Darasimi Nadi is the kind of person who is quiet when you first meet her and then suddenly she is the funniest person in the room and you are wondering how that happened. At 14, she is already a Nollywood actress, model and TV host but the moment you sit with her, the titles fall away and you are just talking to a girl who is genuinely, warmly, refreshingly herself.
Born in Ibadan and proudly rooted in her Tiv heritage from Benue State, Darasimi has been showing up on screens long enough to have favourite characters, strong opinions, and a very clear sense of who she is and where she is going. She moves between film sets and classrooms, plays emotionally complex characters with a depth that makes you forget her age, and then goes home and finds her happiest place in the most unexpected way.
Her relationship with her mum is one of our favourite things about her story, layered, loving, hilarious and surprisingly formal in one very specific way that you absolutely need to read for yourself.
We sat down with Darasimi and left the conversation smiling. Her full feature is below and trust us, you want to read every word.
You’re in a room and someone asks, “Who’s Darasimi?” How do you introduce yourself, the real, fun version?
I am Darasimi, someone who enjoys genuine connections, good conversations, and being around people with positive energy. I can be quiet at first, but once I’m comfortable, I’m playful, funny, and very expressive. I care deeply about the people in my life and I naturally try to make others feel seen, comfortable, and appreciated. I enjoy simple moments, creating memories, laughing over random things, and bringing warmth into the spaces I’m in. I’d describe myself as kind, thoughtful, a little unpredictable sometimes, but very real and easy to connect with once you know me.
You’ve been acting since you were very young. What’s the part of acting that makes you laugh the most on set?
What makes me laugh the most on set is when someone forgets their lines in the middle of an emotional scene and everyone is trying so hard to stay serious. Sometimes the reactions are even funnier than the mistake itself.
You’ve worked on so many movies. Which character was the most fun to play, and why?
I have honestly enjoyed playing a lot of characters, but Ihunanya in Obram, Dami in Hustle, and Nike in Tokunbo really stand out to me.
Being a young actor can be busy! When you’re not acting, what’s your favourite way to spend your free time?
When I’m not acting, you will most likely find me in my mother’s bosom — that’s my safe place. She’s honestly all the fun I need. Aside from that, I’m usually attending one lesson or another to catch up on the school days I miss because of acting. To be honest, there aren’t many fun activities I do outside of acting, except swimming, which I really enjoy.
Your mom has been such a big part of your journey. What’s one fun or surprising thing she does that people wouldn’t guess?
I don’t think people would believe that my mom and I actually have a written agreement between us. Another surprising thing is that, despite everything I do, she still disciplines me whenever I go out of character. At the end of the day, she’s not just my manager or biggest supporter, she’s still my mother, and she takes that role very seriously.
If you could pick any director or actor in Nollywood to work with next, who would it be and why?
Kemi Adetiba for director and Nse Ikpe Etim for actor.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other young ladies who want to act but are nervous or unsure?
Don’t let fear stop you from trying. It’s okay to be nervous because everybody starts somewhere, and nobody gets everything perfect immediately. If acting is something you truly love, keep learning, keep practicing, and believe in yourself even when things feel slow. Also, don’t compare your journey to other people’s because everyone grows differently. Just stay consistent, be confident in who you are, and never be afraid to show your talent.
Fun Round
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
E No Easy by P-Square.
If you could swap places with any character in a movie or show, who would it be?
MaiSai Martin from the movie Little.
If you could invent a brand-new superpower, what would it do?
Invisibility.
