Ini Edo is smart, beautiful and without a doubt, talented. One of
Nollywood's bests, Ini came to limelight in 2000, and has over 50
movies to her credit. The confident actress in this exclusive interview, opened up on her marriage to US-based Philip
Ehinagwina,her charity foundation and her thriving acting career.
Excerpts
In the last three to four years, your career has
continued to blossom with endorsements as well as producing your own
movies, what would you say is the secret of your success?
For
me it is simply hard work and the grace of God. I generally succeed in
the things I do because I work towards getting things right. I don't
jump into things because others are doing it. I have what it takes to
succeed in production and I also have very reliable hands I work with,
that way, I know that I am 90 per cent covered.
Did you feature new actors from your home state, Akwa Ibom in the movie?
Of
course, I did. Other than the main actors, all the others are from
Akwa-Ibom. The emphasis is not really about the people from my state but
the story line.
There must have been a lot of challenges during the making of the film?
Rehearsing
for the dance was really tasking that, at a point I almost gave up.
Moving from one location to another was another big hassle as the movie
was shot in Lagos, Uyo and Cross River states.
Controlling the crew was very tasking as the foreign guys who manned
the cameras brought in from the US have their style and manner of
approaching certain issues which is not in consonance with ours. It was
altogether a good experience.
The concept of dance movie is not common in Nollywood. How did you come about that idea?
Yes,
you are right, but at the same time dance is one of the key elements of
the African culture which has not been properly explored. My culture is
all about dance, my people love dance a lot and I felt that this is a
concept that has been overlooked, so I decided to plunge into it.
How did you come up with the title?
(Laughs)
Emem Isong gave the title and it sounded really cool, so we settled for
it. That is what the movie is basically all about; in life people take
their chances without an assurance of the outcome. It is all about your
everyday life; you get involved in certain things without being 100
percent sure of the result, until you finish it.
Can you tell us about your foundation?
I
launched it this year, it is called ‘Teach One Save A Thousand’, it has
to do with my job as a United Nations Ambassador and partly as an
obligation. I decided to focus on under privileged children by sending
them to school, improve their standard of living and their environment.
You seem to have done a good job managing your career and
marriage at the same time that none does not interfere with the other?
(Laughs) You think so?
Yes and everybody also thinks so…
Really?
Tell us the secret?
Well, it is not easy
at all especially since my husband is based abroad. I was actually
supposed to leave for the United States last month (February) but I got
so preoccupied that I had to call my husband and ask if he could come
over.
Eventually, I had to plead with him before he agreed that I should
come at a later date. It is not easy but he is very understanding and he
appreciates my job a lot. He knows I work very hard, so we have a good
understanding and we communicate often.
Many people would be surprised, especially your critics,
that Ini Edo’s marriage is waxing strong. What has been your staying
power?
I have actually been able to hold on to my
marriage. It depends on how you set your priorities and not get carried
away by the whole fame thing. You should know where to be at the
appropriate time and where not to be at all. I just create a balance
between my career and my personal life.
Like I said earlier my husband is based in the United States of
America, but we see each other all the time. He just left Nigeria in
January, and I should be with him in the US soon we shuttle. It is
either he comes to Nigeria or I go over to the US.
How does he react to controversies about you?
He
knows that I am not a bad person, he knows me well enough not to bother
about the stories, all he does is call me up to find out what is
happening.(laughs) Talking about the scandals, my husband knows me more
than any other person.
Sometimes, when they say things about me and we are together at such
moments, he would look at me and say; are you the same person that
people are talking about? He knows what I can do.
Are you in anyway thinking of quitting acting, so as to create time for your home?
I
don’t think I will quit acting. I might divert to other areas that has
to do with movies. My being involved in the entertainment world has not
really affected my home, so there is nothing like calling it quits.
What kind of person are you off the screen?
I
think I am just the girl next door. I am a very simple person. People
sometimes get the wrong perception of you, basically because they judge
you from afar. I get baffled when people say, “Ini is a snob. I greeted
her and she did not respond.”
How can someone walk up to you and say hello and you would not
acknowledge the person I used to wonder. It just doesn’t sound right to
me.
What’s the secret of your youthful look, you seem to look younger each passing year? Read More Below
Really?
Thanks, that is a compliment but I think it is nature, the plump
physique, baby face and all but I workout as a routine, I also choose
what I eat. Then, for my skin I use only moisturisers, I avoid things
that tamper with my colour.
The truth is I like it more when I am chubby. I scrub my body often.
For make-up, I buy randomly. I love Mac products. I love bags that look
chic. I am not much of a jewelry person but I like looking sexy. I love
to look simple and also wear what suits my personality.
Are you a designer freak?
Yeah! For bags and shoes
Which is your favourite outfit?
I love short dresses with a little fit on my waist
Why?
Because I love to flaunt my legs, which is why I love it when I get fatter because my legs get fuller (laughs).
It is now three years since you got married...
(Cut in) oh, so you have been counting the years? Na wa for you o…
I am not the only one counting; Ini, people out there, especially your fans are counting.
It is three years and so what?
When should we expect Ini Junior or Philip Junior?
Well it is all about planning and having the right timing for it. My husband and I have discussed it.
We have an understanding that the timing is not right for now. I do
not also want to say we are deciding on the right time for it, because
nobody has the right to do so but God. Let me just say it will be very
soon.
How many kids are you planning to have?
Let us leave that for now…
Any regrets being an actress?
I don’t
have any regrets being an actress. In fact, I feel I am actually blessed
being in this profession. I love acting, despite the negative aspect
that comes with it. I don’t think I would have loved to do any other
thing.
But, sometimes, I am bothered about the things I read in the
tabloids, especially if they are not true. I have taken some legal steps
in time past.
That is the only way I could fight back. In all, I intend to be an
actress for a long time. Even if I am not acting, I would be in the
movie business.
Credit: Ajibade Alabi, Culled from Leadership
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