Immaculate: I’m Big, Bold and Beautiful

Immaculate was the first runner-up at the Season 6 of MTN’s Project Fame. This brought her to limelight, especially with her self-composed song, Sugar la-la. She grew her fan-base with that and steadily became bigger. In this interview with Tosin Clegg, she talks about acting and music

My role on ‘Heart Beat the Musical’

Iplayed Iya Sidi, and I’m actually an elderly woman on set; my age was 50 on Heart Beat the Musical. I had all the features of an African woman who won’t take any of her kids for granted. I was actually the chief cook of the house called Grace House in the musical. I had a great bond with a son of mine on the musical and it was actually a home for homeless people and those that have gone through a lot in life and have nowhere to stay. It was a shelter home and I was actually like their mum. It was a beautiful role for me as it had a whole lot of emotions. At a point, I saw myself, Immaculate, in this woman and it was a bit challenging because I had to take out myself and interpret the character.

It was my first acting project

I actually can’t rate my performance on this project, but I think with what people have been saying and comments I got, people love it. You can actually hear Femi Jacobs talking about my character. It was a major privilege for me and I was able to showcase my talent. I love the fact that it started from Heart Beat the Musical.

Something great is coming up

A lot of people have contacted me to say I have been starving them of music. But this project has taken a lot of my time and I wouldn’t say it’s a challenge or disadvantage starting from the theatre, but it’s where I needed to start from.

After Project Fame

I still see Season 6 as having the most extraordinary singers and performance. For me, being the first runner up was a privilege. It wasn’t like I was better off or something but it was just God. Till date, when I go for interview, people ask a lot of questions but if you follow me, then you will know I appreciate people for their love and support. Coming out was with a bit of fear but I knew I was a go-getter and music was what I wanted to do. It would be bad for me now not to feel good and, right now, I feel like a prophet knowing that this is what God wants me to do. So far so good; it’s been beautiful.

I got signed to TY Mix

It’s gone past now and I am now on my own.Moving on. It’s beautiful and challenging but it’s been educational and uplifting.

‘Sugar la la’ is my new song

I recorded it after project fame but being signed on a label you can’t just take some decisions. I recorded it with Cobhams and I am excited about it being out.

I could smell the love being in the Project Fame Academy

I am not a Billionaire and even if I am, I cannot go out and start sharing money to people to tell them how much I love them. But it’s actually an appreciation song, which anybody can use to appreciate anybody. It’s easy to say my sugar, and it just pierces into your heart. You feel loved and sugar la-la. So, it’s a love and appreciation song for my fans.

In the next five years

I see the brand Immaculate outside in the world, the moon and everywhere. It’s going to be a brand-change, and for me right now, what I tell people is that we have delays and these things are setbacks for people, but for me it’s an institution. So, I’m trying to learn from everything and make my brand a better one. I will put out good music for everyone, all around, to listen to. I want to touch lives too.

I love Beyoncé

I love the fact that she knows her stage craft. But for the kind of music I do and, thank God for versatility, I would love to be on stage with Jim Scott and we will just pour out our hearts. Someone right now that is making me to go crazy is Fantasia; she gives out that fire. There is someone locally I also love and that’s Omawumi. I love her anytime, any day and so also Waje. They are people I look up to.

I look forward to all awards

My kind of music, I don’t just channel myself to soul. Like I said, versatility is what I thank God for and I put out music that cuts across everybody. So, I do music that I can do for everyone but the highest award I am looking out for is not the Grammys but God’s Awards. If I’m doing right with what God has given and, as we are all going back, then He awards me and I’m fine with that.

What makes me exceptional is that I’m ‘Immaculate’

I’m big, bold and beautiful. Hard, loving and with everything other people don’t have. I’m thankful to God for making me who I am.\