Prominent Nollywood face, Yemi Blaq is a graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Benin. He was recently crowned winner of the second edition of Spirit of David's reality dance show, Celebrity Takes 2 where he contested alongside the likes of singer Obiwon, actress Stella Damasus and producer Fred Amata amongst many others. He has appeared in about a hundred Nollywood movies since his debut in 2005 and in 2008 won the ZUMA Award for Best Supporting Role for his role in Grey Focus. He talks about the reality show and his career in this interview.

How do you feel winning Spirit of David's Celebrity Takes 2?

I feel absolutely marvellous; it's a great feeling. I kind of expected it but when I heard my name, it felt great.

Were you a dancer before the show?

The last time I danced to any standard of any sort was when I was young and used to enter dancing competitions at birthday parties, a couple of which I won. Coming in touch with this professional standard was extremely challenging and I thank God for the victory.

Did you believe you would win when you agreed to get on the show?

I go into most things I do in life with a winning attitude. Although as a realistic adult and intellectual individual I know you can't win them all, this is one of the things I set out and gave over 100 per cent to. I told them right from the onset that I‘m not a dancer, by any standard; but the thing is, I'm a quick learner and promised that I would learn whatever it is they throw in my path.

Who posed the greatest challenge on the show?

Every single person was a challenge. When you go there you see everybody ready, there is Obiwon looking all ready and all mentally primed, there was Stella, with an ever present beautiful smile, Fatia with her swagger and there was Kel in her youth; I mean, everybody there representing, that at the end of the day you say ‘oh my God!'

As a prolific actor, being on the show must have meant turning down other contracts; what convinced you to commit to a dance show for 13 weeks?

I didn't know it was going to be so time consuming. I got a phone call from Pastor Leke (of Spirit of David) who told me I had been selected to be on the show and he said ‘you can't say no.' Although I had other stuff lined up, I agreed to be on it after speaking to a couple of people, hoping it would be fun and I'd be able to merge that and some other works together but I couldn't; for 13 weeks, they had all my time.

Were you promised any form of remuneration even if you didn't win?

I wouldn't call it remuneration but a contract. It mentioned what was up for winning and that we [would] have sign on fees. It wasn't a promise of any sort but a documented contract.

Did you contribute to the dance sequences or you just followed your instructor's instructions?

From the get go when I met my instructor, Funke Sodade, we had a sudden mutual respect for one another. Although we realised that we were foraging into her area of expertise, she also knew that I'm an artist and a creative person, so we'd sit down together to create the dances.

What effect do you think winning this is going to have on you acting career?

It is not going to make my acting prowess any better, but it is probably going to give me more attention and more buzz.

As an actor, what are the things you consider before picking up roles?

Before I agree to act in a movie, I must have learnt from the script that there is some relevance in the movie, it has to minister and also be artistic.

As a graduate of Theatre Arts, how will you rate your colleagues that came into acting without studying the art?

It's really funny because the industry evolves around the hub and the hub is talent. You could be a medical doctor and be a gifted artist, so first thing you need to have before training is talent. I'm quite amazed by some of my colleagues who had been bankers, engineers. Look at Nkem Owoh, an engineer and a phenomenal artist too. I think learning on the job took them in good step and because of their talents; they are able to fit in.

What's next for you?

What I've always been doing, acting; but I have an offering for the music consuming quota of the Nigerian public, and I hope they'll like it. I write poetry and songs so I've decided to do something with my songs. I'm probably going to release a track or an album just to let the public see that part of me.

What kind of music will it be?

My interest in music is eclectic; I listen to any thing, Fuji, Akpala, merenge, jazz, whatever it is I listen to it. So I'm sure that the offering that I'm going to bring will be a reflection of all the music I listen to.