might be spending more time this year at home, or even moving back altogether. I just have to see what God has planned. Right now, I’m focused more on the production side of things. I direct and produce more these days, although there are a couple of projects coming up soon that’ll put me back in front of the camera.”
The global media industry is competitive, still Kemi has pursued her dreams relentlessly. Moving seamlessly from radio to TV, and now to film, she has been able to diversify her skills within the industry and isn’t stopping anytime soon.
“I think it’s just a natural progression.
I’m a restless person, highly ambitious, and I hunger to learn more. You tend to get the ‘side-eye’ though, because you are a woman and have no formal training. Well, I couldn’t do anything to change the former, but I ‘heck-sure’ could do something to change the latter. So I picked up my junk and went back to school.” She headed to the New York Film Academy and studied Film-making/Production.
“A lot of people thought I was crazy for leaving at the supposed height of my career, but I went through it, graduated, and I’m now better for it. I’m actually gearing up to do a more concentrated course in cinematography. I want to stand anywhere, open my mouth, and know what I’m talking about – at least within my industry.”
