In recent years, people like Priscilla Ojo have honed their skills at displaying perfection. Over time, they have created and built the perfect perception of the “influencer lifestyle,” inspiring admiration and resilience in the creator space. The term influencer is mildly perceived, but with the power she holds, Priscilla Ojo is more than just an influencer; she is a Gen Z woman with power.
At first glance, an influencer is the epitome of perfection. With perfectly curated pictures and video content on their social media pages and vibrant energy emanating from their posts, it is easy to get caught up in the presentation and assume you know them. However, there’s a lot more than meets the eye—a few layers, if you must.
How the story began
Starting on red carpets and in Nollywood films, Priscilla Ojo knew she was destined for greatness. How did this manifest? Through fashion and her desire to bask in the spotlight as a brand influencer, realtor, CEO, actress, and content creator.
“When I started acting, being on red carpets became a regular occurrence. I noticed I always wanted to look good on the carpet and stand out at all times. That set the stage for me to be a fashion influencer. I began advertising for clothing brands; sometimes, brands would contact me. From hair to clothing to food and drinks, everything fell into place,” she reminisced.
With determination and an already established idea of who she wanted to become, Priscilla was set for success. Taking pictures and putting herself out there got her high engagement and established Priscilla as an influencer.
“I wouldn’t consider myself a nepo baby”
As the daughter of Nigerian actress, reality TV star, and media personality Iyabo Ojo, many quickly judge and conclude who Priscilla is—a nepotism (or nepo) baby. We asked Priscilla her thoughts on this, and her response told us all we needed to know.
“I’ve put in so much work to get to where I am today, and there are a lot of actors and actresses who have children like me that don’t have the image I have. So, I wouldn’t consider myself a nepo baby,” she told us.
A separation from her mother’s shadow
Sometimes, people make this comparison due to the fact that Priscilla’s mother is the famous Iyabo Ojo. Iyabo is a prominent Nigerian actress, producer, and entrepreneur. She has starred in numerous Nollywood films and established her own production company, Fespris Limited. Known for her outspoken personality and social media presence, Ojo is a successful figure who has made her mark in the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Iyabo Ojo’s presence in the film industry gave Priscilla Ojo a headstart as a child actor. However, it takes much more than just being the daughter of a well-known actor to become an established content creator, brand influencer, realtor, and CEO. In an effort to become established, Priscilla intentionally separates herself from her mother’s shadow, allowing her to become a self-named brand.
Having a big online personality is a big determinant of who an influencer is. Certainly, with 2.7 million followers on Instagram, Priscilla ticks that box. However, having such a large fanbase and community of supporters and followers doesn’t come without its downside. Priscilla has discovered that through such an online presence, people are bound to form their own opinions of who she is before she even enters a room.
“Online, people think I’m stuck up, rude, and antisocial, but then they get to know me and have a different opinion. Another big misconception people have is that they think brands don’t pay me enough for my lifestyle, which is unbelievable because when they understand how influence works, it opens their minds up to the world of influencing.”
Being a Gen Z woman with power
With many years of hard work and determination put into her growth, Priscilla has had many memorable experiences in the limelight.
From red carpets to movie premieres and influencer events, nothing stuck out like being acknowledged for her outfit at the Queen Charlotte premiere event in South Africa. Recalling the event with pride, she said, “When I got invited to the trip to South Africa, I realised I was the youngest influencer there. When I was recognised for best dressed at the event, it cemented the feeling of being ‘that girl’ for me, that Gen Z baddie.”
With great power comes great responsibility, and this age-old saying applies to the youngest generation in positions of power, including Priscilla. She knows the might of her power, but she still has fears as a human being—fears that she keeps hidden.
“Letting fear take over me and not being consistent enough are the two biggest things that scare me. When you start young, there’s always that feeling of impending doom, like there is a lot to be done, which can get overwhelming. At the same time, I never want to let people’s opinions affect me or start changing who I am.”
The motivating factors
On the other hand, her growth and journey have continued to be her own biggest motivating factors. And it goes without saying that her mother and fans are a big addition to what keeps her motivated on her exciting journey.
“My growth from where I was two to three years ago is very different from who I am now. Knowing how much I can improve in a short amount of time is always so exciting,” she said. “Also, my fans are always so supportive. Brands always tell me they are impressed with my fans’ support, and I love it. Whenever I post something, it sells out, and I’m always thankful for that. My mum, on the other hand, is such an inspiration to me, and she keeps me going.”
Being a 23-year-old with a big command of the industry can be unbelievably exciting, and while being in the spotlight takes a lot of work, Priscilla has hacked the game and found a way to make work look like fun. Take her work with Mirinda, for example. As the face of Mirinda, Priscy belongs to a family that has helped her grow, and she sees that work can sometimes not feel like work.
Empowering African women through social media influencing
As an African woman, Priscilla is thankful for the gift of social media and its ability to empower women. As an influencer whose largest fanbase exists online, Priscilla sees the hidden and open benefits of having an online presence.
“ I am happy to be that person that people can look up to and aspire to be. This is why I am starting an influencing class: to help women in society find their place in the world and make a name for themselves.”
Through fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, and influence, Priscilla Ojo is physical proof that going after what you want is impossible if you say so. Being a 23-year-old in Nigeria is an inspiring feat, but being able to achieve your goals without letting the noise in is even more impressive, and that’s what influence means to this Gen Z baddie. True influencing is being able to inspire young women to take charge and become more than society asks them to.
In Priscilla’s words:
“The next generation of women are women who are fierce but feminine deep within, women with power. While they may not all be CEOs and entrepreneurs, these women are taking charge of their reality, and I’m proud to be one of the people they can look up to as they strive to achieve their goals.”
