Veteran Nollywood actress, Idowu Philips aka Iya Rainbow, says she is happy with the way parents now support their children's acting career, saying that in her days, the profession was never regarded as a lucrative one.

The certified nurse turned actress revealed that back then, her own parents never allowed her to go into acting and did not support her career until she started receiving accolades.

According to her, “Then, our profession was seen as something meant for lazy people. People always looked down on us until God blessed our job.”

The veteran actress disclosed that her father, out of desperation for a female child, prayed and fasted for 40 days and it was revealed to him that he would be blessed with star and a servant who would serve him later.

Iya Rainbow noted that she never got fame and fortune as a nurse, but as an actor. The beautiful 'young-looking septuagenarian also said her present profession has afforded her the opportunity to travel all over the world.

Iya Rainbow explained that she developed strong passion for acting while she was working as a nurse; and her late husband formed the Osumare Theatre group, from where the 'Iya Rainbow' birthed.

She said in 1986, she retired from Nursing at the age of 45 and joined her late husband's theatre group fully on the advice of the late Yoruba movie icon- Hubert Ogunde.

Iya rainbow first appeared in a set of movies titles “Eru”, and “Aje ni iya mi”, but it was the movie – “Asiri Nla” that brought Iya rainbow into limelight.