There are certain things that only fans of Ireti Doyle can fully relate to, the latest of which includes the way our hearts thrilled to hear her say, “I’m not about to let the Cokers poison my guests” and later watch her raise her eyebrows at the wedding planner who was naïve enough to suggest the Onwukas and the Cokers dance in together. How we’ve watched the trailer of The Wedding Party over and over and cannot wait for the movie to be released already!
Ireti Doyle, who turns 50 next year, is pure class, and she is also a director’s delight; her interpretation of her roles is always superb. Hardworking, beautiful and intelligent, with two decades of TV and film experience under her belt, it is not surprising that she is admired and respected by many. Here are just 10 memories that make her fans smile, sigh and chuckle:
1. The early 90s when we first saw her in movies and TV shows like Dilemma (with Enebeli Elebuwa) and Riddles and Hope. We had no idea she would become such a force!
2. When she became Patrick Doyle’s wife in 2000 and went from mother of one to mother of five, and then six…
3. Back when she played the mistress, Caro, in Fuji House of Commotion. Ah, entertainment for days in that house!
4. Those days when she used to write a lot — scripts for Amaka Igwe and Patrick Doyle, and her column in ThisDay’s Gliterrati section, The Chat Room.
5. When she used to produce and present her fashion and style show, Oge, which later birthed the one-of-a-kind pageant, Sisi Oge.
6. When she put heart and soul into the stage play, The Vagina Monologues, with other beloved actresses including Joke Silva and Bimbo Akintola.
7. When she had us gripping the edges of our seats with her incredibly convincing, unequivocally brilliant performance in the psychological thriller, Torn. We believed her o, ahn!
8. When she won Best Female Lead in a Movie at the 2014 Nollywood Movie Awards (NMA). No one was more deserving, please!
9. When she was an absolutely radiant mother of the bride — in real life, that is. Her daughter Bimbo got married in 2014, and Ireti’s colleagues from Tinsel “turned up” to rejoice with her, including Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett, Victor Olaitan and Linda Ejiofor amongst many others, while us fans fawned over pictures and wished the lovely couple a happy and fruitful marriage.
10. When she absolutely dazzled as Elizabeth in the movie Fifty. Many reviewers have judged her performance the most believable of the four. Maybe it had something to do with her being closest to that age. Or maybe she’s just skilled like that.
We can’t wait to see The Wedding Party, and we’re even more excited about what else Ireti Doyle is working on. Will she write her own movie? A book? Or maybe produce and host another TV show? We’ll know soon enough; may our Creator keep us all alive and well.
You might also like:
- Women You Should Know: Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola
- Women You Should Know: Morenike Fajemisin
- Women You Should Know: Ayodeji Megbope
- Nigeria’s First female UK Military Academy Grad Vows to Inspire
