PUFFYFIED ENTERTAINMENT

Ashley Stephanie is a bundle of talents. She is a singer, model and actress. She is one of the promising entertainers in the country presently. A Cameroonian, she found her way to Nigeria after living in Spain and the UK. She told us that she is not in the country to play around but to become a top entertainer. Excerpts:

You are a Cameroonian who’s lived in Europe and you are now in Nigeria. Why?

Nigeria is a country that I have always loved. I love Nigeria’s music style, the Nigerian culture and everything about Nigeria.

Nigerian music is like wildfire all over the world, it’s very great and it’s the big time. I’m also happy that Nigeria is an African country because I’m an African and I know that it’s us Africans working together that will make Africa truly great.

Does that mean you are enjoying Nigeria?

Of course I am. Being here is fantastic. I’ve attended several entertainment events and been performing as well. I have met a lot of the Nigerian artistes and producers, although I’ve met some of them in the UK, and we’ve been working together and I must say that Nigerians are very nice, hospitable and open.

What’s your mission in Nigeria?

I’m here to make a difference and bring positive improvement to the industry. I’ve already released many good songs and Nigerians should expect more of them from me. I will try to impact on lives through my music. Nigerians should just expect a whole lot from me because I’m a total package.

What was your music career like in Europe?

About 15 years ago, I went to Spain and joined a group called Spanish Girls. We were like the Latin version of the Spice Girls. We performed all over Spain and I later moved to the UK at the beginning of 2010. You know, it’s not really easy in Spain, although it was very nice and like home to me, there’s no place like Africa.

No matter where you might have lived, as an African, you can’t compare it to your home, Africa. Africa is your real home as an African. My real home is Cameroun. My real home is Nigeria. I stay in Nigeria now actually.

Tell us more about the Spanish Girls.

Well, like I said earlier, it’s the Spanish version of the Spice Girls. It comprises of five girls and I was the only Black among them. And I got to join them when an audition was done to select five girls that were talented and beautiful. So I was one of the five girls selected and we were doing well and when one of us got pregnant and we went on a break, I just decided to utilise the opportunity to work as I don’t like to waste time so I chose to work further on my skills and stuffs like that.

What was the impact of the Spanish Girls?

We were widely accepted and popular in Spain. Before the Spanish Girls, all of us in it were more of upcoming artistes and the Spanish Girls raised our profiles and we performed in front of large audiences and every time we performed, it was just amazing as people love our music.

How did music begin for you?

If I tell you that coming into music for me was an easy journey, then I’d be telling lies. I was born in Cameroun to a military man. I had always nursed the interest to sing and when I told my parents about it, they became angry with me. They both never perceived the profession as one for a serious minded person.

So I kept on saying it that I would become an artiste and they thought it was only a phase and that I would soon change my mind. However, there was a particular TV programme over there in Cameroun where young talented artists are usually allowed to exhibit their musical talent.

So, one day I went to participate on that platform and everybody who watched it love my act. Luckily for me, my dad also watched the programme, and from that time on, his perception began to change and he eventually embraced my talent.

But my mum was adamant. It got to a point I could not just understand her stubbornness because it is usually women who have a tendency to quickly embrace their children’s chosen professions even when the fathers object.

But with my mum, the contrary was the case. It was after a long time that she gradually softened on me going into music. In my family, I’m not the only one who has the love for music though.

My elder sister is also a great singer but she opted out along the way. But she works with me on most of my songs. She gives me ideas many times.

Who are your favourite Nigerian musicians?

I have a lot of them. I must say that they are just too numerous to mention, but believe me, I love Nigerian artistes. They can rub shoulders with their counterparts anywhere in the world, and that’s why they are highly respected all over. I’m so proud to be here to work with them. I just think that Nigerian artists are the best. I love D’Banj, 2face, P-Square, J. Martins, Banky W, MI, Pype and many more.

I can’t just name them all. As long as you are a Nigerian artiste, you are my favourite. And lest I forget my female artists, I love them as well. I love Sasha, Weird MC, Omawumi, Kel, Asa and many others. These chicks are really trying their best, considering the fact that the Nigerian music industry is not all that female friendly, you have more males on the scene.