Jennifer Oguzie
Hollywood
cum Nollywood diva, Jennifer Akudo Oguzie, has always had camera in
her face. In fact, acting runs in her blood. Her dad played the role of
Bruno alongside Gringory and Zebrudaya in the TV sitcom, New Masquerade. Also,
popular highlife musician, Bright Chimezie, was her uncle and she was
always at his concerts and recordings. No wonder, Oguzie
is making it big both locally and internationally.
The actress was recently in Nigeria and she opened up to The Entertainer. Excerpts:
What are you doing in Nigeria?
I
came down here for different projects. First for a film, I am one of
the producers, executive producers and also a cast in it. It is titled, Mirror.
The director is Neville Ossai and he is also the writer and producer
of the same project. And we are collaborating to make sure we make a
standard quality film that will be viewed in the Diaspora.
What is Mirror all about?
Mirror is
a story of a young lady who sees things before it happens. It entails
everything that happens in her life, the good side of it and the bad
side as well. It is a funny twist to the story, so I would encourage
everybody to lookout for Mirror, and when we unveil the twist, we will actually see what happens toMirror and how it transpired to best friend, Betty.
Is it a Nollywood film?
It is an international, Diaspora film, made out of Nollywood.
Who wrote the script and who are the film cast?
Neville Ossai wrote the script, and the second version of the story, The Twist, I
collaborated in writing it. Apart from myself, other stars in the film
are Uru Eke, Femi Jacobs, Eyinnaya Nwigwe, Dr. Greg Obi, Nefi and
Neville Ossai. myself, other stars in the film are Uru Eke,
When are we going to see this film?
You are likely going to see Mirror in
theatre sometime next year, but definitely it will be at the festivals
at the end of this year. We are going to submit it to top festivals and
we hope to have it at the AMVCA Awards and other awards here in Nigeria
too.
How would you describe your stay in Nigeria?
It
has been an exciting experience. I would not trade Nigeria for
anything. This is a place where I feel very welcome, very loved. It is a
very fruitful country where you plant the fruit and you watch it grow.
So, I have planted the fruit and I am ready to watch it grow. I had a
very interesting time and also watching a lot of my friends declaring
their political ambition. It is a plus to me because there is a part of
me too that loves politics. I also love watching people grow in that
territory. So, I enjoyed every minute I am here. Also my director, Mr.
Obi Emelonye, who featured me in one of his blockbuster films, Last Flight to Abuja,
is also on the verge of making his new hit television series, it has
about 100 episodes, and I have been invited to be a part of it. So, I am
going to go back to Hollywood, recreate myself and come back for the
project. The entire project, I believe, will be shot in Ibadan.
I can see your son, Obama, is already speaking Igbo. Is it as a result of your coming home?
It
is actually not. From the day I gave birth to my son, it was a decision
that I make that Igbo shall be his first language because in the
society that we are in today, parents and families ignore their origin,
their dialect and speak English language. English language is fine but
when you have your own biological son speaking your indigenous language,
words cannot express the feeling as a mother when you look into your
child and he said, “Mama ele otu idi” (meaning ‘mummy, how are you’).
That is the best thing I can ever give to my son, to make sure he can
speak, read and write Igbo. As long as I live, Obama shall speak Igbo.
When actually did you start acting?
I
started acting as a child way back in Nigeria in the early ‘80s. There
was a TV show called ‘Kiddies World’ and that was how I started with my
sister, and our dad who was a comedian encouraged us. Later, I started
doing stage plays. In 1996/97, we did Stubborn Grasshopper; it featured Ramsey Nouah. My dad was one of the actors that played alongside Gringory and Zebrudayah in New Masquerade.Though,
he is late now, he played the role of Bruno in that television series.
Since I knew him as my dad, he was acting and had traveled a lot to
various parts of the world like London, United States of America,
Argentina etc.
I
have always had cameras in my face, so it wasn’t strange for me. Like I
said, my dad was into entertainment. Bright Chimezie, one of the
popular musicians, was my uncle and we were always at all his concerts
and recordings. We grew up dancing and spending time in front of the
camera. We were always in front of the camera. That was how I developed
the passion for acting and the love for film.
So, acting runs in the family?
Absolutely, it runs in the blood and everyone has a little form of acting in them.
My
mother is a Guidance Counselor, she has a doctorate degree and she
taught me how to dance as a child. She used dance as a form of hobby and
choice and not as a profession.
How supportive was your mother?
My
mother was supportive but at the same time, she wanted me to graduate
from college so that, at least, I would have a sound education before I
go full time into acting so as to have something I can fall back on. My
family migrated to the United States in 1998 and while in school, I
studied Social Work and Psychology.
What’s life as a student and working in America?
My
mother raised us to be very strong and not to let our guards down, and
to always strive for the best. My father died in 1999, and it has been
my mother all by herself, trying to raise three girls and a boy all by
herself. She is still doing it with ease, love, joy and confidence. It
really gave us joy to know that a woman can actually raise her family,
and it feels like you have a man and a woman in that family. The
challenge was for me to respect my mother and do the things according to
the way that she wanted us to do it.You lost your dad when
you were young?
Yes,
my dad died of food poisoning on Christmas Eve. We believed he ate
something and that was it. It was December 24, 1998 or 99, a day before
we were supposed to travel to the United States of America. We went out
shopping, bought Christmas gifts and clothes and stopped by a
restaurant with his friend and my mother, and they ate some food and
later my dad was rushed to the hospital where he died.
So, the trip to America was cancelled?
The trip was
cancelled and it was funeral time. My mother being young at that time
and we were also little children, my dad was very prominent and
wealthy, and my mother, being a widow tried to claim what was hers. We
had families but then when someone passes on, then you would really know
the hearts of people, with or against you. She really tried to maintain
some of the properties left behind by my father but it wasn’t easy, as
she struggled, but I am glad, she was very smart, strong and with God’s
power, she was able to overcome all the chalyoung at that time and we
were also little lenges after my dad passed on.
How‘s life after your father’s death?
Yes,
things could become very difficult when you give up hope. What we need
in life is to learn that death can bring love and affection, and it can
also make you a stronger person. It could either make or mar you.
Sometimes in a school setting, little boys would want to take advantage
of you and they would want to get a fight with you knowing that your dad
is not going to be there. But when they know that it is just your
mother, they will think, it is so easy to bully or harass you and they
would want to get away with it. But as God would have it, my mother is
one strong and dedicated, hardworking woman. She’s my idol for life; she
made us.
Literally,
I grew up as a tomboy. I was so strong. My sister and I, we joined
martial arts at the age of four. We were both strong and were not
afraid of anything and when some boys looked for our trouble on the
street, we charged at them and fought back. We grew up strong and not
letting our guards down, knowing that our father is dead. Our brother
was not able to protect us (the girls) because he was the last child;
rather, we took care of him until he became a man.
What’s your opinion about sex for role in Nollywood?
It
has never happened to me. But of course, it is one thing if an actress
is going out of her way to go after a director and give herself to him
to get a role. That is the actress’ personal agenda. I can’t judge
people, but as for me, I will never sleep with any director for a role.
Can you act nude?
I will not act nude, walking on set naked, I will not. No!
Why did your marriage breakup?
What
led to the breakdown of my marriage was the mistake that kept on
happening. I did not keep my private life out of my marriage. Now, I
have a kid and his name is Obama.
Why do you think marriages break down in Nollywood?
The
industry is funny. Men do understand that before he met this lady, she
was in the entertainment industry. But they get overshadowed by the
limelight, fame, attention, and overlook all these qualities when they
are going after the lady. But they expect that when they marry the wife,
she would change overnight. That is why marriages break. Why would you
want to change someone overnight? You’d better go and find yourself a
lawyer or doctor or engineer to marry. Don’t get involved with fame when
you are not ready to be who you are.
Do you have any regret that your marriage broke down?
I
have no regret. Experience is the best teacher. I did what I did but on
my part, it was a mistake. I was warned not to marry my ex but I went
ahead to marry him and I learnt from my lessons and I moved on. I am now
a better and stronger person. I have achieved a lot after I moved on
with my life.
Can you marry an actor?
Yes,
if the man will respect me. I don’t have any resentment. No matter his
profession, I will, but right now, I am okay. First of all, the man
must have an impeccable hygiene. He has to be hardworking and very fit
so that we can live longer when we marry. When he is fit, he would have a
longer span of life. He must be loving and caring. He must not be a
liar or a cheat but someone that is God-fearing. His colour doesn’t
really matter; a man is always a man as long as he brings 50 percent to
the table.
Are you good in bed?
I
am a very romantic person. I treat my man very well in bed. I keep him
satisfied. When I handle a man , he doesn’t need to have any reason to
look outside. I take care of business and make it count. If you can get
your gig on once a day, three to five times a week, I think it is okay.
What makes you happy?
I make myself happy. I love my shadow and when I look at myself in the mirror, it makes me happy.
What turns you on and off?
A lying man turns me off and a hard and sexy dude turns me on.
What are your hobbies?
Fitness
is my hobby. I love to dance and I teach African dance. I love to watch
movies and travel round the world. I like to take vacations in the
summer and relax. I want to go to Tahiti, which will be my next
destination.
Post a Comment