Nigerian comedian and actress, Helen Paul, has revealed how teeth defects had robbed her of many opportunities in her comedy career and at a time, the condition even consigned her to performing only background roles where her teeth, which she said were all brown in colour, could be hidden from the prying eyes of the audience.
Helen Paul who is now married to Femi Bamisele, a lawyer disclosed this in a recent interview on the Honest Bunch Podcast, stating that the condition persisted until the table turned in her favour when from no where, showbiz promoter and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Ogun State, Dayo Adeneye popularly called D – One, came into her life and changed the narrative.
She said Dayo called her on phone some years ago in respect of an imminent job offer and directed her to where her stained teeth were cleaned and changed to enhance the chances of clinching the job.
At the end of the day, she got the job and was paid in millions of Naira but Dayo Adeneye declined offer of commission from her, saying ‘it was all for to enjoy.’
“The people God has sent into your life would do their part. If you knew me many years ago, all my teeth were just brown. It was D – One of Keke Ogungbe, Dayo Adeneye (that changed the narrative). Dayo called me by himself suddenly and said, ‘Helen, a job is coming, they want to give this job to you. It is about N15M. They said you are qualified for the job but you don’t have the look. And when I asked what is the look, they said it is your teeth.’ I said, Sir, these teeth have affected many of my jobs. So, I’m used to doing only background jobs.
“He said, ‘No, Helen. They can be changed.’ I asked, ‘How?’ He said, ‘I have a doctor friend, Emeka. Go to him.’ By the time that one checked, he said, ‘I would be spending over N 2million to fix it. I called D – One, I said, ‘Uncle D – One, I don’t have this money.’ He said, ‘Don’t worry.’ And I asked, ‘How about the money?’ He said, ‘Me and Kenny will take care of it. I just hope you will get the job Dayo wants to give you.’ I said, ‘Thank you, Sir! They did not know me and I don’t know them. Dayo Adeneye, it is only on Television I used to see him when he was marketing Tu – Face inside Helicopter. I don’t know anything about him from anywhere again.
“So, I went for the cleaning and the changing of the teeth. They crowned the teeth. So, my first appearance on Television was for the Peak Talent Show. I came up and they gave me that money. I called D – One, ‘Sir, your percentage? He said, ‘Helen, as they paid you, you think they would not pay me more? Common get out and enjoy yourself and enjoy your talent. Welcome to a new World Helen. Take care. That was my matter and Dayo,” she narrated.
She also related an incident in which her former boss tried to talk her husband, Femi Bamisele, out of dating her, saying that her previous supervisor had queried the propriety of her husband, a lawyer and a fashionista, being so eagre to date someone like her.
The comedian and actress further revealed that her supervisor had even gone to the extent of criticising her, also suggesting to her spouse that they should simply have a casual romantic relationship rather than think about making a life time commitment.
“The word you used today you must be careful, the things you do today, you must be very careful because the table do turn.
“My boss called my husband and said, do you really want to date Helen, Femi?, You deserve better, but if you just want to have fun, it’s okay,” she shared.
