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By Christian Agadibe
Nosa Rex has carved a place for himself in Nollywood as a gifted comic actor.
The Edo-born graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma in this interview opened up on his journey to stardom. Here are excerpts:
How did you rise to stardom?
I don’t see myself as a star. I don’t know if I’m a star yet, but if this is what they call stardom, then it’s fine. I got here by hard work, consistency, perseverance and lots of sacrifice. When I started, my mates were in in the youth service. I was struggling between youth service and acting in movies. I wasn’t doing it for the money when I started. I was just having a good time. I didn’t study Theatre Arts. I just loved acting. I was doing it even when there was no money but plenty challenges. Sometimes you do movies and you don’t get paid. Money and fame cannot come at the same time. If you are steady grinding, fame will come and then money will follow. You have to be careful so you don’t get fame and be broke. It’s a matter of consistency. I was just pushing this craft letting the world know what I had inside. There are so many things inside of me that I wanted the world to see. That was one of the biggest challenges. A Bini boy in the midst of so many Igbo people; It was like an Igbo business so I try to think like them, be like them, love them and be able to co-exist and get something out of it. I didn’t look at the money aspect… I was just acting; just keep grinding believing that one day, it will happen.
What were your initial challenges when you started and how did you overcome them?
Firstly, money challenges. You know, when you decide to be an actor; there are so many things you will pause in your life. I studied Mechanical Engineering and just graduated. I went for youth service and I am supposed to go and look for a job but now I want be an actor. Opportunities? Who will give you the opportunity that will give you that big break? We were playing one scene, two scenes; it’s been step by step, no jumping. I was doing it for fun… I enjoyed doing it, that’s why I’m still very much relevant till today. Basically, the key word is passion. I have passion for this game. It’s a career. This is what I use to feed my family, so it’s a very serious business for me.
What lessons did you learn from your days of humble beginnings?
There’s no way you can move forward in this industry if you’re not loyal. Keep your pride to yourself. Be loyal and wish everyone well. What you think will take you into the limelight might not be the thing that will take you, so don’t look down on any script or character that’s given to you. The earlier I learnt that, the better for me.
What were the initial reactions of your parents when they discovered you’re an actor?
My late dad was very supportive. He has always been my backbone. I lost my mom in 2007, so she never got to see me on TV for one day. But my dad didn’t complain at all. He just wanted me to do it and he was happy when he started seeing the results.
Did you see yourself becoming this popular from the onset?
No. I just knew there’s light at the end of the tunnel, but I didn’t know it would get to this point. I knew I was on the right path. I was just doing my thing for the love of the industry, and my passion for it. I know it’s a career; I’m not in a hurry to blow. I believe there’s room for everybody no matter your age. Actors don’t die; they don’t retire. So, I take it one day at a time and focus on the goal, which is to be successful.
What do you think you did right to get to where you are today?
I don’t know what I’ve done. I know I’m very hardworking. I don’t associate with people that don’t have prospects. I cut off lots of negative vibes in the industry. There are some people that their energy is not as high as the one you’re bringing. So, you have to be on the same page and energy with me, you have to be on the same thought with me. I cannot be thinking left and you’re thinking right. It won’t work for me. I keep my hands clean; pray to God, do my job and try to be better than the last job. I allow my job to speak for me.
Do you still keep your old friends?
Yes, of course I still keep in touch with my old friends. My circle is not very big. I have friends and we have been together since 2004/2005. I still keep my friends of way back from secondary school and university. I still keep up with my old friends, especially the good ones.
Who were those you looked up to while growing up?
I have always loved Mercy Johnson, Mike Ezuruonye, and Funke Akindele. They are superstars. I love them for their craft and how they interpret their roles. Mike is someone I’ve always looked up to, and when I came into the industry, I told him. He has maintained that friendship with me till tomorrow. I consider him as a big boss.
Some celebrities are popular but not rich, where do you belong?
First of all, anything that will make me popular and not have money, I reject it in Jesus name. That’s the worst that can ever happen to anybody. I believe our elders in the industry made some mistakes, not intentionally though. There was no money at that time, that’s why some of them were popular but didn’t have money. But now, everything about the industry is monetized. I believe my generation has better ways and opportunities to make money than them… As for where I belong, I don’t know, I’m just a young actor doing my thing. I don’t know if I’m rich. I’m comfortable and by the grace of God I can provide for myself. I’m taking care of my family, I’m doing great, I’m grateful to God.
What has fame deprived you of?
Privacy! I have no more privacy, no more total freedom. Sometimes you are somewhere and you don’t want anybody to know, but it’s no longer possible. Fame is somehow, you fight so hard to get fame, but when you have it, you use faze cap and eyeglasses to cover it. I didn’t understand back then but now it’s very clear. There are some places you go to and you just want to sneak in and sneak out. But it’s what we signed for and we are grateful to God for it.
Has fame shut or opened doors for you?
Fame has opened doors for me. It has done more good than harm. You find favour everywhere you go. People see you and show you love either in London, America, everywhere I’ve been to.
Have you had any embarrassing moment?
To me, everything is cruise. An embarrassing moment was when a lady came to me and said ‘I want to fuck you’. I felt embarrassed. She was so blunt, but then, it’s all cruise.
Have you ever been sexually harassed by anyone in the industry?
No. I haven’t had such experience. But I know people it has happened to, that shared their stories.
Do you consider yourself a role model?
Of course, yes. But I’m just living my life. So many people send me messages. I know so many people look up to me outside and inside the industry, even including my family, my younger ones. I’m a role model to so many of them. I try to make them understand that my hustle is my hustle, my lifestyle is my lifestyle.
What advice do you have for young people who want to be famous like you?
You need to have passion for this industry. If you don’t have passion, you can’t go far. People will disrespect you; people that are not supposed to talk to you, will talk to you. Some people just come and they want to blow. Take that off your mind. Just love what you are doing; be positive, hope, believe and pray to God almighty that you will make it. No shortcut to success. You must pay your dues and pay it in full.
What can make you more fulfilled in your career?
When I’m seen on every big screens; when I play all the good characters I have in my mind. When I get the kind of opportunities I’m looking for. The goal is to get to the top. I’m still struggling. I’m not there yet. I want to be able to help a lot of people. I have so many people depending on me. I want to help young and upcoming actors. I want to do Hollywood blockbuster movies as well as collaborations.
Do you have any regrets?
Firstly, I don’t regret anything. There were some people I trusted that I was not supposed to trust. Nobody owes you anything. If you put this on your mind from the beginning of your career, you won’t make mistakes. But if you begin to feel entitled, you will crash. I was expecting a whole lot from people. I changed that mindset. If I was going to change anything, it’s the thought that people will reciprocate my goodness to them.
