Nigerian rapper, Eva Alordiah who can also be referred to as a fashionista had a chat with Punch recently, she discussed about her style, love for make-up artistry and fans perception about her.
Read excerpts below;
Apart from being a singer you are also a professional make-up artiste. How did you discover that passion?
I fell in love with make-up as a child but I never thought I would become a make-up artist. It began with me wanting to paint my face until everyone else wanted their faces painted by me. I love the art and I look forward to taking it beyond anything anyone has done in Nigeria. I am more fascinated by special effects make-up for films. It is a deeper level of art and thrilling for someone like me who adores ‘dirty’ art.
But you hardly apply make-up on your face…
When it comes to make-up for beauty, it is not about how heavy the makeup is, in fact, less make-up is required to enhance the natural features of a person. But when I do artistic works on myself, it tends to be extreme especially if it is for filming or photography. Personally I like to keep a fresh youthful face; the simpler the better.
In the early stage of your career, you used to wear various unique hairdos but it seems that has changed. Is it intentional?
We go through stages in our lives as human beings and as we evolve into better versions of ourselves psychologically, emotionally and spiritually, we change physically as well. Change is always going to happen. I always play with my hair and I still do.
Why do you like playing with your hair?
It is hard to explain. I guess it is a woman thing. Also, I get bored looking the same for a period of time, twoweeks at most and I change my hair style. Hair is a very vital component to consider when it comes to the whole appearance of a human face and I make art with mine.
You once commented on your weight and the need to trim down. Do you have weight insecurities?
No, I do not have weight insecurities. I have always been a slim person all my life. I am building my body, so physical fitness is top priority for me. I am more conscious about muscle gain than weight gain.
You mean you want to have six packs?
Physical fitness is not about six packs but the entire health and fitness of the human body. Body building on the other hand takes it beyond just physical fitness to a level where it is about curiosity of what the human body can become physically. I like the idea of having a strong body as a woman and I am excited to see how my body changes as I exercise in the gym daily.
How often do you hit the spa?
Not as often as I would have liked to because I love to pamper myself but I don’t have enough time for regular spa visits. I go to the spa about once in six months. I would love to visit a spa regularly even if it is just for a quick facial. I really do not have an excuse not to pamper myself every now and then. I also have to find out if they do energy channeling therapies. That would be a treat.
For someone who loves arts, why don’t you have tattoos?
I do not believe that everyone who loves arts and paintings should be a fan of tattoos even though that is a form of art. Art is really just what happens when we utilise our God-given potential to create something that never existed before. To me, there is art in everything. My body itself is art but instead of using it as a canvas for another type of art form, I would prefer to create it which is why I constantly go to the gym almost every day trying to build and create what I envision to be the work of art I see my body to be. The only time my body becomes a canvas for another art form isn’t for tattoos but make-up.
I love tattoos and I have been tempted to have some a few times. I am sure when I finally make up my mind, the hardest thing would be choosing what spot on my body I want to draw the tattoo. Who knows, it may even be under my feet.
What is your fashion fetish?
Make-up of course and it is probably every girl’s biggest accessory because the process we employ for make-up application determines the face we present every time. I am obsessed with make-up. I think every girl should know how to apply make-up perfectly. I have a dream that I would teach every Nigerian girl how to apply make-up for herself and do it with ease. Before I fell in love with make-up, it was shoes.
What is that fashion item you cannot leave home without?
My eyebrows always have to be perfect before I leave my house. I generally believe if the eyebrows are perfectly arched and neatly groomed, the eyes look their best. I feel that if they can notice my eyes, maybe they can notice my soul too. And that’s how I think good connections are formed.
When it comes to your body, what do you consider as an asset?
My head is definitely my asset because it houses my brain, which is probably the main asset as that is where my every experience of life is stored. If I had no limbs and I was deformed to my torso, with the head that I have, I would still see myself as an incredible and complete human being.
Have you ever made a red carpet mistake?
The intent is to look great and be at your best at every appearance but the results are perceived by the observers at the end of the day. If I were to judge myself, I would never say I made a mistake.
There have been reports that you are quitting music. How true is that?
Those reports are false. I am not quitting music. I have been into music almost all my life, so it would be like quitting life itself. The media have a way of making the unreal appear real. Plus nobody cares to ask questionsthese days. One person runs with his perception and everyone follows like sheep to the slaughter.
Where do you think such rumour emanated from?
Everyone picked it from a post on Instagram page about having my last show as a ‘music artiste.’ I guess when you look at that, it does seem as if I am quitting but that was not what it meant. I have albums to release and I am excited about how my career is progressing as I focus more on the fullness of what it means to be an artiste. I think I have to be clearer with my posts on my social accounts. And maybe not say anything at all.
Some people argue that you have this bad girl persona; from your rap style to your lyrics. Do you agree with them?
I am always looking forward to hearing all the perceptions people have of Eva. It is like watching a really good movie. Everyone has an opinion of me and I do not have to agree disagree. I think that kills the fun. Whatever anyone thinks is fine as long as they are thinking of me.
How about the fact that they say you sound like Nicki Minaj?
Yet another perception, but any comparison to anyone they already admire humbles me. Nicki is such a great artiste and it is exhilarating to be compared to her. Listeners hear what they hear and you cannot fight that.