A Nollywood Actress, Arike Adeola Rashidat Folorunso, popularly known as Arike Gold, has revealed that her early years were shaped by a unique blend of family influences resulting from being trained by her biological father and step-father.
Speaking on Talk to B, Arike Gold, did not reveal the reason behind her mother’s separation from her father, who she has the actress and her elder sister for, but pointed out that she enjoyed love from the two fathers, who played major roles in her life alongside her maternal grandmother.
While the mother have two daughters for Arike’s biological father, she has four sons for Arike’s step’s father and all of them are cordial.
Born and raised in Abeokuta, she grew up navigating a diverse family structure. “I stayed with my grandma, daddy, mummy, and with almost every member of my family,” she said.
“My mummy and daddy were not together. I stayed with my stepdaddy, who is polygamous, but my biological father is a private and monogamous man”, she added.
Despite the complexities of her upbringing, Arike found stability in the unwavering support of her father, who remained committed to her education and personal growth. “Though I stayed with my stepfather, my dad trained me; he paid for everything. He was actively involved in my growing up,” she added.
According to her, this dual influence gave her a broad perspective on life, shaping her emotions, adaptability, and resilience.
She noted that from an early age, she displayed a passion for entertainment. “When I was younger, I liked to be in front of the mirror, seeing myself. I knew I would be in entertainment,” she recalled.
However, her dream met initial resistance from her biological parents, who envisioned a more conventional career path for her. “My father wanted me to be a doctor or any of these fashionable professions,” she revealed.
According to her, her breakthrough came when she gained admission to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta adding that it was then that she boldly declared her desire to join the entertainment industry.
She pointed out that while her stepfather remained liberal about her choices, her parents rejected the idea but eventually gave their blessings.
Arike God pointed out that when her mother saw her determination, she introduced her to veteran actress Toyin Adegbola, who advised her to join Mr. Latin’s theatre group in Abeokuta.
In 2006, according to her, while nearing the completion of her studies at MAPOLY, Arike joined Mr. Latin’s theatre group, marking the official beginning of her acting journey.
However, her educational pursuit did not end there because she later gained admission to the University of Ibadan (UI), aspiring to study Theatre Arts, but fate had other plans. “I wanted to study Theatre Arts, but I didn’t have the cut-off mark for it. The school ended up giving me Philosophy,” she said.
Despite this twist, Arike’s love for acting never waned. “Philosophy and Theatre Arts share the same building in UI, so because of my love for theatre, I always went there,” she recounted.
She became so immersed in acting that it sometimes affected her academic performance, leading to several carryovers. Yet, her passion remained unwavering. Balancing her studies and theatre rehearsals was no easy feat, as she frequently traveled between Ibadan and Abeokuta.
She revealed that after seven years of rigorous training with Mr. Latin’s drama group, she graduated in 2013, fully equipped with the skills and experience to thrive in Nollywood.
She stated further that three years later, in 2016, she took a bold step by moving to Lagos, the heart of Nigeria’s entertainment industry adding that there, she built connections, expanded her network, and solidified her place in the movie industry.
Arike God who is still single revealed the qualities her future partner should have saying, “I like when a man respect woman and neat. I also want a man to have money too. I am still single.”
She has produced six movies. It was long before I discovered myself. One needs to discover what works for one. We are just two from my dad and six with my half ones. My mum 2nd, I have four younger ones and one elder sister. I am a family person. I love my family.
Today, Arike Gold stands as an inspiring figure in Nollywood, proving that perseverance and passion can break barriers. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter the obstacles, dreams can come true when pursued with unwavering determination. Through her journey, she has not only carved a niche for herself but also inspired countless young talents striving to make a mark in the entertainment world.
