She started acting at a very young age, but Chico Ejiro gave her, her first shot in Nollywood, and in just a few years she has climbed the ladder of acting success. In this chat with Hazeez Balogun, she talks about her career, and also reveals a bit of her personal life.
Very few people know who Chika Ike is.
I am Mrs Chika Ike Ebirere. I am undergraduate at the University of Lagos. I am reading Human Kinetics and health education. I grew up with my parents. My mum is an evangelist and my dad is a business man.
Most Actress don’t marry early, how did you do it?
Marriage is a decision one takes, and I believe other actresses that are not married today is because they have decided not to. It is their personal decision, and nothing more. Getting married at my age, is my personal decision, and yes I am successful to be married to a man who loves me. It is not like there is a jinx in the movie industry. Any actress who wants to get married will get married, it is just a personal decision.
How did you meet your husband?
when I first met my husband, he did not even know that I was an actress. I met him in my school, when he came to transact some business with some people. We got to meet and before you know it, we started dating. And even then he never still knew I was an actress. When he eventually found out, he took it in good faith. He is cool with it.
As a married woman, how do you juggle home and set?
It is very challenging. Marriage on its own is a huge challenge. Having to combine it with acting, which takes most of my time, is tasking. It has not been easy, but I thank God that I am married to a very understanding man. It is so adorable, that he understands me and my work.
You must have found yourself doing roles that includes kissing and cuddling, how does your husband take that?
I try so hard to limit my kissing in movies. But if it comes to a point that I cannot express that role except I kiss, as a professional, I just go ahead and do it. Concerning my husband, I make sure when ever we are watching the movie in which I kissed, I will make sure I am the one holding the remote control. When it gets to the kissing part, I just fast forward the movie so he wont see that part.
Despite your marital status, do you still get advances from men?
As an actress, it is just normal that you get advances from men. Just being a lady alone, you still see guys flocking around you, not to talk of an actress or a public figure. I just think that it is just natural. Personally, I try to draw the line between my work and my personal life. I appreciate them calling telling me that I did a great job, but I don’t let exceed that point. Any other further advancement is not allowed.
What is the most embarrassing thing a fan has ever done to you?
The most embarrassing thing a male fan has done to me, is so funny. Actually I was coming out of the church and this guy just picked me up and turned me around 360, and almost planted a kiss on my face. All that right in front of my husband. It was really crazy. I have never seen such an obsessed fan in my life. I did not know what to say, I was in a shock. He later apologised that he was carried away because he was a great fan of mine. He said that he had promised himself that he will carry me up the first time he sees me. Probably he must be following a scene I acted, I cant remember, but it was all crazy. He did apologize, though right there I understood, but anytime I think of it…
Will you say it is the part you play or your looks that is driving the fans crazy?
There are many reasons people like you for. Some just watch your movies, and falls in love with you. While some just see you and they like you naturally. Yes, I wont say that I am not an attractive person, but its not just about the looks alone. More people are attracted by the skills you have.
How have you been able to escape scandals?
I will not say I have been escaping scandal, and I will not say I have not been escaping them. Generally it is just the perspective people have about actors and celebrities. I wont be surprised to see my name included in a scandal one of this days. Its just normal. I try so hard to avoid being in places that could create a scandal for me. I don’t go to places where my name could be picked up and used as they like. Most of all it is the grace of God, because there is no matter how you hide, there are some people ready to cook up one story or the other about you.
Marrying early too must have helped youI don’t think so.
Yes, I married early, but it does not mean that I am immune to scandals. Even if I am single I would still be weary of scandals, its a personality thing. I am not the kind of person that involves myself in situations or positions that will allow people or the press to say negative things about me. But like I said earlier, if some people want to, they will still involve you in a scandals, whether it exists or not. It is about being principled.
Why acting?
Well its what I have been known for. When I was a young girl my name used to be ‘Fancy Nancy’, because I liked fanciful things. I used to sing, dance, act, wear costumes and all. That is what I used to do a lot. So it was only natural for me to find myself in the entertainment world. Acting to me is a way of expressing myself. I can take on any role and replicate it perfectly. I love the challenge, I get trying to fit into a role.
Which role got you stardom?
My first job was with Chico Ejiro. I and my sister went for an audition for one of his flicks, and my sister was picked for a major role while I got a ‘waka pass’ role. I was not happy with the role I got, but funny enough, the ‘waka pass’ role was like a gateway for me. Ffrom then on, the roles kept rolling in. (laughs)
You must have had your fair share of sex for roles(shouts)
No!, no way. I wont do that. People say it happens but I don’t see it. I cant even say it exists. For me to say it does exist I must have experienced it, or must have seen someone who has experienced it but I have not. Its so funny that people say these things yet they don’t really know what is going on in the industry. It is only the truly talented that get roles. No producer will waste his money on a movie to see a fake actress spoil his work just because he is sleeping with the actress. Its just what the media wants the people to believe. Its not real.
If your husband decides to take another wife, what will you do?
Ah! how do I answer this one. First of all, my husband is not a polygamist by nature. Personally I don’t think my husband should get another wife. I won’t find it funny if he tries it. Second wife , it’s impossible. There will be no peace o.
Will you act nude, to interpret a role?
I wont do that, I am too principled for that. I understand that some roles might require nudity, I respect actors who can take up the challenge. But for me, I will never do it.
