Amaka Anioji - Dating Married Men Can Be Juicy

Amaka Anioji - Dating Married Men Can Be Juicy: Despite her nine years staunt in the industry, Amaka Anioji cannot be described as a popular face in Nollywood mainly because of her inconsistency. 

But last year, she took many by surprise when she won the Most Outstanding Actress award at the 9th edition of the Abuja international film festival, beating established actresses like Ini Edo, Funke Akindele, Nse Etim-Ikpe, Uche Jombo among others. 

In this interview, she speaks on a number of issues concerning her personal life, career and her role in the award winning short film, “ Till Death Do Us Part” which shot her into the limelight.

What is the big deal about the movie,’Till Death Do Us Part’?

It is a 15-minute film that was nominated for an award.

Role played in the movie.

I was the female lead. I played the role of a woman who was beaten and battered by her husband.

Is this the first movie you are playing lead?

No, this is not the first movie I played the lead character. I have played lead in several movies such as ‘Young Heritage’, and ‘Broken’ that will soon be released. I also played lead in ‘Married,in ‘Close Friends, Game Player in ‘Tinsel’.

When did you join the industry?

I joined the industry in 2004, but I later disappeared and reappeared in 2006, when I landed a role in a new movie. I finally returned in 2010 and since then, I have been consistent.

Among all the films you have featured in, which do you consider most challenging?

I think the most challenging is, ‘Till Death Do us Part’ because it is a short feature film.I have to go through many emotions at the same time. It was really a lot of work for me. I think it is very challenging as well as exciting such that people talked about it.

Did your acting as a battered wife affects your attitude towards life ?

It has nothing to do with my true life situation, after all, I am not married yet. And I have been lucky with my relationships. I think what happened in the movie was what the script spoke to me. When I was called by the director, Tope Ogun, who once directed me on the set of Tinsel.

She called me and said ‘Amaka, I want you to play the lead role in the movie. I used to be crazy about her as a director before she got married.Later, she sent the script and asked me to go through it and tell her what I think about it. But while reading through the script, I started crying because, it was really emotional.However, after going through teh script, I informed that I would be interested to be part of the movie.

What is outstanding about you?

I think understanding the role I am going to play at any point in time is the secret behind that. Because every story and role is very unique and being able to understand those differences is what I feel is outstanding. Because when I was playing a Doctor in Tinsel is different from when I played a battered wife.

The same thing was applicable to the much loved wife as Allen in Married. As a matter of fact, I have some respects for the roles I played in movies because I see them as individuals. I tried to understand them, who they are and what they are really about. I take my time to communicate to myself.

After acting a particular role, it will take some people days to get off the character, does it happen to you?

Yes, of course, it happened to me in ‘’Till Death Do Us Part.’ That’s why I said it was very challenging. When we were shooting the movie, the atmosphere was very moody. So, after a period of time, I was so frustrated, feeling so much like the role I played in the movie.

After sometime, I sat on a place and I couldn’t talk to anybody. I was crying. Even when I was not crying, tears were still running down my cheeks. I was really feeling that bad. Just like when you have to play the happy role, you will be happy throughout.

Did you work on your b**bs?

No I didn’t. I have natural nice breasts. And when it goes down with age, I will let it go like that. I am not going to work on anything. I will age gracefully. So, I do not have problem with that.

What about your hair?

I actually wear a bright hair style. I can experiment on my hair because I like doing that.

So who is the man?

Let us not talk about the man. He is not interested in this talk. Let us just leave the man out of this. I cannot have my relationship on the pages of newspaper, it is so annoying. I lost a relationship that means a lot to me some couple of years ago. We misunderstood ourselves and we went so far as if there was no room for reconciliation.

After sometime, I sat down and pondered over what happened between us and discovered that it was something we could have settled amicably. Really, that relationship meant a lot to me. Each time, I remember how compatible we were then, I feel bad. I still miss my ex… But that’s is a forgone issue, I still count myself as being lucky because life has to go on.

Can you date a married man?

Well, it is frustrating. It can be tempting sometimes when you meet married men who are really very charming especially, when you have dated a single guy who is very annoying. You run into a married man who is good looking and experienced, you would be tempted to fall in love with him.

But for me, I will always think of how dating a married man will affect people’s perception about me. After all, I am not going to marry the person but I’m more concerned about what people are going to say. I also considered how that thing will affect my relationship with God. Though it can be very juicy, I consider all that. I like to work and earn my living, it gives me joy.

Would you do a toy boy?

I wouldn’t. I cannot have a toy boy. But I will have a valued friend.

There are so many people in Nollywood who sleep their ways to the top, what do you have to say about that?

I don’t have much to say about that because it is common everywhere, people sleeping their way to get what they want. They sleep their way to become Executive Assistants and Managing Directors of blue chip companies. It is not only in Nollywood that such things happen.

Source: Vanguard Newspaper

Continue Reading >>>>

Laide Bakare Finally Reveals Her Source Of Wealth

Laide Bakare Finally Reveals Her Source Of Wealth: Pretty Yoruba actress, Laide Bakare has been in the news lately due to her acquisition of expensive automobiles, especially SUVs.

In fact, as at the last count, she has four wonder-on- wheels conspicuously parked in her garage.

And this has set tongues wagging about her source of sudden wealth, with many alleging that the married mother of one, must be dating some money bags (Sugar Daddies).

Others even accused her of romancing the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala.

In this interview with RITA OKOYE, the Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Ibadan, spoke on the above allegations and her source of wealth.

Bakare, also opened up on her cold war with Bisi Ibidapo Obe and many more. Enjoy the encounter.

You are a very pretty woman, don’t men disturb you for affairs regardless of your marital status?

One thing you must know is that not everybody that likes you as a person would want to date you. Some just want to be friends and that’s all . Most of them know that I am married. Even if they are crazy about me, they should know that I am married. Actually, there is nothing to talk about them. Besides, it is not everybody that has access to me , so they can only admire me from a distance. It is only family and friends that have acess to knowing me better. Anyway, it is good for people to like what you do, appreciate you and learn one or two lessons from your movies.

Aside your fans, how about top society men who ‘spoil’ our actresses with money, have you been in such situation?

Well, I see no big deal in that. As long as one is a lady, men of different calibres will always come around you. I just don’t see it as anything but the lady has to take a stand; if you are not available, then you are not. Things have changed a lot now, unlike the good old days when such things are seen as taboo and shouldn’t be talked about. if a man asks you out, it is just a matter of mutual understanding, just talk it over and that’s that.

It is being rumoured that the fleet of SUVs you cruise in was bought by one of your sugar daddies, how true is that?

Lot of stories going around, I must say. But anyway, that’s Nigeria for you. Our African mentality. We tend to bring up issues at the slightest occurrence. As for me, I don’t know where this particular one emanated from. Maybe because I have four SUVs and other normal cars so they believe that someone out there must have bought them for me. Well, my love for big cars like Jeeps is not questionable because that is what I inherited from my father.

While growing up, my father buys big automobiles a lot and also drives us around in them. And while we are in these vehicles, I also hear them talk about the latest Jeep in town, its features and stuffs like that. So since then, I just fell in love with big cars. I also travel a lot, when I go to America and I see the car that I like , I just go for it and send to Nigeria. And I bought them all with my money.

So you are saying that there was no time anybody bought you a car?

It doesn’t matter. But I just can’t get a car for a gift, it is not possible. I bought the four SUVs and the Honda car with my own money.

Which of them did the former Governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala buy for you?

I honestly don’t know where all those stories are coming out from. Nothing of such happened. He didn’t buy me anything. In fact Rita, enough of all these funny questions (laughs).

Back to acting , you once had a fight with Saheed Balogun on stage, what caused the fight?

Ha! I am just hearing that for the first time. You know you journalists hear things we don’t even know existed. Saheed Balogun is a big brother to me in the industry, so I see no reason to pick a fight with him. I address him as my big brother.

What challenges do you encounter as an actress?

The only time I had challenges was when I was in the university. It was not easy struggling with education and work. Struggling with my education and the birth of my baby was also a challenge. At a time, I needed to leave school to go and have my baby so, all those things were challenging. I had to travel out of the country to meet my husband and then come back. I was always going out and coming in.

What has being famous deprived you?

A whole lot o! I just want to be as free as possible. Go clubbing, dance like I want to, drink and just be free Laide. Move around freely, jog around, and go to some places . I cant do that anymore because of my fame. It is really eating deep into me. Same reason I will not allow my kids to be popular.

Any regrets so far being in the limelight?

No! Not all. Because in everything I give thanks to God. Where I am today, I never planned for it but God in his infinite mercies has been seeing me through.

Insiders are alleging that there is a rumoured cold war between you and Bisi Obe-Ibidapo?

I hardly meet her, in fact we hardly see. I have no business with Bisi. She is just a colleague and not a friend.

Maybe journalists might have seen us at events snub each other but that doesn’t mean we have a rift. We are neither friends or enemies.

If the acting of a movie brings us together, we’ll do our work and go our separate ways.

I have lots of them like that in the industry. I am the kind of person that chooses my friends and not the other way round. I am a reserved person and I don’t have too much people around me as friends but few of them.

Like you said, you travel a lot and also has a very tight schedule, how then do you strike a balance between your job and the home front?

It is God. I won`t talk about my family because that’s what I so much cherish. I so much treasure my daughter and my husband. I treasure them a lot. I avoid anything that will affect them. I don’t want to have problems with my family. I don’t want to put them in the public eyes. I would rather keep it to myself. I don’t talk about my family. They are strictly private.

Yes! My husband loves me and supports what I do. He encourages me in every way he can

@E-Express

Continue Reading >>>>

Nollywood Actress Biola Ige Left Christianity For Hinduism

Nollywood Actress Biola Ige left Christianity For Hinduism: Nollywood actress, Biola Ige’s four-year journey in the Nigerian movie industry has been eventful. She’s been able to walk tall through her travails and today she’s one of the most sought after actresses in Nollywood.

Biola recently suffered a growth of her thyroid gland. Her tongue, neck, complexion was affected, and it seemed as if her career was going to end on that sad note, but Biola made to India where the growth was successfully removed. And yes, Biola is living to fight another day.

Having a supportive dad helped Biola realise her dreams. She told Vanguard she had always wanted to be an actress. But of course she wanted to star at the biggest stage; Hollywood. She was sure it was going to happen as her dad already promised her she was travelling to America after Secondary School, but it wasn’t meant to be. Biola’s dad didn’t have the means to send her lovely daughter abroad.

When it was obvious travelling abroad was a daydream, Biola made do with what was available. “I moved to Lagos after my University education. I went for auditions in Lagos and landed my first role in “Blindfold” produced by OJ Productions,” Biola said.

Biola says she’s been around for a while, but her ailment meant she hasn’t featured in many movies. “Yes, I have been in the industry for about four years. I am proud of my achievement. I would have starred in more than fifty movies now, if not because of my sickness that took me to India. I am back in the country though lam not looking the same again. I am grateful to God for giving me my life back.”

Biola Ige said she was in India not only to have an operation on his thyroid, but also to worship. Yes, Biola says she worships as a Hindu.
“It was an avenue for me to worship my God and yes, l worship as an Hindu. I know what you may want to say. I do not see anything wrong with following any religion of your choice. It is a free world. And I choose Hinduism.”

Biola says she chose Hinduism because she found peace in the religion. She left Christianity for Hinduism. “I was a Hinduist before I travelled to India. I was a Christian before I changed my faith and I must tell you I have found peace in Hinduism. And in India, I felt at home. I didn’t feel like returning to Nigeria again because everyone was so nice to me.”

The lady who loves controversy, Tonto Dike was involved in one with Biola Ige at a time with rumour Tonto was responsible for Biola’s ailment making rounds. Biola says she’s not friends with Tonto and believed she couldn’t possibly harm her.

“When I was sick, there were a lot of stories flying here and there that Tonto Dike was responsible for my sickness. But l didn’t believe it because we were not even friends before I fell sick. And why would Tonto Dike want to harm me when she has made a name for herself?”

Biola says she doesn’t have time for any relationship at the moment, and suitors may have to wait three years as she says that’s the closest she is to getting married. But when Biola falls in love, she says it will be completely, and so she doesn’t see herself settling with a married man.

“When I am in a relationship, it takes my whole being and life. So if I am in love, l fall hopelessly in love, hence I cannot see myself loving another woman’s husband. I cannot share my man at all with any woman as I do not share my love.”

The Osun-born actress who says her eyes are the sexiest part of her body doesn’t have issues with taking up roles involving love-making in movies.

“I won’t describe it as having s*x because it is drama- a make- believe world; hence everything done is not real. I would describe it as pretending to have s*x. And yes I have done that in many movies, but they were never real.” 

Continue Reading >>>>

Banky W What Exactly Are You Doing

Banky W What Exactly Are You Doing: "The truth is that in my business it is very hard to find somebody, because of what is going on now and how fast your life is. Everyone is asking, even my parents are asking where is the girl; but hopefully, I will find the right person soon. It is not something I am afraid of, it’s not something I am running away from, it will definitely happen.

Excerpt from Banky W's recent interview...

What is your relationship status now?

I am single and available.

You are single and available, so how do you handle your female fans?

I just appreciate them; they are fantastic; you can’t get too caught up. You can’t let it get into your head. You can’t indulge in a lifestyle where you start to slip up because you are single. But I do appreciate them and try to live up to everybody’s expectations.

I remember you said you wrote the song, You are the only one for me, because you were hurting at the time. Are you still hurting now that you have attained a marriageable age? 

No, I don’t think so, because marriage is the most important decision of one’s life. It can make or break you. So, I think one should never rush into it. So, you have to have the right state of mind, you have to be in the right state physically. And more importantly, you have to find somebody that is on the same page with you at that level; that’s a challenge. 

The truth is that in my business it is very hard to find somebody, because of what is going on now and how fast your life is. Everyone is asking, even my parents are asking where is the girl; but hopefully, I will find the right person soon. It is not something I am afraid of, it’s not something I am running away from, it will definitely happen.

What’s your ideal woman?

I don’t think there is anything such as an ideal woman, I think the perfect woman for me, hopefully, when I see her I will know.

Continue Reading >>>>

Rita Dominic "I Am A Different Person When I’m On Red-Carpet Show

Rita Dominic "I Am A Different Person When I’m On Red-Carpet Show : Rita Dominic made history last weekend when she emerged‘ from the blues to premiere a big budget movie, “The Meeting” which many industry watchers believe relaunched her into the mainstream of the movie world after months of staying off the screen. The premiere, however marked a turning point in her acting career as she shares her success with Showtime Celebrity.

My disposition

I am a very shy person but people find it difficult to believe me when I say this.  Actors are the mostly shy people in the world. It’s hard to find an actor who does not feel comfortable playing the character that has  been created for him. But when it is time for him to be himself, he or she is usually a shy person.

I was telling one of  my friends some time ago that I have different personalities when I walk down the red carpet.  I’m another person and not probably the Rita Dominic you know. I tell myself, don’t be shy, just hit the red carpet with boldness.

Winning an  AMAA  award with a Kenyan film

I am not surprised because I always  believe when you do a good film, you will be recognised for it, whether it is  a Nigerian film, Kenyan film or any country in the world.

AMAA has their own criteria for selecting an award winning film. It could have been a Nigerian film. But I must say I put in my best in “Shattered”, because of the character I played and the storyline. It does not have to be a Kenyan film. I just felt  at that point in time that “Shattered” was one film that I have done in my whole career that gave me an award at AMAA.

Longing  to win an award before now
I have been nominated for an award at AMAA before now. But I once told myself, I want to win an award at AMAA for a film I worked for. And “Shattered” helped to  realsie that dream. I was happy and I walked with my head high. I did not want to be nominated for an award for a film that wasn’t  challenging as ‘’Shattered’’;  a film I did not put in so much effort. I wanted to be nominated for a good film that has quality and is challenging.

Between Shattered and The Meeting

It is hard to answer this question. May be,  ‘’Shattered’’ was a lead role, so also is “The Meeting’’, I  have never played a cankerous role like I did in “The Meeting.’’. It is a different role.

My connection with Kenyans

I was in Kenya about two years ago  when then Nigerian Ambassador to Kenya, and his wife invited me as a special Guest of Honor, for the 50th independence celebration of the country. I observed the celebration with them. Thereafter, I was in the country again during the  AMAA nomination party.

About five months later, precisely in June, 2010, my manager got a call from Kenyan ambassador to Nigeria that there is a  Kenyan film  producer that  would want to  meet with me, and discuss moderalities in terms of featuring me in his new movie and all that.

Twenty five days after, instead of sending the script  to me, the said producer decided to fly into the country to meet with me. And when I saw the script, I fell in love with it.

From then on, we established a working relationship and exchange of ideas.  Everything happened so fast and before I  knew what was happening, a deal was struck.

Working in Kenya

It  was very fantastic. Kenya is like a second home to me. Kenyans do not joke with me and I love them for that. Could you imagine that they went after me on twitter, wanting to know when I will be visiting their country again.

The movie called The Meeting

It has been several months of hard-work. We even had to suspend shooting for months just because we wanted permission to shoot at the airport in Abuja. Then there was the challenge of sourcing funds and the challenge of finding appropriate locations. So we had to commit funds to building sets. But we are satisfied with what we got.

I am glad at the comment that people have been making. Someone said he liked the fact that it is a truly Nigerian story that cuts across borders. That’s  the idea. To sign a truly Nigerian story that addresses an array of contemporary issues. But generally, I consider this era a new one for Nollywood and it can only get better from here.

The Meeting tells the story of a corporate executive who flies to Abuja to make an important 9:30am meeting with the Honorable Minister of Land and Resources. He  is scheduled to return with the afternoon flight same day to his office. But the unexpected happened, when he is faced with challenges from the Minister’s secretary( Rita Dominic) and he is forced to remain  in Abuja on the insistence of his boss( Jide Kosoko)  so as to ensure the Minister signs all necessary documents that would save his company.While in Abuja,  he meets up with a young lady who introduces him to the city, and for the first time  after his wife’s death, he begins to fall in love again.

Cost of producing The Meeting

I can’t put a figure to it because we are still spending. But it is certainly a big budget film because we are still spending on the film and I must say that it has been very challenging raising funds for this film. Most investors don’t want to fund movies because some of them have done that before and they got  their fingers burnt.

We are still faced with the problem of accessing the intervention fund of the Federal Government. It is still difficult because the banks still insist that we must come with heavy collateral. But I hear some people have been able to access it.

Whether it is the role for me

I will say this and more including Shattered and particularly “Shattered” which earned me the AMAA awards for best actress in a leading role. I played lead in “Shattered” and so I was everywhere and so it demanded that I would be in every scene. I didn’t play the lead in “The Meeting” but it is certainly different from all the roles I have played.

I have never played a cantankerous 50- year-old or any role like that. But all the roles I have played have been different and unique in their own ways, a reason I said this and many more, like Street of Calabar and 76 by Izu Ojukwu. All the characters I have played recently are very unique and challenging. And I want to keep pushing myself. I want to go way beyond the ordinary as far as role interpretation is concerned.

Were you bothered stepping down to play a sub-lead role in your movie

No, I was not and I don’t even care what role it is. The story is what is important to me. I mean my first nomination at the AMAA awards was as best supporting actress. I didn’t say to myself ‘why will they nominate me for a supporting role?’ No. So, it is more about the story and whether I fit into the role. I don’t like to force myself into a role I don’t fit into and that is what we try to do in our company;to cast right, cast properly and to maintain best international standards and practice

Why I ventured into production

It does pay to act even though it can be better. However, my decision to venture into production has a lot to do with my passion for the arts. I love the arts so much. I have always wanted to partake in the various fields of film making. I have done acting, now I am combining it with production.

Who knows I might try directing in the future. So, first and foremost, it is my own way of giving back to the industry by encouraging up and coming talents as well. We need to give them the opportunity and chance to shine and that is exactly what I have done in The Meeting.

My driving force in the industry

I will give all the glory to God, and then the support of my family, my fans and my management. Also, I never say to myself that I know everything. The day you stop learning is the day you begin to lose it. There is no end to learning. So, we need to keep learning everyday and with each new work. Even when you have played it before, you can always find ways to play it differently.

The wedding bell

Very soon and you will be duly invited when it is time. And if you have not heard anything about my private life, it is because I have been guarding that aspect jealously. As an actress, I already live my life for the public. So, the little I can guard, I guard jealously and try to keep it private.

Between Ini Edo and I

There was no fight between Ini and myself. In fact, Ini is like a younger sister and colleague to me. I have always advised her in the past and  we have a long standing relationship. I don’t think, there is anything going on between us.

Why I was missed on screen after starring in White Waters

Starring in “White Waters was an eye-opener to the kind of roles I could play in movies. It was also, an indication that my career need to go to certain places. After starring in that movie, went into hibernation where I asked myself a lot of questions bothering on the direction I want to take my career to. For some time,  my fans missed me on screen. I was busy then working  on my project ‘’The Street of Calabar’’ ‘’ Shattered”  and two other movies. These were the projects I was focusing on.

Continue Reading >>>>

Celebrity Interview: P-Square Talks About The Alleged Murder Of Their Mum

P-Square Talks About The Alleged Murder Of Their Mum: It started like a dream but today, we thank God all the glory because it has become a reality. When we started, we had late Michael Jackson as our mentor. That was why in one of our songs titled, Busy Body which we released about 12 years ago, we tried to copy Michael Jackson’s dance steps.

Then, our fans used to call us, Paul and Peter. He influenced our musical career. We were challenged by Michael Jackson’s huge achievements in the world of music. We said to ourselves, if Michael Jackson could do all of these, we could equally do better. So, we tried our best and by the grace of God and our fans, we have realize our dreams.

Deal with Konvict music

The only thing we can say, is that we have been signed under Konvict. And to prove this new deal which most people are still doubting, we featured Akon in our ‘’Chop my Money” remix.

Our private life!

You call it private and that’s why, most times we don’t like to discuss it for personal reasons.

Handling your female fans!

My dear, it is not easy. However, we handle everybody with love and care. One thing is to be a celebrity, and another is knowing how to handle all that comes with it. Sometimes, they will call on us just to hear our voices and to wish us well.

What do you do during your leisure time?

Sometimes, we swim or play basketball with our friends.

Why was J. Martins not featured in your latest album, “Invasion”?

We have no problem with J Martins. He was not in the country when we released the album. You know as we are busy so also are others too. And you don’t expect them to displease themselves in order to please you. But we are in good terms.

Challenges in the industry so far….

A lot of challenges, sometimes after releasing an album our marketers will want to give us condition that we go 50/50. It’s very difficult to compromise with them. Sometimes, if you enter the studio to record you song, they will compel you to do what you wouldn’t want to do.

The craziest thing you have ever done!

Laughs.. that was when we went for a night party some years ago. Some desperate girls were all over us and before we knew what was happening, they were kissing and romancing us openly. We had to run for our dear lives.

Most embarrassing moment
It was when we were coming up. Some of our kinsmen walked up to us and told us that its high time we join them in the village and stop roaming about as if we are not conversant with the tradition of our people. We felt embarrassed. But unfortunately, we later adhered to their advice.

How do you feel about your mum’ s death?

We feel so bad to know that our mum is no more. But who are we to question the Almighty God. Traditionally, we are supposed to bury her and not the other way round. It is just that it happened so soon.. Indeed, her death was a big blow to us.

It was rumored that you people knew what happened to her?
Then, it is too bad to hear that people are accusing us of being responsible for our mum’s death. We are not blaming anybody. People are free to say what they want to say. We begin to wonder whether there is anything that will ever make us to go for the life of our beloved mother.

Her life cannot be quantified in terms of money or fame. So, our answer to this question is that we have no hand in our mum’s death. We only blame the death that snatched her away from us if not so, people won’t be pointing accusing fingers at us. She died after a brief illness.

Aside your mum’s death, there was another rumor that you guys have joined Illuminati?

We are short of words. Why would anybody say such things about us? Well, the fact remains that we do not belong to any secret cult, whether Illuminati or anything you call it. We owe our achievements and everything that is happening to us to Almighty God. 

Source: 247naijagossip

Continue Reading >>>>

Rukky Sanda Nollywood Actress Is Stepping On To Greater Heights

Rukky Sanda Nollywood Actress Is Stepping On To Greater Heights: Rukky Sanda is one Nollywood actress who has had a steady rise in her career ever since she made her debut into the movie industry. The Banking and Finance graduate of Lagos State University featured in her first movie, Angel and the Beast in 2004 whilst still a student at the University. After that, she took a three-year break and returned to the industry in 2007 and hasn’t looked back ever since. Recently, she has spread her wings into movie production and is working on a number of projects. 

Her new movie, The Search has already earned her a nomination at the Best of Nollywood Awards for the Best Screen Play. In this exclusive interview with NaijaLyfe.Com, Rukky speaks about her life, her career growth and several controversial topics surrounding her.

Rukky Sanda was one person I really looked forward to meeting. She is someone who seems to get much media attention without lifting a finger and with all that has been said and written about her, I knew I was going to have an interesting interview. And I was not disappointed. She was very clear about not giving a damn about people’s opinions and amidst all the buzz surrounding her, she continues to forge ahead in her career and is breaking new grounds. She had a really sweet smile, joked a lot and had a likeable personality.

Hi Rukky. What have you been up to recently? What projects are you working on?

I’m preparing to release my movies, Lovelorn, The Search and Miami Heat in October, November and December. Right now, we are casting people for roles in a future project.

Recently, you seem to be doing more producing than acting. Have you left acting for producing?

That is all I’m doing now. There are few people I’m ever going to act for, very few people, because not everybody is doing what we are doing now.

It’s quite rare to see young actresses take the leap into producing movies. When did you start producing and why did you decide to take that path?

I produced my first movie almost as soon as I got into the industry, after I did two movies. I am more of a business person. I want money. I’ve always been a business person so if I can do both and make money from doing films why not?

Tell me about your first experience as a movie producer. What lessons did you learn?

The first movie I produced was Lethal Woman. I don’t want to condemn it but if I had my way then, I probably won’t have released the movie because it’s not my best work. I had absolutely no idea of what I was doing. I didn’t do my research well. For me, it was a business move. I asked some people, how much would it cost me to make a movie? And they told me N3million and I said let’s do it. I saw this American movie and I thought it would look good in a Nigerian movie and I copied it. If I knew then what I know now, I would not have copied somebody’s movie. What is that? Who does that?

Did you make profit from that movie?

I still have someone owing me over N800,000. I may make profit eventually because of new avenues coming out. I won’t say I’ve not made money from it, but I’ve not made more than N3million. But the good thing is its mine forever so I can still make money from it.

How many movies have you acted in and how many have you produced so far?

I’ve acted in over 40 movies, I don’t know the actual figure. But as for my productions, 3 are already out and I have 4 coming out soon. 3 of the new ones will be released this year and the last one next year.

Now that you seem to be going more in the direction of movie production, do you have a company managing your production work?

I have Rukky Sanda Studios. I have my production company, my equipment, my employees; I have people that are permanently working for Rukky Sanda Studios in Surulere.

So you act, and you produce. Do you have any plans of directing your own movies?

I direct as well. I co- directed Lovelorn and The Search.

Really? Did you have any formal training in movie directing because I’ve heard some movie directors say you need some form of training to be able to direct movies properly?

I actually do a lot of research. And I’m the kind of person that likes to learn. I won’t say “I am your boss, shut up”. I want you to teach me. Right now, I’m learning editing and I’m enjoying it. All my work, I put my money into it so I have to be involved in every aspect of my work because I’m not in the business of throwing money away. Basically, I’m involved in every part of my production.

But people say directing is more technical…

I’m not a technical director. I’m not going to sit down here and tell you that. I am a creative director. I know how I want my picture to look. When I have a picture in mind, I can create what I want it to be. I work together with my technical director that is why I don’t work with old people again. If you are above 35, you can’t work for me. Because I’ve tried to work with older people and they feel like they know it all. I welcome everybody’s opinion and older people don’t like to listen to suggestions.

In The Beginning…

Take me back to the start of your career. What attracted you to acting?

My attraction then and now is not the same thing. At the beginning, I met my sister’s friend who used to work in a production company. I was in LASU and school was on strike and I just told her I wanted to act. And she said let’s go, so we went. We shot the movie overnight and it was too stressful and I said I’m not doing again. This was in 2004. I lost interest and I didn’t act again till 2007. But it is different now because I actually love the art of production and creating something. It’s actually more fun for me now because now I know I have a job. I can say this is what I do, I make films.

Speaking about jobs, have you had any other job or business aside from acting and now producing?

Before I started acting, I knew most people in the industry. When I was in school, I used to travel and buy clothes, shoes and accessories to sell. I’ve even sold a TV before. The TV was on sale for about $700 and I brought it into the country to come and sell.

How did you raise the money to start your business as a student?

My dad gave me N500,000 when I was in my second year in the University. I told him I want to travel and start buying things to sell. So instead of going for holidays just like that, I come in with goods to sell.

Tell me about your name Rukky. I heard it’s short for something…

If you go to my house and you ask for Rukayat, they would probably tell you they don’t know the person. It wasn’t a name I gave myself, that is what they’ve called me since I was a child. That is what everybody knows me as, I’ve always been Rukky. Probably if I have to write my full name, I may even forget the spelling.

How would you describe your personality?

I am me all day, everyday. I am fun, down to earth. I welcome other people’s opinions but I always put myself first. Me first, then any other thing. I don’t care about what anybody’s opinion of me is. The most important people to me are my family, they are the only people I actually owe an explanation and they know me already. For any other person, I really don’t care.

You have a number of tattoos and piercings on your body. Would you call it a form of expression?

Is it not my body? I can do whatever I want. It’s just how I want it.

How many of them do you have?

They are everywhere, I can’t even count. I don’t know how to count my tattoos. I’ve taken most of my piercings out. But I have 7 on my left ear and 6 on my right ear, 2 on my tongue and one on my belly.

Don’t they make you uncomfortable, especially the ones on your tongue?

No it doesn’t disturb me. I can’t even imagine removing it because I’d feel like I’m incomplete without them.

Where did you get them?

Different places, I got some here, I got some in London, some in Miami.

I read about your recent 28th birthday a few weeks ago. Let me wish you a happy belated birthday. How did you spend your day?

I sent gifts to the motherless children’s home in the morning, and had a party at my home and hung out with a few friends later in the night.

You had quite an interesting birthday cake…

I always have a picture cake every year. A chef friend of mine on the Island does the same thing every  year.

Around that period, you created quite a buzz when you and Tonto Dike jointly donated N1million to a cancer patient for her treatment. Did you donate equal amounts and what prompted the donation?

We both donated equally, 500k, but Tonto initiated it all because I knew absolutely nothing about the girl or what was going on. It was Tonto that heard about it and she was really concerned and worried. She called me and insisted we do it. So it was all her cute little brain, even though we didn’t intend for it to be public. I don’t know how that happened, guess it’s truly a small world.

You have been in the media for a number of controversial topics and I’d like you to please address them. Some media reports have alleged that you’ve had a cosmetic surgery, a face lift for instance…

In Nigeria, they don’t even know what a face lift is. It is when your skin starts to sag, they lift it up around your temples and cut the excess one off. How old am I that I would need a face lift? Someone said I had a lipo and dermabrasion. OK, I’ve done everything, I’ve even done the one they’ve not yet said.

Seriously, is that true?

You want me to tell you no?

No, I want you to tell me the truth....

The truth is that I’ve never done a plastic surgery. I have nothing against it but I’ve not done anything yet. If I want to do it, it is my body and as long as it’s what I want, it’s nobody’s business.

Your skin colour has also been the subject of gossip. Some people have said you are bleaching your skin…

When you look at me, what do you see?

I see a light skinned lady

I’m light o, and I’m going to do everything I have to maintain my complexion. If they like they should call it bleaching or washing, whatever they want to call it. Me and my cream, we are best buddies. Whatever they want to say, they should continue. Me I am making money. When nobody is talking about you, then you are not doing something right.

Do you have a beauty routine? How do you maintain your glowing skin?

I used to have a routine when I had my life. Not like now when I have a company to run and salaries to pay, I can’t sit down in one place and be doing beauty routine. I try to exfoliate everytime I can. Now my routine is body scrub, scrub, scrub because I don’t have anytime to go to a spa and things like that.

How would you describe your style and what influences what you wear?

I’ve always been a very fashionable person. It depends on my mood really, I think I’m different people at different times. Sometimes, I might just wear something and I want to f*** it up a little bit, intentionally, like who cares. If you are not happy, go and jump in the lagoon.

Some of the clothes you wear to events have also been the subject of controversy. One I can remember is what you wore to Genevieve’s birthday party some months ago.

Is it not my body? I wear what I want to wear. I won’t say anything is not decent. As far as I’m comfortable with what I’m wearing, I’m not blind, I can see what I’m wearing before I go out. So if anything anybody sees me wearing anything, that is what I want to wear. I don’t have a stylist, I do not need a stylist.

Let’s talk about more romantic stuff now. What do you think about marriage?

Marriage is a beautiful thing. If you find somebody to wake up with you every single morning, someone that wants to spend the rest of their life with you, that’s wonderful.

Is marriage on your radar now?

Right now, I’m not even dating. Not at all. I’m dating this work that I’m doing now. I’d probably be the worst person in a relationship at this point in time.

As a Muslim, can you marry someone not practicing the same religion as yours?

What is my business? I can marry anybody. I can even marry someone that has no religion.

How would you describe your faith?

My faith is very strong, it’s me and God in this life. God is my best friend. I pray everyday, morning and night.

Who would you say are some of your closest friends in the movie industry?

I’m one person that I don’t have a problem with anybody, and when I say anybody, I mean anybody in the industry. Except probably I’ve never met the person or we’ve never worked together. I’m cool with everybody.

With all that has been said and written about you, can you tell me something about you that a lot of people don’t know?

I’m very real, I think I’m too playful and I’m very cautious of my environment. If I go to a place that I don’t know anybody, I’m gonna be mute all through. I like to have a certain comfort zone, I’m just me all day, every day. I’m very strong willed, very opinionated. I’m hundred percent real.

Check Out Some Of The Movies Produced By Rukky Sanda Below

Lovelorn Trailer

 

The Search Trailer

 

Continue Reading >>>>

OLU MAINTAIN Talks About Natalie Nunn BREAK UP and MORE on GIDICULTURE TV

OLU MAINTAIN Talks About Natalie Nunn BREAK UP and MORE on GIDICULTURE TV: In one of the most in-depth and candid interviews ever, Olu Maintain bares all about everything from Natalie Nunn and the controversy surrounding her to the demise of Maintain to why he has been out of the game for so long and much more.

Check it all out below – and this is only Part 1!!!

See Interview Video Below

Continue Reading >>>>

Eyes Blinking: NICKI MINAJ IS A VIRGIN!!!

Eyes Blinking: NICKI MINAJ IS A VIRGIN!!! : Nicki is still a virgin acording to Urban daily.She says " I never gave up my box, I put that on my life".

Nicki Minaj says this on being a virgin. "Yes, and I encourage all my young Barbies to do the same. I just don't have time."




Do you believe her?

Source: Naija Gossip Level

Continue Reading >>>>

Yul Edochie Says he is not dating Nuella

Yul Edochie is not just a young and handsome man, but one with many talents, he has done many movies in the little time he has had in the industry and today, it could be said that he is one of the highest paid male actors in the industry.

In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA, the hunk discredited the gist of his romance with Nuella Njubigbo, his marriage and his music career.

Excerpts

How far has it been this year?

This year has being my best year ever. I did lots of great movies! Few were released as well. I got bigger in my career, my income doubled as well. I achieved a lot this year and finally moved into a lovely house and a peaceful environment, Crown Estate Lekki. I am indeed grateful to God for everything.

How many movies did you do this year?
I did a lot of movies this year, I don’t know how many.

What made you veered into music?

I ran into an old friend who is working on an album. So I decided to do something with him because I used to rap a long time ago.

How well is your music career doing?

We’ll be recording two tracks in January. I think it is going well so far.

Which movie gave you the break you needed?

The movie that gave me the break would be ‘Sleek Ladies’ shot in 2007.

What has been your highest payoff for a movie?

I wouldn’t want to reveal that here, but I’m earning good money.

There has been gist that you and Nuella Njubigbo have being dating. Nuella confirmed it! How’s the relationship today, any wedding bells?

About Miss Nuella, as a young actor there were bound to be a few distractions here and there. But your ability to overcome and focus is what makes you grow. I am a happily married man and I am not dating Nuella.

Your dad is a veteran in the industry, how has he affected your growth, your love for acting and life style?

My dad’s presence in the movie scene has definitely affected me; he inspired me to go study acting in school.  He named me after a great Hollywood actor Yul Brynner. I always tell myself that I must not fail because I have a solid background. But I don’t think it has affected my lifestyle, I live the way I want to and do what I feel is right. Like I said before, I owe it all to God.

Source: Vanguardngr.com

Continue Reading >>>>

Funny: Basketmouth wife gave him fake phone numbers on their first date

Bright Okpochi a.k.a Basketmouth is one the celebrated comedians in the country and the story of his struggle to shrug off poverty well known in the industry. He often makes jokes of his beginning at function.

In this interview Basket who is also the longest surviving Ambassador of telecoms giants GLO, shares the story of how his wife on their first encounter gave him fake telephone numbers to keep him away. He also talked on issues concerning the industry and more. Excerpt

It’s nice to see you again. You look very prosperous.

Thank you. I try my best. We try to dress well so that we can be addressed well

What has dressing well got to do with looking prosperous?

Well, we hustle with time and dedication to the art and with the standard I’m in right now, it’s only proper for me to try as much as possible to take care of myself, keep fit, eat good food and dress well. So that’s why my appearance makes me look prosperous. I’m not going to deny the fact that God has blessed me. But I’m still hustling.


You said something about standard. So how do you define standard?

Standard for me is, take for instance, with the work I’ve done so far in the industry, people have placed me on a particular level and the perception people have about my work differ. Some people say I’m one of the best and it means that I’ve been placed on a high level which I must maintain. I try as much as possible to maintain the standard I’ve worked to achieve because getting there is harder than falling. It’s difficult maintaining the standard but I’m trying.

Somebody somewhere once said you’re among the top 10 wealthiest comedians in Nigeria. How do you react to that?

Well, if you ask me, the definition of wealth is not by the money but by the intellect. If you’re rich in your mind, it’s wealth. I won’t deny that I can take care of my family and beyond that, I can take care of my extended family too.

Including the area boys too?

No, I don’t give my money to area boys

Why?

Because I don’t see why I should.

But sometimes they consider you as one of them…

I know. If  I’m one of them, it doesn’t mean that they should extort from me. I prefer to give without being forced. As far as I’m concerned, I hustled when I was still on the street, so they should also hustle.

So how do you handle the area boys whenever they come to you?

I just tell them that I don’t have anything for them. I can give to others but not to them. But the thing is that they’ll never stop coming. Trust me, I’ve given them money on several occasions, but I had to stop it because I knew if I continued, I’ll do it for the rest of my life.

Then, it means that I may not have anything saved up for my children. Unfortunately, it has got to the stage that the areas boys are not the ones that come to you for money. Even security men, police and other normal people come too. So I asked myself, should I keep giving them money when they haven’t done anything for me. So going back to your question, if they say that I’m one of the top 10 richest comedians, then I’m grateful. I’m just okay

Looking back at when you started, what do you sometimes wish?

I think I made the right decisions and the steps I took were the right ones. If not, I won’t be where I am today. I don’t wish that I did anything differently because I see God’s direction in my life. I won’t lie to you, it was one move that gave birth to all that is happening in my life today.

Anywhere I went for shows, people always connect me to other places because they could see that I’m good at what I do. There were gigs I did for free, while some I did for as low as N2000, N5000. The truth is that I didn’t get into the industry for the money.

I didn’t even know there was money in the game. I did it because I loved it. I started making people laugh since my secondary school days and It was because I loved doing it. Making people laugh makes me fulfilled. So when I look back to the past, there is nothing I regret doing.

What were the bad experiences on the job?

There was a time that I couldn’t pay my transport fare. And at that time, my parents lived at Ebute-Metta and I had to walk to Unilag for a show. And it wasn’t as if it was confirmed that I would preform but I’d just go there to hustle and see if I’d be given five  minutes to perform.

There was a time I used to go to Motherland to perform every last Friday of the month. I used to come into Lagos from school in Benin. We would go to the filling station on Benin Express way and wait for those luxury buses going to Lagos.


And whenever they stop to buy fuel, we’d appeal to the conductor to subsidize the fare for us. So he’d collect about N150 from us. Then, myself and my manager would stand inside the bus all the way from Benin to Lagos. The only time we’d get to sit, is if someone stops at Sagamu or Ore, and that’s if there were nobody sitting on the attachment because they’d have to sit before we could sit.

And whenever we(me and Bayo Adekeye) get into Lagos, it’s not as if we had a dime on us, we’d find our way to action spots. Bayo is married now and lives in Belgium with his family but we’re still close friends.

There was a time when I used to do Humour On High with NTA. We were paid N1000 every week and I had to do it because I couldn’t afford to miss the N1000. So whenever it’s raining and I couldn’t afford a taxi, what I do is to fold the clothes I’ll go on stage with inside a nylon bag, enter the rain on a bike. By the time I get to NTA, the clothes I wore would already be soaked. So I’ll have to enter the rest room and change.

There was also a gig at Ikeja and I was opportune to perform because I was given like fifteen minutes. But after I performed,  I couldn’t leave because I was hoping that I was going to be paid. It was later that I got to know that I wouldn’t get any money. So I had to borrow N60 from a rapper at the show and I couldn’t still leave because there was no bus moving. I had to stay at the venue till around six in the morning.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?

I never gave up because I knew what I wanted to do. The thing that inspired me into comedy was a tape that I watched. It was by Eddie Morphy titled Delirious. I was making some friends laugh and my elder brother’s friend saw me and said he’d give me a tape.

So when he gave me the tape, I watched it and convinced myself that it’s what I want to do. It was that period I saw Ali Baba on Charly Boy Show but then, he wasn’t really cracking jokes, he was doing skits. I couldn’t write jokes as such, I had only stories and didn’t know the rules and how to structure it. So when I watched him, I liked it and knew it was what I wanted.

So for all the pain and struggle, I knew what I was going through was normal. It’s not that I’m a rich kid, I was used to all the struggles. I made my first money in SS.2 and that was when I was playing drums. So the hustling started since my childhood

So when was the turning point?

I had a lot of turning point because everything links to each other. The first one was when I did a show in UNIBEN. It was Ali Baba’s show and I wanted him to watch me perform. The show was produced by Marcus Makay. I wanted to perform for only one reason-for Ali Baba to see me.

But the organizer of the show said I couldn’t perform but I was adamant because that was the only opportunity I had to let someone in the industry see my talent and appreciate me. So at that point, Makay refused. So I talked to some of those bad boys in Uniben to help me out even if they have to threaten him to allow me.

So they talked to him Ali Baba came in. Basorge whom I’d met Basorge during the Fanta party was also there. But when I met him backstage, he didn’t take me seriously.

So those guys talked to Makay and he allowed me to perform. After the show, Ali gave me his card and asked me to call him. I didn’t know his phone was a voice mail. So I was calling all the time and leaving voice mails. I had no choice but to track him down to his office through the address I got from his card.

And when we met, he assured me that he’ll allow me work with him. Later, some people gave me money to put up a show in Uniben so I met him and asked him to be the headliner. He came and I was the MC. During the course of my performance, he stood and gave me a standing ovation. And when he stood, everybody stood up and that more or less was like an endorsement.

So I was asked to come to Lagos and he started taking me to shows.

The first breakthrough was year 2000 when I did Night Of A Thousand Laughs. The second when I did Lagbaja. The third was when I did Hanging Out With The Big Boys. Ali Baba and I were supposed to go to Motherland. But he asked me to meet him at a show held at Fantasyland, put together by Femi Akande.

He was the M.C at the show. When we arrived he asked if I’d like to perform. And I said yes. He gave me the microphone and that was one of my best performance till date.

In the audience were the likes of Ben Bruce, Guy Bruce, Achi Duke and all the big boys in the industry.

And more than 90% of them came to me to acknowledge my work. They collected my number and from there, Femi Akande started using me for all his gigs.

On the other side, Ben Bruce, Augustus, Bola Salako and others, were partnering to put up the Femi Kuti’s show annually.

So one show led to the other and there was an edition of the Femi Kuti’s show that had people from abroad in attendance. And that was how I broke into the foreign market.

The final turning point that gave birth to Basket Mouth in the industry was the Femi Kuti’s show. The final turning point that gave birth to Basket Mouth international was when I went to do a show in Ghana. The tape leaked and someone uploaded it to YouTube and that was it-it exploded.

So how does it feel to perform before an international audience?

I’ve done a lot of research and have traveled just to watch foreign comedians perform before now. I started traveling nine years ago. So I go to weekly comedy clubs to watch them and see what makes then tick. I found out one thing, humour is universal depending on your approach. As long as you’re not cracking jokes about a Warri man, a Benin guy-as long as your jokes are universal, anybody that understands English will laugh to it.

You talked about rules and regulations-what do you mean?

First of all, if a comedian is painting an imaginative picture, he needs to use something realistic. If you are saying a goat or dog said something-we all know that goats don’t talk, so you’ve killed your talk because comedy is about timing.

So how do you react when your jokes are dry?

You’ll never know. If I crack a joke that’s never funny, you’ll never know because I don’t crack jokes as such. One joke leads to the other because I build it. If I finish a joke and nobody laughs, you won’t know because it links to a different story. So if they don’t laugh now, they’ll laugh later no matter what happens.

Fame comes with a lot of things. What has changed about you?

A lot of people said that I’ve changed to a proud person. And whenever I hear that, it makes me laugh because nothing has changed in me. I was telling someone that I sometimes forget I’m a celebrity. Because I was at Eko Hotel and was chewing groundnut and drinking water.

I forget all these things because it’s not me. I was born in Ajegunle and nothing has changed -I still go to the same local restaurant I used to go, I didn’t change my friends. My best friend who is my manager has come a long way with me for like twenty six years now. And everyone I work with have come a long way with me

What about the babes?

They are inevitable and I handle them but I have a plastic face. So most times they say, I don’t look friendly.

I’m sure you have been embarrassed by some of them

No I try not to do such. There are things I’m prepared for and I try not to see them as embarrassments. Especially when I go to the  universities-some girls just walk up to you and do all sorts of things. Some walk up to you and touch you and they get all excited about it. So, it’s just a pointer to the fact that they loved what I do

Was it the joke in you that attracted your wife to you?

Well, funny enough when I met my wife, it was on a different ground. I went to Unilag to promote a show and she walked up to me and called my name. I looked at her and winked. Then I noticed her beauty. For the first time, I ran after a girl to toast-I’ve never done it before.

She gave me a fake number(laughs). I now went back to the hostel and stood in front of it through out the next day-I was waiting for her to come out and she did.

So what did you do when she eventually came out?

I asked why she gave me a fake number. She started laughing and I told her to give me her number. She gave it to me, I called her immediately to confirm and that was how we started talking.

So how did you propose to her?

I didn’t propose, it just happened naturally. She already gave birth to our baby before we got married. We already knew we were going to get married even while we were dating because we were comfortable with each other.

So I didn’t really propose but we talked about marriage, the future and other things. The day we got married, I just told her that we should go buy a ring and get married(laughs). She asked if I was serious-I told her yes and that I was tired of being single.

You’re the longest surviving Ambassador of Glo. How were you able to keep the job?

I understand the game and the industry and I’m friendly with the people in the company. I read my contract well and understand what I’m supposed to do and what I shouldn’t do. I try as much as possible to make sure that they are happy with what we signed. I give them my time whenever they call and I give my best. But now, the most important thing is that I maintain my relevance in the industry.

How do you give back to the upcoming comedians because some of them crack dry jokes

A joke is a joke. The only thing I tell them is that it’s not yet time to crack dirty jokes-they have to start with clean jokes for the crowd to accept them. Then later, they may decide to switch. They have to stay clean and be able to perform in front of a corporate platform. And I give them that opportunity by allowing them to perform in my shows..

By Ogbonna Amadi Entertainment Editor

Vanguard Nigeria

Continue Reading >>>>

I Was Raped at 13... I Saw Hell; Says Ice Prince

Some guys are damn funny sha! In a recent interview with Sunday Express, Rapper Ice Prince painted a picture of what he claimed was his first encounter with s*x as a teenager. I don't believe the crap one bit but would leave it for you guys to read and see if there's any substance in...
his claims. I wonder how an aunt will 'just force you to do the thing' and you didn't shout out if you're not interested. Below is how Ice Prince described his 'experience':

    "I had my first s*xual encounter at 13. It's something I regret whatever it was. I had this aunty, though we were not related, she was just a neighbour who was living close to us, who came into my room and slept with me. She just came into my room and just forced me to do it with her. (and you did it with her)? 


    I was so young and innocent and she made me lose my innocence. It wasn't a sweet experience at all. I was very scared. I saw hell. It was a terrible experience. I am not excited talking about it at all. S*x is not that good. I think s*x is overrated. The aunt who slept with me is still alive. But I haven't seen her since then."

If you fall for this, then you'll believe anything...

Continue Reading >>>>

BANKY W OPENS UP ON WIZKID ALLEGED WOMANISING

Bankole Wellighton known as Banky W, the ceo of E.M.E actually made Wizkid a superstar.

But it’s so disheartening that, there has been much controversies for Wizkid.

Wizkid has faced with too many controversies through the year, ranging from impregnating an undergraduate, to allegedly stealing the Pakurumo song, to the internet unclad picture scandal, the rumoured affair between him and sexy actress Tonto Dike and other ‘illicit’ affair-he’s sure got a bagful of scandals rocking his back.

In a recent interview,Banky W reacts to Wizkid alleged womanizing and the rest of the rumour.

First,the Bible says train your child the way he should go so that when he grows,he will not depart from it.So,I believe if you put the right thing in place and the right training in place and you do the right thing at the beginning.I think Wiz has a good training spirit and I believe he has learnt that from his parents because I took him up two and half years ago.He has great parents and we love them and we have constant communication with them.

We need to thank them raising a solid boy like Wiz.So,I am acting as his big brother and boss and I constantly talk to him and the other artiste,Skales.I try to instill discipline in them and level of focus too.

Obviously,they live with me and it is very easy to checkmate them and provide the disciplinary roles necessary.So,they take to my advice...

Asked,there were some unpleasant reports about Wizkid.As his boss,I want you to react to some.He was alleged to be a womanizer?He said On the alleged womanizing and the rest of the rumour,I am not a stranger when it comes to rumour.In fact,I have a lot of experience when it comes to rumour and it’s always coming up when you have become a recognized figure.

There are lots of people that will love you and appreciate you and at the same time,some people’s job is to slander your personality.They will spread as many as possible rumours about you.If you ask them why they are spreading the rumour,they will not have a definite answer other than they don’t just like you.

With that,Iam not going to address anybody that wants to tarnish my image and that of my artistes.

Continue Reading >>>>

Uche Jombo is............am speechless

SHE’s got everything working for her: a scriptwriter, actress and now, a producer. Uche Jombo is, indeed, one of Nigeria’s favourite actresses and well-dressed celebrities. Over the years, the curvy, pear-shaped actress has stood out in the movie and fashion world with her talent and style.

Recently, the beautiful stunning celebrity shed a whole lot of weight and revamped her style to earn a trendier look, which fashion experts and writers have applauded.

From her trademark cropped jacket and suspender to classy, simple and sophisticated look, Uche has been able to prove she knows her body and how to dress it.

Let’s help you achieve her perfect style

We all want to look our best at all times, no matter our budget or personal style. Follow the tips below and adopt them as appropriate to define your look and personality.

Work with proportion

Your clothes may fit properly, but if you do not get the proportions right, you will still be off the mark. Choose looks that are either ‘short over long’ or ‘long over short’. Whatever body-shape you have, let your outfit fit well. For instance, petite people elongate themselves with a slim cut; for slim hips wear straight leg trousers/skirts and avoid flared ankles. For curvy hips balance them out with an A-line skirt, not a bias cut. To hide hips, wear flared trousers and a classic cut top; wear a blouse with a short skirt or a trim jumper with a long skirt. Heels are always slimmer; wear the right jacket, length and bulk, for they are important here.

Rock it high

There is nothing sexier than a great pair of high heel; that is, if you can master walking in them. Heels are always slimmer. When it comes to shoe designs, Uche says, “I think it’s the new BCB generation, I love the heels.”

Simple and sexy
Uche's style is all about simple, comfort and sexy clothes. Lots of simple dresses with very little embellishments. This style is all about showcasing the body; so, fit is important. She says, “my style is sexy and playfully cool; I don't like too much drama dressing.”

Opt for Little Black Dress

LBD has over the years become the epitome of timeless fashion — the answer to every lady’s question of ‘what should I wear to...?’ This fashion piece has not changed; rather it’s the height of style and elegance. No wonder, Uche considers it her favourite. “The Little Black Dress because it’s always handy,” she says.

Experiment with scent

Over the years, Uche has not been known with a particular scent, because she loves experimenting with different makes. In an earlier interview, she admitted her love for mixing different fragrances to get a unique smell. “I don't have any signature scent. It is boring to have one, when you can always change and smell different everyday. But I love Flower bomb by Viktor and Rolf.”

Let the designer work the curve

“Locally I love any designer who can work the curves, internationally it has to be Stella McCartney, I think her designs celebrate and flatter a woman’s shape,” says Uche.

Your make-over

When it comes to make-up, Uche cannot leave the house without her lip-gloss and Iman powder. She adds, “I love Iman because it is good on black skin.”

Invest in quality fabric

Like aphorism, “you get what you pay for,” which is the gospel of fabrics. Cheap fabrics tend to be less flattering while higher-quality fabrics look better, last longer and hold their shape.”

Confidence is key

One thing about celebrities, especially the well-dressed ones such as Uche, is, confidence. Some of the most attractive people in the world are not always the most fashionably dressed, yet they radiate self-assurance that makes them noticed. While you can easily lose your poise if you are not comfortable in what you’re wearing, the right clothes can lend you some of your attitude. The rest has to come from within.

Create a signature look

Uche has rocked it all, from long hair to short, dread, bald, weaves, just name it. Years back, cropped jacket and suspender became her style signature, though, as she grew older, her style changed. You can create a signature look that is bold or subtle, such as always wearing something lavender or a stack of bangles. Repetition isn’t boring—it is the mark of a confident woman who knows what she likes and what suits her best.

Choose the right shade

The shades of colour that suit you depend on your skin tone as well as the colour of your hair and eyes. Don’t go overboard—stick to a maximum of three colours in any given outfit. Any more, the colours lose their punch.

Wear it wisely

The most sophisticated way to wear jeans to work is to pick a trouser cut in a dark rinse. Wear them with a jacket, a refined top and heels or flats. The best way to wear a colorful pair of jeans is to make them the standout piece in your ensemble. The rest of the outfit should be neutral and simple.

Dress up pants

When it comes to dressing up a pair of pants, simpler shapes are often better. Sleek black pants or a pair with tuxedo stripes are good for the evenings. Add shimmer and femininity with metallic, beaded or ruffled tops.

Invest in chic bags
Classic handbags are worth their hefty price tags because you can carry them for years. You can stay your basic shades, but also try one in a bright colour; if well crafted, a bag is ageless, timeless and fun.

Build core wardrobe

Build a simple core wardrobe and also experiment with inexpensive, trend-driven items.

Invest in quality pieces

Just like Uche, establish a lasting wardrobe of the best basics, investing in the highest quality you can afford. Play with your accessories, but also collect some real jewelry as well.

Know your body shape

Pear shaped women should love vertical lines, V-necks and skirts with slits up the side. Straight or A-line skirts to just below the knee. Dark tights and shoes with colour or pattern in a blouse or top; tops should hang past the hips. Classic cuts on top in lighter colours draw the eye away from the hips. Accent the V-neck with a V or Y- shaped necklace.

Dress to suit your personality

Whatever style you choose — accessorise and clash a little, but keep it feminine — take advantage of the wonderful high street fashion, stunning yet simple. Experiment — taking the contemporary fashion and adding a dash of your own personality to spice up things. And if you want go with Uche’s style, then opt for sensual fabrics, a splash of colour and scent.

Know the right accessories

Uche loves simple detailed accessories. To get her look, know the right accessories for you. For instance, V and Y — shaped necklaces draw the eye down, round necklaces fill the neckline while ultra long earrings elongate the neck. A long, trailing belt elongates the legs, cocktail rings add fun and colour and a bit of sparkle to a casual outfit. A matching jewelry brings an outfit together. More so, just like a few celebs, Uche is a lover of wristwatches. She discloses, “my favourite accessories is wristwatch because I like to know the time. I love Cartier.’ 

Continue Reading >>>>

Kate Henshaw Talks About Her Failed Marriage and Why Men Cheat On Their WIves

Popular Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw in this interview talks about her failed marriage, about men roaming around, about being an Onga brand ambassador among others.
Read the full interview below:

    ”Onga it’s a brand that I have grown to love and like I said in some of my previous interviews, I didn’t know anything about the brand until I took up this appointment. Now it’s a brand I love and have convinced a lot of people to try.

    I was just picked. I didn’t compete with any one; the MD just called me and asked me if I could take up the appointment.
    My husband just talked about me; he told them his wife could help boost the brand and they decided to give it a shot.
    I don’t know if he is complaining since it was him who added to my duties. If he is; it’s a pity, because I have come to love it more than anything else.
    I have a feeling that he does… this feeling of you are not always around… and when you are, it’s either you are attending one event or another. I feel it; I sense it. I know it’s tough, but hey, looks like I can’t help it.

    If he wants to be taken; he is a free person. My dear, marriage is not a bondage o. If he decides to roam around, well… in any case, you men always roam.
    The society always blames the woman, but I believe that every woman should be independent; but let me tell you something, if you want a person to stay when the person does not want to stay, there is nothing you can do about it. You can only do your best and leave the rest to God. I believe every woman should be working or doing something instead of just sitting at home. God forbid, if anything happens and you don’t have anything to fall back on, too bad, you will be lost. I have come to a stage now that all I do is to make myself happy and do what I think is right. People will always talk, no matter how good you are.

    What about Omotola (actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde)? Her husband is a Nigerian and she is travelling all over the place. She runs an NGO and a music career that puts her on the move… there are so many other people and it doesn’t matter the race; if a man is a good man and he is confident in himself, he will let you be what you want to be. Because that is what completes both of you; that is what makes both of you happy; bringing whatever you have been able to make to the family.
    What about J-Lo (Jennifer Lopez) and Mac Anthony, they have split up. After six years of marriage. I don’t know for whatever reason but you and I know that she is busy and he is busy and I know that she is busier than he is. May be there is an effect there; may be some kind of threat or insecurity. But that’s the fact, when they part ways they are not enemies, each person wishes the other person well and life moves on.

    That’s how marriage and divorce should be. There shouldn’t be any rancour especially when children are involved. I mean, my mum left my dad and hey, it hasn’t affected me… sorry, it did at a point but I have moved on.
    About my daughter, I feel really guilty most of the time for not being around her, but good enough, she seems to understand. And the little time that we spend together, I try to make quality out of it. We talk at length; we go to the cinema and do all sorts together. She does understand that this is the nature of my job. There was a time she came home and asked, mummy are you on twitters? And I said yes, then she said one of her friends in school said she follows me on twitters. And I said oh, that’s embarrassing but you know she is so grown up now and her speech so profound.

    My daughter is lonely…, she is sometimes. Because even her dad is busy; he works and travels and that is what you get when both parents are the busy type. But I try during the holiday season to create a family time by trying to let go what ever trip that is not so compulsory.
    My low moment is such that since I have turned forty, I should try and spend more moments with my daughter really. I think about this a lot and it bothers me. And I intend to effect that change. As she is growing up before you know it, she’s gone to boarding house and I won’t be seeing her as much. Before you know it, she is already 20 and she is going to her husband’s house and I hardly know her… I intend to spend more time with her”.

Continue Reading >>>>

Kim kardashian's mum appointed 2012 Miss America judge

Kim kardashian's mum ,Kris jenner  is on a panel of seven judges who will pick next year's Miss America during a pageant in January in Las Vegas.

Jenner, a star of cable reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," will join "Meet the Parents" actress Teri polo and ABC's lifestyle anchor Lara spencer  on the panel announced Wednesday.

she says via her blog

"I am SO excited to announce that I am going to be a judge on the 2012 Miss America Pageant panel!!!!The Miss America pageant is such an exciting event and I can’t wait to join the other amazing judges in Las Vegas!! My good friends Mark Ballas and Lara Spencer are also judging next year, so I look forward to spending time with them and of course, seeing what next year’s contestants have to offer. This is an amazing opportunity and I’m so excited to be taking part!!"


The pageant's finals will hold on  Jan. 14 at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and will air live on ABC.

Continue Reading >>>>

Interview with tuFace IdiBia

The difference between life and death is so slim.One minute you are gone.In Nigeria,life can be so cheap.Before you know it,someone is aiming his gun at you and asking you surrender everything on you.At times,he doesn’t even give you enough time to comply.In one moment of madness,he pulls the trigger and the bullet hits you gboooa! I have been shot and I don’t like talking about it.It was just like a flash.

This guy comes to the car,he tries to open the car but the door is locked,and before we could even realize what is going on,the guy brought out his gun and just shot: He shot the glass and I was sitting on the passenger side on the front seat.So the bullet caught me on my left thigh.Just like that.

I didn’t even know the bullet was in me already.I thought it was a shattered glass that touched my leg,I didn’t know it was a bullet.It was when I opened the door and I started running that I started feeling pains in my leg.And then I touched my leg and I saw pure blood.

That was when I realized I was shot.In the heat of the moment,that adrenalin was pumping and you weren’t feeling anything at that time.
I just came from London that evening.So I was just coming from the airport and going home.

I was stopped actually.I met a small traffic jam at Cele Bus Stop on the way to Festac.So we were just slowing down when the guy just came out.Then he tried to open the door but the door was locked.I don’t know whether the guy knew me.I don’t think so.I think it was one of these normal robberies in a hold up.

He just said:” Open the door! Open the door!” We were looking him with shock,then the next thing he pulled out a gun and shot.All these happened within 10 seconds.Some of the pellets cut my friend’s hand.

In the confusion,everybody took off on hearing the gunshot.Some people even came out of their cars and fled for safety.Luckily,we quickly stopped a bus and the guy was nice enough to stop.I guess because of the commotion,the robbers too panicked and fled.

I was first taken to Cedar hospital in Festac where they gave me first aid treatment.And then,Reddington ambulance came and took me from there.

Gunshot is like having a hot substance inside your body.It peppers.I was just thanking God.I imagined what could have happened if I had been shot in the face or in the chest.This happened in 2007.

Earlier,on January 2004,I had been attacked by armed robbers.It was another close shave.They had to break the wall to enter my house.They beat the hell out of me that day.They were beating me and asking “Where is the master of this house?” I told them:” My master had travelled”.They didn’t know I was the master of the house.They were just hitting me with a stick.They almost broke my neck.At the hospital,I was made to wear a neck brace for over a month.They took away my money,jewelry and some other stuff.

All these experiences have taught me that life is so precious,yet precarious.Anything can happen in any second.So,make the most of your time.It was by the grace of God that I survived that gunshot.What if his hand had gone a bit higher to hit my head or my chest? It would have been a different story.

It’s so sad that we live in a country where there is insecurity.In Nigeria,a trailer would park where it is not supposed to park and you just run into it and it’s all over.

That was what happened to the rapper Dagrin.

These are the words of Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known as 2face,narrating his ordeal in the hands of armed robbers.He also laments on the seemingly rising insecurity in the country.

In a related news,on Sunday, November 20th,2011, 2face and a close friend Matthew Ohio at about 3AM left the Nu-Grotto located at 217 Etim Inyang Crescent, Victoria Island and were heading to the Southern Sun Hotel in Ikoyi, driving in the singer’s Ranger Rover Sport through Muri Okunola Street when they came across a man lying down by the roadside.

Ohio who was driving says the pair decided to stop and find out what was wrong with the man. Upon getting closer, they discovered it was a police man and that he had been shot three times by – once in the hand, in the stomach and in the leg.

It is believed that the policeman who identified himself as Corporal Ganiu had been shot just five minutes before Idibia and Ohio drove by.

We gathered that 2face and Matthew then carried the bleeding policeman into the back seat of their vehicle and rushed him to the Reddington Hospital located at 12 Idowu Martins Street, Victoria Island to receive treatment. The hospital staff were said to have been hesitant to attend to the victim until they recognized 2face who served as a guarantor to the officer....

Continue Reading >>>>