Babajide Awoyinfa
Next To Blow
Next To Blow: I Strive To Be The Ultimate Presenter – Stephanie Coker
Friday, January 18, 2013Omoba
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By Babajide Awoyinfa
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But it will be wrong to view Stephanie Coker as just another “Beautiful face.” She is a go getter, with Curriculum Vitae that could make any accomplished TV presenters green with envy. Working for MTV and Channel 4 is no mean feat.
In this encounter, the graduate of Brunel University, West London, ruminates on why becoming a presenter means the world to her.
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Stephanie
Coker. I’m 24 years old. I was born in Lagos, Nigeria but moved to the UK with
my mum when I was a year old. I have a younger brother who lives in the UK with
both my parents. There are so many different personalities in my family that we
balance each other out. I’ve always been in love with the Nigerian culture. I
remember walking down my high street listening to the likes of Lagbaja, Kwam 1
and D’banj and my friends were confused as to why I wasn’t listening to the
more mainstream music. I moved to Nigeria in September 2011 to pursue a career
in presenting and to also impact the lives of young Nigerians.
How would you describe your style as a TV presenter?
My style of presenting is really a reflection of my
personality. I am very spontaneous and sometimes cheeky. I don’t take myself
seriously; I like to have fun with the people I’m interviewing. I like to do
whatever comes to my head. Let’s just say I could never be a newscaster.
What was your first experience as a presenter?
My first time presenting was very nerve
racking. I kept trying to remember the questions and also my name.
What presenting moment do you remember most?
My most vivid presenting moment was when I won the
MTV Find My Freedom UK Presenter competition. I was in an advert that ran
across the UK throughout the summer. That was the first time I’d ever seen
myself on TV. It was so surreal!
Is Becoming a TV presenter your childhood dream?
No. I actually wanted to be a lawyer. I was
really good at arguing other people’s cases in school. Unfortunately, I have a
short attention span for reading books. I really love interacting and
quizzing new people and of course public figures, presenting allows me to do
that.
What convinced you to pursue a career in that direction?
I used to love reading out aloud in classes
and assemblies. I had this really cool reading voice that I use to put on. I
was a chatterbox in school; I always got stuck in detention for talking in
class. That’s when I realised that talking was definitely my business.
How did you become
involved in the type of presenting you do now?
I took presenting courses and classes and from
there. I was able to discover the type of presenting that suited me based on my
personality.
How long have you been
presenting?
My first ever-presenting gig was in 2009 whilst I
was still in the university. I’d say I started officially presenting in 2011
when I landed a gig on a satellite station called the Community Channel, which
is in partnership with the BBC.
How did Brunel University
impact on your path?
Brunel played a big role with my decision to become
a TV Presenter. The modules in my course enabled me to experiment with
different types of presenting. My course included internships in which I
interned at production companies in London, New York and AIT in Abuja. During
one of my internships, a friend and I came up with the idea to create an online
show where students could showcase their talent. I was the presenter on the
show and from there I was asked to host more university events.
Give us a lowdown of your
work profile?
In the UK, I’ve worked at Channel 4, Diageo, MTV UK
as an intern and I was a reporter on Community Channel. In New York, I worked
at Pan Desi TV. My first job in Nigeria was with Cool FM in which I co-
anchored the Midday Oasis until I moved on to MTV Base. I also anchored the Pepsi
ton ten-radio chart show. Lest I forget, I am also an actress. I am
currently acting on the hit soap Tinsel as PA to Brenda.
Working at MTV Base, how was the experience?
I really enjoy presenting on the Big Friday show
with Basketmouth. Its fun playing Amebo, but I really enjoy presenting on
Street Request. It’s a video request show where I interrogate
unsuspecting members of the public, before allowing them to pick their
favourite music video....The show comes on every Monday at 10 pm on MTV BASE
and 6 pm on STV.
How did you get the MTV
Africa contract?
I auditioned to host a show on MTV Base called
Street Request. I had to interview my producer on camera, which was hilarious
as he kept behaving like a teenager who’d just started puberty. He purposely
tried to give me a hard time.
What is your “biggest
break” so far in your presenting career?
My biggest break I think was when I applied to
present for a show called “Newsround” on the BBC. I was so flabbergasted when I
received an email saying I’d been shortlisted for an audition. It was such a
big deal because thousands apply to the BBC every year but only few are called.
That’s when I knew that I had what it takes to become a TV presenter.
Do you think you stand a
chance of making a success out of being a presenter?
I pray and never give up. I believe in God and
myself. With these, it’s easy to overcome obstacles. I also have an amazing
support system.
What kind of change do consider necessary in presenting generally?
Presenters should just continue to be real and not
put so much emphasis on the way they sound. I don’t really like to put too much
emphasis on my accent that’s why I play around with Pidgin English when
presenting. I want people to love my OAP persona, not my accent.
What has been your
biggest challenge so far?
Adapting to Lagos life and the hustle. I thank God
for the experience so far; this place has definitely made me a stronger person.
What does your family
think of you taking presenting as a career and do they support you?
They absolutely love it. My mum is always telling
her friends about my work; sometimes I get a bit embarrassed.
do you rate your live performance?
I’d say 7 out of 10. I’d love to say
10, but I’m not quite there yet.
What is your
favourite line when presenting?
“Love it.”
Who do you attribute to
your “drive” as a presenter?
I admire and look up to a lot of British presenters
such as Jameela Jamil, Trevor Nelson, and in the US, Winfrey Oprah and Piers
Morgan among others.
What makes you unique
from other presenters?
Hmmm. I have no shame!
Who is your dream
presenter, dead or alive?
Chelsea Handler. She is so unpredictable and care
free.
What is your ultimate
watchword?
Be you, because an original is worth more than a
counterfeit.
What makes you think that
you are the next to blow?
I’m young, fearless and talented. Failure isn’t an
option for me. My fans can follow me on Twitter @stephaniecoker. On Facebook,
stephanieeniafecoker and Instagram: stephaniecoker_
Don’t forget you can catch me on Big Friday Show,
Street Request and Tinsel.
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