By Christy Anyanwu
Grace Obi is an amazing character in Monkey Business movie recently premiered at Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the venue, she spoke with Sunday Sun about her acting sojourn and her future plans.
Can we know you?
My name is Grace Obi. I’m an actress; I’m also a model and an entrepreneur. I’m in my early 30s. This is my first cinema movie. I have acted in “Sudden Millionaire”, “What Nkechi Wants” and “Banana Island Ghost”.
How did you become an actress and what are your plans for the future?
Acting was a passion for me when I was a child. I love TV, I always wanted to act, and I love action movies, which I do on TV. When I was growing up, I had mentors; I have always had people I look up to. I have always wanted to have my niche, which is something I’m working on with my director. Like I said, I love action movies. We are trying to put a piece together, which is going to have very good action, drama, no love scene, just action and drama.
Are there actresses you look up to?
Like I said, I love action films. Angela Okorie is one of the people I admire. She’s someone that always has action in her movies. I also love Genevieve Nnaji, she was a natural actress, and she wasn’t forcing anything. I like it when people act and are not fussy. I look up to Mercy Johnson, she always makes me laugh. Her humour is just in excess. Any movie then, whenever I saw Mercy Johnson, I would always make sure that I watched it till the end. I think it was more of the female sector that I have my mentees and mentors because, as a female, I need to learn from them.
What about your role in Monkey Business?
I was Dr Allen Amaka. I was a doctor who was abroad, and I actually got married but got divorced when I came back. It was actually a government contract that brought me to Nigeria, but on getting here, the whole country became shady. In the movie, I’m a strong woman. I came back from the US. Came to Monkey Village, and things did not turn out as we were told. They said we were going to stay in a Government Hous, but eventually, they kept us in Monkey Village, a typical Nigerian life. We are looking at a sequel too. We are working on it.
What do you do as an entrepreneur?
I make fresh juices, fresh pineapple, orange, zobo, tiger nut. It’s actually a stressful business, but I have passion for it. I’m also into clothing because I love fashion. I sell online. I inspire the designs of what I wear.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Benue State; I’m from Anambra State.
How was life growing up?
It was interesting and at the same time quite boring. My parents didn’t like us going out, they were strict. You know that kind of parents that don’t allow you go to parties, clubbing and things like that. My parents did business outside and anytime they travelled we cut the rope, went out, did parties, but I’m not actually a party freak. I am a calm-headed, sweet, nice, homely person, but stubborn. I also do scriptwriting. I have been putting some stories together and, by the grace of God, we will be filming this year.
Are you single?
Yes, hoping that I’m going to tie the knot soon. It has to be this year. I have been praying long enough (laughs).
Is he an actor?
I don’t want to base my choice to career because, in any career, there are good people and there are bad people. It is even better for me if the person is an actor because it’s my field. I already know every nook and cranny of the industry, so it’s easy to relate to so many things like keeping late nights on set and all of that. I don’t think I would have a problem with it because I know how it works.
How did your mum feel when you told her you wanted to go into acting?
She was not surprised. She said I had it inborn. She just said maybe that’s where God wants to establish you as a person. I have had this relationship with God. Whatever I do, I put God first. I try not to be just a Christian, but to do as Father wants, because my Bible says, if you love me you will keep my commandments. I love my God, I try to keep His commandments and do what I have got to do. My mum, she’s very proud of me.
How do you handle male admirers?
I have been in the entertainment industry before now. I was a model before I became an actress. I have experience of the industry and I knew how things operate here. The industry is one big family. Everybody knows everybody. I have always had this nudge from my modelling days, I don’t want to be this girl with the tag of ‘She’s slept with everyone,’ and all those funny tags. Right from my childhood days, my brother used to tell me this; in his words, give yourself some hype. When I was younger, I had so many male friends and they came to visit me in my house. At some point, my dad really got pissed and chased them out of the house whenever they came.
So, one day, my brother called me. In his words: You cannot be friends with everybody. Everyone wants to talk to you because you are a fine girl. These guys want to try their luck and get what they want. So, what you need as a woman is to give yourself some hype. Don’t give room for everybody. Try to scrutinize those who come around you. Are they bringing value or taking away value? So, what I do is, I’m very jovial with these admirers, but when it passes a certain level that I feel is not appropriate, I pull back and call them to order, not in a bad way, but in an understanding way, please stop. I don’t get hostile. When I don’t like you I’m extremely hostile, but when I like you I’m nicer and try to play smart.