Actress, Mimi Ifunanya Orjiekwe, speaks to Tribune about her career and relationship.
One of your names is Ifunanya. Do you also react to the song by PSquare?
It's a song. It's funny though because some people call me Ifunanya PSquare. I am not the Ifunanya in PSquare's song. A lot of people bear that name. You hear the name in church and everywhere. It's a good name. It means 'love' in Igbo. But I'm not the Ifunanya in PSquare's song.
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Describe your experience as an actress in Nollywood.
It's been quite an experience. It's been good. Just like any industry, you envisage challenges and failures. You also will have to prepare to meet all kinds of people – the good and the not-so-good ones. That is life. We must accept it that way.
You were once caught up in a money imbroglio with one of your directors and an actress. How did it end?
It's not true. It's a forged story. Everyone knows I am bigger than N200,000. I can afford triple of that.
Why do you think someone would write an untrue story about you?
It's just jealousy and envy. A lot of people do not appreciate other people's success.
Just recently, you were nominated for an African Achievers' Award in Chicago, United States. How do you feel about that?
I think God is blessing my hustle. However, we are still on the move. I believe that everything we commit ourselves to do will surely yield fruits. Even when they are not many, the little, little results and success means a lot. We thank God that bit by bit, we are coming up. But trust me; this is not my finish line. I have not even gotten to the middle of the ladder. I have a lot within that I haven't even given out yet.
And since you commenced your career in 2010, how many movies have you done?
I have featured in quite a number. I have done Blind Game, SS3 Girls and so on. I really cannot recollect all of them.
Which of these movies has given you the greatest accolades?
SS3 Girls was not bad. I feel a lot of people watched that particular film. It's a movie that children, youths and even adults could easily relate to. I think the concept was good. The story was also very good; people liked it. I wouldn't say it shot me to limelight, but it was good. It helped a lot. It's one movie people make reference to a lot of times.
Which movie brought you fame and fortune?
Since I joined the industry, I have had a number of other great movies. I was featured in Royal Madness, Gangster and so on. People have also seen them, but SS3 Girls really sold in the market.
How have you been enjoying your life?
I eat nice. I walk out. I live a very simple life. A lot of people don't live simple. What I mean by that is they allow their problems pull them down. I am a very simple person. I don't let issues get to me.
Your last birthday was celebrated in Zanzibar, Tanzania. And since then, we have heard stories about your marriage. What do you have to say about that?
Yes, I had my birthday in Tanzania. It was attended by a number of friends. Every other thing is personal. I don't intend to share it right now. When I commence my wedding plans, I'll let you know.
One of the gifts at your birthday party was an engagement ring. Can you tell us how it happened?
It's my life. When I walk down the aisle, you people will know. I don't want to share it. It was my last birthday. I shouldn't be talking about it. I should be talking about my next birthday.
Have you commenced plans for your next birthday?
Till then! What I know is it is going to be in a different place. I'll invite you once it's time.
There was a photograph of you and Tinsel actor, Charles Billion Pius, in a wedding gown and suit respectively. We later discovered it was taken at a movie location.
That was in a movie production. The title of the movie was My Wedding Day. I was filming. It was on my Instagram and I wrote 'I am filming My Wedding Day'. So, it wasn't a real wedding. Everyone knew it was a movie. I don't know why there should be such a fuss about it. I don't need to hide my marriage because it's a good thing. But since people have decided to tell me my status, I would rather keep it private.
Do you think the director had any reason to cast you in that role?
I don't think so. I have shot with many other actors. I have shot with Billion so many times.
How were you introduced to the movie industry?
I was a beauty queen during my undergraduate days. I ran into a director who happened to be one of the judges of the event. After the whole contest, he advised me to join the movie industry. He sponsored me into securing a slot in a movie, which I did very well. That was how I began my acting career. My first movie was Royal Madness. After then, I couldn't continue. I was still a student then. I had to finish my education, the compulsory one year national service (NYSC) and then get a Master's degree. During this period, I left the industry about two years. I couldn't continue with the director due to some misunderstanding. When I got back two years ago (2012), it was through Charles Okafor, whom I met in transit. He encouraged me again and gave me a chance of securing a slot in a movie. He gave me an opportunity no one had given me. I played a lead role in a movie. That was how I came back to the industry, full time. Since then, I have been working from one location to another.
What have you been up to lately?
I have a personal business I am trying to build.
Will you continue acting when you eventually settle into a man's house?
I don't know. But I can't stop acting because it's my job. All I know is that I will always give time and attention to my family. That's it. My job is not going to be a problem. I think it is something we should learn how to handle. It becomes a problem when you devote all your attention to your job. Your children and your husband are also your job. In other words, I am not leaving acting for marriage. It is something that can work hand in hand.
Do you think acting gives you a level of influence in the society?
Yes. As an actor or actress, you are also a role model to so many people whether you like it or not. People mirror your life and some others want to be like you. As an actor, you are also a model. These things go hand in hand. This is why actors these days are brand ambassadors to multinational establishments. People believe once you are in on something like promoting a product, it may as well be good enough for them. It is more like modelling as well. Modelling cannot be limited to the runway or pageantry; actors are also role models.
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