Rumors have been flying around since Toyo Baby released her first book ever "Rebirth" two days ago. Bloggers and news agencies have painted stories in diverse ways to hijack flying traffic ☺. Toyosi however advised yesterday that everyone reads the book before they join 'bloggers' conversations'.
We decided to bring you an exclusive review of this great piece of. work and we're sure it'll bless you!
"The 23 chapter book has detailed revelations about the good, bad and ugly parts of her life and we can't bring you everything except for these few points." - Kemi Filani
Below is a review highlighting 10 major points from the book. Have a good read!
1) She lost her virginity at 17 to her married music teacher.
Juliana gave detailed narration of how she lost her virginity to her married music teacher at 17, how he brainwashed her into believing he would marry her.
"The day finally came. He wanted to move the date because he was expecting some money that he wanted to use to pay for a good hotel, but moving it would mean my mum back from church. So, he settled for a cheap hotel. I still remember the smell of cigarette that filled the room. I hated the smell of alcohol and cigarette; I still do. We had to wait at the reception for the room to be cleaned and aired.
So, we went back into the room, and it happened. It was a painful experience for me. I cried at different points and he kept apologising, begging me to keep my voice down lest they think he was raping me. He told me to relax and bear the pain. In his words, “do not be a weak woman”. That got at me because I hated feeling or being treated as weak. I asked for a break. He tutored me some more and tried again until he finally got through. It was not anything like he had told me it would be. I saw no clouds, I made no sounds, I felt nothing special. It was painful all the way, but it was obvious he was satisfied.
When he was done, I checked the bed for blood. I screamed! There was no blood! He told me that not all virgins saw blood. I was so confused, but chose to believe him anyway. Soon after, he slept, and I was there crying. Why didn’t I see blood? Even if not all virgins see blood, why should I be on that list? How would I tell the story of losing my virginity without blood? Who would believe me that I was actually a virgin?"
2) A Pastor once tried to abuse her sexually!
Juliana also revealed that one of her pastors sexually abused her one time
"I got to church and it was just the pastor there. I assumed he was the one who picked his children from school that day as they were still in their school uniforms and they were with him in church. He told me to come into his office and asked his children to go into the car.
In his office, he asked me if I read the scriptures he gave me and if I observed my prayer time. I told him I did. So he then claimed God told him I needed a spiritual bath and that I had to take my clothes off. He claimed his office had been supernaturally made a spiritual bathroom. He wanted to wash away the dirty water that was poured on me in my dream.
As he spoke those words, I began to cry. Was my case that critical? Why would God want me to have a bath in the pastor’s office? Couldn’t God wash me without me taking off my clothes? Why all these complications? The pastor told me to stop crying and that I should follow God’s instructions through him. He said he would excuse me so God could do the sanctification. He left his office. I shut the door, made sure the windows were locked and put the curtains down. I was naked in his office. He had told me how to pray and I prayed. I cried as I did.
I saw the door handle moving so I quickly got up, and got dressed. I opened the door and he came in with oil. He claimed again that God asked him to anoint my body from head to toe. So, the anointing session started. He anointed my head, my eyes, and
was moving down. When he got to my chest, he did the sign of the cross and wanted to proceed to touch me. I stopped him and told him to put the oil in my hand. I would anoint myself.
He told me to lie down, that he wanted to anoint me down there. It was at the point when he wanted to anoint me, I remembered I had forgotten to wear my pant when I hurriedly dressed up. At that time, I also remembered the dirty things Mr. F used to talk
about. It was then my eyes were opened and I knew what this man was trying to do to me. I got upset, took my bag and left immediately."
3) A meeting with Mercy Aigbe changed her life.
Talking about how controversial actress, Mercy Aigbe's words changed her life, she wrote:
"Someday last year, I met Mercy Aigbe through one of my friends that works with her, Tosin Odusanya. She was very pleasant and kind. She answered many of my questions and gave me some serious words of advice. I could tell she was talking from
experience.
At that time, I had just been written out of the Jenifa’s Diary TV series. I told her about my desire to change my social media account name from Toyo Baby to another name I wanted to push. I explained my fears and struggles. After listening to me, she encouraged me on my stand as a Christian, asked me to stay out of scandals and told me to maintain good relationships in the industry. In response to my change of name, she told me sternly, “Do not confuse your fans. You worked hard for that name. You gave life to the Toyo Baby character. Ride on it!”
It was after my conversation with her, that I got more comfortable with people calling me Toyo Baby everywhere and I watched God open doors for me. That meeting with Mercy Aigbe was a great blessing to me."
4) She is only 22 years old!
Even though she looks and carries herself like a 30 years old lady, Juliana just turned 22, June, 2017!
"I finished writing the first draft of this book some days to my birthday this year. I clocked twenty-two (22) on Wednesday, the 7 of June, 2017. So, you can easily deduce that I was born Wednesday, the 7 of June, 1995.
Now, I would assume this is the most shocking piece of information in this book. I have found out that the top question people are asking Google about Juliana Olayode, is her age. Now, you know."
5) She was born in a CHURCH!
Julie also revealed how she was born in a church, she revealed how her mother went into labour for 3 days, and was taken to the church for prayers and later birthed her!
"The last time she called me Aduragbemi was when she told me how I was born. She was in labour for three days! She kept seeing a black cat and every time she saw it, she lost her strength. The strange thing was she was the only one seeing the cat. The midwives did not see it. They were beginning to think she had a problem.
On the third day, she asked to be taken to church. The head of the prayer team prayed over a cup of water and gave her to drink. At that moment, my mum’s strength was renewed and she stopped seeing the cat. That’s how I came into this beautiful world at C.A.C. (Christ Apostolic Church), Oke-Iyanu, Ogba, Lagos. That was the reason behind my name, Aduragbemi."
6) She started Menstruating on the 5th of April, 2010
"On the 5 of April, 2010, I got home, took off my uniform and saw a blood stain. At this time, I was in Senior Secondary School, at Babs Fafunwa Millenium, Ojodu, Lagos. I did not remember having any injury and mum was not home. When I discovered where the blood was coming from, I started crying. How would I explain this to my mum?
I kept cleaning, but it kept flowing. I hurried to Toyosi Oyesile’s place. She asked what was wrong and I explained to her, perplexed at bleeding non stop, without an injury. She laughed at me; she laughed so hard, she nearly choked on her laughter. I was irritated at her insensitivity. I wanted to walk out when she pulled me back, locked the door and said, “Congratulations. You’re now a woman”. She hugged me very tight."
7) Her role in Jenifa's diary gave her fame NOT Money!
She also revealed that her role in Janifa's diary made her famous NOT rich, contrary to what people think! She also talked about how she hustled for Ushering jobs as low as 5k just to make ends meet after acting the Toyo baby's role in the Comic Series.
"The plans my mum and I had were exaggerated. I was paid for the series, but the money I received could not do all my mum and I had fantasized about. In retrospect, I laugh at the things my mum had planned to do with the pay; we had big dreams. I honestly did not know how big my role in Jenifa’s Diary would be when I got the role. I thought I would be done after the first season. I was surprised when I was called back season after season. I got so busy. Jenifa’s Diary practically became my life; I was almost always on set.
Even though I was already acting in the Jenifa’s Diary TV series, whenever I got a call for ushering jobs, I took them. I needed the extra pay. I did decent ushering jobs. I had values I could not compromise. No club, bar or night ushering jobs. No jobs with indecent outfits. I did the regular wedding, and concert jobs. The pay for decent ushering jobs was as low as Five thousand Naira per job but for me it was worth it.
My mum was concerned for me, wondering why I would be on TV and still be going for such cheap jobs. I told her I had to do so. I could not sit at home when not on set doing nothing and I definitely was not going to sleep around. Dee did not like the idea
either, but he understood my position. There were times I went for ushering jobs and people recognised me. I smiled at them. At times, fellow ushers jeered at me, wondering what Toyo Baby was doing serving as an usher with them. I always found a way of laughing my way out of the teasing.
I was living with the Adiguns at this time. TiTiMi always gave us monthly stipends. Even if I asked for more before the next was due, I was sure they would give me, but I wanted to make more money myself. But eventually, the ushering job started getting very embarrassing. There was a day I went all the way to Shagamu for an ushering job and after a long day, working, we were paid One thousand Naira. The Madame said she had not been paid and asked us to write down our account details. Except she plans to pay tomorrow, I got no alert.
At that point, I cried to God. I felt cheated. It was getting too humiliating. I cried to God and He made me know I should stop the ushering jobs. It was only God that could stop me in spite of the embarrassment. I was asking Him to make sure the woman paid me, but He said I should stop ushering. I was initially upset with God, but before I left the place of prayer, He had comforted me."
8) She could NOT go to school even after gaining admission cos of poverty!
"I graduated from Babs Fafunwa Millenium Senior Grammar School, Ojodu- Berger, Lagos. I was the Head Girl in my final year at school, loved by the principal, Mrs. Adebayo, other teachers and students.
My Valedictory Ceremony in school was a very emotional one. I was missing everyone and everything already, coupled with the fact that I was afraid of facing life outside the four walls of my school.
Before I graduated, I took the JAMB exam and I passed. I was already an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan as I had been given admission to study the course I applied for, Mass Communication. Mrs. Adebayo was all smiles when I made the information public. She announced it to the school with so much pride. People applauded and my teachers congratulated me. Little did I know I was going to lose the admission. My mum tried so hard to raise my acceptance fee, tuition and other necessary payments, but she did not make headway.
I told her not to worry; I assured her our finances would be better the next year. She still tried to raise it, but we missed the deadline. She was bitter for days and wondered why they would not extend the deadline.
That was how I missed my admission to the University of Ibadan. My principal and my English teacher, Mrs. Obabolujo called me to follow up. When I disclosed the bad news, they were upset with me and told me I should have kept them abreast with how things were going."
9) She once had an humbling experience taking buses and flying Okadas.
"Fame could make you lose yourself; make you forget who you are and make you live a lie. Fame makes you the book everyone wants to read and the person many want to associate with. All eyes are fixed on you and your life gets so much attention. Bloggers and journalists monitor your moves and quote your words. With fame, you lose your right to being private. Fame, if not well managed, can make you a very lonely person. Fame attracts parasites to you; people who only want to milk you and use
you.
Fame fades; where are the big stars of yesteryears? Fame is not fulfilling. Whatever feeling fame gives is only temporary. With fame, people see you as extra-ordinary and expect you to be perfect. And that is unrealistic, unfair and frustrating. You might not agree with me, but those who have tasted fame would not dispute my words.
Fame was the last thing on my mind when I started acting in the Jenifa’s Diary TV Series. But I guess the package is intertwined; popularity comes with success. It gets very depressing when people have expectations of you, just because you are a celebrity, that you cannot meet. Before, I could walk on my street and wear comfortable flip flops and nobody would notice. I could move from place to place and nobody would know I just passed. I could go to the market and the traders who treat me normal and not increase their prices.
Fame changed that. I never saw it coming. I will be forever grateful that Jesus found me before fame did. I wonder how I would have turned out otherwise. I am also thankful for TiTiMi Adigun in my life. People misunderstand the relationship I have with them, thinking I have substituted my parents. I still have my
biological parents that I love so much. However, Dee and Maama have come to be my second parents. They have been pillars for me in the world of fame where you need people to put your head in check.
Let me note here that being famous does not mean you are rich. I have had several people asking me for money, when at that particular time, I was sure they had more money than I did. Up until months back, when I still used to jump buses, several people would stop me on the road, or in buses to take selfies with them. Sometimes, I had to beg them to wait until we were out of the bus to take the selfie. Conductors in buses expected me to leave my change with them the moment passengers started chanting “Toyo Baby!”
Some passengers expected me to pay their bus fares. Some called family members and asked me speak with them, saying, “I am in the same bus with Toyo Baby! Speak with her”. Some even dared to challenge me, saying, “Aunty Toyo, with all the money you’re making, why are you not in your own car?”.
Bike men that knew me sometimes charged me more. I lost my bargaining power with market women because they assumed I had a lot to spend. It got so frustrating at a time, because I had no car and had to walk sometimes. I had to wear dark glasses and a
face cap everywhere I went. But even with that, they still recognised me. I hated leaving the house. I honestly cannot remember any place I have been to in Nigeria that no one recognised me.
There was a day I took a bike home and as we rode, the bike man said, “you are Toyosi”. I replied and said I was not; I was Juliana. It was not a lie, but it was not the truth either. The next time he picked me, he accused me of lying. I had to explain to him that my real name was Juliana. He laughed at me and insisted I was Toyosi.
There was a scary day too. I went to the market and touts blocked me. They started hailing me in Yoruba, “Eyan ti Funke Akindele, gbogbo Glo, gbogbo Jenifa Diary, e fun wa ni nkan”. They were asking me for money, associating me with Mrs. Bello and Glo, an organization she is an ambassador for. I was afraid and my heart was in my mouth. It was at the butcher’s place. I was buying meat and I could smell alcohol oozing from their mouths. Some were smoking. They were serious; saying they would not let me go. I told them I had no money, but they did not believe me."
10) God has now changed her story and can change yours too!
"Today, God is taking her places and making ways for hers. My breakthrough eventually came after a long prayer session I had with my covenant sisters. I got nominated for several awards and won many. There were some I had to decline because I was too busy to go to the awards ceremony. I started speaking on the same platforms with people I only saw on TV prior. Celebrities started calling me a celebrity.
People I was starstruck meeting were also starstruck meeting me. It was a miracle. My fan base on Instagram picked momentum and I just stared in amazement at how fast it grew. The growth of my followers could only have been divine; no logical analysis could explain it. I started getting several emails, fans telling me how much of an inspiration I was. Mothers telling me I am a role model to their children. It just got sweeter by the day.
Shortly after again, I got an endorsement in millions. It was enough to buy me a car and help me sort out some bills. However, I had promised God that when I earned my first millions, I would give it out. I gave out the endorsement money as I had promised
without telling family and friends; I did not want anyone talking me out of it.
God yet showed up. I got other movie contract deals where I was paid more than I ever had been before. Right now, I have more acting offers than I can accept. I have so many speaking invites; I cannot honour even a tenth of them. I consciously give myself breaks so I can read books, pray and spend time with those that matter to me. I am now in the place where I determine what acting job to take, what speaking engagement to honour and even which endorsement to give a consideration. If that is not amazing, I do not know what is! God is faithful.
Now, you will never see me in a bus or on a bike. Those things are in my past; God has raised me up. I am not where I want to be yet, but I am no longer where I used to be. I still take strolls to the market though; I do not ever want to lose the feel of touching humanity in a close and personal way."
The above review about "Rebirth" was written by Kemi Filani.
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