Comedienne Princess and Helen Paul opens up to
Encomium on life and challenges in the
industry. Read excerpts
Encomium on life and challenges in the
industry. Read excerpts
How is life as a comedienne?
Helen Paul: Life is good, and I am happy about it.
Personally, I am enjoying it.
Personally, I am enjoying it.
Princess: It’s challenging but very rewarding.
What has been the gains?
Helen Paul: To God be the glory. I honestly have
every reason to be thankful. I can’t start mentioning them one by one. All I
can say is that my dreams are coming true and I am still working harder, not
resting on my oars because there are still more to come.
every reason to be thankful. I can’t start mentioning them one by one. All I
can say is that my dreams are coming true and I am still working harder, not
resting on my oars because there are still more to come.
Princess: It gives me satisfaction that I can put
smiles on people’s faces. It is a way of giving back to the society. Comedy has
also helped me give hope to people.
smiles on people’s faces. It is a way of giving back to the society. Comedy has
also helped me give hope to people.
What is your unique selling point?
Helen Paul: Being natural and spontaneous. Almost
all my colleagues are natural and spontaneous too. Let me simply say that being
myself has helped a lot.
all my colleagues are natural and spontaneous too. Let me simply say that being
myself has helped a lot.
Princess: I am a spontaneous person. I do family
friendly jokes.
friendly jokes.
Does being a woman pose any challenge to you as a
comedienne?
comedienne?
Helen Paul: Not really. I would rather say it is
more of a societal thing. In Nigeria, men do things and nobody criticizes them.
But when a lady does same thing, everybody will criticize her. There are many
things that male comedians can say and people will laugh, but when a female
comedian says the same thing, people will call her names. It is not like that
in developed countries. But we are getting there.
more of a societal thing. In Nigeria, men do things and nobody criticizes them.
But when a lady does same thing, everybody will criticize her. There are many
things that male comedians can say and people will laugh, but when a female
comedian says the same thing, people will call her names. It is not like that
in developed countries. But we are getting there.
Princess: No, I do my job effectively. Whether you
are a man or a woman, people will patronize you. If you are good, people will
call you for jobs.
are a man or a woman, people will patronize you. If you are good, people will
call you for jobs.
Has comedy changed your life?
Yes, comedy has changed my life. Like I said, I
wouldn’t want to start counting, but I am certainly not where I used to be
before starting comedy
wouldn’t want to start counting, but I am certainly not where I used to be
before starting comedy
s.