…Says she turned down a job offer recently because the pay was poor
By Agatha Emeadi
Akwa Ibom State-born Nollywood star, Marvellous Dominion cut her teeth in the entertainment industry at an early age of 17 years.
After she tasted fame and power of the screen, with the support of her father, today, Dominion has become a force to reckon with in the industry.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, she said her understanding parents did not kill her for almost starring naked, but saw her action as transformation from studying abroad.
How did you get into the entertainment industry?
I started acting when I was 17. It was based on talent that I got into the industry. After my first acting job some years ago with Nollywood finest, Chika Ike, and Ngozi Ezeonu, who are hot cakes in the industry, funny enough, I played a sub-lead character, which was a very good one for me. Seeing that I would build a career in the industry, I travelled to the United Kingdom to further my education. I studied Acting in London Academy of Media, Film and Television. Again, I proceeded to Oxford Brookes University to study Contemporary Arts. When I was through with my studies, I returned to Nigeria and continued my career as well as my fashion designing. I actually wanted to explore the industry and that was why I went back to study in London.
How did you rise to stardom?
When I got back to Nigeria, it was pretty tough. I did a couple of jobs with some major actors and production houses, but then I was fortunate enough to have myself on production company called Duke of Shomolu production “3 Some Play” which was a major hit. Three-some play was a stage play done by Jude Idada, a Canadian-Nigerian film director and producer. He directed this stage play where I played alongside Daniel Etim-Effiong, Kemi-B and Uzor Osimkpa. We were the major actors on stage on this production which was a phenomenal stage play. To be honest, this stage play brought me out. It blew me up in such a beautiful manner, it was a very daring stage play. When we realized that the stage play was a massive huge because we had five days in a row and we were sold out on tickets. People even sat on the floor because they could not get chairs in the hall at Muson Centre. We had the show the following year and the year after. Again, we all agreed to do something else which we called ‘Anonymous Nipples’ which was another big hit. This time around, we have a book on the stage play which inspired the stage play. So, we had the book which I read alongside Joseph Edgar, Regina Askia, Alli Baba and other writers. It was a compendium for couples who are suffering in their relationships.
Parents would want their children to be professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers etc. What was their reaction when you showed interest in Acting then and now that you have made it?
To be very honest, I have loving parents. My father who passed on last year was actually the one that pushed me into acting in a very good way. He supported my career when I told them that I want to be an actress. My mother on the hand said no, I should rather become a lawyer instead of acting. My father was really part and parcel of my stardom and progress. When I did those crazy stage play in ‘Three-some’, I was surprised my parents did not kill me for it. They said, since I went to London to study and basically transferring all that I learnt abroad to the Nigerian industry, that was why I stared almost naked. My parents have been very supportive and loving. Unfortunately, my father passed away last year. May his soul continue to rest in peace.
How are you coping with the rise?
It has been interesting. Being that I am not someone who focuses on fame, instead on financial success. I am taking it one step at a time. I am happy that I am being recognized in the industry. I am also happy that I have done well for myself and also used the medium to push my fashion designing business for male and female with more emphasis on my male clients. My acting career has done some good for me. Though I complain about money sometimes, the pay is not exactly exciting which is why most actors have other streams of income to support themselves financially just like I do.
How is the society treating you as an actor?
Society has been fair and good to me. I am glad people do not just recognize me. but appreciate my craft. I have not encountered any form of disrespect and I appreciate that.
How was growing up? Talk about your family, parents and siblings?
I had my primary and secondary education in Lagos State, Nigeria. At some point, I went to my state to complete my secondary education and later went to the UK for further studies. I studied Acting and Contemporary Arts which I am supposed to be practicing; especially my artistic work, though I actually started, but later stopped. My mother is a business woman who is doing perfectly fine, and I have a brother. I have an awesome family.
You are also a designer, talk briefly about it?
Marvellous Dominion fashion house kicked off in 2022 with female clothings. I decided to test the waters with the male and found out the real business in male clothings with high end clients. I am grateful to God for the business.
What advice would you give to upcoming female actor?
I would say to them, do what you can do, but do not do anything bad. Again, I will say, push yourself because the industry is not for the weak and be disciplined. There are temptations, people will push you, but before they do so, safeguard yourself, know your boundaries and settle your respect within yourself. Know your worth. I turned down a job offer recently, because I felt the pay was poor.