The Wedding City Podcast (hosted by Larry Foreman and Abby) recently sat down with renowned stylist and MC, Segun Gele, for an episode titled From Village to City: A Nigerian Love Story. What started as a dive into a classic Nigerian love triangle quickly exploded into a raw, 40-minute conversation about career misconceptions, the weight of tradition, and the true meaning of a “silver spoon.”
Here are the biggest takeaways from the must-watch episode:
1. The Misconception: Rude, Proud, and Bullish?
Introduced as the “world-renowned Segun Gele” [00:29], the guest first addressed the biggest misconception about himself: that he is “very rude” and “very proud” [01:37].
He attributes his personality to being a Taurus, someone who is “as real as I am” [02:10]. His philosophy is simple: “If you cannot take it, don’t dish it out” [02:22]. His honesty is often mistaken for rudeness, a point host Abby confirmed, admitting she didn’t like him when they first met [02:42], but quickly realized his directness was a sign of genuine character [03:00].
2. From No Car to Couture: The Self-Made Success Story
Despite his current “flashy” style and expensive look [03:22], Segun Gele opened up about his humble beginnings. He revealed he “wasn’t born with a silver spoon” [04:06] and everything he has today he “struggled to get” [04:16]. In a surprising revelation, he mentioned he “never drove a car until I came to America” [04:34].
His current luxurious appearance is a reflection of God blessing him with the ability to afford “all the good things of life that I should have enjoyed back in the days” [05:00]. He concludes that luxury is about class and style—you can make an Amazon purchase look expensive [05:15].
3. The Power of a Mother: Davido vs. Priscilla’s Wedding
The conversation turned to the significant impact of a mother’s presence at a wedding, comparing the lavish ceremonies of Nigerian stars Davido and Priscilla Ojo.
- Davido’s Wedding: The mother was late, resting in peace [06:20].
- Priscilla’s Wedding: Her mother, the popular actress Iyabo Ojo (Iyabo Ojo), was the “star of the day” [06:26].
Segun Gele noted that while both stars are successful and had beautiful, affluent weddings, Priscilla’s wedding “stood out for Priscilla’s wedding was her mother” [07:18]. He described the event as feeling like “Iyabo Ojo’s wedding, period” [07:26], emphasizing the genuine love and support she drew from the community [08:32].
4. More Than Zipping Clothes: The Art of Styling
As a renowned stylist, Segun Gele broke down exactly why his job commands respect and high billing:
- Holistic Expertise: He wasn’t just a stylist; he was a hairdresser, makeup artist, and Gilly artist [11:43]. This multi-faceted background means he understands facial structure, body form, and how hair and makeup must complement the dress [12:31].
- Vision to Reality: He works with the bride’s idea, advises on the best designer to bring the vision to life [12:53], and even advises on sensible spending, telling one bride to buy a shoe she can reuse rather than a single-use white shoe [13:43].
- The Bride’s Mouthpiece: On the wedding day, he acts as the bride’s advocate and even therapist, helping to deliver feedback to the makeup and hair artists to ensure the bride’s vision is perfectly executed [14:20].
5. The Eternal Debate: Polygamy vs. Monogamy
The podcast segment on the “Village to City” love triangle (Chik’s story) spurred a passionate debate:
- Larry’s View: He believes men are polygamous by nature [21:49] but clarifies he is not an advocate for divorce [22:00].
- Abby’s View (Team Abby): She staunchly supports one man for one woman [21:35], arguing that a man cannot love women equally [24:53], which, she notes, causes problems. This is illustrated by a family religious polygamy scenario where one wife was clearly the favorite [23:30].
- Segun Gele’s Personal Insight: He shared his own experience, confessing that he would have made the “worst mistake of my life” [29:23] if he had married the woman he once proposed to under family pressure [29:41]. He advises that if a man marries the “wrong” person, he will “forever cheat on her” [30:47].
For him, the key to a lasting marriage (he is approaching 15 years [32:11]) is family values [33:04] and finding someone whose mother will love you like her own child [33:17].
Final Word: The hosts remind everyone that in a world where we don’t always know what’s right or wrong, the most important thing is to “do what suits you best” [35:48] and find a partner who will choose you [39:28].
You can watch the full insightful episode here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKGKso20wAM
