Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede has recounted the unexpected moment that led to her appearance in 2Baba’s classic hit, African Queen, a music video that would later serve as a launchpad for her acting career.
Jegede revealed the story during an interview with BellaNaija, explaining that she was on the set of the film Missing Angel when the opportunity came “out of nowhere.” Sitting beside filmmaker Charles Nova, she was told the director of the African Queen video wanted to speak with her — a call she initially found random and confusing.
According to her, she declined the offer at first, saying she had no interest in appearing in another music video after previously doing ones that required little more than dancing. Even when the director hinted that the project was for 2Face Idibia’s soon-to-be global hit, she remained hesitant.
Her reluctance shifted later that evening after a conversation with a friend who reacted with overwhelming excitement at the mention of African Queen. Jegede confessed she had not heard the song at the time, but her friend urged her to accept the role immediately, insisting she was turning down a major opportunity.
Motivated by his reaction, she called the director later that night to accept. She was then instructed to head to Surulere to prepare for the early-morning shoot, where stylists were already expecting her for a specific hairstyle.
She recalled taking a commercial motorcycle to the location after leaving the salon, unaware that she was stepping into what would later become a defining moment. The shoot produced one of Africa’s most memorable music videos and introduced her to millions of viewers across the continent.
Jegede said African Queen opened the first real door of her career, marking the beginning of her rise in Nollywood. “And that was the beginning of my career, with the African Queen video,” she said.
