Celebrities may’ve learnt hard lessons about putting relationship on social media —Actress Linda Ejiofor

In real life, what makes gorgeous Nollywood actress, Linda Ihuoma Ejiofor easy to love is the grace and tenderness in her voice. But the often brash Bimpe in Mnet’s TV series, Tinsel, the mercurial Ejiro in The Meeting and the mean Halima in Soldier Story do not capture the charming personality of the Lagos State-born beauty, they however, evince her versatility and excellent screen power. Originally from Isiukwuato Local Government Area of Abia State and a graduate of Sociology at the University of Port Harcourt, Linda kicked off her career in acting as Bimpe in Tinsel, a role which earned her regular appearances until 2011 when her first movie feature, The Meeting came along. Today, she has done dozens of feature films and is ever hungry for more. In this interview, she told Newton-Ray Ukwuoma about her best moments, her views about Celebrities’ relationships and social media, aspirations and drive. Excerpts:

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Are you working on any movie set at the moment?

I only have a couple of movies coming out soon. An Ebony Live TV movie coming out in December entitled, ‘Chief Daddy’ and I have ‘Knocking out Blessing’, which I am so looking forward to because I played a prostitute there. Then, there is ‘Soldier Story part which will be out in December as well and I have a political movie coming out next year.

Why are you excited about Knocking Out Blessing?

The role was different from what I have done before. I remember I kept reminding myself that I am playing a prostitute and that she is not supposed to be well-spoken. The truth is whenever I get on a new set I am always nervous because I want to do my very best. I am always shaking. I want to portray the character to the full extent of their nature for the director and for the audience.

What did you do to fit into the character of a prostitute?

First, I didn’t have much time to fit into that character, but I had to watch movies of other people who have acted the character.

From Hollywood?

No. Not American movies, I watched our own local contents. A friend did a documentary on prostitution and that helped me as well. It was something that was cool because I had to speak Pidgin English, so it was good.  I had done ‘Out of luck’ where I spoke Pidgin English, so it was so much fun having to speak it again on set.

Any embarrassing moments after then because of the character?

No. People have always likened my real-life character to that of Bimpe in Tinsel so when they see me in other roles I believe it is mostly refreshing for them.

You have always maintained a clean slate in the industry, no controversy.

I always remember the family that I come from. I always think ‘Would they be proud of me if I do this?’ I didn’t tell my dad before I started acting and when I eventually told him, he was like “You have been doing it for a year and I didn’t know about it and you have been a good girl, I have not heard anything about you, you can take care of yourself. Always remember where you come from”. And that is what is keeping me going. That is why I do not have any scandal. I always think of where I come from and I pray to God. I always tell myself that I know the difference between right and wrong.So even if bad publicity is also publicity, I just don’t want it attached to my name.

What is the best thing that acting has done for you?

We hide behind a lot of characters. Everyone has an alter ego, someone or some people they would like to be and things that they would want to play out in person but they can’t do. Acting has given me the opportunity to play different people whenever I want to, and the fact that I can interact and pass information to people watching in front of a camera gives me great pleasure.

After The Meeting, your first movie aside Tinsel, you’ve majored in the movies and not much TV. Do you have new career goals for the movies?

Yes. First, I am glad that I was able to break out from TV to the movies. I am hoping that I get more challenging roles. Not just the normal roles. True, no role is normal, but I want roles I haven’t done before. I want something more challenging; something that will set me apart, that will get me more recognition, not just locally, but also internationally. That is my focus right now. Challenging roles.

But how have you been handling stereotype roles?

The first thing I told myself when I broke out from TV was that I’d not want to be stereotyped. I choose the roles I play. I have played different characters every time: from Ejiro and The Meeting’, Halima in ‘Soldier Story’ or the role I played in ‘Rumour Has It”. I want to diversify as much as possible to show that I could do other things.

Now, which particular role do you envision to play next?

I have envisioned myself playing so many roles. Now, I want to be featured in an action film. Directors like Eric are doing well in the action movie section. I want to kick and shoot in my next movie. Also, I’d love to play a psychotic patient, someone who has multiple personality disorder. Those kinds of roles are challenging because you have to come out of your comfort zone to do them.

About featuring in an action film, do you think you are physically prepared for it?

Oh yes, you have to train specially for it. You have to work out, you have to know how to hold your gun, how to kick and how to fight.

Are you preparing for it?

I have not gotten a role like that yet. If I get a role like that I will prepare for it.

You are admired and very well-spoken of by young ladies on social media. How has social media shaped your career in general?

Thank you. Social media has shaped my career in many ways than one.About 10 or 20 years ago we didn’t have Instagram, we didn’t have Twitter, we didn’t have Facebook. And now it has helped showcase us to the world, now if you post anything with a hashtag people around the world who click on the hashtag will see it. Social media has pushed my career a notch higher and has shown other people what I can do.

What do you think about celebrities who put their relationship on social media?

What I would say,“Be you”. I wouldn’t say,“Do whatever makes you happy” because people can misread that but I would say,“Do the right things. You can tell what is right or wrong. If putting your relationship out there for people to see and admire is good for you, put it.”

We have heard very little of marriage and relationship crashes this year. It is no longer the news unlike previous years. Do you believe that advice to keep one’s relationship off social media has paid off?

Perhaps so, but I think everybody is handling their relationships the best way they can. I think it depends on them to decide how ever they want to handle their relationships.

Are you still single?

I am single and not searching.

Does that mean you don’t want to put your relationship out there?

No comment.