Taiwo Akinwande, widely recognized as Yetunde Wunmi, a veteran actress, recently opened up about the personal sacrifices she made for her acting career in an interview with BBC Yorùbá. The 64-year-old actress candidly shared that her devotion to the performing arts, which she pursued passionately since 1982, led to the dissolution of her marriage and the tragic loss of her newborn child. Wunmi reflected on how her early involvement in theatre under the guidance of Sunday Akinola, known as Feyi Kogbon, profoundly impacted her life, especially after being inspired by the acclaimed filmmaker Adeyemi Afolayan.
The actress shared a moving account of how her commitment to acting ultimately disrupted her family life. Wunmi recalled a painful memory of taking her young baby, who was only one month old and unwell, to a performance in Ilorin, Kwara State. Despite her child’s poor health, Wunmi could not resist the allure of the theatre. Tragically, the child did not survive, passing away just a few days shy of two years old. Even with this heartbreaking loss, she expressed no regrets about her journey in the theatre, maintaining that her faith and the grace of God sustained her through such trying times.
Wunmi described her first encounter with the world of theatre as an electrifying moment that ignited her passion for performing arts. She vividly recalled the day she encountered the legendary Adeyemi Afolayan, who made a striking impression dressed in all white. This meeting marked a turning point in her life and fueled her desire to pursue a career in acting. However, she also acknowledged the cost of her dedication, particularly the pain it caused in her personal relationships, including the eventual breakdown of her marriage.
Reflecting on a particularly harrowing experience, Wunmi recounted a time when, despite the challenges of being a new mother, she chose to accompany her theatre group to Ilorin. To conceal her true intentions from her husband, Wunmi lied about visiting her mother. Once at the performance, she complexly balanced her roles as a dancer and a mother by wrapping her baby in her costume. Instead of prioritizing the child’s health, she remained committed to her art, which later led to sinful consequences she would forever carry in her heart.
Wunmi measured the importance of her theatrical experience not by financial gain but by the joy and fulfillment it provided her. Even though she received only a meager sum that merely covered her child’s medical expenses, the pride in participating in the show overshadowed her monetary concerns. This demonstrates her deep-seated love for the craft that often transcended the necessities of motherhood, leading her to make decisions that would define her life.
Ultimately, the profound sadness of her baby’s death lingered as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices she made in pursuing her passion. While she cherishes the memories of her experiences in theatre, Wunmi carries with her the guilt and sorrow of her child’s untimely demise, who never had the chance to witness her artistic success. This burden, coupled with the fallout from her marriage, paints a complex portrait of a woman who chose her dreams over traditional familial responsibilities while remaining grateful for the blessings she has received throughout her life.
