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By Rita Okoye
- Linda John is a Nollywood actress and filmmaker from Benue State. Born into a family of ten, she was raised in Makurdi, Benue State capital.
In this interview with Saturday Sun, the movie star, who is also currently an aide to Senator Abba Moro, speaks about her journey in Nollywood, her views on relationships, and lapses within the industry.
What lessons did you learn from 2025 that you wish not to repeat?
2025 was quite challenging for me. I learned that nobody is really your friend in Nollywood; they are all out for their personal interests, so get your money and go home. I have learnt that I should stop trying to be the nice guy. I want to focus on those who truly care about me and forget fair-weather friends.
What makes you unique as an actress?
What makes me unique is my versatility and ability to take on any role. I possess both feminine and masculine prowess so I can carry both roles well.
Has fame changed the way people relate with you, and how do you manage that shift?
Well, I think fame has changed the way people relate with me because they feel I don’t have time for them anymore, but in all honesty, my work takes too much of my time but I still create time to reach out.
Who in the industry has had the greatest impact on your career?
A couple of people, but I will give it to Chinenye Nworah (movie producer). She has been a great support system both in Nollywood and out of Nollywood. She helps me with job recommendations, financial and emotional support even with prayers.
If you weren’t in Nollywood, what would you be doing right now?
If I wasn’t in Nollywood, I would have been a politician. I would love to say that I am partly into politics at the moment.
What is your biggest fear as a woman in the entertainment industry?
My biggest fear should be how to create a balance between my work and my family (husband and children) when I finally settle down.
Footballer, actor, and politician, who would you pick for marriage?
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I totally depend on God for that choice. All I pray for is a good life partner.
There seems to be a lot of marriages going on in Nollywood, actors marrying actresses, do you plan to follow that trend?
As I said earlier, I depend solely on God for that choice but I really don’t see myself marrying an actor.
How do you handle heartbreak?
Personally, I don’t think there’s a best way to handle heartbreak, you can’t go over it or under it or around it. You can only embrace the pain. Time is a healer; in due time you will heal. Only time can heal a broken heart.
What can make you quit Nollywood?
I can only quit Nollywood for my family, most importantly my children.
Has love ever distracted you from your career?
Not really, love doesn’t pay bills, so I don’t think love has ever distracted me from my career.
Have you ever lost a role because you refused to “play dirty” in the industry?
Seriously, oh, I just assume the role is not meant for me when it comes under any kind of condition. I was even blacklisted at some point. I went on to produce my films because I refused to play dirty. I can confidently beat my hand on my chest and say I haven’t had any kind of intimate affair with anybody in my industry.
What’s the craziest rumour you’ve heard about yourself
The craziest rumour I heard is that I gave birth to the last baby in my family; that’s my youngest sister. It sounds so crazy because that will mean that I gave birth to her when I was 12 years old.
Can you marry an older lover?
When it comes to marriage, age is just a number, I have seen younger marriages break up in less than a year and I have seen older marriages last longer, so yes I can marry someone above 60 who is mature at heart, kind, and sensitive.
If you have the opportunity, what would you like to change in Nollywood?
I would like to change the rate of non-professionals trooping into the industry every day by setting up a task force to checkmate the affairs of the various guilds; ranging from directors, producers, artists etc. For example, someone who has zero knowledge of directing with absolutely no training, comes to direct a whole movie because he or she knows the executive producer personally, or a commercial sex worker posing as an actress because she was featured in a movie. I will set up a strong task force to checkmate these departments to make sure that only registered members are allowed to participate in a production.
