Following weeks of media brawl with controversial pastor, Apostle Johnson Suleman over an alleged sexual relationship, the preacher’s alleged traducer and Canada-based Stephanie Otobo just might have gone back to her first love, music.
She recalled that as a child, she was at the forefront of children activities in the church and that strengthened her resolve to become famous through music.
After releasing a single, ‘I depend on you’, Stephanie says she is less bothered about negative comments or being rejected by people who feel she should have buried her head in shame over the scandal that rocked her life.
In an interview Miss Otobo had during a visit to The Sun Corporate Headquarters in Lagos, recently, she opened up on her sex life, music and other allegations preferred against her. She revealed that she is focused to making something out of her life by ministering to others through song. Here are excerpts from the interview;
When and how did you get into music because what was being promoted about you during your controversy with the man of God was that Stephanie was a stripper in Canada?
Last year, while I was in Canada, I tried to make music but it didn’t have the Nigerian taste in terms of the production of the song and the music itself. Over there, their songs lack that distinct Nigerian flavour. I care about afro music, which is taking more of African music into the western world.
I travelled to Nigeria and made a song entitled ‘My Girlfriend’ using my stage name Kimora. I came to Nigeria to make a gospel song because I have always loved gospel songs. Having been in church since I was a child, I had wanted to flow with that passion. I met with some people I was supposed to work with and they explained to me that if I go into gospel songs, I would be wasting my time.
They told me that my song might be everywhere but I won’t make money. They said the best it would get me was popularity but nothing else. They said nobody would invite me for shows because I don’t attend any of the big churches in Nigeria nor belong to any famous choir.
I was told that I won’t make money because people don’t know me.
They explained to me that later on, I can go back to gospel songs because I am still very young. In life, you don’t have to rely on your own wisdom alone, you have to listen to the people who are in the business. It made sense to me that secular music was okay for now and later I can change to gospel, but originally, gospel was my thing.
Immediately, I changed to secular music. I got into the secular lifestyle. I started music last year officially.
At what point did the issue of stripping in clubs come in?
So you were never a stripper?
Now that you’re doing gospel songs, how did you get the inspiration?
So, going to jail in Nigeria was terror. I remember what my father came out to say some things about me then when I was in jail. Even though he couldn’t do anything to help me, knowing that I have his support meant everything to me. The experience in prison made me ask God for mercy and for His help to scale through.
Why are you running back to God seeing that you were disappointed by a man of God, and someone who represents God hurt you?
I see all these people insulting me and calling me names as still facing the man of God and treating him like God. I took him like God before but when I saw the truth that this man is not God but just a man that deceived me, hurt me and broke my heart, I had to face God. It is now that I have come to know God for myself.
Have you also thought about the acceptance of your music based on your story, do you think people will accept your gospel songs?
After one has gone through a night of tears and sorrow, the morning comes. I went through this horrible experience of going into jail and it drew me closer to God.
Now you are a Christian, how prepared are you for rejection from the church?
There’s a misrepresentation of you out there about the way you dress. An average Nigerian has a mentality that a Christian should dress in a particular way, but it didn’t take you a while to change, how did you transform so fast?
When you released your music video, some people alleged that you started the controversy with the Apostle just to create publicity for your upcoming song, how true is this?
I can’t take such a risk. I can’t risk my whole family. I can’t risk my father coming out to talk about me because I know who he is and how he behaves. Some of my family members rejected me. My friends rejected me because of this issue. They are all ashamed of me. I won’t risk all of that just to sell my music.
And secondly, he started it. I didn’t start the whole issue. If I did, bank statements would show it. I would be caught collecting money. I wasn’t blackmailing him. He froze my account just to get back at me. I went to get money from my account and got arrested, maltreated and pepper sprayed. I was embarrassed and handcuffed, so how could I have planned all these just for music?
You are coming out a different person, but were you into sex, drugs and prostitution in Canada as alleged by some people?
What do you do in Canada?
At your age, how were you able to cope with the stress of what you have gone through?
How was your childhood like?
At what point did you leave Nigeria?
Growing up, what kind of child were you?
I was a happy, beautiful and outgoing child. I was always in front during children functions in church. People loved to see my face and I loved it too. I enjoyed the attention I got as a child.
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
In this part of the world, there’s a dress code for gospel singers and you are a sharp contrast to that with your hair colour and blings, how do you intend to make your music acceptable in Nigeria given your look?
I believe that as time goes on, I will adapt to what is acceptable here in Nigeria. I adapt well and I believe that God will give the power I need to move forward.
Have you reconciled with your parents now?
What kind of man catches your fancy?
The Sun
From her responses over there it still shows she claim she was fooled around by the man of God. As far as God is Concern,she is going no way with the so called gospel music