She is sassy and has an exceptional look!! Beautiful actress, model, entrepreneur and 2018 AMVCA winner Lilian Afegbai has sure registered her presence in the entertainment industry having featured in MNet series, Tinsel, done TV commercial for Diamond amongst others. Taking a step further, Lilian recently launched her lingerie line ‘Lily’s Secret’ in the bid to make every woman feel sexy irrespective of their shapes and sizes. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, she talks about her new found business, choice of man, tackling social media bullies amongst others.
Last year, the dress you wore to Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) got the internet agog; what was your reaction when the negative comments starting coming in?
Well my reaction to it, I handle negativity perfectly but am not saying that I do not care about it but at the end what matters most is myself.
As a matter of fact that night, I looked very sexy and very hot nothing else at all mattered.
If they do not talk about you then something is wrong. I have no issues with those who write negative things about me.
It’s funny that when my friends calls my attention to the story online; all that matter to me is whether it is written along the story that I won an AMVCA award.
What has it been like in your social circle after winning the AMVCA award?
Not spectacular but rather it made me push for more. The movie I won that AMVCA award for was a challenging movie. It almost led me to depression. It made me to keep pushing.
It made me realize that people are watching. It brought about the idea of Lily’s secret. If you work hard it will happen. You cannot cheat God. I feel that this is going to be a success.
How then do you tackle social media bullies?
For me I have learnt never react to everything and anything I read about myself on social media; most times I see them and I just pretend not to because I don’t believe in negative vibes.
I like when my works are been criticized constructively; I detest bullies and remember most of these bullies are just social media attention seekers.
Despite the challenges in putting out your first work as a producer; are you still determined to do more?
Yes definitely, I just finished my second production in December titled ‘Double Strings’ and starred great talents like Annie Idibia and other popular actor; so I keep pushing and doing more.
What is Lilly’s secret all about?
Lilian Afegbai It’s a lingerie line that caters for everything that makes a woman confident; one unique thing about my line is the fact that it caters for all woman figures from skinny to plus sizes because I realize in my research that most times the plus sized are usually neglected and the fact you are on the big side does not make you less human.
In all everything that makes a woman sexy is all that I cater for.
Why now when the female panties are going through lots of challenge in Nigeria; from stealing and ritual purposes?
To be honest, I will always say that the circle you surround yourself matters a lot because I don’t see myself falling a victim of such; I know it’s currently happening but I don’t believe they pick any kind of panties.
I believe when the panties are sexy and pretty it does not match up with their target rather I believe they go for the dirty and ugly looking panties.
What is the texture feel of your brand?
I deal in all kinds of textures because some women like theirs silky while others go for the lacy ones; there are varieties and that is one factor that distinguishes us from others.
Is strictly owned by you or a franchise?
It’s solely my personal business although productions are made in Turkey but in future I look forward to making my production process to Nigeria but certain factors are hindering that for now but my team and I are currently working on something because I believe we have better people here than all over the world.
Knowing that you have a huge fan base that cuts across both gender; don’t you think you are limiting your brand to just a section?
To be honest, bear in mind that in Lagos we have brands like ‘Still Broke’ that is strictly for men underwear’s but we don’t have such on the female side just like we have Victoria Secret and all that.
For me I don’t think the men are lacking because it’s just their boxers but we woman we have lot of luxuries to us that is why we want to look sexy at all time.
Mind you my brand is just about pants and Bras alone; we make you look sexy for your husband, boyfriends amongst others.
Aside acting what other things are you into?
Aside acting and because I like money, I’m into real estate, I sell chandeliers, so I do other things that bring the money and that has been helpful and what makes me to be able to produce a movie and star a big name like Rita Dominic;
but if you look at my acting, I haven’t gotten to the stage where I will be paid lots of money so how do you balance business and passion? I do things I love, I make money from it and I love it.
What is your choice of men?
My choice of man, I just look out for a God fearing man, someone who is hardworking and don’t forget that being rich and hardworking is different.
Have you ever been heartbroken?
Yes, back in University.
Have you ever had any reason to doubt yourself?
I had a challenge with my boobs; I thought it was too small. I thought of having a breast enlargement. But now, I love how I look. I have conquered that part of me.
