Since
her return two years, she has been inundated with movie scripts that
have kept her very busy. In this interview, she recounts the story of
her journey into Nollywood and her personal life.By ANOZIE EGOLESince you came back to acting after years of being away, how many films have you featured in so far?
You know I have been away for five years. I returned to the country in 2012, after my studies abroad. From 2012 till date, I have featured in about eight to ten films.
I travelled to America for further studies immediately after featuring in 2face’s “African Queen” video. I studied International Relations in a University in Cyprus.
Why didn’t you study Theater Arts?
A lot of people have asked this question. But I think I just wanted
to study something outside of what I am used to, so that, I can broaden
my mind.Your name has become a household name in Nigeria. What would you say is the secret?
I cannot tell you what the secret is. But I am just doing what I know how to do best. I leave the rest to God. He has been the one who has lifted me up and I am very grateful to Him.
Aside, acting, what else do you think you can do better?
I am solely into acting for now, trying to reach a level where I can now live and divert into so many other things.
At the moment, I am trying to stablise myself in the industry having been away for a long time. I want to get used to the new Nollywood that is quite different from the one I left behind several years ago.
You said, new Nollywood? What’s new about the industry?
Before I left the country for America, there were certain set of practitioners in the industry. But today, the story has change. We now have new faces, who have genuine love for the industry.
People who have so much talents that they want to explore. It is very interesting to have such people in the industry. It more challenging now because, everybody is bringing something new in the industry. The stories are changing and they are becoming more diversified.
So, how do you intend to find your place again in the industry?
The people are not my business. I am just here to work. I just want to put heads together with whoever I come across. Give me what you have, and I bring what I have on the table.
What can you not do without as a very pretty girl?
My eye pack because I love my eyes. I always like to make my lips look good. For the accessories, I can not do without my golden wrist watch. I wear it anywhere I go every day because it gives me good luck. I like big things and that’s why I have to get a big wrist watch.
What does love mean to you?
I am a lover of love. I love to love. I love to be emotional.Love is something that I appreciate a lot. Trust me, I am a good lover. I love my fans, my folks, I love the people that matters to me. I love to have people around me.
What is an ideal man to you?
I don’t even know what it is any more. But I think people at different ages have different perspection in respect of what an ideal man is. He should be more intelligent than myself.
I need somebody I can learn from him. He should also be able to take care of himself. That’s an ideal man for me. He should not be ugly.
Which part of you body do you think is your selling point?
I think it is my brain. Talking about the physical things that attracts men to me, it depends. Some people say, it’s my eyes, others prefer my lips and my boobs. So, I do not know. When I love into the mirror, I love everything about myself.
How was your growing up like?
While growing up, I wanted to be a beauty queen. I just like getting attention. I was the first child. For the first five years of my life, I have the whole attention in the world. I am so used to people coming around me. As a child, I got everything I needed.
Tell us about your evolution into Nollywood?
As a child, I never dreamed of going into acting. I loved modeling, and how paparazzis run after models. I never had acting in mind until I met Charles Novia.
When I saw him somewhere in Surulere, I was like; is this Charles Novia! And he turned around and looked at me and said, do I know you? I replied him, saying I saw you on the television yesterday .
He quickly asked me if I wanted to become an actress? I replied in the affirmative. He later gave me his call card and invited me for an audition the following day.
That was it. While I was still working on the set with Charles Novia, Uzodimma saw me and insisted taht he would feature me in his music video. The next day, I featured in the African queen video. That was how I started my acting career.
Who are the actresses you look up to?
I love Genevieve Nnaji. I am also a fan of Omoni Oboli, and many others.
Recently you featured in the music video of Sound Sutan. Do you have passion for dancing?
Sound Sultan is a big brother. He called me and said, I am shooting my music video. Can you come around and give me your support. When I got there, I ended up featuring in the video. This is the third time, I would be featuring in a music video. I featured in African Queen video, Ego and now, Sound Sutan’s video.
Does that mean you are a dancer?
I am not a dancer. I am not a video vixien. I can go and sit down and have a class cup and champagne. That is different from dancing. I am not a dancer.
