‘What we up-and-coming actresses experience at locations’

Josephine Phillips, a graduate of Computer Science from Crown Polytechnic, Ado- Ekiti, Ekiti State, is an up-and-coming Nollywood actress. The young lady who hails from Auchi, Edo State, speaks with TAYO GESINDE on her acting career and fashion preferences. 

Growing up

Growing up was great because I lived with my grandmother from when I was a year old. She is a disciplinarian, she didn’t pamper any child. She brought me up in a very good way but there wasn’t time for fun. For instance, when you came back from school, you ate lunch, read your books and did house chores.

Foray into acting

It started when I was working at Internal Revenue, Ebute Metta, Lagos. There was this aunty we called Funmi, who had a video club. I used to rent movies from her but one day, I walked up to her and told her I was interested in acting. She introduced me to the chairman of the video club association who also introduced me to my boss, Mr Kamourdeen Saba, a.k.a Radical. My first movie was entitled Wakati Metta.

Challenges faced

As an up-and-coming actress, you can’t expect to be treated like the stars when you go to locations. To get a room to sleep in or money to eat at locations is not usually easy. Most times, you don’t get paid at the end of the day.  If you are lucky, you will be paid N1000 for transport fare. Sometimes you are invited to a location to act a certain role but the director will come and say you are  not fair in complexion, you are too tiny or too chubby for the role and would start looking for someone else to play the role.

Description of self

I’m a simple person, God-fearing and fun to be with. I am very playful though I get upset so easily but not for long because I hate to see fools act smart.

Definition of style

I believe your style should be distinctive and elegant. I don’t follow fashion trends, I put on any dress that I’m comfortable in. Most times, the event I’m attending determines my mode of dressing. I like to buy good things that people will see and admire on me. I love clothes, jewellery and other accessories. I don’t buy designer labels, I haven’t attained that level yet.

Beauty regimen

I have no beauty regimen. I bath and rub my body with cream, use facial scrub and cleanser. That is all I do as far as my beauty regimen is concerned.

Choice of accessories

I love pencil and block heels. I also love pearl earrings and big bags.

Accessory I can’t do without

Wrist watch.

Opinion on toning

Toning brightens your skin a little. It is different from bleaching.

My take on provocative dressing

Ladies should cultivate the habit of dressing well because the way we dress is the way we will be addressed. An actress wears a provocative dress in a movie when interpreting a role maybe a seductive role or acting as prostitute, nobody should use that to judge us.

Role models

Joke Silva, Funke Akindele, Genevieve Nnaji, Opeyemi Ayeola, Yomi Fash Lanso, Muyiwa Ademola and Odunlade Adekola.

Greatest physical asset

My portable arse.

Coping with competition in the industry

I’m still an up- and-coming actress that is struggling to attain greater height, so, nobody will want to compete with someone like me.  Na where I don reach or wetin I don get? I just say to myself, Josephine it is well. It’s a matter of time.

Special treat

I will go to the market and buy fresh fish that Yoruba people call eja odo and will make a good fresh fish stew and ewedu with amala. That’s how I give myself a treat and sometimes, I go to a Chinese restaurant in Magodo.

Qualities I want in a man

I want a man who is loving, caring and God-fearing.

How I handle advances from my male fans

My relationship with my fan is platonic, no strings attached.

What I can’t be caught dead wearing

I can’t wear a provocative outfit unless I’m on set working and it depends on the role I’m interpreting.

My take on cosmetic surgery

I can’t do cosmetic surgery.