Nollywood actress Tayo Sobola, widely known as Sotayo Gaga, has revealed that her decision to remain out of the public spotlight was intentional, saying she values her peace of mind and prefers to protect her personal space.
Speaking during an interview with Saturday Beats, the actress reflected on her time away from the entertainment scene, explaining that her absence was a conscious choice rather than a sign of inactivity.
Sobola said the period allowed her to focus on personal growth, motherhood and expanding her business ventures. She noted that although she eventually planned to return to acting, motherhood became her priority, which she embraced wholeheartedly.
“Those periods I was off the scene were for personal reflection and growing my brand. By the time I was ready to return to acting, motherhood set in, and I embraced it without distraction.
“Truth be told, motherhood didn’t stop me from doing other things. I am a serial entrepreneur and run several businesses, so while I was busy parenting, I was also working on brand positioning, creating new designs for some of my fashion brands, and developing movie scripts, among other projects,” she said.
The actress added that stepping away from the limelight created room for her to strengthen her businesses and pursue fresh ideas behind the scenes, insisting that her reduced public visibility did not diminish her relevance in the industry.
“Although I wasn’t very visible in the public space, I was extremely busy strategising. Simply put, I am still very much relevant in the industry,” she said.
Sobola also opened up about her personality, describing herself as someone who is deeply emotional and naturally reserved, with a preference for maintaining a close-knit circle of friends.
“We all have our personal struggles because no one is born perfect. The ability to rise after every challenge is what makes one strong. I am a loner who loves to keep my circle very small. One thing many people don’t know about me is that I am an emotional person,” she said.
Addressing the connection between her birth name and her stage identity, Sobola said both names have played complementary roles throughout her career, adding that each serves its purpose depending on the situation.
“The brand and the name have always worked together. They are like Siamese twins that benefit from one another. Many people identify more with the name Sotayo Gaga, but in reality, neither of the two names is bigger than the other. I simply know when each is most appropriate,” she said.
