Category: Entertainment

She came into the industry in 2010. Some would say it is a short time to make it big in the motion picture world, but the actress disagrees. Maureen Okpoko says that hers is a different tale as she has become a household name when it comes to sitcoms.
Of  Nigerian and Jamaican parentage, the mother of three, in this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, talks about career, the project Golden Egg, her preference for low cuts, family and other issues.

WHAT exactly is The Golden Egg about?

The Golden Egg is a movie owned by an independent person. He is a House of Assembly member and is one of the honourables there. This is actually his first movie. He actually drew me in because he found out that my mother is Jamaican and what they speak is patois. So when he found out, we started flowing. I got to learn patois when I was in Jamaica, my mom’s place.

Somehow, we don’t speak it as often as we did when we came back. Somehow it disappeared a bit but it is still there. Once we start flowing, I go with it. In the movie, it was patois I spoke all through with the Executive producer, the owner of the job, because he could speak a bit of it. I acted as a detective that came in from Jamaica. It is my very first movie with patois.

Who were the others in the movie?

The movie featured the late Justice Esiri, Chika Eyikwuba, Elvis Obi, Jim Lawson Maduke and a host of others. These are the people I can remember.

What stage is the project now?

I gathered from the Executive Producer that he hardly finished the job before Justice Esiri passed away. They are still editing it because we shot in Abraka, Warri and Asaba. It is a very big project, but they had to pause for a while for reasons best known to them. I can assure you, it is something that will come out with a bang because I am waiting for it anxiously.

Why the preference for soaps?

Will I really agree to the word preference per se? It is probably because I am a face that is frequently seen or watched on series. It does not have anything to do with my preference for them. Sometimes I have a lot of soaps coming my way and I just grab what I can get because I have to work and my face has to be there. Though I have done a lot of series, I am cutting down on them.

This year alone, I have just done like two sitcoms but if I see very good ones, I could delve into them. Right now, I do more of Nollywood movies, though I was still doing alongside soap operas.

Why are you cutting down on soaps?

You know my face is already there. I started with them and, believe me, no one can take that away from me. They already know the face. Right now, people are beginning to approach me with movie jobs. From the soaps I have done, I am beginning to get movie jobs. I guess they enjoy what they have watched

Between movies and soaps, which would you say is more profitable?

(Laughs) Well, both are. They are profitable in their own ways.

How do you manage your home while on the move?

I put everything in place and off I go. I don’t need to bother myself. Because I know my itinerary before hand, I put everything in place so that nothing is missing. That way, nobody comes looking for me for anything. That does not bother me because I know how to take care of him. That is what I usually do when leaving home.

Don’t your children get to miss you?

What I’m I suppose to do? I call them from time to time. They know how my job goes. So they have gotten used to it somehow, but they can’t completely get use to it.

How does your husband take it leaving the home most time?

Let’s leave him out of that. The man of the home is completely taken care of, so he has nothing to complain about.

You have come to be known for keeping low cuts. Is there any possibility that you will change it for?

This brand is my look and I have had it for nine years now. It has come to stay, there is not going to be any change. This is my own personality; I intend to keep it as long as I can.

Are you saying, this look is not borne out of your present career?

No, I have had this look even before I started in the industry. So it has always been my look. This brand, this face, this hair cut has come to stay. I am not ready to change my look for anything or anybody. Sometimes when I am on set, I could use a wig, but not in all movies. Some of the time, the attraction to most people who want to use me is my looks and probably the way I speak. You know you first admire one before you get closer to the person and have a chat.

Was there a period in your career you felt it was not worth the effort?

It happens to everybody, but the possibility to forge ahead, to think positively makes one go on. At some point, I was still getting jobs but not as frequent as I am getting them now. I kept encouraging myself, telling myself I will get there. I have this inner thing propelling me not to give up. That is what has sustained me and made me carry on. It has made me who I am today. If you have a focus and believe in yourself, the sky is the limit. I don’t easily give up, I am a determined person. If I am determined to do something, I will see it through. When I try and see that it is not working, that is when I retrace my steps. I know I have put in a lot in this industry and I am still putting in a lot. I am gaining recognition. I work hard, in this industry you must work hard.

These days, it is trendy for actresses to venture into movie production. Any plan to join this trend?

At the moment I don’t have a personal project. In time to come, I will have. Right now, what I want to do is to get to a certain level. You see majority of those who have produced got to a certain level. Most of them didn’t want to go ahead with acting. It is not easy to get there and you could find out that it is not working and decide to go into producing. Once you are known and you go into producing, it open doors. Right now my main focus is to act.

How much does it take to maintain this look?

I don’t put in much. I don’t do much to myself, except from the exercises that I do. I try to rub a bit of cream on my body to look like every other person. There is nothing special that I do. Look at me, this is me. I don’t do heavy makeup, I just come out as simple as I can. Most time they see me makeup on set and look different. Everywhere I go, I look a bit different.

Why is it so easy for everyone to come to you to greet and hug you? As a star shouldn’t there be a limit?

You know there is something about personality. I don’t think being a star would take anything away from me. Naturally it is me as I am. My friend, I call her big sis, calls on me to sell things for her, and I am here to help. You see why all these stars do that. I don’t blame them, because people take advantage of your being down-to-earth and start misbehaving. We were at a meeting one day and somebody got up and said when you see these stars and you go to hug them, they snob you. I then asked why one should hug a star. You don’t know her. Because if you are coming to hug me and I don’t know you, I move away to look at the person. Some of them are not naturally pleasant, others are nice. I can’t see a star and go to hug them. It is not right in all sincerity. You can say hello, how are you? Hi, nice to meet you, but to hug someone is out of it. You have to get used to the person. People don’t like it. If you hug me, I hug you back.

So why are you not averse like your colleagues? Is it a strategy to gain more fans?

That is me. Sometimes you might not really be in a good mood and somebody comes up to hug you. Maybe later, if you are this kind of person and you are like oh God, I should have done that. You can go back to apologise. But it is very difficult for them to go back and say I am sorry. Do you know what it took for most of them to get there? It took them a lot. Most of them suffered in the hands of producers, directors. I advise the upcoming not to overstep their bounds. In one of my interviews, I said acting keeps me in check. You know we are all human, sometimes you just flare up when you have had it. For me, it does not happen all the time.

How long have you been in the industry?

I started in 2010, worked for six months, left because I had some challenges then and came back fully in 2011.

You have done quite well for yourself within a short period. How did you do it?

I don’t know, I guess it is just me, my personality. I think I am good at what I do and people that are my age in this industry. Nobody looks like me and nobody speaks like me. In all sincerity I don’t know and you can’t compare me to anybody in the industry, because I am different entirely. And I do jobs, good jobs. I don’t do waka pass.

When you are not acting, what other things do you do?

I am into modeling as well. But I am waiting for the big cure in the modeling industry. I buy and sell as well. I relax at home with my children and take care of some personal things. And you know our job is like a back-to-back thing. Once you are done, you want to rest.

You put so much time into your career, but how much time do you give to your children?

Well my children are not here, Just the small one who is in primary school. The other two are in Secondary School, boarding in Abuja. At least I still have time for them when they are back. They are not always with me. They are with their daddy in Abuja. So I am the only one here now.

How do you cope with his absence?

I still shuttle. As artistes, we have to make out time for ourselves. If not, nobody will give us that time. You have to make out that time to be able to take care of them. It is as simple as that. (Laughs) At least the children are proud of their mother.

GHANAIAN actress Juliet Ibrahim recently came under attack for daring to speak out on the cost of OJB’s kidney transplant. “I think it’s about time I speak up on this OJB topic that most of you ignorant people are using to harass and insult celebrities. First of all, every celebrity has his or her responsibilities and family to take care of…I know a kidney transplant will not cost more than 50k USD. Why are the requesting for 100k when they can get so many cheaper deals with hospital out there in India even in Ghana….?”

Not long after the sexy actress made used her instagramm to release statements telling OJB’s handler to seek for cheaper treatment and stop harassing celebrities for fund that her fans took to the social media to take her to the cleaners.

Following this reaction, a statement was immediately released by her media manager saying, her words were misunderstood. “I don’t mean for my tweets to be misconstrued and I won’t take OJB’s health problems with levity as many have misconstrued me…all I was trying to do was bring an idea of where we can get the transplant done since its utmost necessary we get it done soonest and funds ain’t coming in as much expected. I thought we could try a better and certified centre which isn’t as expensive as the current one in UK when there are several cheaper countries to perform the surgery…”

Barely a couple of days after, in a recent interview OJB was reported to have cleared the air on the cost needed and here’s what he was reported to have said. “The mistake she’s making is that it depends on the hospital you are going to in India. She says she runs a foundation; they might give her a rebate. The procedure itself is $55, 000. When you take out $55, 000, you are left with $45, 000. What about the running cost of the procedure? You don’t go to India only to come back and start asking for help again. At least, I need some money to maintain myself for the next one year. So when you factor in all these costs, add air tickets and lodging, you will appreciate what we are talking about.”

No sooner than this interview hit the internet that his fans took to social media to vent their disappointment. The producer came under serious criticism for asking for extra to look after himself for a year. This discovery has continued to generate mixed reactions from not just his fans but among even some of his colleagues.

LIGHT-SKINNED screen queen, Steph Nora Okere, has debunked any claim that she has been away from the public glare because she suffered a burnt face due to an alleged excessive use of lightening cream

She wrote on Facebook; “Please folks, kindly tell me what part of my face is burnt so I can see; I really get tired of people cooking up stuff just to create news and sell their papers.”

Steph Nora used to be one of the regular faces in Nollywood until lately. No doubt the actress has been missing in the movie scene.

AS the 10th edition of Nigeria’s local content reality TV show, the Gulder Ultimate Search, kicks off, viewers have been saddled with the very first task of choosing this year’s Gatekeepers.

In line with last year’s edition, the Gatekeepers for Gulder Ultimate Search 10 will be chosen by viewers from the past winners of the reality TV show. Dominic Mudabai, Michael Nwachukwu and Christopher Okagbue, winners of the fourth, fifth and eighth seasons respectively, emerged as the viewers’ choice last year.

According to the organisers, any of them is legible to return as a Gatekeeper if the viewers so desire.

While two Gatekeepers will return for this year’s edition, it remains unsure what roles they will be playing. Last year, the Gatekeepers’ sudden appearance at tasks meant the eviction of a contestant; and they also played the role of leading the contestants to advanced stages as the show progressed.

Emmanuel Agu, Marketing Manager Gulder, Nigerian Breweries Plc., said: “This year will mark the 10th edition of Gulder Ultimate Search, Nigeria’s longest running reality TV show. Each edition of Gulder Ultimate Search adopts a unique theme and storyline, which serves as the roadmap for the contestants’ challenges. Just like last year, we are asking the audience to choose two past winners who will play the role of Gatekeepers. One of the hallmarks of Gulder Ultimate Search is suspense. All I can say for now is that the 10th edition will be iconic.”

The list of past winners which the voting public can also vote from includes: Ezeugo Egwuagu (GUS 1 winner), Lucan Chambliss (GUS 2 winner), Hector Jobarteh (GUS 3 winner), Uche Nwaezeapu (GUS 6 winner), Oyekunle Oluwaremi (GUS 7 winner) and the reigning champion, Paschal Eronmose (GUS 9 winner).

EME cash cow, Ayo Balogun aka Wizkid has in recent times been hit with continuous impersonation by fraudsters who have swindled unsuspecting fans. It is also believed that students of the University of Lagos are the latest to fall prey of the marauding fraudster which subsequently led to Wizkid’s invitation, two weeks ago by the Police to explain why he allegedly collected N500, 000 from the students and then fail to appear at their show. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police seems to have swung into action as the said impostor simply known as ‘Origin’ is said to be in Police custody.  The worried artiste spoke about his recent travails, his forthcoming sophomore album among other things in this interview with AHMED BOULOR.

I COULD you throw more light on the issue of the several fake accounts set up with your name by unscrupulous persons on social media?

This I think is an opportunity to inform people out there matters on the matters that have been arising in recent times; for a while now, we’ve been having cases of people reporting that they’ve been dealing with a fake Wizkid or chatting with a fake Wizkid manager on social media. People even go as far as opening fake accounts with my name and collecting money from unsuspecting people. I just want people to know out there that there is a process of getting me booked and that is through the normal procedure. That procedure is either going through EME which is my label or talking with my manager Godwin Tom. If anyone does not go through either of these processes then you are surely dealing with the wrong person. I don’t discuss fees with anybody; I let my manager handle that part for me because nobody talks directly with me when it pertains to business.

What about the case of Unilag students who allegedly said they paid you for a show and you did not show up?

They (Unilag students) called us up and told us they’ve been chatting with my supposed representatives for a show which they had paid for and I didn’t show up. I can’t really give you the full details of what transpired between my camp and representatives of Unilag because I was recently invited over by the police to state our own side of the story and like I said earlier, I would not be able to tell you more about that because the whole issue is under investigation. But with the details that have been revealed thus far actually shows that students of Unilag were dealing with the wrong person all along.

Beyond letting the public know about your innocence on this issue, what have you done to ensure situations like this does not rear its ugly head again?

I have tried as much as possible to inform people about the activities of these unscrupulous persons on social media; I have also done what I have to do to inform the press also about such activities so people are careful about who they deal with concerning booking for my services.

What really is the procedure of getting you booked for show?

There are contacts and proper emails set aside for that purpose; it is either you contact my manager Godwin Tom or you get in touch with EME directly. You are required to send your request via email or you call dedicated phone numbers. The booking office will then contact you via email with a booking questionnaire and the questionnaire requires you provide information about your event.

Where they able to provide any proof of payment or correspondence?

They weren’t able to provide any of that; we have no worries and we are allowing the police to do their jobs because we know that we were not the ones contacted in the first place by the students. What we are concerned about is that prospective bookers may be swindled if they do not go through the right procedure of getting me for shows and concerts.

Is it true that a fee of N500, 000 was quoted as being paid to get you to perform at the said show?

Yes that is true… And immediately I got that, I swiftly went on twitter to deny that fact and I also set the records straight by providing the right contacts on my handle for people to take note. Let’s be realistic; everybody saw me grow in the industry and when I did my hit song Holla At Your Boy I was collecting above N500, 000 for a show. It is really damaging for my reputation to be dealing with such issues and I hope things are sorted out soonest.

How much do you charge for shows?

(General laughter) From 5 to 6 million naira; if you have your money to book we are very welcome to do business with you.

What’s your relationship with EME at the moment?

We are doing well; we’ve been having meetings and going back and forth with plans for the future to ensure EME turns out as one of the best labels out of Africa in time soon to come. Everyone is in the studio; Banky W recently shot a couple of videos. Everyone is working to ensure we keep up with usual pace and expectations.

But the impression out there is that you are on your own especially with the recent establishment of Starboi Records?

I have said it before that before that I am still a part of EME; my latest single with Femi Kuti titled Jaiye Jaiye was released on the EME stable. Starboi is my record label and I have a couple of producers signed onto Starboi. We are expanding the business; when I started out with Banky W, the dream was to expand the business in order to help more people in order for them to have the platform to showcase their talents. It can’t just happen through on person; you have to branch out. The industry is very big and there are millions of talented Nigerian’s out there waiting for their time to shine. As little a Starboi started out, the brand is growing and we are excited about the future.

You recently tweeted you track list which features Banky W, Olamide, Don Jazzy, Femi Kuti, Seyi Shey and Ghana’s Efya…

My sophomore album is ready and we are just putting final touches to the album right now and the collection is at the mixing and mastering stage. Plans to get out the album are underway and we are having a listening party pretty soon. Details of all that will be announced very soon; I am confident about the songs on the album and I hope it has much more impact than my debut album.

Let’s talk about your endorsements with Pepsi and MTN…

It has been exciting thus far and both roles are self explanatory. I am a brand ambassador to Pepsi and I am supposed to add value and move the brand forward. I have done that for a year and they have renewed my contract and that means business has been moving on smoothly. I would like to use this opportunity to thank both Pepsi and MTN for doing business with me.

How has your recent collaboration with Maleek Berry impacted on your music?

I have known Maleek for a year and a couple of months now and from the first time we met we decided we were going to work together. We took our time to ensure we get the best out of our union by properly executing our plans. This is why I talked about branching out earlier. It is about giving people the platform to COULD you throw more light on the issue of the several fake accounts set up with your name by unscrupulous persons on social media?

This I think is an opportunity to inform people out there matters on the matters that have been arising in recent times; for a while now, we’ve been having cases of people reporting that they’ve been dealing with a fake Wizkid or chatting with a fake Wizkid manager on social media. People even go as far as opening fake accounts with my name and collecting money from unsuspecting people. I just want people to know out there that there is a process of getting me booked and that is through the normal procedure. That procedure is either going through EME which is my label or talking with my manager Godwin Tom. If anyone does not go through either of these processes then you are surely dealing with the wrong person. I don’t discuss fees with anybody; I let my manager handle that part for me because nobody talks directly with me when it pertains to business.

What about the case of Unilag students who allegedly said they paid you for a show and you did not show up?

They (Unilag students) called us up and told us they’ve been chatting with my supposed representatives for a show which they had paid for and I didn’t show up. I can’t really give you the full details of what transpired between my camp and representatives of Unilag because I was recently invited over by the police to state our own side of the story and like I said earlier, I would not be able to tell you more about that because the whole issue is under investigation. But with the details that have been revealed thus far actually shows that students of Unilag were dealing with the wrong person all along.

Beyond letting the public know about your innocence on this issue, what have you done to ensure situations like this does not rear its ugly head again?

I have tried as much as possible to inform people about the activities of these unscrupulous persons on social media; I have also done what I have to do to inform the press also about such activities so people are careful about who they deal with concerning booking for my services.

What really is the procedure of getting you booked for show?

There are contacts and proper emails set aside for that purpose; it is either you contact my manager Godwin Tom or you get in touch with EME directly. You are required to send your request via email or you call dedicated phone numbers. The booking office will then contact you via email with a booking questionnaire and the questionnaire requires you provide information about your event.

Where they able to provide any proof of payment or correspondence?

They weren’t able to provide any of that; we have no worries and we are allowing the police to do their jobs because we know that we were not the ones contacted in the first place by the students. What we are concerned about is that prospective bookers may be swindled if they do not go through the right procedure of getting me for shows and concerts.

Is it true that a fee of N500, 000 was quoted as being paid to get you to perform at the said show?

Yes that is true… And immediately I got that, I swiftly went on twitter to deny that fact and I also set the records straight by providing the right contacts on my handle for people to take note. Let’s be realistic; everybody saw me grow in the industry and when I did my hit song Holla At Your Boy I was collecting above N500, 000 for a show. It is really damaging for my reputation to be dealing with such issues and I hope things are sorted out soonest.

How much do you charge for shows?

(General laughter) From 5 to 6 million naira; if you have your money to book we are very welcome to do business with you.

What’s your relationship with EME at the moment?

We are doing well; we’ve been having meetings and going back and forth with plans for the future to ensure EME turns out as one of the best labels out of Africa in time soon to come. Everyone is in the studio; Banky W recently shot a couple of videos. Everyone is working to ensure we keep up with usual pace and expectations.

But the impression out there is that you are on your own especially with the recent establishment of Starboi Records?

I have said it before that before that I am still a part of EME; my latest single with Femi Kuti titled Jaiye Jaiye was released on the EME stable. Starboi is my record label and I have a couple of producers signed onto Starboi. We are expanding the business; when I started out with Banky W, the dream was to expand the business in order to help more people in order for them to have the platform to showcase their talents. It can’t just happen through on person; you have to branch out. The industry is very big and there are millions of talented Nigerian’s out there waiting for their time to shine. As little a Starboi started out, the brand is growing and we are excited about the future.

You recently tweeted you track list which features Banky W, Olamide, Don Jazzy, Femi Kuti, Seyi Shey and Ghana’s Efya…

My sophomore album is ready and we are just putting final touches to the album right now and the collection is at the mixing and mastering stage. Plans to get out the album are underway and we are having a listening party pretty soon. Details of all that will be announced very soon; I am confident about the songs on the album and I hope it has much more impact than my debut album.

Let’s talk about your endorsements with Pepsi and MTN…

It has been exciting thus far and both roles are self explanatory. I am a brand ambassador to Pepsi and I am supposed to add value and move the brand forward. I have done that for a year and they have renewed my contract and that means business has been moving on smoothly. I would like to use this opportunity to thank both Pepsi and MTN for doing business with me.

How has your recent collaboration with Maleek Berry impacted on your music?

I have known Maleek for a year and a couple of months now and from the first time we met we decided we were going to work together. We took our time to ensure we get the best out of our union by properly executing our plans. This is why I talked about branching out earlier. It is about giving people the platform to express their talents.

Has Maleek’s input redefined your songs?

Yes it has! Same with other producers I have worked with; Maleek wasn’t initially producing Afrobeat songs before coming to Nigeria. He was only producing songs for UK acts before he came to Nigeria. We have learnt a lot working with each other and we are still learning and experimenting.

We heard you replaced your damaged Porsche with a new one…

That’s true… Thank God for His blessings and the ability to do that.

You seem to have a penchant for flashy cars?

I don’t think so; a lot of people in Lagos drive more flashy cars than I do. Even in the entertainment industry. It is not really my style to be flashy with cars but people think I am flashy. I just want something comfortable that I can move around with.

But your fans where worried when they got news about your recent auto accident?

I really would not like to digress into that experience because it is like a lesson and a stepping stone in life. People go through such experiences every now and then; when I had that accident, it was the second time it happened to me and it serves as a reality check. I am thankful anyway because it could have been worse but glory to God.

What has it been like for you from the days when you dropped your first single to this point of your flourishing career?

It has been massive because I have learnt so much and I have worked with so many people who are legends in their own ways. It has been mind blowing and for me it is still a learning process as I am still trying to get there.

Your collaboration with Femi Kuti came as a big surprise to many; how were you able to secure it?

The song Jaiye Jaiye shows that I am concerned about variety; most people are of the opinion that my songs are all about girls, cars and flashy lifestyle. But it all goes beyond that for me, most of my songs are about true life experiences and when I did Jaiye Jaiye with Femi Kuti, I really wanted to pass on a message to the youths out there who aspire to live a good life and aspire to be like me or do what I do. It is never easy; life is a process and I have still not done anything yet despite the fact that people think I have done so much. That collaboration with Femi Kuti was meant to bridge the gap between the old and the young. Big shout out to Uncle Femi Kuti because I called him a day the song was waxed and he obliged me. I can’t say thank you enough to him.

What should fans expect from your sophomore album?

Fans should expect magic! We have put in a lot of work into the album and we just hope that everyone likes it when it finally drops. I have been in the studio for months and I just can’t wait to let my yearning fans hear the songs on my second album.

Has stardom deprived you of anything?

I see everything as a blessing; if I say I cannot do some certain things which is actually true but expected it. This is what I have been working for; that is why I sometimes spend sleepless nights in the studio. I am not going to act naïve; I need to stay focused and for me it is all about focusing on the main goal. I don’t think I am close to the top; I am still working to get there.

WITH the contestants are divided among the three judges, Onyeka Onwenu, MI and Reggie Rockstone, the battle to out-do each other to ensure that the candidates they are mentoring do not only go far in the competition but also end up winning the ultimate prize is rife. By that, the battle for Globacom’s N24 million prize money for the winner of X Factor assumes an interesting dimension.

It is their duty to mentor the singers assigned to them and help prepare them for the live performances and progress in the contest. The contestants are grouped into the “Under 23”, “Over 23” and “Group singers”.

“This is war. I need the best army to go to this war. People say I am cocky, I’m over-confident or whatever. So I’m gonna stay that way. But tell you something, I don’t know what category or who I am mentoring. But everything I touch, midas, gold. I am winning this competition,” he boasted in his American accent,” says Rockstone, father of hiplife music in Ghana.

MI fires his salvo. “For me, this is do-or-die. It is MI’s time now. And that difference is going to show. I am not looking for great. I am not looking for average or ok, I am looking for someone with the ‘X’ and he is going to come from my camp,” he said.

The Elegant Stallion is not to be outdone either. “I am ready. I do not take risks. I know about entertainment. Period. I can work with any of the groups but I think the real challenge for me will be to work with the ‘Under 23’ and that is what I will like to do”, Onyeka stated, promising to work hard to ensure that her group produces the winner of Glo X Factor.