‘I like being a model than a microbiologist’

Oluwadamilola Aremu studied Microbiology at the University of Ibadan, a course she opted for to satisfy her parents. But modelling and entertainment generally have a fascination for her. She told Adaeze Amos that as a model, there’s nothing she can’t flaunt, even nudity; but with style.

You had participated in many beauty pageants and had always been either the first or second runner-up. Aren’t you losing hope?

I’m not. It’s true I have participated in many beauty pageants such as Miss Institute Nigeria, Miss Okota, Miss Idia, to mention but a few, but I have not given up hope that one day, very soon, I will get a beauty crown. When I started lately, I wasn’t even among the runner-ups but now, it’s either that I’m the first runner-up or the second runner-up. Why should I lose hope when I’m getting closer to the diamond-studded crown of a beauty queen?

Could you tell us about the Miss Institute Nigeria that you participated in three months ago?

It was fun; it was interesting. I was one of the runners-up.

Do you think Silvia Ekwenibe, the queen, deserves the crown?

Yes she does. She stood out in her traditional attire. That was where she beat us hands down. She was really creative. She sat down and designed what she wore and when she came out, you needed to have seen the applause. That was when I knew she would get the crown. Another thing was that she answered her questions well. I learnt some things from that pageant really. When next I would be going for any beauty pageant, I will try to be creative so as to stand out. That is the secret. You mustn’t be seen in what others are wearing. Try to be creative and stand out. So, Miss Institute Naija 2012, Miss Silvia Ekwenibe, deserves her beauty crown. I give her kudos.

What are some lapses in the world of beauty pageants you’ve observed?

The major problem is that most mothers don’t allow their beautiful daughters to participate in beauty pageants. The days are gone when people used to think that models and beauty queens are never-do-wells. Look at how Agbani Darego made us proud when she won the Miss World beauty pageant. I was really impressed and inspired. That was when I started nursing the desire to be a queen. Although I’m a model, I’m not done with just that. Next year I will enroll in the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant and Miss Nigeria as well. I would also go into the acting world. I have acted before but that was when I was in school. My mom has been giving me her support and blessing. She doesn’t frown at what I’m doing. I will love other mothers to emulate my mom and allow their children be who they want to be in life.

As a model, is there anything you wouldn’t want to show off?

I can model just anything, including some scanty wears like bum shorts and bikinis. But to model nude, I can only do that with style. What I mean is, if I’m told to model a lotion or body cream, I can bare some parts of my body to show off my smooth skin, but trust me, the sensitive parts of me would still be concealed. Once I am on the stage as a model, I’m no longer Damilola Aremu, I’m seen as a model and I should be allowed to do my work. But once I’m off the stage, I’m Damilola; that is how it should be.

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