365NEWS gathered that Actress Ifeoma Okafor has not spent more than two years in Nollywood but her name is already ringing bells in the industry.
The actress, who made her acting debut last year has starred in movies such as “Love Lies’, ‘Fate of My Home ” among others and she believes that the future holds a lot of promise for her.
In this encounter, she shares insights into her acting journey, love life and the extent to which she can go in interpreting her role in movies . She also talks about the qualities her ideal man should possess to have her heart.
Excerpts:
By BENJAMIN NJOKU
My Nollywood journey
It hasn’t been long since I started acting. For me, the journey has neither been rosy nor tough but I just keep pushing. I didn’t find it difficult when I started my acting career. In fact, I held myself back initially from going into Nollywood because I had this mindset that you must submit your body before you can be accepted in the industry.
As a result, I didn’t take acting serious until early last year when I finally made up my mind to join the industry. And since then, it’s been like a bed of roses for me. Though sometimes it’s tough. I think I started well in the industry, and I believe in God’s grace.
Movie that brought you to the limelight?
It wasn’t “Fate of my Home” that brought me to the limelight. It was probably my fourth movie, while my first ever movie was “ Love Lies.’ Things have been going smoothly for me working with producers. It’s been wonderful. I love the way things have turned out for me, giving me another personality that I never thought I could have.
What fame has done for me?
Fame has done a lot for me. It makes people start thinking highly of you, believing that you have money. It’s also an advantage for people not to look down on you. They now see you in another world that you’re doing great because they always see you on screen. It’s interesting, while it lasts.
Extent I can go in interpreting my role in movies
I can go to any length to interpret my role in movies. Most times, if a script is sent to me about three or four days ahead of filming, I would go into that character and make it my normal lifestyle and ask questions where necessary. I try to live with the character for a little time just to bring my craft to the table.
My love life?
I believe in love and I love love. But for now, I have no love life. Hopefully, I will fall in love someday.
Choice between money or love?
Who wouldn’t go for money? I might decide to go for love, but of course, it must be embellished with money. Who doesn’t love money? Something must draw me closer to a man even when I want to love him genuinely. I love money, and that’s why I have to struggle to make my own money so that I will not depend on any man. Even if I have my own money, my ideal man must also have his own money. That’s the only way we can sustain our relationship. If you say you love and care for me, money has to play a role.
Dating a poor man?
I will not say God forbid or use any demeaning phrase. This is because I know how valuable money is to every aspect of our lives. I believe money is very important. I will not advise my brother to keep a girlfriend if he has no money. You may not be a millionaire or a billionaire but you just have to have something that can sustain your relationships. Like I said earlier, money has to come first. I can’t date someone who doesn’t have what it takes to sustain a relationship.
Being a beautiful woman?
I know I’m a beautiful woman, but I don’t know how other people see me. So, I wouldn’t say someone will die to have me if I am not in that person’s heart. But I believe I possess what will make any man want to do anything to have me.
What I can’t do for love?
I can be stupid for love, but I cannot die for love.
Suffers heartbreak or breaks somebody’s heart?
I have suffered heartbreaks twice. Maybe the first two taught me a lesson that I have to be careful.
Accepting marriage proposal from a male colleague?
No, no, no, no. Our work is quite tedious in such a way you wouldn’t remember that you have a mother. We are on set most times without touching our phones or if you gain access to your phones you might not use them because you are working. So, if I marry a man who is in the same line of work with me, there will be no emotional attachment between us. Even when we get back home and decide to talk to each other, it has to be about what happened on set and probably, not what affects us. I really want to be close to my kids and my husband even though I won’t quit my acting career for any reason. If my man belongs to another profession, it’s okay but definitely, not in Nollywood,
My ideal man?
First of all, he has to be hardworking, intelligent and a soft-talker. In fact, he must be intelligent to captivate me. He must also be someone who fears God and respects women. I cherish men who show understanding a lot. Whenever I see a man who understands and loves me, that man has stolen my heart.
What future holds for me
I am eyeing the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCA. I must stand on that stage one day and say ‘thank you God’. It’s something I believe is achievable. I know I am going to places. And in the next three years, I hope to find myself in Hollywood.
