By Rapheal,Rita Okoye

Copyright thesun

By Rita Okoye

Isaac Chinwe is steadily carving her niche as one of the industry’s most promising actresses. With a growing body of work that reflects her versatility, passion, and drive, Chinwe represents the new generation of screen stars who are redefining what it means to succeed in Nigeria’s vibrant movie industry.

In this interview with Sunday Sun, the mother of one takes us through her Nollywood journey, challenges, relationship choices and lots more.

How did your love for acting start?

My love for acting started in church and then continued through my secondary school days, where I happened to play lead characters in school stage plays. Later in my church, I also got the opportunity to play lead roles. Growing up, I thought, since people find me worthy of playing the lead characters, why don’t I take it up as a career? That was how my acting career started.

Can you mention the names of some movies you have done?

I’ve done quite a few movies; the ones I produced and the ones I did for other people. Let me start with mine: The Golden Chair directed by Yul Edochie, In Love with a Mad Man, The Hijack, Home Service, Loud Silence, American Husband, etc. Then, the ones I did for some other movie producers: Untamed, it was a cinema movie shot with Van Vicker and Mama G as my mother, while Van Vicker played my husband; it was produced by Andy Boyo. Destitute with the late Justice Esiri was also a cinema movie. Then, some commercials I did: My Neighbour’s Wife with Wole Ojo, The Coming, Betty Pounds and Dollars with Mercy Johnson, and a movie that made me popular is Caro the Shoemaker with Mercy Johnson. Another movie that made me popular was See Gobe with Funke Akindele.

What were your early days’ challenges?

My early challenge wasn’t much in the sense that I wasn’t desperate for acting, even though I had the passion for it. At some point, going for auditions and going to NCUC, I was doing it, but it was a challenge for me. I managed to pull through. I got to feature in some cinema movies like The Cobra. Those movies then made me popular, and then I started featuring in great movies too.

Not having a car and not being mobile was a challenge. I was taking life easy, and that made me start producing at an early age because I didn’t want to depend on people. Most times, you go for auditions and don’t get picked, and you start regretting because you might have spent your last money, probably trekking.

I was still able to get my car easily and conquered some challenges. I became mobile after a year when I started those movies, and they were paying well.

What roles excite you to play and why?

I would say comedy because I like to play comic roles. I like those funny characters. It just comes out naturally, which makes me do it effortlessly. Then, contemporary roles of those village kind of stories, I like doing them because they are very easy. I don’t get to pack hair, bags, or shoes, or get much makeup done. I’ll just go all natural, with one or two slippers.

Those are very easy things for me to do. Unlike in a glamorous movie, I would have to think, even help the customer get some outfits that would fit my character. All those things make me run around. Also, I would have to do my nails and makeup on my own. They are stressful. I don’t get excited about it unless the role is very exceptional; then I’ll do it. But for comedy, tragedy, and contemporary roles, I like those because they are easier to do.

What role will you reject even if the money is huge?

Anything that will damage my image, I will reject. Come to think of it, in the country we live in, most things that would benefit you don’t come big. You are expected to pay for them. There are job opportunities that will pay you 1 million naira every month and you’re an undergraduate. The person telling you about the job might say you have to register with 250k or give them a percentage every month, which shows that it doesn’t come easy.

Now, coming to offer me or trying to get my consent with a huge sum of money that won’t work for me because I sit down and think about it:

“What about damage control?”

“How is it going to push my name forward?” Because it’s all about a good name for me more than money. Eating raw animals or acting nude, I can’t do it. I wouldn’t want to please anyone because I want them to feel I’m being professional.

I want things outside the box but coming with a huge offer will put me in check. I will have to think about it, know the damage control on my name, and know how positively it affects my name.

Have you had any embarrassing or funny encounters with fans because of the role you played?

I’ve not had any embarrassing or funny encounters with fans because of a role I played. Rather, they get excited about my comedy films. Some will even start singing what I said in the movie, and we all laugh.

Aside from movies, what else do you do?

Aside from movies, I have a boutique called “Chi Classic Boutique,” and I also cook for events and weddings under “Chi Classic Kitchen.” I don’t do it often; I do more movies. I’m also a producer and a content creator. Aside from acting, I even produce YouTube channels like “Chi Classic TV.”

Does your man get jealous seeing you play romantic or kissing roles in a movie?

Yes, he gets so jealous. My current man is a jealous guy. That doesn’t mean I won’t do it, it’s just that when I do it, I meet him and say, “Baby, see this particular scene, should I do it?” The next minute, he’s quiet. Later on, I go to him and ask if I should leave the role, and he’s like, “Go and shoot your movie, but be careful.” And when the movie comes out, he’ll say, “You overdid this part,” and we just laugh over it. I’m happy with how it always ends. He’s a jealous lover though, but he understands that it’s just acting. I’ll still kiss and do romantic roles, but I make sure I let him know because he gets angry whenever I don’t discuss it with him.

Actresses’ marriages now crash per second. What do you think could be the cause?

There’s no formula to marriage, and it’s not just actresses it’s happening everywhere. Because they are famous, we get to hear about theirs, but it doesn’t mean it’s not happening to other people. Then everyone has an opinion, which makes it go viral. If it’s not working, it’s not working.

I would say marry who you love, who you understand, and who you respect. With respect, you will not do things that upset your husband or wife. With understanding, you know what upsets your partner and you try to avoid it. If by chance you do it unknowingly and your partner complains, all you need to do is apologise and make amends.

I don’t think breakups will keep happening, but when two captains are on the same boat, a breakup will definitely happen. Also, if you are not submissive as a woman to your husband, it may fail. That doesn’t mean that if your husband doesn’t have good intentions you should still be submissive, that’s a no. Stand on your right but know his intentions, know who he is and what he actually wants. If he’s after your money, don’t marry him.

Can you marry a colleague in the entertainment industry?

Yes, I can, and I would gladly accept a suitor from my industry. That’s because I love movie-making and it’s part of me. I think about it for the next 5 to 10 years. Having a partner in the same industry will really help me work harder and keep my marriage.

When I go on a set that is not mine, he knows the director, the production manager, and the producer. He basically knows most of the actors. When he asks me who I’m filming with, I’ll tell him. If he has doubts, he knows how to get the answers because he knows all these people. I won’t lie to him because he knows. He understands the industry language.

But someone outside the industry will not understand all these. This is my career. You know I act, and I told you I’m actually going on set. Most guys love attention. Imagine marrying one who wants your attention 24/7, and the person is not in the industry or is abroad, or even living with you in the same country, you leave him at home and go to work; but he always wants your attention and wants you around. It is going to be difficult. But having someone in the industry makes things so much easier.

He knows when you’re lying and when you’re not. Most relationships with someone who’s not in the industry may not last because we finish shoots around 1 am, sometimes overnight. If your man is not around, you tell him, “Babe, we are shooting overnight,” and some won’t believe it. But if your man is in the industry, he understands what overnight means. If he feels you’re lying, he knows who the production manager is and calls to ask. If he’s told, “We’ve dismissed,” then he knows you’re lying; if he calls and they say, “We are still shooting,” then he knows you’re telling the truth, and you guys won’t quarrel.

I feel same-industry marriage is actually the best for those who want to stay faithful and loving to each other — except when you have secrets. Another negative effect is that most people belittle you knowing your husband is in the same industry. They may not respect you. Some people might envy you, and when they see your husband, they want to talk to him, anyhow, on set. If the husband or wife makes one mistake, they capitalise on it to insult the person.

Everything has positive and negative effects, but as for me, I’ll still ignore the negative effects and choose a suitor from my industry. I’m a movie-maker, a producer, and I need someone that will complement and always push me. That doesn’t mean suitors outside my industry will be rejected, but if I have a serious, good, God-fearing suitor from the industry, I will gladly accept with all my whole heart.

What do you expect from your man?

I expect my man to have respect for me, to be decent, cute, hardworking, and intelligent. There’s no perfect man though. I don’t expect my man to be very wealthy or very poor. If you are an average man and you can put food on the table and have something going, I’ll marry you. If you are good looking, that is an added advantage. They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so if you’re ugly, let me be able to see you as cute in my eyes, then I’ll date you and stay with you.

I’m a Virgo. Virgo women are very faithful, they stick to one man at a time.