Oguzie, has always had camera in her face. In fact,
acting runs in her blood. Her dad played the role of
Bruno alongside Gringory and Zebrudaya in the TV
sitcom, New Masquerade. Also, popular highlife
musician, Bright Chimezie, was her uncle and she
was always at his concerts and recordings. No
wonder, Oguzie
is making it big both locally and internationally.
The actress was recently in Nigeria and she opened
up to The Entertainer. Excerpts:
What are you doing in Nigeria?
I came down here for different projects. First for a
film, I am one of the producers, executive producers
and also a cast in it. It is titled, Mirror. The director
is Neville Ossai and he is also the writer and
producer of the same project. And we are
collaborating to make sure we make a standard
quality film that will be viewed in the Diaspora.
What is Mirror all about?
Mirror is a story of a young lady who sees things
before it happens. It entails everything that happens
in her life, the good side of it and the bad side as
well. It is a funny twist to the story, so I would encour
age everybody to lookout for Mirror, and when we
unveil the twist, we will actually see what happens
toMirror and how it transpired to best friend, Betty.
Is it a Nollywood film?
It is an international, Diaspora film, made out of
Nollywood.
Who wrote the script and who are the film
cast?
Neville Ossai wrote the script, and the second
version of the story, The Twist, I collaborated in
writing it. Apart from myself, other stars in the film
are Uru Eke, Femi Jacobs, Eyinnaya Nwigwe, Dr.
Greg Obi, Nefi and Neville Ossai. myself, other stars
in the film are Uru Eke,
When are we going to see this film?
You are likely going to see Mirror in theatre
sometime next year, but definitely it will be at the
festivals at the end of this year. We are going to
submit it to top festivals and we hope to have it at the
AMVCA Awards and other awards here in Nigeria
too.
How would you describe your stay in Nigeria?
It has been an exciting experience. I would not trade
Nigeria for anything. This is a place where I feel very
welcome, very loved. It is a very fruitful country where
you plant the fruit and you watch it grow. So, I have
planted the fruit and I am ready to watch it grow. I
had a very interesting time and also watching a lot of
my friends declaring their political ambition. It is a
plus to me because there is a part of me too that loves
politics. I also love watching people grow in that
territory. So, I enjoyed every minute I am here. Also
my director, Mr. Obi Emelonye, who featured me in
one of his blockbuster films, Last Flight to Abuja, is
also on the verge of making his new hit television
series, it has about 100 episodes, and I have been
invited to be a part of it. So, I am going to go back to
Hollywood, recreate myself and come back for the
project. The entire project, I believe, will be shot in
Ibadan.
I can see your son, Obama, is already
speaking Igbo. Is it as a result of your coming
home?
It is actually not. From the day I gave birth to my son,
it was a decision that I make that Igbo shall be his
first language because in the society that we are in
today, parents and families ignore their origin, their
dialect and speak English language. English
language is fine but when you have your own
biological son speaking your indigenous language,
words cannot express the feeling as a mother when
you look into your child and he said, "Mama ele otu
idi" (meaning 'mummy, how are you'). That is the
best thing I can ever give to my son, to make sure he
can speak, read and write Igbo. As long as I live,
Obama shall speak Igbo.
When actually did you start acting?
I started acting as a child way back in Nigeria in the
early '80s. There was a TV show called 'Kiddies
World' and that was how I started with my sister,
and our dad who was a comedian encouraged us.
Later, I started doing stage plays. In 1996/97, we did
Stubborn Grasshopper; it featured Ramsey Nouah.
My dad was one of the actors that played alongside
Gringory and Zebrudayah in New Masquer
ade.Though, he is late now, he played the role of
Bruno in that television series. Since I knew him as
my dad, he was acting and had traveled a lot to
various parts of the world like London, United States
of America, Argentina etc.
I have always had cameras in my face, so it wasn't
strange for me. Like I said, my dad was into
entertainment. Bright Chimezie, one of the popular
musicians, was my uncle and we were always at all
his concerts and recordings. We grew up dancing
and spending time in front of the camera. We were
always in front of the camera. That was how I
developed the passion for acting and the love for film.
So, acting runs in the family?
Absolutely, it runs in the blood and everyone has a
little form of acting in them.
My mother is a Guidance Counselor, she has a
doctorate degree and she taught me how to dance as
a child. She used dance as a form of hobby and
choice and not as a profession.
How supportive was your mother?
My mother was supportive but at the same time, she
wanted me to graduate from college so that, at least, I
would have a sound education before I go full time
into acting so as to have something I can fall back
on. My family migrated to the United States in 1998
and while in school, I studied Social Work and
Psychology.
What's life as a student and working in
America?
My mother raised us to be very strong and not to let
our guards down, and to always strive for the best.
My father died in 1999, and it has been my mother all
by herself, trying to raise three girls and a boy all by
herself. She is still doing it with ease, love, joy and
confidence. It really gave us joy to know that a
woman can actually raise her family, and it feels like
you have a man and a woman in that family. The
challenge was for me to respect my mother and do
the things according to the way that she wanted us to
do it.
You lost your dad when you were young?
Yes, my dad died of food poisoning on Christmas
Eve. We believed he ate something and that was it. It
was December 24, 1998 or 99, a day before we were
supposed to travel to the United States of America.
We went out shopping, bought Christmas gifts and
clothes and stopped by a restaurant with his friend
and my mother, and they ate some food and later my
dad was rushed to the hospital where he died.
So, the trip to America was cancelled?
The trip was cancelled and it was funeral time. My
mother being young at that time and we were also
little children, my dad was very prominent and
wealthy, and my mother, being a widow tried to
claim what was hers. We had families but then when
someone passes on, then you would really know the
hearts of people, with or against you. She really tried
to maintain some of the properties left behind by my
father but it wasn't easy, as she struggled, but I am
glad, she was very smart, strong and with God's
power, she was able to overcome all the chalyoung at
that time and we were also little lenges after my dad
passed on.
How's life after your father's death?
Yes, things could become very difficult when you give
up hope. What we need in life is to learn that death
can bring love and affection, and it can also make
you a stronger person. It could either make or mar
you. Sometimes in a school setting, little boys would
want to take advantage of you and they would want
to get a fight with you knowing that your dad is not
going to be there. But when they know that it is just
your mother, they will think, it is so easy to bully or
harass you and they would want to get away with it.
But as God would have it, my mother is one strong
and dedicated, hardworking woman. She's my idol
for life; she made us.
Literally, I grew up as a tomboy. I was so strong. My
sister and I, we joined martial arts at the age of four.
We were both strong and were not afraid of anything
and when some boys looked for our trouble on the
street, we charged at them and fought back. We grew
up strong and not letting our guards down, knowing
that our father is dead. Our brother was not able to
protect us (the girls) because he was the last child;
rather, we took care of him until he became a man.
What's your opinion about sex for role in
Nollywood?
It has never happened to me. But of course, it is one
thing if an actress is going out of her way to go after
a director and give herself to him to get a role. That is
the actress' personal agenda. I can't judge people,
but as for me, I will never sleep with any director for
a role.
Can you act nude?
I will not act nude, walking on set naked, I will not.
No!
Why did your marriage breakup?
What led to the breakdown of my marriage was the
mistake that kept on happening. I did not keep my
private life out of my marriage. Now, I have a kid and
his name is Obama.
Why do you think marriages break down in
Nollywood?
The industry is funny. Men do understand that before
he met this lady, she was in the entertainment
industry. But they get overshadowed by the limelight,
fame, attention, and overlook all these qualities
when they are going after the lady. But they expect
that when they marry the wife, she would change
overnight. That is why marriages break. Why would
you want to change someone overnight? You'd better
go and find yourself a lawyer or doctor or engineer to
marry. Don't get involved with fame when you are
not ready to be who you are.
Do you have any regret that your marriage
broke down?
I have no regret. Experience is the best teacher. I did
what I did but on my part, it was a mistake. I was
warned not to marry my ex but I went ahead to marry
him and I learnt from my lessons and I moved on. I
am now a better and stronger person. I have achieved
a lot after I moved on with my life.
Can you marry an actor?
Yes, if the man will respect me. I don't have any
resentment. No matter his profession, I will, but
right now, I am okay. First of all, the man must have
an impeccable hygiene. He has to be hardworking
and very fit so that we can live longer when we
marry. When he is fit, he would have a longer span
of life. He must be loving and caring. He must not be
a liar or a cheat but someone that is God-fearing. His
colour doesn't really matter; a man is always a man
as long as he brings 50 percent to the table.
Are you good in bed?
I am a very romantic person. I treat my man very well
in bed. I keep him satisfied. When I handle a man,
he doesn't need to have any reason to look outside. I
take care of business and make it count. If you can
get your gig on once a day, three to five times a week,
I think it is okay.
What makes you happy?
I make myself happy. I love my shadow and when I
look at myself in the mirror, it makes me happy.
What turns you on and off?
A lying man turns me off and a hard and sexy dude
turns me on.
What are your hobbies?
Fitness is my hobby. I love to dance and I teach
African dance. I love to watch movies and travel
round the world. I like to take vacations in the
summer and relax. I want to go to Tahiti, which will
be my next destination.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are
those of the comment writers alone and does not
reflect or represent the views of Somayina.
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