I’m the female version of my dad, says Charly Boy’s daughter, Dominique

Dominique Oputa is the last child of the ‘areafada’ himself, Charly Boy. She currently lives in Atlanta where she’s studying Fashion and Design in the University of Arts Institute. Her dream is to become a famous designer some day. Like her famous dad, Dominique has tattoos and piercings and is very fearless. In this interview with New Wave Productions, she talks about her life in the US, her father and his influence in her life.
Are you happy to be home; would you settle in Nigeria?
This will always be home for me, at least, it’s comforting to know one is with her family, and I am glad to be home. I missed home, mum and dad. Things may not be what it should be, but home is it. There were too many things I took for granted before I left, but now, I know better. When I’m done with schooling, I will be back home, to do my own thing too, even though, the weather is killing me right now”.

Charly Boy and daughter, Dominique

You are a child of two different cultures, how do you cope?
When I was home, I grew up fast; I had that independent spirit, so I’m coping real good. I am...
working now and schooling, I simply just thank God. Growing up with my parents kept me on the straight and narrow path, trust Dad, we all know how strict he gets sometimes. Although I am old enough, I guess in his eyes, I will forever remain his baby. However, growing up in Nigeria, prepared me for my independence. Nigerian children are more grounded than the Americans. We mature quicker and early enough to start taking responsibilities.
You look so much like your father, is this deliberate?
I think I’m just the female version of my dad, we are just the same pretty much, I guess I caught his cold after years of being around him. I have always admired him for his freedom and his tenacity at a time when it was taboo to look that way. In my case, the whole thing just grew on me.
I don’t do all I do because I am trying to be like my dad. I am just Dominique, even though I wear tattoos and have piercings, but it’s just because I love them, not because I got influenced by my dad. There are many people who do this stuff, not because anyone, but because they are just comfortable that way.
What’s is your choices of career, and what influence does your dad have regarding that?
I want to be a designer and a stylist. I am like my mother in that regards. I like to make things, and I’m good with my hands too. As long as you walk that positive part and observe dad’s little rules, you are free to express yourself any which way creatively. Knowing the battle dad fought for his independence, it would be wrong for him to  remote us into something else that does not agree with our innate ability.

Charly Boy and daughter, Dominique

My dad didn’t influence my choice of career, it is just what I’ve always loved and desired to do. I have always had a love for fashion since I was in high school. I could say a little bit of influence as to his nature but not like I was pressured or told to do what I am doing now.
What is Charlyboy like as a father?
Like any normal parent, always looking out for their children and wanting the best for them. Most of the time, he is easy with us, especially when we are good. However, sometimes he is a bit old fashioned and can be very strict.
Growing up, he was really strict but I actually understand now that I’m matured. People see him differently on the outside but to be honest, he is really a cool guy. He really understands and I could tell him anything. He is like an elder brother or a friend to me. Yes, I’m very close to my dad.
We all know there is no smoke without fire. How weird is your father, is he as weird as it is made public…like sleeping in coffins, having pythons as pet and even that his sexuality is questionable?
Hahaha…my dad is an entertainer, that’s what he does for a living, and as an entertainer you would attract all sorts, good, bad, ugly. It is their stock in trade. At home, we don’t see any of this, it’s as normal as it could ever be, but I guess people confuse his life as Charlyboy with his life as Mr Oputa, they are two different entities. The man I know as my dad is Mr Charles Oputa.
Do you share intimate stuff with your dad?
Yeah, I share intimate stuff with him. Once, I had shared the story of the birds and the bees with him and it wasn’t funny, maybe the timing was wrong. But we are still very close and we talk pretty well. I don’t feel like I need to hide anything from him, I just feel like I am an open book.
Are your parents still together? What is their relationship like?
Yes, they are still together. Every relationship is hard; there needs to be collective efforts to make it work. I think they have had a cool relationship thus far, though, they have their bitter moments sometimes, but what they share is worth emulating, it’s kind of what I would like to have in future, with my husband whenever I marry.

Source: http://www.vanguardngr.com