Kehinde:Yes I'm in a relationship, Taiwo:No, I'm not

The Campbell twin sisters are both into entertainment; Taiwo is a singer, while Kehinde is a model. Both are students of the Open University. They had a chat with Mercy Michael and Mutiat Alli


What exactly are you twins into?
Entertainment, I'm Taiwo and into music; while Kehinde is into modelling.

What kind of music, Taiwo?
I sing gospel music
.
Why gospel?
It has to do with what message you have and the passion. Yes, to an extent, gospel music may not be that profitable financially but it depends on your method of distribution. I want to make money quite alright so I've got to be able to do gospel in a commercial way. Keffe's kokoroko is being played everywhere. So one can say she's been able to understand the market and the industry. I'm cut out for gospel music and I'm not ready to bend over backward but at the same time it has to be contemporary enough and appealing to everybody.

Did you start out singing gospel songs?
Yes, but along the line I did secular music too. I did a song with Tony Tetuila, but I had to later beg him that I won't be appearing in the video. I even told him not to give me any credit in the song. I can't do secular music anymore. I know I will be very unhappy if I do it.

How long have you been singing?
Professionally, six years.
Six years is a long time.
I have not really come out and it's due to logistics. For now I have a single.

When do you intend to come out fully?
Next year.

When did you realise that you had it in you (singing)?
It's been a long time. We've always been singing. We were in a group called Sound Plus. But somewhere along the line (Kehinde speaking) I realised I had interest in modelling so I decided to go into modelling fully while Taiwo continued with singing.

So what do you do apart from singing and modelling?
(Taiwo speaking) we school at the Open University and we are with Outreach Entertainment. We brand, cover events. But for me, what I do with them is jingles and voice overs.

Taiwo, don't you think you look too glamorous for a gospel singer?
I wear what I'm comfortable in. It's not every time we dress like this. Normally, I like native wear. But basically, I don't have any problem wearing things that are trendy. For me, what matters is modesty and decency. For instance, some people will probably wear this gown without leggings, but I can't do that. The days when I used to wear micro-minis are gone. As I said, fashion should be about modesty and decency.

Kehinde, what's your story about modelling?
I started by doing ushering jobs, then runways in 2004, before I started doing calendar jobs. I also do music videos. I just did Star Trek commercial for Nigerian Breweries. I don't do runways anymore.

Are you girls in any relationship?
(Kehinde speaking) Yes, I'm in a relationship.
(Taiwo) No, I'm not.

Why?
It's because I ended a serious relationship a long time ago. I have guys who are very close but I really do not have that time for now. Basically, I'm taking my time. But when you see the right person you will know. Not that I don't get advances from men, I mean we go on TV regularly. Recently we were on Moments with Mo; and lo and behold, calls started coming in and almost every one of them was saying the same thing. But the truth is when you see a serious person you will know. For instance there was this guy that was asking me out for a long time and I kept turning him down only to find out that while he was planning to get married to his wife he was also asking me for a serious relationship. So you just have to be careful that is the truth.
You have to marry someone who identifies with your calling otherwise you will be making a big mistake. I have a friend who is a good singer and suddenly she got married and had to stop singing; for me, that is unacceptable. If you love me, you have to love what I'm doing. The fact that I'm married doesn't mean that I will not enjoy the comfort of a studio.

Kehinde, how do you deal with societal pressure?
As it is with everyone who is in public glare, we feel the pressure, I won't lie to you. For instance, we don't have a car. We spend a lot on cabs and sometimes we rely on friends to drop us at events and pick us up. Sometimes when they fail to turn up due to traffic and things like that we end up going in cabs and sometimes too, when we have to be at another place and we are running behind schedule, we end up jumping on a bike. In cases like this, we hide our faces so that we are not recognised. The car thing actually is over due. We are seriously working out modalities on how to get our own car but we are not desperate. If we were, there are guys out there who are willing to offer us one if you are also willing to compromise but no, we are not desperate.

What does fashion mean to you?
(Taiwo speaking) it is about being comfortable with what you are wearing.
(Kehinde) Fashion is all about making and creating statements.

Do you have a beauty routine?
(Taiwo) yes, I have; usually I clean my face of make-ups and go for some massage before going to bed.
(Kehinde) Whenever I am feeling sleepy, I go to bed even without washing off my face make-up.

What would I find most in your wardrobe?
Most likely, more of Aso-Oke because that is what we consider fashionable right now; it is only on some basis that you find us wearing trousers and gowns. But for Kehinde who is a model, she can wear anything that suits her only on the grounds that it does not expose her cleavage.

Perfume choice?
If it smells good, I'll wear it, it shouldn't choke me. I like Estee Lauder, it's a nice perfume but I could wear anything else, I don't have to stick to one.

Dressing?
It depends on where I am going really. I don't really like flashy colours, and I spend most of time getting my face well made and my clothes ready to make a statement.