Big Brother Star Tayo Faniran Makes Nollywood Debut

First runner-up in the last Big Brother Africa reality show (Hotshots edition), Tayo Faniran, has made his debut in a new movie, The Anniversary, shot last week, in Lagos.

Tayo starred alongside Folasade Abimbola of EbonyLife TV's Mixed Feelings drama, displaying his charms in the two-cast romantic movie.
The short film, which tells the story of a couple's troubled marriage and how they were able to get their groove back, was co-produced by Abimbola and directed by Seun Okegbemi, the director of the movie.
While Abimbola described the movie as a "landmark" in her young career as a film-maker, Faniran said the stellar performances in the Big Brother House prepared him for this movie and others to come.
Abimbola said: "Big Brother Hotshot was, more or less, a talent exhibition show. The contestants had to act, sing and perform for Africa, every week, so, seeing Tayo on those extravaganzas made it easy and, also, he's quite funny and interesting."
Written by Gbenga Etti, the project was supported by OUCH, Maryshine Saloon and Wicked Stones.
Abimbola, a graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU), is also noted for works such as Valley Between, Iphegenia finds Ayelala, Women of Owu and We Will Live, while still an undergraduate.
On the other hand, her co-producer, Seun Okegbemiro, is a movie director and artiste manager.
His production house, Dazedfaze Films, is a co-organiser of the Most Beautiful Face in Nigeria pageant.