Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Olayinka.
Hi Aisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been a combination of creativity, passion, and discovering different ways to express myself. I was born in Cameroon, but I’m Nigerian by origin, and growing up with a multicultural background played a big role in shaping who I am today. I’ve always enjoyed exploring different interests. Dance and modeling were some of the outlets I found for my creativity. What started as a passion eventually grew into a career since 2019. I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing artists such as Asake, Davido, Uncle Waffles, King Promise, Ruger, Adekunle Gold, and more. I also teach Afrofusion dance classes for adults and kids. I offer choreography and casting services.
I pursued Communications with a concentration in Public Relations at Bowie State University. That opened doors for me in media, events, marketing, public relations, coaching, and creative direction. I’ve also explored the behavioral health field, which has given me a different perspective on human behavior and interpersonal communication.
Today, I see myself as a creative and multifaceted professional with interests that extend across entertainment, communications, and community engagement. I’m still evolving, but I’m intentional about using my experiences to create opportunities, build relationships, and make an impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road, and if anything, my journey has taught me that pursuing multiple passions comes with its own set of challenges. One of my biggest struggles has been learning how to balance all the different aspects of my life. There were times when I had to juggle school, dance, work, personal responsibilities, and the pressure of figuring out what direction I wanted my life to go.
If I’m being honest, there were times when I found myself minimizing certain achievements and certain things in my life. I felt like I wasn’t doing enough because I always wanted more, whether it was academically, professionally, or in my creative field. I’d put pressure on myself, as it sometimes felt like I was constantly trying to catch up in one field while building another.
Regardless of all the challenges and setbacks, I’ve learnt how important it is to always put my trust and faith in God. Trusting his timing and believing that t everything will fall into place as it should.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work primarily revolves around dance, entertainment, creativity, behavioral health and communications. I’m a professional Afrobeats dancer, choreographer, and model. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to perform, teach, choreograph, and collaborate with different artists and creatives.
Beyond performing, I enjoy the creative process behind entertainment and events. This includes developing concepts, choreography, creative direction, styling, and bringing ideas to life. I also have a background in Communications and Public Relations, which has allowed me to explore event production, branding, media, and community engagement.
What I’m most proud of is how far I’ve been able to take something that started as a childhood passion. I’ve created opportunities for myself and others, grown into leadership roles, taught others, and had the privilege of representing African dance and culture on different platforms.
I think what sets me apart is my versatility and my ability to bring different perspectives together. I’m not limited to just the performance side of creativity; I also understand the planning, communication, and business side of this, which led me to create my own agency called The CBA Agency that i am still building.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Beauty and fashion were a big part of my childhood. My mum owned a beauty salon, so I practically grew up in that environment till date. I started modeling at a very young age, and my mum would display pictures of me and my sister around her salon and in her catalogs. I was also introduced to makeup, hair, and beauty stuff from an early age, which naturally sparked my interest in modeling.
School was where I felt most comfortable exploring my creative side. I was naturally curious, adventurous, and always excited to be part of something fun and creative. I used to organize mini talent shows in my class whenever a teacher was absent or during our break time. I loved writing songs, singing, acting, and dancing, as I was an Art student back in Cameroon.
I was always bright, cheerful, and confident. I was a little shy at times, but I was never afraid to go after what I wanted, especially when it came to things that allowed me to express myself. I’ve always had a strong sense of self and a natural belief in who I was, even from a young age. People around me would often call me a star, which is connected to my name, Okiki. It’s a Yoruba name associated with fame, glory, and recognition. I think I naturally grew into that meaning and carried it with me throughout my life. Even today, that confidence and belief in myself remain a big part of who I am.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pretty__aiisha/
