Before you started acting professionally, were
you not afraid of the Genevieves and
Omotolas?
Everyone is cautious when they enter into a
new world, but I wouldn’t go so far as to use
the word ‘afraid’.
There is the initial trepidation, but that comes
more out of a worry of not succeeding as
opposed to a fear of the competition.
I have a deep respect for everyone who paved
the way for the rest of us. You cannot take
anything away from Genevieve or Omotola,
they are fantastic actresses.
What stands you out among other actresses?
Well, I think my fans will be more suited to
answer this particular question. I do not get a
chance to watch a lot of my work, so at best, I
can only guess.
What do you miss most about being not
popular?
I miss being anonymous. I miss not having to
be so guarded. Fame is a heavy cross, yes the
perks make it pleasurable but the demands on
you and the loss of privacy are sometimes
difficult to live with. However, I chose this
career, so I deal with the consequences; good
or bad.
What was your first movie role and how did
you get it?
My first movie was called Venom Of Justice. It
was right after I graduated from the university.
It was such a long time ago and I can hardly
remember the details of how I got it. But I do
know that I was very excited to be acting. This
was of course before my very long hiatus.
You worked in a radio station, bank and
clothing store, at what point in your life did
acting find you?
I actually dabbled into acting before I went
into broadcasting, banking or retailing. My
stint was very short, it was right after I
graduated from the university. Most people
assume Reloaded was my first movie but it
was in fact, my comeback.
I got that role when Emem Isong insisted I had
to play the character, Omoze. I did not want to
at first and after a whole lot of coercing and
yanking my chain, I caved in, look where it got
me (smiles).
How did growing up shape you to be the
person you have become?
Our past has a great deal to do with our
present and future. The values I hold dear, I
imbibed them as a child and young lady. I’m
the eldest child, so I grew up with a fair deal of
responsibility placed on my shoulders early
on. I think this helped keep me grounded.
What is your definition of style?
Style is simply being comfortable in your own
skin.
Tell us how are you coping as a wife and as an
actress?
Women have been working and married for
several years now. It can be challenging,
especially when it comes to time
management, but the important thing is to
have a firm grip on your priorities. I know what
is important to me and I always strive to keep
that in focus.
What were the most challenging periods of
your growing up years?
Asides losing my dad, growing up was fairly
uneventful.
You said your mum was your mentor. What are
those things that make you always remember
her?
My mother is the strongest woman I know.
She was a rock for my siblings and I, she still
is. She was always there for us, no matter the
situation ,you knew you could always run to
mum.
As an actress, one can be so caught up with
work, what are your favourite relaxing spots?
I don’t really go out. My schedule doesn’t give
me a lot of downtime. So, when I do get some
time off, I spend it with family, sleeping or
reading a good book.
You seem to be savouring your marriage, what
has been the most romantic gesture from your
husband?
That’s because I married my best friend. There
are many romantic gestures to pick from.
Perhaps, one day, I’ll write a book and tell it
all. But until then. it’s my secret.
You once said your husband is the definition of
true love, what is true love?
Being with someone or people who love you
completely and never judge you. That is true
love. There is a bible passage that deals
extensively with the subject of love. True love
is all that and more.
Between Ghanaian actors and Nigerian actors,
who would you describe as more romantic in
movies?
I think the romance an actor portrays depends
on the character they’re playing or the request
of the director. I doubt it has anything to do
with the country that an actor is from. Acting
is universal and anyone can play a romantic
role.
What is the inspiration behind your signature
hairdo?
I had experimented with all sorts. At one point
I was blonde. Nothing really, I guess I just
decided that if the hair I was born with was
good enough for my ancestors, then I might as
well give it a try. I do sport weaves when the
roles call for it, but when I’m Nse, this is the
hair I’m comfortable with.
How much would it take to have you shave
your hair for a movie role?
There are implements and fashion accessories
that mimic a shaved head very well. I would
rather use that than shave my hair. In
Hollywood, very rarely do you hear that an
actor had to go bald to pull off a look.
How does your hubby feel when you kiss other
actors in movies?
Same way I imagine every spouse who is
married to an actor should feel. But he
understands that this is my job and if a script
calls for kissing, then it is work. However,
there are different ways to show affection, you
must not lock lips to show your feelings for a
loved one. Skilled actors can show this without
resorting to kissing.
Are you getting fulfilled as an actress?
Yes I am. I have been blessed and I’m thankful
for every day I have spent chasing this dream.
Of course, there are challenges, but nothing
good comes easy.
Asides acting, what else do you do? Is that not
enough? Bankers work as bankers and
engineers work as engineers.
It is a full-time job and sometimes it is even
more demanding than a nine to five job.
You are no doubt good looking, young and
homely, and cannot avoid male fans, who has
been the most adamant male fan you have
ever had.. and what was the experience with
him?
Thank you for these lovely compliments. I
think I’ve been lucky in the crazy fan
department. My fans are very respectful of my
space and marital status, I don’t have any
horror stories to share.
At what point in your life would you rest on
your oars as an actress?
When I’m dead; acting for me is like breathing.
I’m most alive when I’m pursuing my passion,
which is acting. If I were to quit doing this,
then it would be for very strong reasons.
What is your greatest indulgence? If I said my
husband, would that be allowed? I don’t have
an addictive personality, so there really isn’t
anything that I indulge in regularly.
What is that thing that would make you spend
millions of naira?
It wouldn’t be a thing, it would have to be a
person.
The woman in the movie, Mr and Mrs was
passion driven and pained, could it have been
an experience earlier in life?
I am a passionate person, friends and family
can attest to this. But I have only been
married once, so it wasn’t the result of any
early experience.
For that role, I tried to imagine myself as a
woman who loved her husband immensely and
wanted to fight for her marriage. And as soon I
found that reserve, it was a question of
tapping into it.
Funniest thing you have read in the news
about you? This is a tricky question.
Yes! There have been so many, but I don’t pay
much attention to what is in circulation about
me.
You love to cook, don’t you think you should
pursue that passion too?
I will, there are plans in the works to explore
this part of me publicly, but as soon as I have
something concrete, you will be the first to
know.
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