What exactly was that thing that gave you the impression and assurance that acting is your thing?
I have always been fascinated by acting and appearing on TV. I remember that I was always the best dancer in school back in those days; I love to dance. As a matter of fact, I started participating in stage dancing and acting since I was in secondary school. I have been acting since I was young and I believe this is what I have been called to do. It gives me so much joy that I am expressing myself through the talent God has given me.
How hard was it for you breaking into the industry and finding your feet?
It was really hard trying to break into the industry, especially when people don’t know you or you are not influential in Nigeria but when I travelled abroad, I was able to breakthrough
How has it been since you became a professional actress and what would you say about the industry?
Being a professional actress is like a dream come true for me. I have waited so long for this opportunity to come and when It came, I am thankful God that I didn’t miss the chances. For me, it sends so much joy to my heart fulfilling a long time desire. I have looked forward to the day that I would appear on the screen and show the world what I could do when it comes to acting. Many people don’t always get the opportunity that I have had but God is just great. Today, I am excited about my career and it seems I am living my best moment. It feels good to be doing this.
New faces come up in the industry regularly, how does this help the industry to grow and check excesses of its practitioners?
The movie industry keeps welcoming promising actors every day and we can’t deny them the opportunity to show what they have got but there must be a regulation that puts everyone where they should be and guide every practitioner, such that if anyone goes out of line, they are corrected and put back on line.
It is believed that there is so much money in the industry hence the reason many people want to be part of the game; how do you see this?
My understanding of the situation is that people tend to believe there is money in the industry. They feel like once you become an actor, you begin to pick money from everywhere you turn to. It doesn’t work and it is not even true. While I am not saying actors and actresses are not making money, I must also tell you that fame bring money but you must work hard before you reach the point where fame starts to open doors of opportunities for you. The industry is growing as far as I am concerned but we should learn not to confuse that growth we see today with the luxurious lifestyles of the entertainers because what you see is not a true reflection of what is obtainable.
You are a US-based Yoruba actor, how has this helped the progression of your career?
I have been blessed since I got to the US and my career has grown beyond what I thought it would be. When I got here, I joined the Theatre and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) US chapter and the association has contributed largely to how far I have come. If I had not come to the US, I am not sure I would not have been able to raise enough money to shoot the kind of movie I want. Paying the directors, the DOP and other staff would not have happened if I had stayed back in Nigeria. Now, I have produced a number of movies because I am here and I am even looking forward to producing more.
But don’t you think that beyond the money you have made, staying abroad may not really help you play the kind of roles you would have loved to interpret if you had stayed back in Nigeria?
I don’t think I am being restricted in any way. Being abroad does not stop me from playing the roles or featuring in the movies that I want. I have always wanted to play the roles I am playing now- being the mother or playing the role of housewife that keeps everything in its proper place. Right now, that’s the role I have been playing and I don’t think anything is restricting me. The only thing that may restrict you here is probably you have to use a hospital or their police department and say you want to use their offices. Aside these things, I am comfortable with the jobs I am handling now.
Is it true that you may not be as popular in the US compared to Nigeria as an actress?
Let me tell you the truth, life in the US is easy and better for actors. In Nigeria, you have a lot of competitors- people release movies every day and you may find it hard to be fished out amongst millions of people but in the US, despite the number of years that people have been shooting abroad, the industry is still relatively unknown. Movie-making, for me is just growing Diaspora and I am glad that I am also part of the new generation of producers who are adding more values to the business in the US. The movie industry abroad is getting more active now than before.
How did you cope with that moment and what are your aspirations now that you seem to be getting more attention?
The attention will come and go but what happens to the person matters a lot. I don’t even think about the attention but I want to give value to people for their time, love and support. I am always telling my colleagues that there is nothing special about your acting skills that others have not seen or done before. What true-life story do you want to write that has not been written by someone else before? I just want to give my best, enjoy my time and leave the rest to God.
There is so deep-seated hatred among movie practitioners. Recently some of your colleagues have been coming to say that they are reconciling with one person or the other. Some people believe that animosity is being fuelled by competition. How do you react to this?
Yes, I know that people don’t love themselves in the industry but they will keep pretending to be what they are not. If your tomato business is moving and enjoying patronage from every corner, you don’t expect your neighbour who is also into the business to love your work. That’s how the movie industry is. Movie-makers don’t like each other because they are constantly threatened by the growth of their colleagues. Hatred sets in when you are doing better than others, but this is not peculiar to the movie industry alone. People are quick to condemn you when you are rising in life.
Why did you choose to be a Yoruba actress and not English movies?
I am from Delta State and I speak English fluently but the thing is I am inclined to the Yoruba people because I grew up and went to school in the Yoruba land. I do various of things with the Yoruba people. I find it quite easy relating with the Yoruba movie industry actors better than the English speaking movie actors.
Was this because you found an easy sail in the Yoruba movie industry or you are just not ready for the English game?
I have only done one English movie and the producer did not release the movie till today. I don’t want to go through that stress anymore.
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I found fulfillment when I relocated to US from Nigeria ― Sonia Urhiefe
CLAIM 1: A Twitter user claims UNICEF said any efforts to block children from accessing pornography might infringe their human rights.I found fulfillment when I relocated to US from Nigeria ― Sonia Urhiefe.I found fulfillment when I relocated to US from Nigeria ― Sonia Urhiefe
I found fulfillment when I relocated to US from Nigeria ― Sonia Urhiefe
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