| Things I hate about
Charly Boy –Lady Di
By AZUH AMATUS
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
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Lady Di
Photos: Sun News Publishing
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Lady Di Oputa, the American-born better half of Charly Boy
and mother of three of his eight children, has been living
in Nigeria since 1979 – when she followed Charly home
after his sojourn in America. "I was madly in love with
Charles and agreed to follow him home to Nigeria after his
studies. I came then, spent some months and went back",
says the South Carolina-born multi-talented artiste.
Still speaking further, Di, who is also a trained hair stylist
and cosmetologist, hinted that she started singing with a
group in America when she was very young: "I started
singing and acting from a very tender age. I started with
a group then. I love the arts a lot."
On how her path with that of Charly Boy crossed, she further
divulged. "We met in a hair salon where I was working
then. He was always coming in a Limousine to do his hair.
Though, we got married in 1984, here in Nigeria. But I forced
him to propose to me…"
In this interview with Daily Sun, Lady Di, who is also an
actress-cum-TV presenter bared her mind about her forthcoming
debut album. "No title yet. It is a 10 tracker that will
take Nigerian music to another level. I’m working with
some of the best hands in the music industry".
Very reserved and romantic Di, also intimated us about the
things she likes and hates about her weird hubby, Charly Boy.
What is happening to your much-postponed album? Or is it out?
As of now, it has not been released. But we are in the final
stages and hope that it will be released before the end of
July and beginning of August. It has taken a little while
because we had to make some changes and add a few songs. We
added two more tracks and now have 10 tracks in the album.
Tell us more about your kind of music
It is a mixture. We have highlife blended with Soul and Makossa.
There is much, but I won’t tell you everything right
now till it comes out. (Laughs). And I worked with several
people. OJB Jeezreel, Dr. Alban and Cobham. They all jointly
produced me.
Your sojourn in music, how and when did it start?
Whaoh! I’ve been performing for a while. I started performing
in the U.S. that was before meeting CB; I was about 17 years
then. I started performing with a band and as a matter of
fact, I’ve included in my album one of my songs then.
Though, I’ve been performing with my husband and several
artistes for many years, this is going to be my first solo
and debut album.
But what informed your love for music?
Whaoh! I guess music itself is an art and I’ve always
loved the arts. Actually, I did much of acting when I was
in the U.S. as a child, especially stage plays. And I have
always wanted to sing, just that the opportunities were not
available then. Now that it is available, I want to make sure
that I make use of it. Come out with this album and hopefully,
it will be accepted. But despite all these, I’ve been
performing on regularly basis at shows.
I remember seeing you once in a Nigerian movie, after that
you went underground. Have you quit acting finally or you
just took a break?
Well, I actually wanted to do some acting when I first came
to Nigeria. I tried doing some movies but later found out
it was very difficult for me to penetrate Nollywood then.
Maybe, because of my husband, people were scared of giving
me jobs (Laughs). Maybe, they were afraid. But I’m still
hoping that in the nearest future I will be called to act
again in Nollywood movies. I also think my not being able
to speak Ibo, Yoruba and Hausa fluently is also affecting
my acting career. So, those producers out there should hear
me now. I’m available for you (General laughter). During
these intervals, I also had my talk show on air, which was
a segment on the Charly Boy Show. I was handling "This
Is Not The News", as miss ITK. It was much fun and I
enjoyed that role. Right now, I’m working on two other
shows that would hopefully be on air by September. One of
them will be called TAAKAIA. It means, Teaching Africans Arts
and Krafts. It is going to be a kind of self-empowerment programme
where I will be able to enlighten a few people on what they
could do with African arts and krafts. And also use it to
earn income for themselves.
When did you come to Nigeria first?
I came first in 1979.
It is not easy being Charly Boy’s wife, especially with
his weird lifestyle. How have you been coping?
I cope with it day by day. It is with God’s grace and
blessings in a relationship that keeps us together. We talk
much, we communicate, he doesn’t leave me behind in
things that he is doing. We also agree to disagree. I cope
and handle my household and offices very well. But it is not
easy. Most times, people walk up to me and ask how I manage
When was your marriage with CB solemnized?
Since 1984.
And what is the secret that has kept the marriage going?
Like I keep saying to people, there is no secret, it is just
God’s grace.
Are you fulfilled marrying Charly Boy and living with him
in Nigeria?
Yeah, for sure. I’m happy in my marriage. We are always
happy as a couple with lovely kids. Like it is expected in
every marriage once in a while, we do have our ups and downs.
The grass is not always green. We don’t let things interfere
with our marriage foundation. This is the rock that holds
everything together.
Is Charly Boy romantic?
(Laughs). Is he romantic? He used to be romantic, but now
that he is getting "younger", it is fading. But
I as his wife know how to make him romantic and the perfect
time to do that. As an Aquarian, we are very romantic people,
we need much affection but a Gemini like him, and they are
moody people. What he isn’t and does not have in romance,
I give back. We are the patient ones in a relationship.
As his wife of over 20 years, how would you describe Charly
Boy?
Whaoh! Those who have come closer to him have found out that
he is truly opposite of what people think of him. He listens
much and gives back to people much. He is caring, stern and
a no-nonsense kind of person. He likes hardworking people
around him. He also does not like people who keeping asking
for favours and don’t have any reasonable thing to offer.
He instills hard work and discipline in people. A loving father
who spends time with his children and family. And of course,
he is a loving husband. If he wasn’t, it will be very
difficult for me to cope.
Do you speak a bit of any of the Nigerian languages, especially
the major ones?
(Laughs.) I can speak a little bit of Ibo if I’m in
the village, I know how to greet. I know the titles. But my
Yoruba staff are trying to teach me Yoruba.
Which of our local delicacies do you know how to prepare very
well?
Many. You should know that the way to a man’s heart
is food. My husband likes all kind of foods and that has helped
me in knowing how to prepare variety of dishes. He likes Edika-Ikong
and Afang soups much and I prepare them for him very, very
well. I also like local vegetable foods much. I like pounded
yam much but it made me put on much weight, so I had to quit.
I also love pepper soup.
Tell us more about yourself and family background.
I’m Lady Diana Oputa (Nee Rogers). I’m an American
from South Carolina. I was born in a small house there. I’m
not gonna tell you my age. I was born into a Baptist family.
My parents and only sister are still alive in the U.S. I lived
in New York for many years. I’m a cosmetologist and
studied fashion designing. The name Lady Di, came about because
while in school, I was the only girl in my class. I’m
also a mother with three kids. I studied at Chamberlain College
in Boston and that was the area where I met my husband.
How did your path with that of Charly Boy cross?
That should be about 77/78. But I knew him for years before
coming to Nigeria. He met me while I was working in a hair
salon. Then I used to specialize in hair braiding. He was
always coming in a Limousine to do his hair. And people were
always making comments about him in the salon. Then, he was
donning a pull back and relaxed hairstyle. He called one day
and told my boss he would like to speak with me. On the phone,
he said he was inviting me to a function. He eventually drove
late to my place and took me to the supposed function. I later
discovered there was no function that it was only a trick
he used in taking me out. And it worked. We started going
out until he invited me to Nigeria. But I had earlier met
his parents in Boston before coming to Nigeria; his parents
actually invited me to Nigeria. I came in and stayed for about
eight months before going back. I was an explorer and really
fell in love with him. Then, I don’t think he was actually
in love with me. I felt he was just having fun. At a point,
when I did not call or write my parents while in Nigeria,
they started to look for me through American embassy here
in Lagos…
When Charly Boy eventually told you he would like to marry
you. Did you take him seriously?
He didn’t even tell me, he wanted to marry me. I made
him to propose to me.
How did you do that?
Because, at that point, we were already living together but
not legally married, we had our first son, which he was content
with. I think, it was because he was already married twice
and did not want to jump into marriage again. Remember, his
first wife was an American and the second a Nigerian. I came
from a family that is close knit; my parents are still together,
even his own parents. So, it was like, hey, if you don’t
want to do this, let me know…
But what actually got you attracted to CB?
He was and is still a sweet person. He was very romantic then.
He did and is still doing so much for me. We visit places
and talk much. He has an attractive spirit. Very interesting
person, my parents accepted him right from the outset. My
parents also knew that I wanted to be around him and they
could really do nothing about that. And since we got married,
I have been enjoying the marriage despite the ups and downs.
I really don’t even think about going back to America.
I only go on visits. I travelled last, last year.
What other things do you do?
Aside being a wife, mother and a musician, I run New Wave
Productions, especially the financial aspect of it. And it
is not easy combining this with my music and role of a housewife.
Have you ever thought of quitting this marriage, especially
in times of crises?
Emmh! (Thinks). I will be lying if I say that I’ve never
thought of packing up and going back home. I’m a reserved
person, you may not understand it but ... I like my privacy
and my husband is just the opposite. He likes people; he likes
being seen and being heard as a showbiz person. I like that
too, but not that level. There is a time to be seen as far
as I’m concerned. That is my way and I can’t change
it. Sometimes, he tells me that I don’t know the Nigerian
way, you have to be this, and you have to be that… Maybe,
it is because of the way I am that we are even able to be
as close as we are. If I was more like this or that, then
maybe, many things that we see each day, maybe, the relationship
won't work.
What are the things you hate and like most about Charly Boy?
Like I said, my husband is a Gemini; he is very moody. I dislike
that much and he knows. He also tends to switch off. If he
is in that mood, he does not talk. I don’t also like
that. If he is unhappy, I’m also unhappy. That is just
the way I am and that is the way he is. I always tell him
to let me know what is bothering him. The issue of PMAN and
other things happening around him are making him very stressed.
It takes a big toll on the relationship, the family and also
takes so much out of him. But I’m always there for him.
We are also suffering some of the things that he is also feeling.
But his generosity trips me much. Sometimes, he even gives
too much. And he feels giving is part of his calling. He likes
helping people much. Then, his love for the downtrodden is
unequalled.
You are a musician and a member of PMAN. How would you rate
the performance of your husband as the PMAN president since
he came on board?
With the amount of time he has spent in PMAN, he has accomplished
much. He has been able to get people to think and give them
visions to also think and follow. We may not be seeing it
yet as far as cash is concerned, but we are seeing it with
the output of what the musicians are giving us. Our music
is really going places. His collective war against pirates
is yielding results. And government is really supporting PMAN
in this war. There are so many things that he had in mind
and would like to do for PMAN. Like I said, the stress is
much and I would not want him to go back again when his tenure
expires.
There is a general belief that our female musicians are not
doing enough. In what ways do you think they can be empowered
to enhance their productivity?
I think that what Onyeka Onwenu has started and is trying
to do is good. I’m not yet a member. I think it is a
good forum where female musicians can come together and discuss
problems, issues and ways for them to empower themselves.
And also become as strong as their male counterparts. We also
need the proper songs and music to be in the market to also
enhance what we are doing. We have many talents who are female
musicians. We are unique. People like Yinka Davies, who is
my favourite, are very good and talented. I like her songs,
style and spirit. It is a good forum, but management is another
area we should look into. We don’t have managers here.
It is not our work; we need people to do our work for us while
we are busy out there. We need money to look good, to record
and even to promote our works. We can’t even receive
royalties from our music. By God’s grace, things are
going to change. So many things are hindering our progress.
Are you a member of Charly Boy’s new religion, Hare-Krishna?
(Laughs) Does Charly Boy have a church? Did he tell you that?
Sorry, no comment. I’m a Christian. I’m a Catholic.
How did you feel when Charly Boy first started his weird lifestyle?
I never felt or saw Charly as a weird person in any way. It
was weird and uncommon for Nigerians but not for the western
world. Remember that CB was in America for so many years.
He was looking and aiming for something that will set him
apart from other people, which he can use as a stepping stone.
All those things were gimmicks and antics he used to achieve
his aims. I was comfortable living with him and watching him
do all that. He was just painting a picture.
Tell us more about your kids.
I have three children and several step children. They are
Adaeze, Dominic and Alex. Their age range is 20, 18 and 12.
They are in universities in America. Only Dominic is here.
They are two girls, one boy. My kids have told us they wouldn’t
want to go into music… We’ve told them, do as
you wish but be focused. The family is intact. And the home
front is solid.
How do you feel when you read negative things about CB in
the print media?
Well, it depends on what I read. But people will always think
what they want to think or say. Right now, you are doing an
interview; it is only God that knows what your headline would
be. The public believes what they want to believe. The truth
is that I feel bothered when I see or read some of those things.
I don’t like it. No! But I’m very sure of the
family and myself.
Kindly, tell us some other things to expect from your debut
album when it finally hit shelves in the next couple of months?
Well, let me give you a clue. I’m featuring Black Faze
in of one my tracks. Also with Daddy Showkey and Dr. Alban.
None with my husband, he is busy with his own new album. We
are doing a remix of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It
On in my album. It is one of my most romantic and favourite
tracks.
Three kids down the road and you are still looking young,
pretty and fit. What is the secret?
My life is in the gym; I’m always there burning fat.
I eat less and exercise much and also watch what I eat. Everything
else, God has given me.
CB just had his birthday, some romantic words for him?
I would like to say to my dear sweet husband that I wish him
a happy birthday and many more happy returns. He should keep
on doing for people all the good things he’s been doing.
Just be himself. He’s always been there for people,
he should continue. He should keep it up we love him so much
and are very proud of him.
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