Content creator, Maryam Apaokagi, aka Taaooma, tells KEHINDE AJOSE about her creative journey, motherhood and other issues
You are known for playing multiple characters. How challenging is it to create and sustain so many different personalities, and which of these characters feels the most personal to you?
It is definitely more challenging than it looks because every character has their own personality, voice and way of reacting to situations. When I’m shooting, I have to completely switch from one person to another, sometimes four or five times in one skit. It’s not just about changing costumes or putting on a wig. I have to think the way that character would think; otherwise, people will notice.
Over the years, the characters have become very natural to me because they’re all inspired by people around me. Nigerians have so much personality, and I love observing people. Sometimes, someone will say something in real life, and before I know it, it has become a Taaooma character.
I’d say Tao is the closest to who I am naturally. She’s probably the easiest for me to play because there’s a lot of me in her. But every single character carries a little part of my experiences and the people I’ve met along the way.
