She first came into the scene in the Nollywood stellar movie, Vanity Upon Vanity, then became famous after starring a role on the Anekes’ twin glam movie, National Service. Now, the screen diva and celebrity, Diamond Adaeze Igwe, is currently and consistently taking on the central roles of Nollywood movies as the most preferred act. She is one actress that is peak with patience and talent.
Diamond Adaeze Igwe is one actress who many think is because of her beauty, oomph and model-like physique that make producers skulk to her for major roles. But her determination and total commitment to what she knows how to do best, acting, has positioned her in the minds of movie-buffs. In this fascinating chat with, the Ebonyi-born thespian opened up on her career and real self.
Taking the central role
Perfectly, she is not sleeping and does not also seem to be compromising fame for anything. Basically, she is taking the principal role as Nollywood female most wanted. What is the secret? Just because the wheel of life swiveled in, the pendulum of events oscillated between rise and fall. In other words, while some known faces in the Nigerian movie industry globally known as Nollywood gradually faded into oblivion, new names and faces also surfaced. Duly for Diamond, her name came on the list, and consistently enough she has kept to its expectations.
In 2004, when activities in government was a guarded secret, a Nollywood crew decided to shed light on the day-to-day affairs of the chief executives at typical Nigerian state houses. That movie was titled, Government House. Though fraught with some obvious shortcomings, typical of every work of art, the effort proved that the home video audience was eager to know the goings-on in Government Houses. That movie eventually spelt success for most members of the cast and crew including actress, Diamond Adaeze Igwe who made her acting debut on that set.
Perhaps, that is why the Ebonyi State born actress calls it one of her most challenging roles. “I have done a lot of roles since then, but I will not forget the experience I got from the location of Government House. It was what launched my career in Nollywood. I did my best and it was not surprising that it opened a lot of other doors when the movie was released”.
Since then, Diamond has gone ahead to feature in at least 50 home videos like Kingdom of Darkness, Vanity Upon Vanity, Mothers in Law, Love of My Life and My Only Daughter, amongst others. Although, she trained as an engineer, it was passion that led her to the movie business.
“Of course, I did not formally train as an actress. It started with passion. I grew up to love entertainment. As I grew up and watched others, I knew I had it in me and needed a medium to express that. I did my best and I thank God it worked out for me. Left to my formal qualification, I would not be an actress. I trained as a computer engineer at the Enugu State University. But the industry is unique in that it avails you the opportunity to express yourself. Once you can do it, you can rise from there. I am one of those who took advantage of the fact that I knew what I wanted”.
