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How a photobomb created a star
02:02 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Jumoke wandered into a photoshoot with U.K. popstar Tinie Tempah

The bread seller attracted the eye of TY Bello, whose pictures became an online sensation

Lagos, Nigeria CNN  — 

It’s a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. A young street seller oblivious to the scene ahead, her wares perched atop her head, photobombed a shoot and in that split second her life changed forever.

Jumoke Orisaguna is a mother of two who used to walk the streets of Lagos selling bread. Originally a hairstylist from Osun State, south west Nigeria, she was struggling to make ends meet, and left her husband and two children in their home town to become a street vendor in the economic capital.

Working from 2:30pm to 11:00pm selling bread, Jumoke would make less than $20 each day –with a profit of around $1.

Now she’s about to become a top model; signed to a modeling agency and gaining international fame and prominence.

A happy accident

Jumoke Orisaguna was a bread seller in Lagos when she stumbled across a photoshoot between U.K. pop star Tinie Tempah and photographer TY Bello.
Jumoke Orisaguna was a bread seller in Lagos when she stumbled across a photoshoot between U.K. pop star Tinie Tempah and photographer TY Bello.
courtesy TY Bello
She didn't know whether to stay in the shot or not. Eventually, Bello asked to photograph the two of them together.
She didn't know whether to stay in the shot or not. Eventually, Bello asked to photograph the two of them together.
courtesy TY Bello
Bellow says that at the time, "I didn't think I made a great image," but when she posted the photos on social media there was a strong and overwhelming response.
Bellow says that at the time, "I didn't think I made a great image," but when she posted the photos on social media there was a strong and overwhelming response.
courtesy TY Bello
Jumoke has since signed a contract with modeling agency Few, and has gone on to be photographed by Bellow in studio shoots.
Jumoke has since signed a contract with modeling agency Few, and has gone on to be photographed by Bellow in studio shoots.
courtesy TY Bello
The mother of two has been given a scholarship to complete her education, and a bank has offered to fund the education of her five- and one-year-old through to university.
The mother of two has been given a scholarship to complete her education, and a bank has offered to fund the education of her five- and one-year-old through to university.
courtesy TY Bello
The erstwhile bread seller was a hairstylist in a previous life, moving to Lagos when times were hard. When she was selling bread she would earn as little as $1 a day.
The erstwhile bread seller was a hairstylist in a previous life, moving to Lagos when times were hard. When she was selling bread she would earn as little as $1 a day.
courtesy TY Bello
Jumoke - from street to shoot

Renowned Nigerian photographer TY Bello is behind the change in Jumoke’s fortunes. TY was photographing UK popstar Tinie Tempah when Jumoke walked into shot.

“She seemed a little confused,” says Bello. “Some people were asking her to walk past really quickly, others were asking her to stay, she was just in limbo. I said ‘is it ok to take your photograph?’ And she nodded ok.”

Jumoke on shoot.
Jumoke on shoot.
Stephanie Busari/CNN

“I didn’t think I made a great image,” Bello says, but once she posted the shots on social media, interest in Jumoke exploded.

“When the photographs landed for the first time on social media, everyone immediately thought she was a model,” Bello explains.

“No one believed she just walked past. It occurred to me that if everyone thought she should be a model then maybe she should be one, then the search for her began.”

A contract with Few Models followed and soon Jumoke’s face will appear on billboards after landing a lucrative contract.

Long term future

“I never expected this would ever happen to me,” says the erstwhile bread seller. “My friends have told me they saw me on the TV and they are really happy. My parents cannot believe their own child can become such a success. They are all so happy.”

Now the mum of two has been given a scholarship to complete her education, and a bank has offered to pay for schooling for her two children, aged five and one, until university age.

“Everyone connected with the story because everybody has dreams,” argues Bello. “This is a very tough time in my country… Everyone is looking for that magical break… I think this is definitely divine because the way people have connected with it is just phenomenal. It’s a phenomenal story.”

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