Olajumoke Orisaguna

Last updated

Olajumoke Orisaguna
Born1989
Ire, Osun state, Nigeria
Nationality Nigerian
Other namesOmo Oni Bread
Nigerian Cinderella
Occupation(s)Model
Radio presenter
Bread hawker (formerly)
PartnerSunday Orisaguna
Children2

Olajumoke Orisaguna (born 1989) is a Nigerian model and radio personality who first gained public attention after she accidentally photobombed a photo shoot with British rapper Tinie Tempah while hawking bread on the streets of Lagos. The resulting photo catapulted her into the spotlight, leading to significant modelling and reality television opportunities. Her inspiring "grass-to-grace" journey garnered widespread media attention, including features by CNN and BBC Africa, and she has been celebrated as a role model. [1] [2] [3] In 2024, after a five-year hiatus, Orisaguna reappeared in the media to reveal domestic violence and exploitation had derailed her once-thriving career. [4]

Contents

Early life

Orisaguna was born in 1989, raised in Ire, Osun State, and trained as a hairdresser. Her relationship with Sunday Orisaguna, an artisan by trade, produced two daughters, but his family's hostility – in addition to Sunday's physical abuse – fueled tension in their home. Following an altercation with Sunday's sister, Olajumoke decided to leave the relationship and move to Lagos [5] where she made a living hawking bread. [6] [7]

Modelling

In 2016, whilst selling bread on Olonode Street in Yaba, Lagos, Orisaguna was captured in the background of a photo shoot with Tinie Tempah taken by celebrity photographer TY Bello. [8] Upon reviewing the images, Bello noticed Orisaguna's striking features and agreed she possessed modelling potential. [8] After posting the photograph on Instagram to rave reviews from the public, she scouted Orisaguna and offered to help launch her career. Bello subsequently arranged for Orisaguna's portrait to appear on Style magazine's cover, with plans for a documentary about her remarkable journey. [8]

Despite her limited education and minimal English proficiency (She is fluent in Yoruba), Orisaguna signed a contract with Few Model Management. [9] She was offered a scholarship by Sujimoto Group to attend Poise Nigeria, a Lekki-based finishing school to study Etiquette, Soft Skills, Social Graces, English, and Communication. This was to ensure that Olajumoke was well-prepared after the media attention subsided. [10] Sujimoto also provided Orisaguna five-year accommodation in a fully-furnished Surulere apartment, and her children were offered tuition up to university level, helping to secure their future. [11] [9]

Olajumoke Orisaguna was given a joint scholarship initiated by Sujimoto Group and co-sponsored by Sujimoto Group and Poise Nigeria. She is learning taught Etiquette, Social Graces and grooming over a period of 1 year OlajumokegoestoPoise.jpg
Olajumoke Orisaguna was given a joint scholarship initiated by Sujimoto Group and co-sponsored by Sujimoto Group and Poise Nigeria. She is learning taught Etiquette, Social Graces and grooming over a period of 1 year

During her tenure as a model, Orisaguna landed brand deals with various companies including clothes store PayPorté, [13] bakeries Shirley's Bread [14] and Zenith Bakery [15] designer Layo G, [16] and womenswear brand Salmah Guzel. [17] She also appeared on the cover of Above . She also walked the runway at Soweto Fashion Week where she signed a new deal with Ruutos Hair. [18]

Controversy

In a February 2018 YouTube video titled Olajumoke Sauce 7: Trends and Acceptance, Orisaguna expressed shock over the existence of gay people and their right to marry. She described homosexuality as "un-Nigerian," stating, "I know that there is no Nigerian that was born as a gay or lesbian." [19] [20] Orisaguna also revealed that she struggled to sleep after learning through Facebook that some gay individuals intended to marry. Her remarks included a troubling statement that LGBT individuals "will be dealt with in ways you can’t imagine," which many interpreted as a veiled threat. These comments were particularly controversial given the significant presence of LGBT individuals in the fashion industry. [20] In response to Orisaguna's remarks, Nigerian transgender model Veso Golden Oke posted a video criticising her statements and urged her to educate herself about the LGBT community, calling for greater understanding and highlighted the importance of awareness regarding diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. [21] [22] [23]

In 2019, Orisaguna's partner, Sunday, who had relocated to Lagos to reside with her, accused her of disrespecting him since rising to fame. Sunday also alleged that, despite expressing his intentions to marry her to her mother, Orisaguna had declined to formalise their relationship, stating that the time was not yet right. [24] Orisaguna addressed the allegations in an interview with The Punch , asserting that their relationship remained intact. She added that only God could judge between her and her husband regarding the claims he had been making in his interviews about her. [25]

Comeback

In 2024, after a five-year hiatus, Orisaguna spoke to radio host Ibukun 'Bybisasa' Adesoye on City FM and revealed that she was never legally married to her now ex-partner, and his jealousy contributed to further domestic violence which she endured in silence and kept hidden from her mentor Bello. [26] Her limited formal education had prevented her from reading contracts her new manager offered, resulting in significant losses. Orisaguna has expressed her willingness to acquire an education (She was unable to complete her English and etiquette classes due to commuter challenges), and is currently reinventing herself as a radio presenter with the City FM talk show Kilon Shele. [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coming out</span> Process of revealing ones sexual orientation or other attributes

Coming out of the closet, often shortened to coming out, is a metaphor used to describe LGBTQ people's self-disclosure of their sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender identity.

The Log Cabin Republicans (LCR) is an organization affiliated with the Republican Party which works to educate the LGBT+ community and Republicans about each other.

Salawa Abeni Alidu is a Nigerian singer. An Ijebu Yoruba from Ijebu Waterside, in Ogun State, she began her professional career in waka music when she released her debut album titled, Late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, in 1976, on Leader Records. It became the first recording by a female artist in Yoruba Songs to sell over a million copies in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Nigeria</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Nigeria face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. LGBT rights are generally infringed upon; both male and female expressions of homosexuality are illegal in Nigeria and punishable by up to 14 years of prison in the conventional court system. There is no legal protection for LGBT rights in Nigeria—a largely conservative country of more than 230 million people, split between a mainly Muslim north and a mainly Christian south. Very few LGBT persons are open about their sexual orientation, as violence against them is frequent. According to PinkNews, Nigerian authorities generally target the LGBT community. Many LGBT Nigerians are fleeing to countries with progressive law to seek protection.

The ordination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBT) clergy who are open about their sexuality or gender identity; are sexually active if lesbian, gay, or bisexual; or are in committed same-sex relationships is a debated practice within some contemporary Christian denominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tinie Tempah</span> British rapper and singer

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu, better known by his stage name Tinie, is a British rapper and singer. He has been signed to Parlophone since 2009, now a subsidiary of Warner Music Group. He created his own entertainment company Disturbing London in 2006, along with his cousin Dumi Oburota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R.I.P. (Rita Ora song)</span> 2012 single by Rita Ora featuring Tinie Tempah

"R.I.P." is a song by English singer Rita Ora featuring British rapper Tinie Tempah from her debut studio album, Ora (2012). The song was written by Aubrey Graham (Drake), F. Samadzada, Mikkel Eriksen, Nneka Egbuna, Renee Wisdom, Saul Milton, Tinie Tempah, Tor Erik Hermansen and William Kennard, and produced by Chase & Status and Stargate. It was released as the second single from the album for digital download and streaming by Columbia and Roc Nation in various countries on 6 May 2012. Sampling Chase & Status' remix of Nneka's "Heartbeat" (2008), it is a dubstep and pop song, incorporating R&B, rave and rock elements. Its lyrics are an ode to a lost love and the process to overcome that situation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olajumoke Adenowo</span> Nigerian architect and author

Olajumoke Olufunmilola Adenowo is a Nigerian architect. She started her own architecture and interior design firm, AD Consulting, in 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TY Bello</span> Nigerian photographer and singer

Toyin Sokefun-Bello, who is better known as TY Bello, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, photographer and philanthropist. Prior to pursuing a solo career, she was a member of the now defunct gospel band Kush. Bello is currently a member of the Nigerian photography collective, Depth of Field. She has released the albums Greenland (2008), The Future (2011), The Morning Songbook (2014), Africa Awake (2021), We Are Fire (2022), Heaven Has Come (2023) and The Spirit of Light (2024).

Carol King is a Nigerian actress, thespian and presenter best known for her role as "Jumoke" in the TV series Everyday People. Known for her "motherly role" in TV dramas, Carol has featured in several soap operas and movies including The Gods Are Still Not To Blame and Dazzling Mirage, a 2014 drama film directed by Tunde Kelani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jumoke Oduwole</span> Nigerian jurist and academic

Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole is a Nigerian Jurist, an academician and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. She was the Prince Claus Chair holder from 2013 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobrisky</span> Nigerian transgender woman (born 1991)

Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, predominantly known as Bobrisky, is a Nigerian social media personality. She is a transgender woman. Bobrisky is also known for her presence on the social media apps Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram. She went viral on TikTok for creating the "bobrisky" dance in 2021.

Unoma Azuah is a Nigerian writer, author, and activist whose research and activism focus on LGBT writing in Nigerian literature. She has published three books, two of which have won international awards. She focuses on issues relating to queer Nigerians, such as in Blessed Body: Secret Lives of LGBT Nigerians (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelechi Amadi-Obi</span> Nigerian artist

Kelechi Amadi-Obi is a Nigerian creative photographer, painter, artist and the publisher of Mania Magazine. His work in photography and visual art has earned him international renown featuring in many international exhibitions including Snap Judgment: New Position in contemporary African Photography, International center of photography New York (2006). He has been described as one of Nigeria's groundbreaking celebrity photographers who has "helped put Nigerian photography on the world map". Vogue calls him "a major force in the creative scene in Nigeria".

Olajumoke Odetola is a Nigerian actress and film producer. She started off her Nollywood career in the English-language cinema, before acting in several Yoruba-language films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of LGBTQ history, 21st century</span>

The following is a timeline of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) history in the 21st century.

Noni Salma is a Nigerian transgender film-maker and screenwriter whose growing up experiences in Lagos, Nigeria has inspired her storytelling. Her works are largely Women and Queer led dramas and comedies. She centers them in her writing in ways that are fresh, inspiring and kicking. Her slice-of-life feature drama screenplay, Raison D'etre is a ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship 2021 Finalist and her comedy pilot, Badass is a ScreenCraft Comedy Competition 2021 semifinalist and on the GLAAD list 2022.

Jay Boogie is a Nigerian transgender fashion enthusiast, brand influencer and social media personality who founded JaySecrets. She became famous on Instagram in her early twenties, with her gender transition gaining attention from Nigerians on social media platforms. Boogie has been listed among the top ten crossdressers in Nigeria alongside Bobrisky and James Brown.

Veso Golden Oke is a Nigerian trans rights activist, model, make-up artist and hairstylist. In 2019, she became the first openly transgender woman to compete in a beauty pageant in Africa.

References

  1. ↑ Over flogging The Nigerian Dream: Olajumoke Orisaguna, 25 February 2016, NGRGuardian, Retrieved 25 February 2016
  2. ↑ From bread seller to top model: How a photobomb created a star, Stephani Bugari, 12 February 2016, CNN, Retrieved 25 April 2016
  3. ↑ "Olajumoke: 'Tinie Tempah photobomb transformed my life'". BBC News. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  4. ↑ Olajumoke Orisaguna: Another chance for former Oni buredi
  5. ↑ How my husband assaulted me, ruined my career – Olajumoke Onibread
  6. ↑ Victor Oluwasegun (15 March 2016). "Baker's honour for bread hawker". The Nation. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "What's Next for Bread Seller turned Covergirl Olajumoke Orisaguna?". BellaNaija.com. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 A woman selling bread got a modelling contract by accidentally photobombing Tinie Tempah, 11 February 2016, Scott, Metro, Retrieved 25 February 2016
  9. 1 2 From bread seller to top model: How a photobomb created a star, 12 February 2016, CNN, Retrieved 25 February 2016
  10. ↑ "Naijamighty | Nigeria No. 1 Online Portal". Naijamighty | Nigeria No. 1 Online Portal. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  11. ↑ Real reason behind Sujimoto’s gesture to Olajumoke Orisaguna
  12. ↑ "%23OlajumokeGoesToPoise - Twitter Search". twitter.com. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ From Bread Hawker to Ambassador
  15. ↑ BREAD SELLER-TURNED-MODEL, OLAJUMOKE ORISAGUNA IN FINANCIAL, RELATIONSHIP IMBALANCE
  16. ↑ Rising model stuns in Layo. G lookbook sneak peek
  17. ↑ Emerging model fronts fashion brand, Salmah Guzel collection
  18. ↑ [Ruutos Hair https://thenationonlineng.net/olajumoke-signs-deal-with-firm/ Olajumoke Signs Deal With Firm]
  19. ↑ (21 February 2018). 'Olajumoke Sauce 7: Trends and Acceptance featuring Actor Yemi Blaq'. YouTube .
  20. 1 2 "Anti-gay threats from Nigerian bread-seller turned model". Nigeria: NoStrings. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 14 June 2019.
  21. ↑ 'Nigerian transgender model Veso Golden Oke calls out Olajumoke Orisaguna for anti-gay threats'. NoStrings. (Nigeria).
  22. ↑ 'Veso Golden Oke'. 76Crimes.
  23. ↑ (12 April 2018). 'Transgender Veso Golden Oke blasts Olajumoke Orisaguna for her attack on Nigerian gays!'. YouTube . (Nigeria)
  24. ↑ 'Jumoke's baby daddy puts her on blast'. NoStrings. (Nigeria).
  25. ↑ 'God will judge between my husband and me –Olajumoke Orisaguna'. NoStrings. (Nigeria)
  26. ↑ Olajumoke, former viral bread seller, makes comeback as radio presenter
  27. ↑ Olajumoke, former viral bread seller, makes comeback as radio presenter
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.