Why I chose AI storytelling after marriage

By Rita Okoye

Nollywood actress Gift Ibiwari Praise Jedy-Agba is a talented performer, who has steadily carved out a niche for herself in the Nigerian film industry. After taking a brief break to focus on her marriage, Ibiwari has returned to her first love, acting, with a new dimension to her career as a movie producer.

In this interview with Sunday Sun, she opens up on the inspiration behind her YouTube AI stories, navigating married life, and the movie roles she can no longer take on. Enjoy!

You have been a bit scarce; did you take a break from movies after your wedding?

Truthfully, yes, I did. I needed to breathe. Immediately after we came back from our wedding ceremony, we moved from our separate apartments into our home, gave away some things, bought new things, arranged and rearranged, and entertained friends and family. So, I took some time out from work.

What has changed about you, since you got married?

Marriage itself doesn’t biologically “change” a woman into a different person, but marriage can bring major changes in her life, priorities, responsibilities, emotions, and sometimes even how she behaves. So, for me, my priorities streamlined. I became more responsible and gradually a better manager. Also, I experienced spiritual growth and personal awareness of God. I tell you, every home needs God’s presence full-time.

You just launched your YouTube channel; what inspired that move?

Well, first, my inspiration came from the Holy Spirit, the giver of talents. Then, my love for storytelling as an actress and my background in filmmaking and the possibilities that AI gave me. And of course, imagination! My desire to reach people with meaningful stories and help soothe their souls in my own little way. And YouTube became the stage. IBIZ Stories Studio became the home. And “Stories That Stay With You” became the promise (My tagline). My first AI story on my channel is titled, “The Jealous Friend.” The story is about contentment; it is key, but if one lacks it, then the end is disastrous. I also have a short film titled ‘Led By A Voice’. IBIZ was coined from IB, an abbreviation for Ibiwari, which means Goodhome.

Why the choice of AI stories?

My choice of AI acting or AI storytelling is more about freedom and scale. First, I can create stories beyond my physical limitations. Secondly, I don’t have to depend on a full production crew. I am essentially building a miniature film studio around my storytelling ability with my mobile and laptop. I can experiment more, and if I fail, I keep trying until I get what I want. AI gives me room to experiment without every experiment becoming an expensive production.

AI, to an extent, gives me accessibility and production freedom.

I can make a story without first having to gather 10 actors, find a location, arrange costumes, pay a crew, coordinate schedules, etc. but that doesn’t mean I have to remain AI-only. No, IBIZ STORIES STUDIO will definitely build around both.

AI is basically not the only identity of my brand. I am just starting with it as a tool. My identity is storytelling and filmmaking. So AI is a tool. Real actors like me are also tools. The camera is a tool. My acting is also a tool. What remains constant is my story. That’s actually why my tagline says—“Stories That Stay With You”

It doesn’t say “AI stories.” It says stories. Using AI as a storytelling tool also allows me to keep creating, working, and earning during seasons of my life when pregnancy or motherhood may make it difficult for me to work actively as an actress. It allows me to continue telling stories and building my career, even when I may not be physically present on set.

Did you take a formal course in AI, or did you learn it on your own along the way?

I learnt the basics from a tutor, then I researched, watched tutorials on the web, practised and became good, and I am still working on my craft, which is a work in progress.

Will you feature your husband in any of your real life films?

A few years ago, I actually cast my hubby (we were dating at the time) in the two films I was contracted to produce for an investor. A few months before we got married, he cast me in the jobs he was contracted to produce. So, yes, if the opportunity comes, I will feature my husband in a fancy film I produce as long as he fits the role.

What are some movie roles you may no longer be able to take on due to your new status?

For me, I may still take on the types of roles I played before marriage, as I have never actually portrayed a character that required deep intimacy or scenes of an overtly erotic nature.

Lastly, what has married life taught you, especially as one who married a colleague?

Marriage has taught me a lot about patience, understanding, communication, and balance. And being married to another actor is unique because we both understand the industry’s demands. We understand the long hours, the sacrifices, the different roles we have to play, and that work can sometimes be unpredictable.

For me, marriage hasn’t meant giving up who I was before marriage. It has taught me how to grow into this new chapter while still pursuing my passion for acting and storytelling. I think having a partner who understands my dreams and supports my growth is a beautiful thing, vice versa.

Above all, God, who is our centre stage, gives us wisdom to navigate. It will always end in praise.