Veteran actor Yinka Quadri has named longtime colleague Fausat Balogun, popularly known as Madam Saje, as one person who knew about some of the actresses he dated and never carried the information to his wife, despite their close friendship.
The remarks appeared in a clip from the conversation Quadri had on African A-List podcast about his marriage and industry relationships. He said his friendship with Saje goes back to their early days in the Yoruba film industry, and that she was already close to his wife, Alhaja Sadiat Adenike Quadri, before the couple married in 1989.
“Saje knew about some of the actresses I dated and she never told my wife despite their friendship,” Quadri said, describing her as someone who could be trusted not to gossip.
He also recalled a moment involving Saje’s husband, actor Rafiu Balogun. During a period of misunderstanding in the Balogun marriage, Rafiu wanted to travel with Quadri to a movie location. Quadri said he informed Saje first, expecting her to object. She did not. He told the story because of her long friendship with his own wife.
The same appearance included comments on how actors are paid. Using Funke Akindele and Lateef Adedimeji as examples, Quadri said experience alone does not entitle a veteran to more money than younger colleagues.
“If I’m being called to a job, and Funke Akindele and Lateef Adedimeji are going to be paid the same amount, I’m an enemy of God if I’m expecting that they should pay me more than him,” he stated.
He added that some actors accept what they are offered while others negotiate hard, and that both approaches are part of the business.
Saje (Fausat Balogun) is a veteran Yoruba actress married to Rafiu Balogun, her former boss. She and Quadri have appeared together for decades and were among the colleagues who mourned the late Taiwo Hassan, known as Ogogo, earlier this year.