Look at this African beauty! She is Ololade Olagbaye, but she prefers to be called just Lola. You can meet her today on almost all the billboards of Yerevan presenting fashion and style. Lola is 34 years old, and she is from Nigeria. The model, along with her two kids, moved to Armenia in 2020, joining her husband Yusuf Otubanjo, who plays for Armenian football club Pyunik. Lola confesses, at first she was afraid to settle here because of the pandemic and the war, but now she can't imagine her life outside Yerevan.
NEWS.am STYLE has photographed the Nigerian model for its recent photoshoot. Also, we talked about her love towards Armenia, her kids, and future plans.
"I have always dreamed of being a model right from when I was 15 years old. I did a few jobs in my earlier days at university, but stopped them because I had to concentrate on my studies and traveling for auditions, and photoshoots were stressful for me. When I got engaged and moved to Europe, the opportunity didn’t show up as expected—until I moved to Armenia... From one recommendation to another and gradually my career is blooming. Now I am looking forward to blooming in acting as well. I am happy, really glad to be able to do what I love after two beautiful kids," says the model.
And speaking about Armenia, she adds: "I love it here. It's funny how I didn't want to come here at first because it was during the conflict and Covid; I was scared for my babies. But now I don't want to leave. I mean I love this place so much, it feels like home for me. Basically, now Armenia is my second home, I love the people, I have met a lot of friendly and kind people since I moved here, so many beautiful places... Also, Armenia gave me the chance to start my modeling career again. I love this beautiful city so much. I am not joking! No place is perfect, but I feel at home here."
Now Lola is trying her best in learning Armenian, although the language is not a barrier for the communicative model to make her intentions clear for everyone here.
"The language can be a bit difficult sometimes, but my children are learning from kindergarten, my big baby can speak now, and she understands a lot more than me, which encourages me to learn. I am starting my Armenian class this winter," Lola says.
Aside from modeling, Lola is a Mass Communication graduate. "I am hoping one day I will be able to work on radio again, or TV. I worked as a radio presenter when I graduated, and I did it just for one year. But for now, I am a full-time model and mom," she says.
Apart from her everyday duties, the model doesn't stop dreaming and making her future plans.
"God has the final say, but I want to become an influential and affluence woman, an international model and actress, and a businesswoman. I am launching my business soon, it's called O’Lola Beautè, which is a subsidiary of O’Lola Groups. (O’Lola groups will open a restaurant or hostel here in the future) but for now, I am working on the fashion and beauty part. I also have an interest in wine production. May God help me!"
As for her unique looks for Armenian fashion industry, Lola says: "I understand I have different look, but for me, it's nothing really special. One thing I believe is God had it all planned out before I moved here that this beautiful country will change my life for Good."
Syune Arakelyan
Photos by Arsen Sargsyan
Dress from Oh La La Boutique
Make up by Sona Muradyan
The photoshoot was held at Photon photo studio
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