INTERVIEW: Nigerian Born Model and Painter, Sidney Uwaifo Talks Everything Art/Printings, New Website, Fashion App, Fitness, and More…

Meet Nigerian born personal trainer, model, painter, Sidney Uwaifo, born June 16th 1994 and based in Glasgow , Scotland.

An information computer technology and business student. Check out my exclusive interview with the young and business minded Sidney below:

Hey Sid! Would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
My name is Sidney like you already know, my family name is Franklin which is my dads name but my ancestral name is Uwaifo. And I will be changing that officially soon, so my name is Sidney Uwaifo, I’m 23 years old and im from Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria.

Talk me through an average day in the life of you?
First I pray when I wake up, that’s been a morning ritual for me since I could say the word “ma” starting the day with prayers is very important for me, next I do 100 push ups and 100 sit up, go to the gym, shower at the gym and I go to university finish at about 4pm then head to football practice any space in between I spend at the studio or blessed sacrament.

Tell us more about your label and which artists are signed to the label?
I run an entertainment company, called “Pawn to King” as of now I have just producers working with me and will be keeping it that way for a little while.

Why the interest in music?
Music for me is one of the most important things in a man/woman’s life, music could decide your mood, raise your spirit, motivate you make u wanna make love and above all music is important to because I cant paint without music and painting is a very huge part of my life.

How would you describe the modeling and fitness industry in the Europe?
Modeling in Europe is okay I mean there are always jobs, my only problem with is there are many models but most of them still use the trains, subways and taxis. I mean as a model you get enough to live, buy decent outfits but that’s it. The agencies get the bulk of it, you don’t make enough to buy a decent car or house and that’s why whenever I sign a contract, I love to keep it open so I am able to do my own personal jobs and shoots. And as for fitness its the same in Europe as it is in Africa or America and every other part of the world, if your dedicated you would see results. There’s no shortcut or back door except surgery or steroids which I strongly advice against.

You are very active in the fitness business, why do you feel need for this?
I’m a model, if I don’t stay fit I can’t work lol, and besides have you been on Instagram lately, the amount of fit brothers out there would scare the shit out of you. My guy boys are not smiling o my eye dey red, I need to stay at top physical and mental conditions at all time so whenever opportunity comes knocking, I go dey ready.

How do you balance your personal and professional life?
Its hard but then again Diddy, Jay Z, Kanye West, all these people I look up to and they all have the same 24 hours as I do. If them fit do am me go do am too. No level. And besides GOD dey, my mama dey pray for me daily.

Looking at your photos from 2014 to now in 2017 there as been massive changes and improvements. What will you say motivated/inspired you to go into fitness and stay dedicated in it?
Just the desire to be better, average isn’t in my DNA its the best or nothing, just that desire and hunger for better things keeps me going.

How often do you go to the gym and how many hours do you spend while you there?
I go 5 times a week and stay 1 hour 30 mins max. Short and intense is only true way. All those people wey dey go spend 3 hours for gym na wash.

I hear you also just started acting, how’s that working out for you?
That’s on hold for now, I have to sort some personal things out, but speaking of acting, go check out my bro @kellypullon_ on instagram, he’s an actor, very hardworking and fellow Edo boy like myself. Watch out for him.

You are a lover of the arts and also paint too. When did your passion for these start and How’s that going?
The strongest part of me is my mind, its a none stop tape and whatever I think of I like to represent visually, either in words, or in paintings.my first art was at age 8 and my first painting was winnie the pooh, and in high school under the supervision of Mr. Bitaboye Davies and working with my peers like Anderson Okwechime, Enobakhare Emmanuel and lots more I watched carefully and developed my own style.

What’s your 5 Dos and Don’t of Art/Painting?
I don’t have any do’s and dont’s art is universal, and everything around us is art, I always say of a todder makes pen marks on a piece of paper, if you frame that up that would sell more than most art works why? Because its original. So my only advice is stay raw and stay original let your art have meanings and let it speak to the viewers.

How’s the art industry in Scotland and Europe?
I just got to Scotland so its still an observation stage for me. I sell my works on my website www.sidneyuwaifo.com and people from all over the world buy it.

What would you say is the main misconception the public have about models?
That most models are gay. That’s not true, of course there are alot of gay men in the fashion industry but not all are. I personally I’m straight. And I want to us the opportunity to address this matter, I am Nigerian and I know alot of Nigerian out there my frown at this, but I stand with gay people and everyone should be able to love whoever they want. Leave them alone and let them live. Just as a child didn’t choose to be born black or white, they didn’t choose to be born gay. Life happens so let them live.

What aspect surprised you the most once you started as an Art painter?
That is actually easy, just think it and do it lol, however you can represent it on the canvas, frame it up and its sellable as long as it has a story behind it.

Which brands, designers, clients, Art collectors and models have you worked with?
“Es tu un ange” and underwear company, Bosco Bhane, Norbert Zsolyomi, Elle Varner, Prime model management, Wam models, rugby brand.

What has been one of the most memorable jobs to work on?
The rugby brand shoot, they made me feel at home with them.

Who do you want to work with that you haven’t yet?
Its my dream to model for Calvin Klein and hopefully some day it happens.

Tell us two things people don’t know about you?
I study information technology and international business management simultaneously, one online and the other I go university. And secondly yes my lips are actually as pink as it is in pictures and yes they are natural lmao.

What do you consider your biggest professional success so far?
The Elle Varner video. It was great to be on it.

What has been your biggest challenge?
Stability.

You are very active on social media. Do you think its important to be online and if so why?
Lol baba na 21st century o. Money wey dey internet plenty. Na timing una go hear word.

You are are from originally from Nigeria, but live in Glasgow, Scotland. How is that working out for you?
We thank GOD. na e hand everything dey. Glasgow has been good so far. The weather tho.

What are your must visit travel destinations?
I want to see Ghana oo. I don’t care which city but I want to see Ghana, Switzerland, Hawaii, Vegas, New York city, Spain, Mexico.

Name 5 things we should take seriously about our style choices?
I wouldn’t question anyone’s style, each have their own individuality, all I would hope to do is motivate people who think I am stylish. “Always smell good tho” hahaha

How would you describe your style?
Versilte. I love to show my body. So anything to holds tight to my skin is a yes for me.

Name your five must have accessories/essentials?
1. Bible
2. Rosary
3. Phone
4. Phone charger
5. Wallet

What are your favorite fashion trends?
Ripped jeans open neck T’s and ankle boots. Haha just anything that spells “sexy”

What is your favorite dish?
Beans and dodo “fried plantain” it touches me on a spiritual level.

What songs are currently on your playlist?
Lots of songs, too many to mention but you would always find Wande Coal, Tory Lanez, Sza, J.Cole, Lana Del Rey on my playlist.

Apart from fitness, acting, modeling, painting, what other projects are you currently working on?
My website just launched, I’m currently working on a fashion app.

Seeing you’re doing your dreams, what advice can you give others to pursue their dreams?
Don’t stop chasing. Be prepared for minor set backs but don’t let them weigh you down and above all have the mindset “I will get it no matter what”

Any specific plans for the future?
Make the Forbes list.

Any final words?
Stay hungry, get that paper, keep family extremely close, choose a few loyal friends 1 or 2.

Where can we follow you online and on social media?
Instagram: @mrbigthings
Twitter: @nigerianjollof
Facebook: @sidneyfranklin
Website: www.sidneyuwaifo.com