September 05, (THEWILL) – In this interview with IVORY UKONU, Moet and Nicole Abebe, both cousins from the famous Abebe family (think late Mrs Stella Obasanjo), talk about their podcast show, ‘Spill The Tea With the Abebes,’ their career, family and sundry issues. Excerpts:
Moet you started out on television presenting a programme on SoundCity and then you moved on to radio and now visual podcasting. Why didn’t you just do this on your time belt on radio?
Moet: Podcasting is definitely the future as the world is going digital. It is also a way of owning your content. Doing this on my radio belt would mean me creating content for radio only and it will all have to be approved by the radio station I work for. Podcasting definitely gives me the freedom to touch on topics that I find interesting and execute the conversation the way I like and want.
Why did you see the need to have Nicole join you as co-host?
Moet: Not just to join me as a co-host, but as the associate producer because with the type of conversations I aimed to stir up, I needed someone whose energy matched mine, who I could learn from and she could equally learn from me. Nicole was the perfect candidate because even with our relationship off camera, we have amazing conversations and connection, so I knew she would be perfect as a co-host.
Nicole: We are family. That is the biggest difference that our podcast has. We have a different dynamic than other co-hosts and we reason with each other differently.
Whose idea is the visual podcast?
Nicole: The podcast started out as an idea from Moet. She had always wanted to start a project that she could call her own, which would showcase her amazing talents. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic cut my time in New York short. It was a blessing when Moet asked me if I’d like to go on this journey with her.
There is quite a few podcasts shows in Nigeria. What are you guys going to be doing differently from others?
Moet: You are very right. There is a lot of podcasts in Nigeria. What we will be doing differently is our honesty and the bare-it-all attitude. We share our personal experiences on heartbreak, trauma, parenting, societal pressures and lots more. Also, a show handled by cousins hasn’t quite been done before and that is definitely what also makes us stand out
Nicole: We cater to young adults. We set our first season around social issues rather than political ones because there are other podcasts out there that focus on political issues. We will touch on said issues, perhaps in season two. We just have to figure out our own approach. Secondly, our podcast is not only visually appealing with our fun and whimsical set design, but each topic sheds new light on issues we all face.
What topics do you dwell on?
Moet: Areas such as industry, relationship and career, as long as it involves young people and what young people can relate with.
While it is okay to pander to what young people like and are most likely to gravitate towards, don’t you think issues that the youths shy away from, such as politics should be included in such a way that they are compelled to be part of the political conversation?
Nicole: Yes I do agree with you that politics definitely affects young people and the demographic we do focus on. God willing, I can assure you that we are definitely looking at having an episode or more on politics.
What do you hope to achieve with your podcast at the end of the day?
Moet: I am hoping it will become a household name, especially amongst our target demographic and beyond. I want to achieve a visual podcast that is not only entertaining, but also extremely enlightening and educative. I want constructive conversations to be had among young people and for them to take home a thing or two that will inevitably leave them rounded and socially aware.
Nicole: To open minds to issues that one probably never gave much thought. Our main objective is to provide fun and educational content that keeps people coming back for more.
Have you thought of taking your podcast to television and transforming it into a talk show in the nearest future or are you simply contented with this?
Moet: I am most definitely looking at the podcast transforming into a talk show on television. This is why so much attention was given to the set design, styling of the hosts and the use of props.
Nicole: The sky’s the limit. Moet has always had huge ideas for it, but now this project is also my baby and I see it going far beyond our wildest dreams.
What really inspired the podcast?
Moet: I wanted to create a safe space where two millennial family members touch on things that affect not only them, but also young people around them with the hope that they can do their little part of passing knowledge and experience to people who are keen to know more but don’t have the right outlet or platforms to gain more knowledge. The family dynamic between myself and Nicole also was an inspiration. The fact that we met as adults but have been able to do business and create content together just goes to show that there is no limit to how, when or with whom you can aim to achieve greatness
Nicole: In a world where you feel like everything is borrowed; time, money, even relationships, it’s nice to know that something is 100 per cent yours. I believe that was one of the driving factors behind starting this visual podcast, being able to put your name on your hard work.
Is it a coincidence that you are also a radio presenter, Nicole or is it due to Moet’s influence?
Moet: It’s pure coincidence and a very suitable one
The media doesn’t exactly run in your family as your family members known to the public are business oriented and technocrats. Where did your love for the media stem from?
Moet: I’ve always loved the idea of being in the spotlight and putting smiles on people’s faces. Yes, the media isn’t in my family, but the entertainment industry has always been an industry I admire to some extent. I guess I decided to take things up a notch by choosing to be a part of the industry.
Nicole: True about the business aspect. However my mum’s side of the family have always been creative and they occupied the media space. My grandfather, Sylvester Moemeke, was one of the pioneers of advertising in Nigeria. He was known as the ‘doyen of advertising’. My mother is highly skilled in interior design and advertising. My siblings and I, as well as most of my cousins from my mother’s side have all gone into something creative at one time or another. So I’d say it runs in my blood.
Moet, you studied law, but you have been working in the media for a while now. Will you ever use your law degree someday?
Moet: I hope to do so, but being a lawyer doesn’t satisfy me as much as the work I do now.
You are also an entrepreneur: you run a spa, a restaurant, etc. I suppose this is the real Abebe in you. Why spa and restaurant?
Moet: Skincare and cooking have always been major areas of interest for me. So what better way to apply my skill than to make money from it.
And you are a video vixen too, with your appearance in one of D’Banj’s music video. Are we going to be seeing that part of you more often?
Moet: I’m not sure about often, but yes you will be seeing me more from now on, not just in music videos but also in the movies.
I hear you have 11 tattoos. What is the significance of at least five of them?
Moet: I actually have 22 tattoos and my favourite five would be: First, the Nefertiti tattoo on my forearm. She was literally at the forefront of the emancipation of Egyptian women and nothing screams strength and royalty like her portrait.
Secondly I love the Adinkra symbol for beauty and femininity, which is an image of the traditional afro comb which I have.
Third, I love the locket with my grandma’s name, Nana inscribed on my wrist which acts as a memorabilia to her.
Also, the inscription, “I can and I will, watch me” on my shoulder blade is literally my personal words of affirmation.
Finally the inscription, “the error of the past is the wisdom of the future” in Sanskrit is also a mantra I live by. Mistakes happen, but what’s most important is what we learn from them.
What philosophy do you both live by?
Moet: I live by the philosophy that one should hope for the best but expect the worst.
Nicole: I live by a few: It’s never too late to become who you want to be. It doesn’t take much to be a kind person and do onto others as you want to be done to yourself. Also, first impressions matter.
What is it about your childhood that has shaped you both to become who you are today?
Moet: I would say what really shaped me into who I am today was the fact that I grew up as an only child of Drs John and Lucy Abebe. This meant that I always relied on myself to get anything done and in all honesty, I taught myself how to be independent and self-reliant.
Nicole: I spent my formidable years in boarding school, from age 11 to 17. When I think about some of the things I still do to this very day, I realise they are habits I picked up in school. Apart from that, I’m the only girl and youngest child in my family so I stuck by my mother’s side. She shaped me into the woman I am today. This is why I take it as a compliment when people tell me I have an old soul.
My parents are Henry and Beatrice Abebe. Sadly, my dad passed away in 2014.
Moet, you once said that you don’t think you are cut out for marriage? What prompted this declaration?
Moet: Nothing entirely is responsible for this declaration. I just know who I am and what I can be disciplined about or towards. Right now at this very moment, I am just not focusing on that but focusing on myself.
Who are some of the people you look up to in the media industry and why?
Nicole: My entrance essay into the University of Bedfordshire where I bagged a degree in Broadcast Journalism was about Ryan Seacrest. I love that guy; his work ethic and how he’s been able to make the media industry work in his favour. I’d like to mould my career to look like his. I also admire Giuliana Rancic, her stage presence and control of the microphone. Also, Adrienne Bailon from ‘The Real’ talk show. The way she reads a teleprompter is so cool! You’d never guess she was reading anything. Then obviously there’s the great Oprah Winfrey. I love the way she can bring out emotions from her interviews.
Moet: I look up to IK Osakioduwa as he’s an amazing master of ceremony who is extremely relatable and you immediately connect with. As for the radio, I absolutely love Sola Mogaji aka Schullz. She is an absolute delight to listen to. She knows exactly the type of conversations to be had and she has a killer voice. I also love Titi ‘Dynamite’ Oyinsan and Morayo Brown. They have remained consistent and are equally extremely talented ladies
How do you both unwind when you aren’t working?
Moet: I love going on vacations and to the beach with close friends. I am at ease by the water.
Nicole: I mostly catch up on my favourite series or watch a movie. If I’m feeling inspired, I may get in the kitchen and start baking.
If you weren’t in the media, what else do you think you would have excelled in?
Moet: I definitely would have excelled at law. I would have done well as a barrister and solicitor.
Nicole: If I wasn’t in the media industry, I would have attended culinary school and started a pop-up restaurant or two.
Nicole, you attended The New York Film Academy. Is acting on the horizon for you?
Nicole: I actually attended New York Film Academy for Broadcast Journalism as well. They offered a fresh perspective from what I learned in my undergraduate days. However, I’d never say never, if Nollywood came knocking and if it was a good time for me, I’d answer.
Even though you only just started, what are some of the challenges you both faced with your podcast?
Nicole: Finance. Like they say, you have to spend money to make money. In this case, a fair amount was spent to achieve the ideas we had in our heads. I tip my hat to Moet. Without her, most of this wouldn’t have been possible. There’s no stopping her when she puts her mind to something. I admire that.
Moet: A major challenge would be funding, the gathering of funds and being able to get the best deals as executive producer.
What has been your greatest achievement in life so far?
Nicole: So far, I’m proud of the young woman I am today. I used to be very shy, sometimes I wonder why a shy girl chose to be in front of the camera. But I love my work. I’m grateful I attended wonderful schools around the world that gave me all the knowledge I need to succeed. I’m happy at the pace at which my career is moving because I know it’s only up from here. And most importantly, I’m happy I am someone my mother can be proud of at the end of the day. I do all this so I can one day take care of her like she has done for me my whole life and continues to do.
Moet: Actually sticking and choosing this career path and what I love, which is clearly media. The fact that next year will mark 10 years of my journey in the industry and it goes to show that choosing how I wanted my journey to be and remaining consistent was what has gotten me this far, which I’m very proud of as I achieved all this by myself.
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