Like many people during the pandemic, Toluwani George turned to her phone, creating TikTok videos where she mimicked and lip-synced movie scenes. At the time, it felt like a simple experiment, but it would later shape the direction of her career.
“I only did it at the time because I am just all for trying new and different things. If I feel like I can do something and I get the slightest bit of encouragement, I am going to go for it.”
She started out as a model and, six years later, has featured in films across several platforms, including Ms Kanyin, Rise Again, The Benefactor, and AYTA. Acting was not part of her original plan, but curiosity and openness to new experiences gradually pulled her in.
“I always like to say that I stumbled into acting because I didn’t set out pursuing acting. Being an actor wasn’t the plan initially at all, it was born out of the need to try my hands on new things.”
As she continued to take on roles, George began to see acting differently. While she intends to pursue formal training in other aspects of filmmaking, she describes experience as her most important teacher so far.
A producer eventually reached out after seeing her videos, giving her the opportunity to record her first monologue and short video. Although she was not ready to fully commit to acting at the time, she accepted a lead role in Taiwo Egunjobi’s All Na Vibes, encouraged by the director’s confidence in her.
“The film came out, did pretty good and it was then my opinion about acting started to change because I was slowly enjoying the experience. Then I started thinking after three acting gigs that it wasn’t bad for someone with no theatre experience.”
Her breakout role came as Eve Adeleke in Wura, which solidified her decision to pursue acting. The long-running series, centred on a powerful and ruthless matriarch, gave George the opportunity to play Eve, the youngest daughter in the Adeleke family.
“I would like to say that it was really Wura that solidified it for me. Playing Eve on that set was something I did for ten months which is a long time to convince me that I have found my path.”
She describes the experience as both demanding and rewarding, particularly because of the people she worked with.
“It has been amazing, I have gotten the chance to work with the best names and hands in the industry. Every set I have been on so far has been amazing, I feel blessed and grateful so it has been a very good ride.”
Although she joined the production after filming had already begun, she quickly settled into the role. Playing Eve required her to balance emotional intensity with a layered understanding of the character’s motivations.
“Playing the character of Eve Adeleke was very intense but it was also a wonderful experience at the same time. When I found out that I would be playing Eve, I was excited because it was different; she is a very strong character in my opinion who is loving, kind and a brat. When you look at her, you will realise that her heart is always in the right place rooting for what is best for her family, even in the wrong times. This is because she is constantly seeing the best in everybody except Kanyinsola.”
George has since built a reputation for playing characters that stay with audiences beyond the screen. She points to her role as Ife in Love And New Notes as one she particularly enjoyed.
“I enjoyed playing Ife in Love and New Notes, majorly because it is a story that you don’t see coming and my character is one that you don’t get to understand until much later. My character can be compared to something being unraveled. I have played a younger sister, daughter, college student but a maid was something different, especially one whose choices changed the trajectory of the film.”
For George, creating memorable characters begins with preparation and curiosity. She focuses on understanding her roles beyond what is written on the page.
“I also ask the director questions about my character just to inform certain nuances and choices because that information will serve as my motivation for each scene that I am playing in.”
Auditions are another key part of her process. She approaches them with a mix of discipline and personal conviction.
“First of all, I pray for direction and strength to interpret the character in ways that will resonate with whoever is watching it.”
She also prefers to rely on instinct rather than overthinking her performance.
“Another thing is I try not to do too many takes, in fact I avoid it because I realised that because I don’t have a background in theater, there is a way that I see the script differently which is that I don’t over analyse. The moment my lines are flowing naturally and I am convinced by what I am saying, this is when I have internalised and understood the script.”
Her connection to her characters often extends beyond filming.
“Building Ife’s backstory was so interesting and beautiful. And that’s why even till date, when debates come up between my friends about Ife’s choices, I am always quick to defend her because she is a character that I was rooting for as an audience, asides playing her. I love the character, love the story even more and that people love her as much as I do.”
She also pays attention to physical details, including wardrobe, especially during auditions.
“Case in point, if I am auditioning for a role where I am a tech sis, I will dress like a tech sis in my audition tape because it helps with setting the image in the mind of whoever is casting because they are already seeing me as the character.”
Looking ahead, George says she is open to taking on a wide range of roles, including more complex and darker characters.
“I am certainly open to similar roles and I am open to pretty much any type of roles to be honest.”
Working with actors she admired growing up has been one of the most rewarding parts of her journey. She recalls her experience working with Odunlade Adekola on Love And New Notes.
“When I finally got to work with Mr Odunlade Adekola on Love And New Notes, I felt very happy because he is someone I grew up watching and admire his craft. Honestly watching him work made me understand why people like him are called legends because there are certain things you can’t teach and explain but Mr Odun carries that presence.”
Beyond the work itself, she values the relationships formed on set. One of her favourite memories comes from filming Us, produced by Bolaji Ogunmola.
“Working on that gave me lifelong friendship so it wasn’t just about work for me again at some point. For me, one of the best memories will be when we all agreed to try out an Amala restaurant due to my love for Amala. After a whole day of filming, instead of heading back to the next location, we all collectively just vanished to eat Amala. It was just a funny and feel-good experience because we caused a little stir on set. Till today, we still laugh over it.”
The demands of acting have also influenced her personal routine, particularly her approach to skincare.
“First of all, you will not catch me outside unless it is very important so I avoid the sun. For my face, which is where I had majorly come up with a routine to figure out what works, no matter how tired I am, my routine has to happen one way or another. I don’t play with my face wash because I tend to use make up during sets. I also incorporated ice rollers into my routine because I realised that because the weather is very hot, you need that ice to calm your face and it also helps with flare ups, inflammation and even acne. Then my toners, moisturiser and sun screen.”
With multiple releases this year, including Aba Blues, Love And New Notes, and Love, Tiwa, George’s career continues to gain momentum. She hints at more projects across different platforms.
“I can’t go into details but you can expect everything, more cinema and YouTube productions. You can also expect more content on my end as well.”