Rekana Ojong Interview''Kokomansion Opened Doors For Me''

  Rekana is the only housemate from kokomansion whos name has just refused to go away...This industrious young lady is all over making sure that the doors opened for her via the Reality show does not close.

I am sure you remember kokomansion...Read what Rekana says and how she has managed to stay on top.
Interesting read if you have time.

 

 

    Hi Rekana, how have you been? After Kokomansion, you have been seen on a number of red carpets. you have been active on the entertainment scene. What really have you been up to?

 

-I have been minding my own business. And by that I mean running my company D.E.E.V.A.S. and staying focus on my grind. I’ve been seen on a number of red carpets because as my job requires, I have to stay updated with events, red carpet and street style as well as reporting them on my blog and other media platforms I contribute on.

 

    You mentioned you run a company D.E.E.V.A.S., what does D.E.E.V.A.S. do?

 

-D.E.E.V.A.S. is an emerging Fashion and wardrobe, online and print content services, image and PR Consulting brand based in Lagos, Founded by me in 2011 with a team of creative, dynamic and highly skilled consultants from diverse professional backgrounds who bring their unique strengths and outlooks to the table.

 

 

 

 

 

Which of the kokolets are you still in touch with?

 

-I was friends with Chidinma till she passed on. May her soul rest in peace. Bolanle, Bidemi, Chinwe, Rita and Chioma still keep in touch but the closest person to me is Chinwe even though we were on each other’s neck in the house. Chinwe and I talk/chat like everyday. We are like best friends. Rita and Chioma are married now, although unfortunately I couldn’t make it to their marriage ceremonies as I was working on those dates.

 

   How did participating in Kokomansion help you?

 

-First, it opened a door for me that I refused to close afterwards even though they left us outside the door. Secondly, the experience of living with strangers, being at loggerheads all the time and becoming friends with them afterwards has helped my personal life.

 

 

 

           

     What were you doing before Kokomansion?

-I had just finished my first degree in University of Calabar  and was waiting for my next step. My dad wanted me to go on and do a masters degree immediately but I wanted to pursue my acting career and fashion entrepreneur dreams badly. He supported me 100% when I told him I had been shortlisted to be in a reality show. And when I got accepted, he bought a Hi-Tv decoder just so everyone at home can watch.

 

You recently announced on twitter that you will be launching your own show – GLAM EYE WATCH. What is that all about?

-GLAM EYE WATCH(the eyes that sees all the panache and fashion misuse) is a fashion and lifestyle show hosted by me and *name withheld* and a surprise guest which will be aired on our own online platform for now… With three major segments – red carpet interviews, fashion police live show and street style updates.
 
I came up with the idea of GLAM EYE WATCH about 3 years ago. As at then, it pained me that our celebrities wore all sorts of trash in the name of fashion. And honestly that was when E! network started their fashion police and I thought, we should have something like this in Nigeria and call these celebs to order but spice it up the Nigerian way, put in our own unique concept and ideas, add some juice to it and host it in our own motherland. I wrote down every idea I had then, sat down with some business developers/advisers who compiled a professional business plan/proposal for me, I shot a pilot and approached a few TV stations but I didn’t like what they were offering. Then someone asked me an honest question, ‘what authorizes you to be a fashion critic, what experience do you have and why should people listen to you’. I took that as a constructive criticism and decided to pause that project until I have learned enough. I interned for FAB, assisted on every set I was called on, observed, worked hard with my eyes, ears and mouth open to learn, relearn and unlearn. But kept it as a column on our blog –www.naijadeevas.com until recently, I got producers who believed in it and were ready to shoot. Thanks to the Naij.com team!
 
 

1. 8.     Is that what you are working on right about now?

-Yes! We are shooting already… And I am also using this opportunity to recreate new priorities for myself and my brand as well as setting new goals.
 
 
 Did you feel disappointed not winning the N5million naira and car?
-Disappointed ke! It was a win or not win game. I understood that before I got into the game. I don’t feel disappointed when things don’t go how I wish. I feel blessings… Maybe if I had won the money or had the car, I would have been relaxed and not motivated to start my own business. You see?
 
Any regrets and challenges after Kokomansion? Would you do reality TV again?
-The industry is a tough one. I regret nothing and have faced lots of challenges which only made me more focused. Yes I would, I applied for BBA even till this year. But I had just gotten producers for my G.E.W. show when I got the email from the BBA team to come for an audition. I had to make a choice and I chose GLAM EYE WATCH.
 
In the house, you mentioned you loved acting. Have you been featured in any movie or acting platform?
-Yes! Immediately after Kokomansion, I started going for all audition calls. I was on Nollywood Hustlers and did a few bits on Tinsel. I am putting acting on hold for now, the business of fashion is needed right now as the Nigeria fashion industry is fast growing and needs all the creativity it can get.
 
You are into fashion. Who is your favourite designer, your fashion icon and style influences (home and abroad)?
-I’m loving Suchille at the moment. A young fashion designer in Nigeria. She understands me. And abroad, Duro Olowu… My all time fashion icon is Jackie O. Kennedy and at home, Denrele. Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Gwen Stefani and my own wardrobe influences my style.
 
 What are your dreams now?
-My dream is to empower young people through the influence of my work, help them achieve their own dreams, provide for them in whatever ways I can and to be a great philanthropist.
 
I wish you all the best Rekana…

-Thank you Stella!