Actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim: What Onyeka Onwenu Said About Me Was Shocking

A couple of years ago, Nollywood star actress, Nse Ikpe-Etim granted an interview moments after the late Nigerian icon Onyeka Onwenyu had said what she thought about her at an event in Lagos. Weighing in on the elegant stallion’s words, here’s what she had to say. TOMI FALADE brings excerpts. Onyeka Onwenu certainly had a lot to say about you.

Why do you think that is? 

I honestly don’t know. I was shocked when I heard those words coming from her. Like she rightly said, when you do things, people are watching. So, I guess the impression she has about me, what she feels about me is from the vibrations and energy that God gave me. It’s just me being who I am. It’s me taking my adversities the same way I take my successes. I don’t let things beat me down. I cry just like every other person, and I am not afraid to say that. I am not afraid to say that I failed. When I fail, I start again. I am not afraid to say that this is the life that I am living. I am not ashamed to be who I am. I live my truth. I make no excuses and I don’t apologise for who I am.

Would you say you had an interesting childhood? 

I am sure you can tell from my adulthood that I had a great childhood. I was mischievous, I was naughty. I am still mischievous. I am calm like many say they see me as. I was and still am a daddy’s girl.

Was the goal always acting? 

No, it was never my dream to become an actress. I didn’t think that I would become an actress. I just loved the kind of life that they lived, I loved pretending back then to be like the actresses I usually saw on television.

But you studied Theatre Arts at the University of Calabar? 

It’s not only actors that read Theatre Arts, there are producers and directors who read Theatre Arts.

What was your dream then? 

I honestly had none because then I was quite young. You know back then when your parents ask you, ‘what do you want to become when you grow up?’ It was either a doctor, lawyer or engineer. We all screamed doctor, but I never thought so much into it. At some point back then, I found out that I was not doing well in sciences, so my dad said what about becoming a lawyer. Now that I think of it, I really did not think I wanted to be that. I found myself here in the movie industry and I am glad that I found that which makes me happy.

Any plans to work behind the camera any time soon, like movie production or directing? 

I came from behind the camera to become an actress. I really don’t know what I am going to do. With me, you never know. I plan, but I just take life with everything it comes with. I just enjoy the journey as it comes. I am everything that I want to be at every point in time. So sometimes, I know exactly what I am going to do and then other times, I don’t know what my next step is going to be and I go with what the universe offers. I just learn to live in the moment most times.

Tell us about your debut role in the industry. 

My first movie was ‘Reloaded’ and I loved every bit of it. I believe I go for more auditions now than in the past.

Many up-and-coming actors think famous actresses don’t ever need to go for auditions.

Of course, we go for auditions. Auditioning is like going for a job interview. If you get table-caste, that is fine, but auditioning reminds you that you should care. Even though I fail in some auditions, I love going for them.

About landing your first movie role, were you scared or nervous that first time? 

I am scared every day. Even now, before I do any job, I am scared. I am afraid because you never know if you would do the job well, so there is always fear. Fear means you care. It shows that you believe in something. Fear shows that you are on the verge of bravery. I don’t let fear stop me.

It is said that people who are afraid of failing are perfectionists. Does that word describe you? 

To some extent, I am but I don’t think I am perfect as a person.

Tell us about some of your coming projects. 

I just finished one about the police force, ‘Section 121’. There is another movie directed by Izu Ojukwu titled ‘Four Four 44’. There is one that has not been announced yet, so yes, some works have come, I have done them and they have gone.

Some actresses say their biggest achievement would be to win an Oscar, that is after being featured in Hollywood, what would Nse Ikpe-Etim’s biggest achievement be? 

My biggest achievement will be getting an unforgettable role. That will be determined by how hard I worked to be able to get the character right. Also, how hard I worked with the director to create a memorable character. Roles like that get the winnings. It won’t be bad to have a BAFTA.

How would you describe your fashion? 

My fashion is simple and elegant. I try to be myself with my style. I love to keep my hair natural, no too much drama.

Of all the movie roles you have played, which would you say is the most difficult? 

Every role has its own peculiarity, so I will say every role is difficult because it’s not me.