Actress and script writer, Kyrie Ekwenze, is known for her remarkable role alongside Mercy Johnson Okojie in Mirror in Me. The star of Family War in this interview with NKECHI CHIMA in Asaba, Delta State talks about movies, her first love, and forthcoming marriage among other issues. Excerpts:
How did your journey into acting begin?
I started acting in 2010 and so I can proudly say that I have logged five years in the movie industry. My passion for acting started during my secondary school days. I loved acting dramas a lot as a member of my school’s Dramatic & Debating Society. Thereafter, I attended Caritas University, Enugu, where I bagged a degree in Mass Communication. Upon graduation, I enrolled with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and attended auditions. Today, I have starred in a couple of movies.
Could you tell us about the first movie you featured in?
I played 22 scenes in my first movie and I guess that was a big start for my career because it gave me a big boost. And I will be forever grateful to the director for discovering me and giving me a voice. I also do movie sound tracks. Like I did the sound track for Immaculate Mary. I have featured in over 30 movies to date including Family War, Nkasi The Village Girl, and Chisom The Rice Seller to mention a few.
You have played so many remarkable roles with Mercy Johnson. Could you share your experience with her on set?
One of the most remarkable movies I played with Mercy Johnson was The Mirror in Me. I also wrote the script for the movie. In the movie, I was her friend and helper in school. I gave her the money my parents gave me for my WAEC so she could pay her school fees and then I lied to my parents that I lost the money. I also played alongside her in Painful Victory. It was really wonderful working with Mercy Johnson because to this day, she gives me a lot of inspiration. I love her humility. I missed seeing her around since she gave birth and I can’t wait to work with her again.
Among the stars you have worked with, who would you say has really inspired you most?
Chioma Chukwuka-Aportha is my role model any day. I love her humility. She is a good teacher and very humble. She doesn’t lord it over you even though she is such a big actress. My first experience on set with her was remarkable. Mercy Johnson is my super mentor. Kenneth Okonkwo is my godfather in the movie industry. In fact, it has been a wonderful experience working with the trio.
Which movie actually brought you into the limelight?
I have so many movies to my credit and people continue to commend me for my role interpretation. But I would say Family War brought me into the limelight; it gave me so much recognition and won for me many fans.
How has stardom impacted your life?
Honestly, it takes you away from your normal life. But the truth is that, in life, if you want to be happy, you have to follow your passion by doing things that you love; things that make you feel happy despite the challenges of your status as an actress. When you stop by the roadside to buy stuff or go shopping, people take notice of you and a lot of them want to make a big deal of it.
Could you tell us about your current project?
Wow! It is a movie entitled, Primitive. Iyke Odife directed it. Also, Iyke Odife and Emmanuel Odife produced it. They are my brothers from another mother though, we hail from the same state. And it is the second time working with them on set. Iyke is a good and reputable director here in the east; he is very thorough. We undergo rehearsals before shooting; it is an interesting movie. I play the role of the pastor’s assistant. The village people don’t understand the pastor’s language, so I am the pastor’s interpreter. I must confess it has been wonderful working on this set and I am using this opportunity to applaud my director for a job well done.
What about your parents?
My sweet father is late but my lovely mother, Honourable Carol Ekwenze, is caring for us. She was a commissioner in Anambra State.
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How old were you when your father passed on?
I lost my father at age nine.
You are one of the actresses smiling home with fat cheques…?
(Cuts in) No! But the little income that comes in for my labour is quite encouraging. However, I look forward to earning better fees. I also intend going into movie production by the grace of God.
Your ring is beautiful, are you engaged?
(Smiles) I am married! I got married traditionally on Valentine’s Day, February 14. My husband hails from Enugu State.
Is he in the movie industry?
He is not an actor and he is not in the movie industry.
You sound like you can’t marry an actor?
Why? I can marry an actor if am in love with him; love is what counts in any relationship.
How soon are you walking down the aisle?
We are planning our wedding for July but we haven’t fixed the date yet.
The Sun
