challenging moments in the
industry, Belinda Effah is one of
the fast rising actresses in
Nollywood whose name rings a
bell in the industry.
She has achieved a lot in a very
short while, winning laurels and
writing her name in gold as far as
the world of make-believe is
concerned. In this interview, she
tells Showtime Celebrity what it
takes to be where she’s today and
why she cannot date anybody in the
industry.
How has the journey been so far?
The journey so far has been
wonderful. There was a time when
Belinda Effah was a struggling
actress, just hoping to feature in a
movie. But today, the story has
changed. Thanks to Royal Arts
Academy owned by Emem Isong
and her sister, Uduak Isong
Oguamanam who featured me in
their movies, “Udeme mmi” and
“Kokomma.” Featuring in these
movies opened a lot of doors for
me. I have won a lot of awards. I’m
actually on my own, and I now
reject scripts . I’m not saying that
I’m there yet, I’m still hoping to get
better. But things are actually
different today.
Was it part of the challenges you
faced before hitting the limelight?
Then I was not matured as an
actress, physically , emotionally and
mentally. That was my build up
process, the producers then knew
what they wanted. They didn’t tell
me I was a bad actress. They said, I
had what it takes to be a good
actor. But looking at me today,
things are different. I have added
some weights in the right places. I
guess I fit into certain roles now
than before. May be, they didn’t
see me fitting into a particular role .
Like I said earlier, I wasn’t just
matured then.
How were you able to get the role
that gave you the break?
That was after I featured in Emem
Isong’s “Udeme mmi.” Her sister
invited me to be part of the cast of
her film, ‘Kokomma” . I read the
script and I liked it because it was a
very touching story. To me, every
script that comes my way, gives me
an opportunity to do something
differently.
How many movies have you done
till date?
I have done a couple of movies. I
don’t keep count of the movies I
have featured in. But I’m happy
that I’m busy every other day. I’m
one actress that like to take a break
to refresh myself after I have done
one or two movies, so that I can
give my very best into a production.
I’m always busy, I have won several
awards and I’m hoping that the
endorsement will start coming my
way.
You seem to be eyeing
endorsement by some multi-
national companies?
Yes, that’s the glory of every actress
that you are doing great works and
people want to associate with you.
When you are on set , what’s the
experience like?
I have different experiences
especially when I’m working with
different producers. Usually, I get
fair treatment. As an actress, I have
to bring my game to the table. The
industry is such that we have new
faces that are strong as well. To me,
it is not about featuring in a movie
that matters, rather it’s about
making an impression on the
people. Belinda Effah was formerly
described as a regional actress.
At what point did you come out of
that circle?
As an up and coming actor, when
you are offered a role to play in a
movie, you don’t really care what
you are being offered. You just want
to be on set. Some people will want
to describe me as a regional actress.
But back then it’s not as if I haven’t
done a couple of English movies .
After all, I started with English
movies before I later featured in
the two movies that brought me to
the limelight. Maybe, it could be
because the producers of these
films distributed them far and wide
causing people to get to notice me.
But the producers of my early
movies did not distribute the films
well and that’s why people tend to
see me as a regional actor. So, it
doesn’t make me a regional actor.
I’d feature in both English and
indigenous movies. If I can speak
the language, give me a script and I
will interprete it to the best of my
knowledge.
How did you feel when you were
announced winner of the Best rising
actress in Africa at this year’s
AMAA?
That I was nominated for the award
was a win for me. I kept an open
mindset that if I win the award it’s
an additional advantage to me. I
was very tensed because I checked
out the profiles of everybody that
was nominated in that Best
Promising Actress category. Prior to
my nomination, I have won GIAMA
Awards, and I have also gotten a lot
of recognition awards. It was like
‘let the trend keep flowing.’ I was
overwhelmed when I was
announced the winner. I’m grateful
to Royal Arts Academy because they
didn’t know me from anywhere.
They saw something in me which
they tried their best to harness it.
Between last year and this year,
you have been on top of your game.
What’s the secret?
I came into Nollywood at the right
time. I joined the industry between
2005 and 2006. Then I don’t think
the industry was ready for me. I
was part of the Next Movie Star
reality TV show and I was one of
the last Housemates standing. I
thought participating in that show
would create a new opening for me.
But it never did. For four years ,I
couldn’t lay my hand on anything
tangible. At a point, I had to take
up a paid job because I needed the
money to fend for myself between
2006 and 2008. I came back in
2011 through the first series of
“Tales of Eve.” It gave me a huge
platform because a lot of people got
to watch the series. That was when
the industry actually called me
back. A lot of people identified with
the series, and since then, I have
done a couple of movies. The
movie, Kokomma, got me
nomination for the 2013 Africa
Movie Academy Awards ( AMAA).
After featuring in that movie, a lot
of things started to fall in place
because people started calling me
for jobs. Like I said earlier, I joined
Nollywood at the right time, and
everything is working out fine for
me.
What would you say prepared you
for what you are doing today?
I have always wanted to act. I was
part of a drama group in my church
back then. When the opportunity
presented itself, I took it with
everything that I had. I could recall
that I was still in school when I
came on holiday in Lagos. A
modelling agent saw me and
wanted to use me to brand their
product. Thereafter, I saw an advert
on television where actors were
invited to audition for the
production, “Shallow Waters.” I
bought the form and went for the
audition. Later, I was given a minor
role. My passion for acting
increased, and each time, I was on
holiday, I would storm Lagos to
pursue my passion. So, immediately
I graduated from the university, I
relocated to Lagos.
What did you study in the
university?
I studied Biotechnology in the
university. Initially, I wanted to
study medicine, but when it was
not forthcoming, I switched to
Biotechnology . But at the back of
my mind, it has always been the
art. I have always wanted to be an
actress right from when I was
younger. Then, I always wanted to
do something with the choir
department of my church. So, when
the opportunity came, I just went
for it. What are you doing to stay on
top of your game! As an actor, the
best thing you can do for yourself is
to keep improving on your skill.
There are people you look up to.
For me, I have several mentors;
Genevieve Nnaji, Majid Mitchel and
Uche Jombo. I pick one or two
things from them in terms of acting,
packaging and business sense and
try to make it Belinda. I don’t copy
anybody but if there is need for me
to watch a particular scene in a
movie in order to perfect my act, I
will do so. Also, in terms of
business, one needs to know what
these star actors are doing. That’s
basically what’s keeping me going.
Have you played a love scene in a
movie before now?
Yes, I have played love scenes
before now. I played love scenes
with Alex Ekubo and Majid Mitchel
who molested me in the movie I
featured with him. I also played
love scene with Kanayo O Kanayo.
Each time, you are playing the love
scene, what actually come to your
mind? Belinda-2 I am an actor and I
have to be professional in my
acting.
Some actors would tell you that
while playing love scenes, their
emotions usually come to play?
But mine never come to play
because I become the character
that I’m playing. I get involved in
the character and when I’m through
with the role, I return to myself
again.
Have you been faced with a
situation where you have to reject
the person you are paired in a
movie?
I hope to get to that stage where I
would make a choice. But don’t
think any Actor has the liberty yet
to reject whoever he or she is
paired up with. Otherwise you have
to give your reasons for rejecting
the actor; whether he or she is a
bad actor or the person has a body
odour. So far, I have not been
paired up with someone I
considered as a bad actor or one
who has a body odour.
You must have faced some
temptation while on set ?
I always keep it professional
whether it’s white collar job or not.
I don’t want a situation where I
would be uncomfortable on set
simply because I have dated one
person or the other. I respect
myself and I respect everybody.
Even if I’m tempted, I try to keep it
professional.
Have you had such a request
before?
Of course, we are all human beings.
I am a good looking lady and a role
model to many ladies out there.
I’m not acting because I want to
act. I have a desire to affect
people’s lives positively. Leadership
is in service. I don’t want to mess
up my reputation now because I am
working on a project called “Belinda
Advocacy Against r*pe.”I have a
reputation to protect. I have a lot
of things in the offing. If one is
tempted, one can easily go outside
the industry to get herself a boy
friend. I can’t afford to mess around
in the industry.
Are you saying that you will not
marry in the industry?
I didn’t say that. If I find somebody
in the industry that I fall over heels
in love with, why not.
How often have you had heart
breaks?
My heart have been broken and I
have broken other people’s hearts.
So, no hard feelings. It happens all
the time where you like someone
and he doesn’t like you. That does
not mean there is no true love.
Have you found true love?
You will get to find out very soon.
What do you like in man?
I like a God fearing man, and one
who is down to earth.
