Nollywood actress, Maureen Okpoko, who in 2016, was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, in this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, speaks on her experience as a single mum and how her marriage break-up affected her career. Excerpts.
Our diction has always stood you out. Is it a practised routine?
My diction has always set me out; that is because I major in English in school. I don’t really want to dwell on my pedigree or my background, but I have been in and out of Nigeria. And what do you expect from my dad who is a British trained Nigerian lawyer and judge and my mum also a British trained Jamaican nurse. I am known to have diction in the industry but I am not the only one though; it has become part of my branding too.
Tell us, how would you describe the year so far?
This year has been quite rewarding; playing different challenging roles, my acting fee has also gone up with awards to be collected. There is one already with date and others to be communicated to me in due course.
There is also a contract on ground to be made an ambassador soon. Date close to my heart. Also this year, I have had the opportunity to work outside the country for the first time. It was quite an exhilarating experience. I am awaiting more.
Any plans to go into movie productions?
I do more of acting, but yes I have plans to go into producing my movies. However, I also have other projects I will be putting in motion but am not ready to let the cat out of the bag yet until all is set and ready for flag-off.
How would you describe your experience so far?
I have done tremendously well for the length of time I have spent in the movie industry. It has not been so rosy but once you are focused, humble and tenacious, you have enduring strength and you know your onions you will certainly succeed.
I am still paying my dues in this business. I don’t get to run around for auditions. I get called upon when roles are open and sometimes I find myself doing back to back; from one production to the other. It has been rough though but here I am being able to still be on my feet. I give glory to no other person than the Alpha and Omega.
Let me say a bit about the industry. We are doing fantastic in recent time. With the evolution of digital technology, drastic changes have taken place. Presently, there are just but a few movies that will not go down well with viewers. We are doing fabulously well.
You have also been frequent in indigenous language movies. How did it start?
I cannot really say how that started. What I actually thought I could not be part of I actually find myself working hard to ensure that its done the way it ought to be done. I take Igbo roles a lot now. I am actually surprised and at the same time leave some people in shock when they watch me speak my dialect.
I don’t know how much I put in to make sure it comes out right. I ensure no English word is added when I get into the role. If its pure Igbo let it be so, if it’s English; let it be so. I also speak patwa. My mum is a Jamaican and I have done two movies in the language. It is an interesting language.
How often do you reject scripts?
Well, if I have to select a script, I will not come out openly to reject it. I may be nice about the storyline. Just like an interview I granted a year ago where I stated that l can’t act nude. If it has to do with the story not making sense at all, I could turn it down nicely giving you excuses. I would not really wish to hurt anyone or make one feel bad.
You could also be marked. I would not wish to be in a producer’s book of hate but the industry is a small place and anyone could be of help. I get a lot if references and it sure gladdens my heart and soul.
Your best moment/worst since your career began?
My best moment now I cannot really say because I got lots of best moments. But one was 2016, when I was nominated for Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. I said to myself when I got the call that even if I wouldn’t clinch the award, I would still feel fulfilled knowing that my hard work is being recognized. That is enough for me. After that nomination I got many awards and still counting.
My worst was when I got on set some year ago and I just was not getting it right because I was emotionally down. I had just separated from my husband. It took a toll on me, but I’m now a bouncing baby girl.
How would you describe life as a single mum?
As a single mum, life has been tough. You get into a marriage expecting that both of you would grow old together and suddenly you find yourself no longer married after being in a marriage for 10 years. And it hits you like a thunderbolt.
The trauma alone is enough to kill one. You look at yourself and you look at your children and then the reason to live again keeps you going. You have no choice then to pick up the pieces and gradually start moving on. What does not kill one makes one stronger. That is what I have come to realise and I’m a typical example of a strong woman.
My children are doing wonderfully well academically and in other areas too. I am coping well trying to raise them to have the fear of God, instill discipline in them and I pour all my love on my three lovely children. They are God’s gifts to me. But it requires a lot of hard work and sacrifices.
Is it killing to be a superstar?
My dear it takes a fortune to look good. One has to spend a lot to come out looking gorgeous. I am not really a flashy dresser. I come out simple and nice more often.
When I am going for events, I come out a bit hot not to attract much attention because my head already attracts from a distance. That is the reason I need to put in extra time to do some outside jobs to get in much money to live up to my simple gorgeous an exotic life style.
Every actor strives to look good always and also for you not to be looking out of place when you have events to attend. We are known to b pace-setters when it comes to being fashionistas.
Talking about your bald hair style, any plans to grow your hair back?
I am sorry to disappoint whoever wants to see my grown hair. It is never going to happen. It remains like this as long as ‘am alive. I love my look and it makes me happy.
Does your size in anyway stand as barrier?
Not so far. I am given roles that suites. I have always been big not as if I started getting big in the industry. I have never been a slim person.
How did the whole journey start?
In 2013, I starred in Golden Egg, which also featured Justus Esiri. And in 2015 I featured in the movie Duplex, which I can say was the most challenging role I have had to play. Others include several Nigerian television series like Dear Mother, Clinic Matters, Neta, University Mafias, Sorrowful Child, Sacrifice the Baby, Red Scorpion and Baby Oku, among others.