My only regret is I’ve not got to where I want to be – Ijeoma Imoh

 

Ijeoma Imoh has been in Nollywood for almost a decade; and if she would not be quick to tell you she has made a name for herself, it is only because she is being modest because the records are there to see and they speak well in her favour. Few weeks ago, she added another year and instead of wallowing in celebratory bliss with just friends, the Abia State-born actress showed her ‘heart of gold’ by visiting Heart of Gold Hospice in Surulere, Lagos to celebrate with the underprivileged before painting the town red with her select friends. It was at Ojez Restaurant our reporter caught up with her. Enjoy the chat:

When did you start acting professionally?

I started acting in 2004.What actually made me go into acting?I was in school then and there was a strike, I was jobless. I’m not really an office person, so I needed somewhere I could showcase my talents. I started out as a model actually, then later started acting. I love expressing myself and acting gives you that opportunity, the platform to do that. And I love glamour itself.

Can you say you’ve found fulfilment in acting?

More than fulfilments (Laughs). I love it, that’s why I’m still there. I  probably might not be at the top yet, but the love I have for it is enough for me and that’s why I’m still there, still striving. It’s not magic, things don’t just happen. For some people, it happens easily, but whichever way, it is okay. For me, I believe it’s one step at a time.

What are some of the movies you’ve featured in?

I have done a lot of soap operas, more than 20 movies including Igbo, Yoruba and English. I’ve also done cinema movies. Like I told you earlier, I started as a model and I’ve done some modelling jobs for billboards, TV screen, calendar and plus-size runway.

Can you name some of the movies?

Yeah, ‘Ill Conscience’, ‘Untapped Gold’, ‘Daytime Lovers’, ‘Heart of a Woman’,…..I’m so excited, I’ve lost count. Though some of my movies are not out yet.

How easy was it for you to come into the industry?

It’s easy and it’s not easy. I didn’t come in through someone – like someone handed me over to someone in the industry, No! I came in on my own through someone who told me he knows where actors usually meet, which was NCAC and  Winnies Hotel then. So I got the address and found my way to Winnies, met one guy and asked him where the National Theatre was. He actually took me to the National Theatre and was introducing me to people. It was an opportunity to just meet some people then under the chairmanship of Remy Ohajianya. I realised you can just walk in freely, do your audition and if you are lucky to be chosen , fine and if you’re not , you keep doing auditions.

So it’s been fun all the way?

When you love your job, you don’t see it as work any longer, you play with it. Have you listened to Tuface songs, you see the way he sings, he knows he’s good, so he plays  with his songs. When you love your job to the core, it’s no longer work, it’s like your habit, it’s like you. You just want to play and ‘flex’ with it. For me, I love what I do.

Has the journey  been easy so far?

The journey is not easy because I’m not yet a star (Laughs). It hasn’t been easy because you’re doing it with your fellow mortals. Every other person wants the same job, so it’s not as if you just go there and grab script, you have to compete with others. You have to be at your best to make sure you come out first before any other person. It’s not that easy, you have to really work hard to get it but with God, it has been easy.

Who are those you look up to in the industry?

I look up to everyone who is good at their jobs, at interpreting roles and characters given to them. Omotola and Genevieve don’t act the same way; RMD and Ramsey Noah don’t act the same way. They have different interpretations to the same script. That’s what makes them different. Everyone has their own ‘ginger’ and ‘swagger’. That’s what makes you unique and it’s what brings you out. I look up to everybody that’s good in the industry, not a particular person. When I work with them especially, it makes me a better actor.

Name some top actors you’ve worked with?

I’ve worked with Kanayo .O. Kanayo, Aunty Ngozi Ezeonu, Ini Edo, Mike Ezuruonye, Jim Iyke, Ramsey Noah, Emeke Ike, Lilian Bach. In the Yoruba section, I’ve worked with Aunty Bukky Ogunnote, Iya Awero, DJ Teeway,  Pa Kasumo and so on. At least, I’ve tried.(Laughing)

Do you have regrets?

Yeah, my only regret is that I’ve not gotten to where I want to be. I am happy with being an entertainer and being in the entertainment industry.

Are you involved in any form of humanitarian project?

Yes, everyday is not for you to find yourself in the club and spend money. That is why I actually decided to celebrate with the kids at the Heart of Gold Hospice today. You find out that the place is not just for orphans and motherless children alone. There are children there with Down Syndrome who have been given up by their parents, who no-one would ordinarily want to adopt. Except you have a ‘heart of gold’ like the woman in charge there who has dedicated all her life to them. I’m just trying to share the little I have with them. I thank God and talk to myself as regards what I want to do with my life.

In getting movie roles, have you ever been in a situation where you had to give in  to a producer’s sexual advances?

I get this question a lot and I tell them, it happens and it doesn’t happen. Some girls also go to these men and offer themselves to get roles. I’ve never gotten a role for sex, God bears me witness. What happens is, these guys might ask you out, “Oh, you’re fine, I want you to be my girlfriend”. It’s a different thing from saying “You want that role, come and meet me in a hotel”. Don’t forget, it’s a matter of choice; it’s either you say yes or you say no. If you say yes, what’s the assurance that after sleeping with him, you’ll get the role, because there are other girls queueing up? What’s the assurance that you’ll be good in bed because other girls will be doing the same thing? So what now happens if after sleeping with him, you still don’t get the role? It’s another thing entirely.

So how have you been coping?

I’ve been coping just fine.

Do you plan to go into movie production like some of your colleagues are doing?

Yeah, God willing.

How do you unwind?

I go to club to dance. I  love swimming, dancing and cruising. I also love being with my family. That’s how I unwind.

Are you in any serious relationship at the moment?

Yes, I am.

Would you quit acting for marriage?

No, acting is my work. And if I’m going to be a producer, why would I quit? It’s still acting.

Source: Vanguard