For our July 2024 Cover, we have the pleasure of chatting with Elozonam, a multi-talented artist who has made significant waves in both the music and acting industries. From his early days of tinkering with animation and music production software to his rise to fame on Big Brother Naija and beyond, Elozonam has continually pushed the boundaries of creativity and performance. His journey is a testament to the power of passion and persistence, and his diverse talents have captivated audiences across various platforms. In this interview, we delve into Elozonam’s inspiring journey, the influences that have shaped his career, and his exciting new projects. Join us as we explore the world of Elozonam and gain insights into his dynamic career in the entertainment industry.
Elozonam, can you tell us a bit about your journey into acting and music? How did it all begin for you?
My creative journey started when I was a teenager. My parents, especially my dad, bought us a computer. Back then, we were using Windows 95, and that’s how we started tinkering around with software—animation software, music production software—as far back as when we were 14 years old. That’s how it all started; we began by making beats. It was a hobby that stuck with me from then until now. I didn’t know that at some point the world was going to change to the point where these things were really relevant and contributed a lot to society.
That’s how I started with music. For my acting, I began creating content on social media as far back as 2017. During that period, I got called for some gigs: Ndani TV’s “Rumor Has It” and “Money, Men, and Marriage” by Ted Abuse. From then on, I started acting properly and got a few other gigs. That’s how I really started acting. It all began with the content I was making; I was trying to show the world that I had talent in acting so I could bypass the audition processes because I don’t like auditions as much as the next person. So, I wanted people to see what I could do, and then I started shooting content on my socials.
Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your career so far?
In terms of music, Pharrell Williams has been my biggest inspiration for a long time. Michael Jackson, Timbaland, and Chris Brown have also been particularly instrumental in how I create music. In terms of acting, I would talk about the directors more than the actors because I like Steven Spielberg, the Russo brothers, and Guy Ritchie. Guy Ritchie is one of my favorites because some of his work is very expressive and creative, different from the typical Hollywood template. These are my inspirations. I also like Tom Cruise; he does his own stunts, is a fantastic actor, and his movies keep me on the edge of my seat. However, I don’t think he has inspired my acting. Behind the camera, I would say the Russo brothers, Steven Spielberg, and Guy Ritchie.
How did participating in Big Brother Naija Season 4 impact your life and career?
Participating in BBN helped me gain a larger audience because the issue I was having was that my content was so niche that growth was very slow and took a lot of time. I went to BBN as a way to help my overall grand plan. BBN was Plan B to help Plan A, and it did just that; it brought me a wider audience and continues to do so.
Elozonam wearing JeffUrban (IInstagram – @jeffurbanclothing). Shot by Thomas Felix (Instagram – @thomfelix_concept)
Are there any particular lessons or experiences from the Big Brother house that have influenced your work in the entertainment industry?
I don’t know if there are any particular lessons that BBN taught me that helped with my journey through the entertainment industry. It just helped me make more connections and made me realize that you have to actually go for what you want if you want it and not be afraid of asking for what you want.
As someone who was in the BBN house, do you think “sailing ships” improves one’s rating in the house?
To be very objective, I think having a ship improves your ratings because people love love, right? When you have a ship, people are curious about what will happen. So, they latch onto you, follow your journey, and follow your story. Having a ship does really help, as they say, “Two heads are better than one.”
Had it been you had the slot to be in the “All Stars House”, what could you have done differently?
Nothing, because I don’t think I’d have gone for the BBN All Stars. If I had gone, I’d be more intentional about pushing buttons and pulling strings. When I was in the house, I was coasting and doing the whole love thing. If I was in the BBN All Stars, I’d focus more on partnerships.
What was the most memorable moment for you while filming “Rumour Has It”?
My most memorable moment on “Rumor Has It” was working on a scene with Jemima in the house where I had to caution her to do things differently. Whenever I think about “Rumor Has It,” that’s the scene that pops into my head.
Congratulations on your new show, “My Name is Zozo”. Can you tell us what inspired you to create this series?
I am always looking to try different things with my storytelling, and I think reality TV and that whole docuseries style was something I’ve always wanted to try. So, I thought about it for a while, stewed on it, and came up with the idea. It’s pure fiction, but I do actually have a P.A. in real life. The dynamics between bosses and their P.A.s are very interesting when you take a closer look, so why don’t we just play around with it? An entourage series in 2009/2010 also inspired it, the storyline, and the trajectory. The docu-style was inspired by “The Office,” “Modern Family,” and “The Kardashians.” That style of filming. So, I combined two different styles, entourage and docuseries, to give birth to “My Name is Zozo.”
You’ve included characters like DJ Obi and Sir Dee in the show. How did you decide on these collaborations, and what do they bring to the series?
The cast of “My Name is Zozo” was dependent on the story. We had the nightlife crew, actors in Nollywood, and influencers, so these roles were already predestined; we wrote them into the show. DJ Obi is doing so well with Obi’s house, it’s popping, and I’ve known Obi for a while, so I thought, yeah, let’s do something different. Sir Dee is an actor and he’s my guy. Erica, Diane, Muna, Ini, Tobi, Valentine, Koye—these guys are all doing well in their fields.
So, I thought, okay, let’s write them into this show and have them play themselves mostly and see how it goes. A lot of variety and flavors. It was supposed to go that way because the story is about a guy who just got his big break into film and is trying to get his next big break. So, the bulk of people he’s going to be interacting with would be public figures and celebrities, so why don’t we just cram a lot of cameos into the show and see how it goes?
What can viewers expect from the dynamic between Zozo and his personal assistant, Annie?
As it is right now, Zozo is like the thorn in Annie’s flesh, kind of like how regular bosses are with their employees. The dynamics are interesting between the both of them. I don’t want to say too much; you guys will just have to watch and find out.
What message or themes do you hope viewers take away from “My Name is Zozo”?
Honestly, there is no message. The only thing I’d say is you just have to keep trying to chase your dreams. If you believe in yourself enough, then you will achieve what you want to achieve. That’s like the underlying thing there. But honestly, that was unintentional. I just wanted people to have a good time and see the characters come to life and have a great time, be very entertained. I am not one of those people who tries to preach too much with his work; I just want people to take a break from reality.
What advice would you give to aspiring actors and musicians looking to break into the industry?
My advice to aspiring actors and musicians:
– Start! Don’t let anything hold you back; start from where you are.
– Love what you want to do first before thinking about the money aspect of it.
– Find your sound/genre and stick to it. Look out for predecessors and people in the industry you realty like, and understudy them.
– Stay true to yourself.
What’s your go-to activity or hobby when you need to unwind and relax after a busy day?
My go-to activity when I want to relax is Netflix or Prime! I like watching films; I’m a cinema head. I love watching films, I like to escape into a different world and enjoy a good story. Junk food, movies, and series. Sometimes I go partying or grab drinks with friends when my social battery is charged, or I work and create content.
