I Don't Need A Pho NOW… Darasimi Nadi Exclusive Interview with PartyJollof Africa

Get ready to be starstruck.

PartyJollof Africa shines the spotlight on Darasimi Nadi, a teenage sensation steadily carving her place in Nollywood. With her bright smile, calm confidence, and growing range as an actor, Darasimi represents a new generation of young talents who are thoughtful, grounded, and clear about what they want.

From her early days as a child actor to her evolving journey as a teenage performer, she opens up about her beginnings, her relationship with fame, her faith, and her dreams for the future. PartyJollof Africa caught up with her recently on set, where she spoke honestly and freely about her journey so far.

PartyJollof Africa: Let’s start from the beginning. What really pushed you into acting?

Darasimi: I wasn’t inspired by anyone in particular. I didn’t look at someone and decide I wanted to act. All I saw was a Blackmagic camera on my mum’s production set and I said, “I should be a star.” It didn’t even have to be acting. I just knew I wanted to be famous through a camera.

PartyJollof Africa: That camera belonged to your mum’s production. Is she a filmmaker?

Darasimi: My mum used to work in a bank, but she started producing around 2017. When my career started picking up, she paused producing to focus on me. She has started producing again now, and that’s why we’re here.

PartyJollof Africa: What was your very first movie experience like?

Darasimi: It was rubbish. The film was titled Unforgotten by Victor Okpala.

PartyJollof Africa: Rubbish is a strong word. Why do you say that?

Darasimi: My acting was rubbish because it was my first time and I wasn’t doing well. The only thing I did right was mastering my lines. I got all my lines correctly. At that time, my mum wasn’t very supportive, so I felt it wasn’t something I would do for long.

PartyJollof Africa: Why wasn’t she supportive then?

Darasimi: She didn’t want people to say it was just a producer’s child being pushed into acting.

PartyJollof Africa: Looking back now, which roles have you enjoyed the most?

Darasimi: Honestly, I enjoyed playing all my roles. I can’t pick just one.

PartyJollof Africa: Acting and school can be demanding. How do you manage both?

Darasimi: I have lesson teachers and I also attend online classes.

PartyJollof Africa: Do your classmates feel your absence when you’re away?

Darasimi: My friends miss me, and some of my classmates too. I have two close friends who gist me about everything I miss.

PartyJollof Africa: What has the transition from child actor to teenage actor been like for you?

Darasimi: (Smiles) I don’t think people see me as a teen actor yet. I’m thirteen already and will be fourteen this year, but people still see me as a child actor. Maybe when I’m fifteen they’ll notice. Even people who are twenty-one and look young are still called teenage actors in Nollywood.

PartyJollof Africa: Are there actors in Nollywood who inspire you?

Darasimi: Nobody really inspires me, but I like Nse Ikpe-Etim. She’s a fantastic actor. I just like her.

PartyJollof Africa: How do you prepare for your roles?

Darasimi: It’s not very tasking. I prepare mentally, speak with the director about what they want, and we work together to bring the character to life.

PartyJollof Africa: What’s one moment on set you’ll never forget?

Darasimi: (Smiles) On the set of Obara’m, we went back to the hotel during a break, played music, and vibed together. Another time, after a very exhausting shoot, the assistant director played an animation and watched it with me. My mum wasn’t on set, and Miss Seyifunmi really took good care of me. That night was very special.

PartyJollof Africa: Does your mum come with you to every set?

Darasimi: No. Miss Onose used to take me to set. I really miss her. Now it’s Miss Peace. My mum usually comes on the first day to make sure I’m settled. I call her a lot when I’m on set. When I call only two or three times, she knows I’m enjoying myself.

PartyJollof Africa: You’re currently working on Dark Heart. What should we know about it?

Darasimi: We’re still filming. We previously did a YouTube series called Mad House and it did very well, so this is another YouTube project. It’s a beautiful story, and people will love it when it’s out.

PartyJollof Africa: Your fans clearly adore you. What do they mean to you?

Darasimi: (Smiles) They’re my Divas. I love them so much. They’re very supportive. Once on TikTok Live, someone commented, “Who be this one?” and my Divas rushed the person immediately. On my sixteenth birthday, I’m definitely celebrating them.

PartyJollof Africa: If you could play a superhero or cartoon character, who would it be?

Darasimi: Chloe from The Thundermans.

PartyJollof Africa: Which former kid actors do you admire today?

Darasimi: Jasmine Miller and Angel Unigwe. They’re both top actors. Angel is also very beautiful. Growing up, I stayed off the internet a lot because I didn’t have a phone.

PartyJollof Africa: Do you have a phone now?

Darasimi: (Laughs) Please pray for me that my mum won’t change her mind and will buy me one next year. She runs my social media. I don’t have a phone.

PartyJollof Africa: Do you see that as a disadvantage?

Darasimi: It’s actually a plus. Phones are very distracting. I use a laptop for assignments, Pinterest, Bible quotes, ChatGPT, and researching skincare. I don’t really need a phone right now.

PartyJollof Africa: What should we expect from you this year?

Darasimi: More movies and more content for my Divas and all my fans.

PartyJollof Africa: What advice would you give children who want to act?

Darasimi: Acting isn’t just about fame. Can you last? There were times I had no jobs for months and I cried. Acting requires emotional intelligence, patience, and sacrifice. If you can’t miss school, then you’re not ready.

PartyJollof Africa: When you think about the future, what do you see?

Darasimi: I want to be successful, happy, and live with my mum. I want to know God for myself, own my company, and quietly run an NGO. I want to be very private. Suggesting that the only thing people know about me is that I’m an actor.

PartyJollof Africa: So privacy matters to you, despite the fame?

Darasimi: Absolutely.

PartyJollof Africa: Would you ever explore other interests outside acting?

Darasimi: I might explore, but I won’t quit acting. I want to try flying a plane, visit an architectural site, learn farming, and learn how to drive when I’m eighteen.

PartyJollof Africa: Do you speak Yoruba fluently?

Darasimi: (Smiles) Not really.

PartyJollof Africa: You’ve mentioned faith a few times. How important is it to you now?

Darasimi: Very important. I’m learning to know God for myself. I don’t like shooting on Sundays because I don’t want to miss church. I read the Bible more now, especially KJV, and I just want to know Jesus more.

PartyJollof Africa: What would you like to study at the university?

Darasimi: I want to attend a public university. I like UNILAG, or maybe an acting school while studying another course.

PartyJollof Africa: Thank you for your time. Keep shining.

Darasimi: Thank you for coming. God bless you.

And that was our time with Darasimi Nadi. A young star with clarity, conviction, and a quiet confidence that sets her apart. Keep your eyes on her, because this journey is only just beginning. Catch the next PartyJollof Africa Rising Star soon.