Chioma Okoye, Nollywood actress

Chioma Okoye is one of the faces that grace Nollywood movies. She speaks with ‘NONYE BEN-NWANKWO about her life and career.

We hear that you are related to Pete Edochie. Would you have been a part of Nollywood without him?

I don‘t think so. It would have been very difficult. I was in the North and wanted to be a part of the industry, because I loved Nigerian movies so much. I was thinking of how I could get a link into the industry. I was scared of telling my uncle, Pete, that I wanted to be an actress. He would have advised me to finish my studies first.

But it was through his help that you came into the industry…

Yes.

Is he really your uncle? Some people think you are only dropping his name.

He is from Nteje in Anambra State and my mum is from there also. We are not related by blood, but we know him as an uncle in my family.

Would it be right to say you are yet to get to the A list despite the fact that you have been in the industry for some time?

You will not be wrong if you say so. I am not satisfied with where I am. Even those who are in the A list are not satisfied. They are aiming to join Hollywood. I am working hard. Remember I am still in school. I am not a part time student. I take scripts when it is convenient for me. Then again, I am always outside the country most times.

Since you were born in the North, you probably understand Hausa language…

I speak it more than Igbo language. I grew up there. I was born there.

What are you studying in school?

History and Strategic Studies. My second degree will be in Theatre Arts.

You are on the big side. Many people will not really know that you are young...

Yes. I am not up to 27, but with my face, you will know that I am not that old.

Has your size put you at a disadvantage before?

No. I am a size 16. I am bold and beautiful. I have curves and I am very smart. My size has not stopped me from getting any role.

We learnt you always wear cleavage revealing cloths to show off parts of your boobs ?

Have you seen me wear such? Am I wearing something like that today? People should judge me with what they see and not what they hear. I don‘t have to expose my boobs. They are already big enough for everybody to notice them, so why would I need to expose them again? My boobs are just moderate. This is how an African woman should be. I am proud of them.

I read somewhere that your boyfriend died?

That is an old story. He was my first love. We were in secondary school then.

You were already in a relationship when you were in secondary school?

It is not like that. Ours was very innocent. He liked me and I liked him a lot. We used to go home together. We were very close. Every time I said I lost my boyfriend, people always thought he was a mature man. No, he was very young. I miss him so much.

So who are you dating currently?

A man.

Can you tell us about him?

Not now. I don‘t want to be in a hurry to talk about him.

Are we going to hear the wedding bells ring soon?

If you believe.

So he doesn‘t mind that you are an actress?

No. He loves what I do. He is not an actor, but he wants to be a part of one project I have embarked on. He has already picked up the audition form. He is a banker.

Your parents supported your choice of career?

Yes, they did. They are enlightened. They love entertainment. My mum loves music a lot.

We learnt you have a new movie coming up…

Yes. But then, the genesis is actually a talent hunt show. We have an entertainment company, Purple Ribbon, which encompasses all parts of entertainment, including modelling, fashion, movies and music. We intend to do a reality show, but not now.

How are you going to get the cast for your movie?

The contestants for the reality show will feature in the movie. It is a very big movie that will feature close to 10,000 people. The audition is free and open to everybody. But you have to fill our forms and come to the audition with the form. And you have to do well in the audition before you can become a part of the movie.

Are you going to feature known stars?

Yes. We are just going to use three known people for the movie--two people from Nollywood and one known model. I think Genevieve and Chidi Mokeme will be part of the movie. Agbani Darego is also going to be a part of the movie. But the rest are going to be freshers.

Are you not going to be in the movie?

I will be in the movie. But I also have to be auditioned. I am just a part of the project. It is not my company. I have to make it to be a part of the movie. That is why I am working so hard for the auditions. I love acting. It is my life. I practice in front of a mirror. I bring out my old scripts and I use them to practise. I really want to make it. I want to be a part of the movie. My being part of the project is not going to influence my getting a role. This is an international movie and everything has to be on merit.

But the gist is that you own the company…

That is not true. It is owned by some people in America. But I am not going to disclose their names. I only handle some things for them. Let‘s just say I am one of the directors of the company.

A lot of people believe that reality show is another way some people want to extort money from innocent Nigerians who want to reach stardom by all means, especially through acting…

Nobody is making money from anybody. We want to do movies and we want our movies to be very good. We want to give opportunities to the youth and those who have talents.

Did you take up this project because your industry is almost at a stand still as movies are not being produced?

You have to do some things to make ends meet. I am just trying to manage. It has been stressful. This is the first time I am doing something like this. So many things are involved. We have invested so much money in the project, so we intend to do our best to make it a success.

What is your vision in life?

This project I am in has come to stay. I hope it gets bigger. I want God to bless me more and bless my family over and over.

You are not one of the big names in the industry yet you live in a choice area in Lagos. How come?

I am blessed. That is the only thing I can tell you. I work, I make money, and I have so many things working out for me. How do you not expect me to live in a good place?