Being Good at One Thing Matters More Than Many Skills, Ariyiike Dimples

Media personality and actress, Ariyiike Owolagba, known as Ariyiike Dimples, has said that while having different skills can help entertainers, it is important not to sacrifice excellence in any one area.

In an interview with Saturday Beats, Dimples explained that entertainers should make use of their various talents but also focus on being the best in their main fields.

“I think versatility is an advantage when it is anchored by identity. The danger is not being good at many things. The danger is being so busy proving that you can do everything that you never become excellent at the things you are actually called to do.

“For me, presenting, acting and content creation may look like separate things from the outside, but they all come from the same foundation, storytelling and communication. Whether I’m presenting a programme, playing a character or creating Risky, I’m using my ability to connect with people and tell stories.”

“I also don’t believe we should force entertainers into boxes simply because the industry is more comfortable when people are easy to categorise. Sometimes, the different things you have learnt over the years eventually come together to create something that is uniquely yours.

“That said, versatility must never become an excuse for mediocrity. I still believe you have to choose where you want to go deep. You can have multiple gifts, but you must be intentional about which ones you are going to master.”

Finding Relevance in Nollywood

Reflecting on her journey in Nollywood, Dimples shared that one of the toughest lessons she had learned was to understand that being relevant is not the same as just being seen.

“One of the hardest lessons is understanding that relevance is not the same thing as visibility. You can be everywhere and still not be building something meaningful.

“I have learnt that you have to know who you are, what you stand for and what you want your career to represent. The industry changes constantly, trends come and go, and there will always be pressure to keep up.

“But if you are not careful, you can become so focused on being seen that you lose sight of why you started.”