Jeiel Damina talks about her career and life as an entertainer

Jeiel Damina is an actress, singer, content creator, and daughter of Pastor Abel Damina. She recently spoke with Oreoluwa Odusanya about her career, family, and life.

Reflecting on her journey, what would young Jeiel think about who you are now?

I believe she would be proud and a bit surprised. Younger Jeiel dreamt big, but she didn't know how much courage it takes to keep choosing yourself while growing up in the public eye. I think she would be happy that I'm still creating, still curious, and that I haven’t let the early version of me become a cage.

She would probably tell me to stop being scared and second-guessing myself. She was bold and clear about what she wanted and went after it wholeheartedly. I think she would remind me to trust myself and enjoy the journey more. More than anything, she would probably say, “You kept going.”

Acting and singing are both key parts of your career. When did you realize entertainment was more than a hobby?

Acting just happened; I never seriously thought about it until it came to me unexpectedly. Singing and writing felt like natural ways for me to express things I couldn’t easily explain.

The change happened when people told me they could see themselves in a character I played or felt understood through something I created. I realized that storytelling could really affect people. I also started caring deeply about the craft, training, improving, and understanding why a performance works. That was when it turned from just something I enjoyed to something I wanted to build my life around.

What kind of character or project challenges you the most as an actress?

The characters that challenge me most are the ones I can’t immediately judge or fully understand. I’m drawn to complex characters. Someone who can make a bad decision and still get the audience to empathize with her. Those roles require you to really dig into the character instead of just performing her emotions.

What would you like to do that you haven’t had the chance to do yet?

I would love to take on more young-adult roles, especially light-hearted romantic comedies filled with heart and laughter. I also want to explore action, fantasy, and darker themes like thrillers. I would definitely love to play a variety of villains; that idea genuinely excites me. Historical dramas are also on my list, whether based in Nigerian history or set in a different place. I want a career that lets me explore various tones, characters, and worlds.

What has been the hardest part of growing professionally while figuring out who you are personally?

The hardest part has been finding out who I am while others think they already know me. When people meet you young, they sometimes expect you to stay the same as the version they first met. But growth is supposed to change you.

At the same time, I was trying to understand the industry and how it really works. There is so much to learn and establish, and figuring it out from scratch was tough. I was trying to find where I fit, how to build the right structure around my career, who to trust, and how to stand up for myself.

I’ve also learned that I can outgrow certain expectations, relationships, and even parts of myself without feeling guilty. I’m learning the difference between being real and being always available. This process needs boundaries, and that can be uncomfortable when people are used to having access to you.

What is one part of your journey that people rarely see or understand?

People rarely see the behind-the-scenes work of the dream.

They notice the premiere, performances, photos, or final project, but not the auditions, waiting, rejection, contract talks, rehearsals, repeated vocal takes, travel, uncertainty, and constant problem-solving that goes into it.

There is also a lot of planning behind my own projects. Before anyone hears a song, watches a video, or sees a finished idea, there have usually been months of planning, budgeting, scheduling, coordinating, making decisions, and ensuring everything works together.

There are times when you work really hard without anything public to show for it. The glamorous moments are real, but they are a tiny part of the job. Much of this career is built during the quiet times when no one is applauding, and you still have to believe the work matters.

How has social media changed as you have become more established?

I used to use social media more spontaneously. As I’ve grown, I’ve become more aware that something shared casually can spread far beyond its original context and stay online for years. I’m still playful and honest, but I’m more careful about what I keep private.

Do you feel pressure to keep entertaining or being available to your audience?

There is definitely pressure to stay visible and entertaining, especially since audiences can feel distant when you take a break. However, I’ve learned that being authentic doesn’t mean giving unrestricted access. I want my audience to know me, but I also need enough private life to remain whole and have something real to create from.

What is one lesson from someone you have worked with that has influenced your career approach?

Working with my sisters taught me that the creative industry doesn’t replace discipline.

Talent may get you a foot in the door, but preparation, consistency, and how you treat people decide how far you go. That lesson reminds me to arrive ready, stay open to learning, and respect everyone involved in bringing a project to life.

When the cameras are off, who is Jeiel?

When I’m away from work, I’m introspective, sensitive, playful, and in my own world. I love writing, listening to music, spending time with loved ones, exploring visual ideas, and getting lost in random research. I also need time alone to think.

What do you enjoy doing that might surprise people who only know you publicly?

The people closest to me see a silly and unserious side, but they know I can spend hours deeply thinking about one idea. The public version of me is real, but it’s just one part of who I am.

What should your fans expect from you?

I’m stepping into a new phase in my music career. My next single, Story of My Life, is set for release in mid-November. It is one of my most personal songs. It talks about childhood, growing up, and the gap between the life you imagined and the realities of adulthood, while still holding on to wonder. On the acting side, there are projects I can’t fully announce yet. Fans should look forward to more of everything.

As your career evolves, are there entertainment areas you want to explore?

Definitely. I already write, so developing and producing original projects feels like a natural step for me. I want to do more than just perform in someone else’s vision; I want to help create stories and worlds from the beginning. Directing also interests me, but I would approach it respectfully.

What has criticism taught you about yourself that praise never could?

Criticism has taught me to be discerning. It has shown me that being misunderstood won’t break me. Praise reveals what people like about you, but criticism pushes you to clarify your values, face your insecurities, and trust your own voice.

Having come this far, what would you do differently?

I would learn the business much earlier: contracts, ownership, rights, finances, positioning, and how to build the right team. I would be more deliberate about documenting and protecting my work and more careful about giving people access just because they were enthusiastic about me.

I wouldn’t erase my mistakes because they’ve given me the instincts I have now, but I would start again with more structure, stronger relationships, greater consistency, and much less fear.

Has being more recognizable changed how you choose your friends?

Yes, but I try not to be cynical about it. Recognition can attract people who genuinely connect with you, but it can also bring those interested in your access, public image, or what being close to you might offer them. I’ve become more observant about consistency, respect for my boundaries, and whether someone values me when there’s nothing to gain. I still want to meet people openly, but I’m more careful about who enters my private world. Just being familiar doesn’t mean being intimate.

What is one thing people often assume about you because of your online personality that isn’t true?

People sometimes think that because I’m expressive, funny, and confident online, I must always be outgoing and carefree. In reality, I’m very sensitive, observant, and private, and I can overthink almost anything.

I can confidently lead a room or perform in front of an audience and still need hours alone afterwards. My online personality isn’t fake; it’s a real part of me, but it’s not all of me.

What do you hope people say you stood for, not just as an entertainer, but as a person?

I hope they say I stood for honest expression, the courage to change, and the freedom to be many things. I don’t want to be remembered just as talented or successful. I want my work to make people feel seen, especially young African girls learning they don’t have to shrink themselves or limit their dreams.

*Beyond my work, I hope people remember me as kind, principled, brave enough to stay human, and willing to create opportunities for others. If my career helps people feel less alone and more capable of being who they truly are, that would mean everything to me.