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By Agatha Emeadi
Nkechi Nnaji is a Nigerian Nollywood star from Nkanu East in Enugu State. She also the special adviser to the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) on Film Project, Southeast. She has featured in various films and hopes to share the screen with Genevieve and Rita Dominic one day.
In this interview, she talked about her entrance and journey, expectations in Nollywood and many more.
How did you get interested in your chosen profession?
I started as a kid actor, but cannot remember the date and year exactly, but I remember as a kid I loved to act. Then, I watched my neighbour who was always going to former Palace Hotel Enugu for auditioning. I wanted to act, but my mum would not support the idea. So, I approached him and made my intentions about acting known to him. He promised that when next he was going for an audition, he would take me along The day came, I followed him by sneaking out and was selected. That was my first movie selection and I made my first N7,000 as a kid actor. I got home and showed my mum, she was amazed that a kid could act and make such money at a tender age. That was how the journey began. It’s so funny that at my grown up age, some people still send me clips from the movies I did as a kid. It has indeed been an exciting journey and I can only thank God for how far I have come.
How did you rise to stardom?
Truthfully, it has been filled with ups and downs. I struggled at different stages of my acting until I found Charles Inojie who gave me a soft landing in the industry because he loved to feature me as a kid in his movies. He will go as far as personally asking my mum for permission, so she could release me. At some point, I could not balance school and acting and it showed in my studies, so I had to quit acting as a kid. I went back to school full time. From secondary school days through university, I did not act. After graduation from the university, I realized that Asaba had become the home to actors. Everything that had to do with movies and acting had its headquarters in Asaba. Those I knew in the industry were not around anymore so it became a challenge as I started building new contacts to get me back into the industry.
What opportunities has it brought to you?
Nollywood is a great platform to rise and show one’s skill. It has given me an avenue to rise. Acting is not an easy job, but Nollywood made it easy and has opened lots of doors for me.
So far, what has been your major challenge in the industry?
My major challenge was the difficulty I had when I got back from the university and realized Nollywood now had its base in Asaba. Everyone I knew in the industry before going back to school were unreachable and seemed far away. Not having any contact or knowing how to get back on track is what I termed as a challenge. Though it did not last for long, as I was able to find my way back into the industry almost immediately.
What was the feeling of your parents then and now because parents want doctors, lawyers, engineers and such professions, not entertainment?
Well, my father died early, but my mother is still alive with full support for me. I started acting as a kid, and made my first N7,000 as a kid; She was so surprised and shocked, probably that was what made the way for me. I have been shaped by my childhood experiences which formed my deep orientation to put family first.
Can you remember the first movie you did as a kid actor and the one you did after you graduated from the university?
The movie I did as a kid was a long time ago. I was very young and can’t seem to remember. But after university I remember featuring in ‘Escort Girls’ and ‘Cry of the Innocent’. They were both hit movies. They were my launching pad and I have done several other movies after that.
What was your most successful movie among your featured movies?
I have done a lot of hit movies which were all successful and got people glued to their screens, but I will say the most successful was ‘Palace Cook’. It featured Zubby Michael among other actors. After its release, it got people talking and the Internet literally shut down because it was full of drama.
You were away for a while; how has it been coming back with stories of sexual harassment from producers and directors. Can you share any personal experience?
I do not have a personal experience of sexual harassment, but I am aware it is rampant in Nollywood. I know a few female colleagues who have lamented about it. In my opinion, how one portrays himself or herself in this industry goes a long way. If one presents herself too low, without class and dignity the fellow is bound to encounter the many scenes of sexual harassment. When I’m on set with male actors, there is respect on set. I am not trying to brag, but I have never created the room for anyone to disrespect me or want to take advantage of me. Some people think I am rude and proud but that is what has helped me stay respected in the industry.
How is the society treating you?
The industry has a long way to go, as it is very hard to infiltrate with the invention of other streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Prime etc. Back in the days, movies sell for a long time, but with these streaming platforms, movies are shortlived. A movie may be topping the chart, but the moment another is released, the previous one goes out of market. The advantage of these platforms is that, movies tend to reach a wider audience across the world. Whenever I visit malls out of Nigeria especially in London, I always marvelled at how people walk up to me and identify me from my movies. I would think they are Nigerians, but most of them are from Jamaica and Spain. Their comment is that they watched it on YouTube. That is to show how broad these platforms have helped distribute our movies. With these, as an artist you have to keep evolving as the streaming world evolves. The experience has been nice.
Who are your role models in the industry?
Genevieve Nnaji and Rita Dominic. There is an attractive aura around Rita Dominic that makes you want to associate yourself with her. She exhumes class and confidence. For Genevieve, I love how she has remained relevant in the industry after all these years. She has also managed to stay scandal-free. One thing I love about the older Nollywood models is that they live a ‘noiseless life’ despite their wealth and affluence, they don’t shove it over the Internet unlike these new generation of actors who believe they have to show off. They believe they need validation from their ‘Internet family’. They want to be known and that is why you will see them go extra miles to pay bloggers. They act like they are in competition with one another. No offense intended, but how long will they keep living such life.
What advice would you give to young ones coming into the industry?
My advice to them is to stick to the art. Unlearn and relearn your skill in acting. Build up yourself to be relevant. A lot of people see Nollywood as a platform to boost their businesses; it is funny how skit makers are beginning to call themselves actors without prior acting skills and training, but this is an issue for another day and will be addressed by the National President and his Executives. For most actors, the passion has gone, it is now done for the fun of it. I will simply suggest proper screening and orientation for new actors. Some new actor’s pages on Social media reads actor and director which should not be; one needs to master the craft before one gives him or herself a title.
