In this interview with Daily Newswatch,
the trained thespian takes us into her background, which she said
informs her virtuosity, while attributing her phenomenal rise in the
industry to God’s “mercies” and hard work.
Why
did you settle for the Yoruba genre of Nollywood despite the fact that
you are not Yoruba, plus you speak the English language quite fluently?
I actually
started with the English sector of Nollywood. I did a soap then and a
couple of movies in English. I later got a script from a producer in
Ibadan and when the production came out, it was a hit. That was how I
started getting scripts from the Yoruba sector of the industry and
before I knew it, I had become a household name. That’s the story; it’s
not as if I chose or prefer doing Yoruba movies.
Who were some of the actors that influenced you as a growing up kid?
I used to
love Barbara Soky and then, there was Rosemary who played the role of
Tara in a popular soap opera then. She was an hyper and was always
screaming. I was so much in love with her character then. Over time, I
fell in love with Liz Benson and Richard Mofe-Damijo and lots of others.
What was the lowest price when you were up and coming?
When I was a
green horn, I went to a location and played the lead role in the movie.
It was a shock to me when we rounded off and the producer squeezed five
thousand naira into my hand. I felt like breaking down to cry. And this
was a time when I already had a car and a flourishing business. I sat
in my car in tears and said, “God, what is this? Is this for chewing gum
or what?” but I took it and kept the hope alive. And today, I am
smiling to the banks but I can’t tell you the precise figure I earn. I
give God the glory.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encounter in the industry?
Nigerian
journalists have not been fair to us actors. It’s often very sad when
you see untrue, dirty details about you in the papers. They rubbish our
reputation in order to sell their paper and it’s so heart breaking.
Again, in the industry, you see people beefing you here and there. They
feel jealous because you are relatively young in the industry and you
are getting more roles than they who are veterans in the field. But what
they don’t understand is that it is by the Grace of God. The Bible says
that it is not the power of he that runneth but in God that showeth
mercy. God even says in the bible that “I will show mercy on whom I will
show mercy…
Incidentally, your name is Mercy…
Yes, so who
are you to question God? When God’s favour is working in your life, you
would always have an edge on all others. So, all these people in the
industry that have been having bad blood with me saying “When did she
come sef? Is she the only one? Kilode?” They don’t know that it is God
that has been crowning my hard work with success. So, they better have a
re-think. The best thing is to assist each other so that when they are
telling their stories, they would mention your name as one of those who
helped them to get there. And funny enough, if God wants to use you to
assist somebody and you refuse,
God will use
another person. I think it’s a thing to be proud of when you encourage
others to reach their dreams. I would like to use this medium to thank
Yinka Quadri. When I started and was a complete green horn, he was there
for me and very supportive of my dreams. It shouldn’t be just about
you. When you get to a level in your career, you should be able to pull
the up and coming ones up rather than bad mouthing them and trying to
pull them down.
You are a beautiful young lady…
Thank you, I am blushing…I am turning red…
Any embarrassing moment?
Sometimes,
I’ll just be driving or walking on the street and people would just be
pointing at me saying “look at that girl that is always snatching
somebody’s boyfriend in the movie.” Others would say “look at the girl
that is always shouting in the film.” They don’t know that the character
you play is different from who you really are. But it’s fun sha, it
shows that people are really following your movies.
Let’s talk about your education?
Well, I
attended St. Francis Primary School in Maryland. Then, Maryland
Comprehensive High School in Maryland, Lagos. I was first at The
Polytechnic, Ibadan, for my post secondary education and later at the
University of Lagos, where I studied Theatre Arts. I finished in 2003.
What about your growing up?
I grew up in
Lagos. My growing up was interesting but not so rosy. It was
interesting because I have loving parents but not all that rosy because
my father is a strict disciplinarian. He is the type that doesn’t take
nonsense from any of his children. He is a proud and typical Benin man
and he used to flog me a lot because I was very stubborn then. He
doesn’t believe in sparing the rod and spoiling the child so he did all
he could to make sure we had good morals. It wasn’t easy back then but I
am glad today he did all that because some of the things he taught us
then are helping me till date.
Words for up and coming ones who see you as their role models?
First, get
an education. At least, be learned because it is going to help you. It
is not going to be easy though because nothing in life comes easy, but
he focused and pray. Don’t be deterred by any obstacle that comes your
way and don’t allow anyone to intimidate you but you have to be humble
and respectful to those you see as your senior colleagues. Don’t be rude
to those you meet in the industry and be hard working, respectful and
prayerful. Personally, I can’t stand lazy people. And please, don’t be a
madam-know-it-all. Seek good advice from those who are your seniors to
make things easy for you and you will just see yourself there.