Nollywood actress Tayo Sobola, better known as Sotayo Gaga, has explained that her decision to maintain a low public profile is intentional, saying she values her privacy and personal peace.
The actress, in an interview with Saturday Beats, opened up about her time away from the entertainment spotlight, clarifying that her absence from public view was not a sign of inactivity but a period dedicated to personal growth, motherhood and business expansion.
According to Sobola, she used her time away to reflect on her journey, strengthen her brand and explore new ventures before making her return to acting.
“Those periods I was off the scene were for personal reflection and growing my brand. By the time I was ready to return to acting, motherhood set in, and I embraced it without distraction.
“Truth be told, motherhood didn’t stop me from doing other things. I am a serial entrepreneur and run several businesses, so while I was busy parenting, I was also working on brand positioning, creating new designs for some of my fashion brands, and developing movie scripts, among other projects,” she said.
The actress noted that although she was not frequently seen in the media, she remained actively involved in creative and business activities behind the scenes.
“Although I wasn’t very visible in the public space, I was extremely busy strategising. Simply put, I am still very much relevant in the industry,” she said.
Sobola also spoke about her personality outside the glamour of entertainment, describing herself as an emotional person who prefers a private lifestyle and maintains a close circle of friends.
She explained that challenges are part of life and that resilience is what defines strength.
“We all have our personal struggles because no one is born perfect. The ability to rise after every challenge is what makes one strong. I am a loner who loves to keep my circle very small. One thing many people don’t know about me is that I am an emotional person,” she said.
Speaking on the connection between her birth name, Tayo Sobola, and her widely recognised stage name, Sotayo Gaga, the actress said both identities represent different parts of the same brand.
She explained that neither name overshadows the other, adding that she understands when each identity best fits a particular situation.
“The brand and the name have always worked together. They are like Siamese twins that benefit from one another. Many people identify more with the name Sotayo Gaga, but in reality, neither of the two names is bigger than the other. I simply know when each is most appropriate,” she said.
Sobola’s comments highlight a deliberate choice to balance fame, family life and entrepreneurship while remaining connected to the entertainment industry.