For lovers of the popular MNET TV soap opera TINSEL there is one character that has really been missing and she is Monica Ade Williams which was played by fast rising actress cum singer Ashionye Michelle Ugboh – Raccah. The actress who got married two years ago to her British soul mate Carl Raccah had a chat with MURPHY FADAIRO and talked about her acting and music career, marriage, challenges of motherhood, why she had to be off the scene for a while because of her baby and what she is working on presently. Excerpts
It has been long we heard from Ashionye; what is new with you?
I have been reworking on my album you know I had to relax for a while because of the birth of my son. I had an album completed at then but with the pregnancy and all I decided to take time off so now that my baby is almost a year I have started working on it again and hopefully a new single should be out by the end of the week. It was produced by TY Mix and called Just a little bit. And we are hoping all things been equal that the album proper should drop by June latest.
What about your movie career; you had a nice one going on as a character on the MNET soap opera Tinsel what about it?
About the movie I have actually done two movies; I did a comedy with Kofi and Owen Gee called Mumu produced and directed by Kofi himself in 2008. There is Jungle Ride which had the likes of Omoni Oboli, Benjamin Joseph and was premiered last year at Silverbird. I am actually still new in the movie but for TV soaps that is Tinsel, I got pregnant and I asked for time off because I really felt I needed time to rest. So far I am still keeping my fingers crossed about the character in Tinsel the character might come back and might not come back. Let’s just wait and see because I am not allowed to let the cat out of the bag.
Talking about your forth coming album; can you tell us some of the artistes you worked with?
My single Rock me featured MI and it was produced by him, I also worked with General Pipe. I don’t want to forget anyone but in all I think I had like five different collaborations so when the album drops in June it will be a total package.
What has been married changed about Ashionye?
Nothing really but I will say I have matured a lot; I have lot more responsibilities. I have a son and at the moment he is my first occupation as a mother. I will say I am a lot more responsible and matured now that I am married unlike when I was a single lady; then I was freer and I could do anything and not care about it. Before I do anything now I have to consult my husband and wouldn’t want to do anything to tarnish my name and his.
Your husband is British; would you say you are also following the trend in Nigeria where our celebrities opt for Caucasians instead of black men. What attracted him to you?
I wouldn’t use the word “opt”; I will call it destiny because it was bound to happen. My husband and I before we got married we were together for like six years. Like any other relationships we had differences but off course we work them out. We got married and now have a son. I didn’t go out looking for an “oyinbo” to marry. It just happened, we met and became friends, love developed and we are married and happily too. My two previous relationships before I got married while I was in school they were Nigerian guys and we are still friends. It is not about been white or black it depends on the individual.
Your character in Tinsel was lovely and the accent was wow; what are your real names and did you school abroad or you actually socked yourself to fit that character?
My real names are Ashionye Michelle Ugboh – Raccah. I am actually from Kwale in Delta state and I am a Delta girl to the core there is no two ways about it. My character in Tinsel is supposed to be a Yoruba girl Monica Ade Williams who’s fortunate enough to have a rich father and she had lived in different countries in the world like UK, US, Mexico and all. So the character was supposed to have an accent and somehow I had to make it real. Some people said I got it while don’t share the same view but I think it worked for the producers that is how I see it. I didn’t school abroad and growing up was fun. I am from a middle class family and there were a lot of privileges given to us as kids. I have three brothers and two sisters; we are all still very close.
While growing up have you always known you were going to end up in the showbiz world?
No, not as a profession. Growing up I always wanted to be a Lawyer; I said I was going to go to UI and study Law, go to Law school. Instead of going to University of Ibadan I got admitted to Auchi Polytechnic to study Mass Communication. After graduation I got a job at Cool FM as a presenter, I also did the Lagos Lottery “He fit be you o” programme. And somewhere along the line I started singing and acting although I will say all along I have always been musically inclined. My late mum was a singer in church and other social gathering so I guess I picked it up from her. I also listened to a lot of Monica, Brandy back then while growing so I said to myself if they can do it I can do it and that was it.
Nollywood is really the big thing now all over the world; we get to premier our movies in Cinemas all over the world the UK, US, Dubai and all of that after which they start showing in cinemas; do you think this is a big one for our movie industry?
It is a massive development, it is great and it is good for Nollywood. Now the world is look at Nollywood. Premiering movies outside Nigeria is actually selling the movies to the world and it is a good thing because I understand Nollywood is now the second highest selling film industry in the world after Hollywood. We used to be third, after Bollywood but now we are second so it is a good development. Very soon you will see international actors coming down to Nigeria to make movies. It is good for us.
Do you see yourself getting more scripts now that your baby is of age and who are the producers you think you want to work with?
Scripts have been coming but I had to turn them down because my baby was still very young but I think at the moment I have a script which I think the production will start anytime soon. And I am going to be selective in the kind of scripts I accept; I must not go for everything. You could read a script and the character you are offered, you don’t feel it. I can work with any producer so far I gel with the script.
How do you stay fit; you are married and just had a baby and you still look like a sweet sixteen?
It took me months to get to pregnancy body which is size 12. Now that I have had my baby I am trying to get back to my pre pregnancy body which is size 8 or 10. It is hard work because before I used to go to the gym like four times a week but now I hardly have time because of the baby. But somehow my baby is helping me keep fit, carrying him around in the house and feeding him and running after him to make sure he sits down in one place helps me stay well. I don’t look good now like I used to before I had my baby but I am hoping to go back to the gym as soon as he clocks one so that I can really keep fit.
So what does it take to make in head way in the entertainment industry as an actor and musical artiste which you also are?
From my experience I will say be yourself; express yourself and forget what people say about you. If you feel you have got it, express it and believe in yourself. And in acting since it is make belief; as soon as you get the script bury yourself in the script and put your total being in it. Become the character even before the shooting starts, feel the character, live the character and you will come out fantastic.
A lot of actors can act whatever being single like French kiss on set, act half nude and stuff. As a married woman what is your view, can you kiss or act semi nude?
At the moment I have not been offered any role that requires nudity. In my view as an African woman I can not do it no matter the amount involved but kissing on set is ok. If it is in your script and you accept the script you know you have to do. At least while engaged to my husband I kissed Femi Brainard on the set of Jungle Ride a couple of time, so he knew and understands that it is the business. It is make belief.
What do you think is one big challenge the industry is facing that needs to be tackled?
I think it is piracy; and we really need to check it. The last time I checked which was not long ago piracy was only 5% in Nigeria but now I believe it is increasing by the day. Individuals can not come and invest their money in a project and before you know it someone else is reaping the fruit of their labor it is not proper. That really needs to be addressed properly. I don’t know how to curb it because it is everywhere but somehow I think it can be reduced to the barest minimal level if checked properly.
So what do you want to tell you fans?
To my fans and friends out there I want to say Ashionye in back in the game. Look forward to see more of me and love from me and my son and my husband.
