Category: Entertainment

For sensational Ghanaian actress, Leonora Okine, the journey to the make-believe world did not just start yesterday. Bumping into a movie director who introduced her into acting, the actress says that she has never looked back. She recently found her way into the set of Tinsel, M-net Africa’s first-ever Nigerian soap-opera. Shot on locations in Lagos, beautiful Leo, as she is popularly known, plays Angela Dede on the programme, replacing Mathilda Obaseki. She speaks with Ovwe Medeme on the challenges of the profession, her role on Tinsel and a host of other issues bordering around family and career.

WHEN did it first hit you that you would be an actress?

In truth, I always wanted to be a neurosurgeon but then I changed my mind because I felt the journey was going to be too long. Also, I am quite certain God had His own plans for making me lose interest. If you can’t enjoy the journey, then it’s not for you. I went to Sparrow Productions to discuss the public’s involvement in selecting Miss Ghana via SMS and voice calls. That was when Shirley Frimpong hinted that I could play a part in Different Shades of Blue, her first TV series she was about to film. I decided to get her girls instead, but that didn’t pan out. I was worried I wouldn’t be taken seriously if I combined work with acting as I was bent on becoming successful in the mobile content provision industry. She still auditioned me and cast me for the part in 2006 which I accepted. So yeah, I’m grateful for that.

After that, was it easy getting other roles?

After that, I went back to concentrating on my career in the content provision. I also went back to school just basically not feeling ready to take acting seriously. Sometime in late 2009, while in school, I got called to play Stephanie in Desperation. I accepted it because I felt I could combine school and work. I was able to manage that somehow. After the first season, I did Enemy of My Soul. In 2009, I played Tamara in Secrets. It was fun. Then in 2010 came Insurgents and Beautiful Monster. At this point I began to wonder if acting shouldn’t be a road to take. Finally, I decided in 2011 that I will take acting seriously so I felt ready to go through the whole nine yards; auditions and all. I’m actually glad I took my time to come to a decision to willingly entertain TV and film lovers for as long as I can.

How did you land the Tinsel role?

I never expected to be on Tinsel because I had auditioned for a different role last year in Lagos. Interestingly, I was called for audition a few months ago, and that was it.

You play Angela Dede in Tinsel. How has the role worked out for you?

It has been fun. Angela is a 30-year-old movie executive who feels she is misunderstood. She’s an intelligent, distrustful, self reliant and unforgiving girl who has abandonment issues. She has been diagnosed with a psycho-neurosis which requires her to be on constant medication she doesn’t like. She has brief periods of insanity at which point irrational thoughts seem very rational to her. All normal traits become heightened. So she becomes sensitive, defensive and paranoid when she’s having an episode or is not taking her drugs. It is challenging and interesting and I am doing it well.

What was your first day on the set of Tinsel like?

It was more comfortable than I expected it to be. Everyone was so nice and encouraging. It wasn’t intimidating at all. The team is amazing!

Did you have issues fitting into the role someone had played for five years?

Playing Angela is like playing any other part. All I need to do is to tell the story how I understand it and to the best of my ability. We are from very different backgrounds so our interpretation might be similar but not the same. She told it the way she could with guidance of the directors. I’m telling it best as I can with the help of the same directors. We cannot be the same in every instance.

Would you say this character you took in Tinsel will be your biggest challenge as an actress?

Every character I get to play is a challenge. This is yet another story I have to tell. Replacing someone isn’t a challenge. Fans’ expectations might be considered a challenge but I don’t believe they expect me to be same as a previous player. I’ll do what the script requires. The directors will do their best to help me bring the character to life. If they like the delivery, they will use it.

So far, what would you regard as the biggest obstacle to your career?

I thank God that so far, there has been none. Everything is falling into place as God has planned it.

What’s your most cherished romantic moment?

Most cherished romantic moment has to be with my husband, and that hasn’t happened yet.

Which do you prefer, to love or be loved?

For me, I think it is better to love. When you love, you give of yourself, and when you give enough of yourself, all things being equal, you get a whole lot more of the love back.

Have you ever been heartbroken?

Yes, I have, but I think it’s just once.

How do you mend a broken heart?

Healing a broken heart over lost friendship, disappointment, loss of a job or contract, death, betrayal and so on, depends on the individual and their emotional and mental strengths. I don’t think there’s one specific scientific, full-proof, tried-and-tested healing process for that.

Who have you loved more than anyone else in your life?

Mmmm, I don’t think I’ve gotten there yet. I understand that happens once you have a child, so I’m looking forward to experiencing that unconditional love.

How do you like to celebrate your victories?

I have discovered that I’m most happy when I’m with my siblings. I love hanging out and talking about nothing important. I’m also very happy when I’m filming. It’s has been amazing.

In one sentence, who is Loenora?

Leonora is a happy to be with. She is open-minded and feels everyone has a reason for doing what they do. I tend not to judge people. I provide mobile content solutions as a consultant in addition to acting. I’m Presbyterian. I studied Operations and Project Management in school.

What would you have become if you had not been acting?

Maybe I would own and run a lifestyle arena.

So far, how many movies have you featured?

I have featured in four movies, five serials and one soap opera. All of them have made great impact in my life. Among them are Different Shades of Blue, Enemy Of My Soul, Insurgents, Beautiful Monster, Blood & Chocolate, Secrets, Desperation seasons 1 and 2, Echoes, as well as Peep.

Most of your colleagues from Ghana are crossing over to Nigeria and vice-versa. For you, where would you prefer to operate?

I love both sides.

Is Tinsel your first production in Nigeria?

No, it’s not. It is actually my second. The first was Echoes.

Tell us about your background

I’m Leonora Okine. I attended Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, GIMPA. Although I have different certificates in so many fields, I would prefer to leave it at my Operations and Project Management for now. I have five brothers and two sisters. I’m the fourth of eight children. I read science at St. Mary’s Secondary School, then did a bit of Biological Science at the University of Ghana, Legon. That was before going into Operations and Project Management at GIMPA.

When was a time when you felt honoured?

It’s quite personal so I can’t be very detailed, but it was when one of my brothers told his girlfriend what he thought of a few things I was doing at the time. It felt real good to be viewed in what I call such a ‘honourable light’.

What’s one accomplishment that gives you great satisfaction?

Maintaining a good relationship with my family. I’ve realised it isn’t same with a lot of people. I’m extremely grateful for that.

WITH amazing surround hospitality, the journey for the MTV Europe Music Awards began at Frankfurt, Europe’s second-largest airport. It was still dusky at dawn last Saturday morning and my hosts had been awake for me for an onwards journey to Radisson Blu, some 12km/10min drive from the airport. It was my first real stay in Frankfurt, a city known as home to a vivacious music scene 365 days in a year. My stint before now had been on transit to Berlin, for the annual Berlinale, and also in keeping fate with my choice of the German Airline, Lufthansa and its Miles and More offering, Frankfurt happens to be a stop enroute Paris and Nice for the annual Cannes International Film Festival.

Later that evening of Saturday November 10, 2012 prevent activities began with a press briefing at the City Hall in Romerberg. Journalists from all around the world were there to confirm the celebrities that were present for the event. They had asked about the new things in the offing for their fans, while seeking to also know the fast take of the visiting acts on the hosting city of Frankfurt.

Soon, the mood for Monster Cocktail Reception set in. Venue was Gekko’s Bar, Hochstrasse, and the Disc Jockey brought down the roof. This was followed at 9:30pm by MTV Dinner at Frankfurter Botschaft, Westhafenplatz and a Night Clubbing at APT Apartment, Hanauer Landstrasse, which I turned down. It was meant to be a holiday, and the fun was getting laborious.

Thanks, boss of EVOM World for your mail: “Beloved Brother, I just finished reading your piece in today’s ‘The Nation’. Do have a refreshing holiday. Please remember to go to church on Sunday. Enjoy more grace. Shalom! Mike Agboola.”

The receptionist didn’t have an idea of the nearest church. She brought out a map, the journey by taxi could be killing – and by train, a complicated chain of connections. Above all, the name of the church, which I still find very difficult to spell or pronounce, remains funny. It would just be wrong to attend some sort of cult’s meeting in the name of a church. I searched the various TV channels for some gospel programmes. This couldn’t be the case in Nigeria. It would just be okay for me to be in the spirit. I did.

Now back to the MTV EMA business, I wish to say that I may have been thrilled by the presence of the world’s top stars like Heidi Klum, Ludacris, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift, Carly Rae Jepsen et al, I was stunned by the near-perfect organisation of the show, such that I had to ask how all that was achievable. You will find in The Nation’s tomorrow edition, this same line that describes the ambiance of what could be said to be the mother of all shows.

“Elegant set stages, a fiesta of laser lights on display and a flurry of entertainment stars who took turns to perform, added to the craze of the eager crowd. The side attractions were jaw-dropping spectacles, as aerialists, pyrotechnics, choreographers added to the thrills. The entire Europe stood still as thousands connected to the biggest music award which was broadcast live on MTV channels around the world…The night gathered momentum as rains of pseudo embers fell on the performing artistes. With a backdrop of restless digital lights, excitement grew for the cheering crowd, as they danced and sang along with the monster acts during their performances.”

Now check out some fascinating facts about the 2012 MTV EMA: Set was designed by celebrated German stage and set designer Florian Wieder, who previously worked on the MTV EMA in Berlin, Munich and Liverpool. The show had elements of a circus theme that scored it as a “magical, visual feast.” The 2012 MTV EMA featured more fire, water and lasers than ever before. Nearly 10,000 kilometres of cable was laid down; 1,200 flight case boxes were used to transport equipment such as lights, cameras and tripods; 18 HD cameras were used to shoot the show; 40 TV screens helped the crews backstage to keep an eye on the action.

Backstage, performers and presenters had the opportunity of being polished to perfection at the EMA SPA an exclusive backstage beauty and relaxation facility.

Monster partnered with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation to set up a backstage DNA Headphones Customization Booth. Talent will be invited in to have a pair of DNA headphones custom-created to their style. Additional pairs autographed by Talent were auctioned off to raise funds for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation. Furniture and accessories for the dressing rooms were provided by Lovely Things, whilst additional quirky furnishings for an artist lounge area was supplied by Table Art. One of the most popular snacks in the dressing room area was Seed & Bean organic chocolate (with more than 300 bars ordered, each wrapped in a eucalyptus infused leaf wrapper).

The crew had 3,000sgm of carpet, 2,000m of panelling, 350 trestle tables, 500 towels and 400m of extension leads (power strips) and 150 bottles of boutique champagne provided by Goût de Diamants.

Top sponsors including Microsoft provided all performers and presenters with new Windows 8 devices, including The Dell XPSTM 12 Ultrabook – a PC which converts into a tablet with a simple flip of the screen, so that they can work and play wherever and whenever they want.

EMA performers, presenters and crew enjoyed delicacies from specialist showbiz location Eat Your Hearts Out using locally sourced ingredients. The team had ordered in four tons of ice, along with countless pounds of potatoes, butter, cream and sugar. Somewhere between 35,000 to 38,000 meals were cooked during the weeklong build up to the show. To keep everyone hydrated, the team had ordered in 30,000 bottles of VIO water, 20,000 Cokes, 20,000 bottles of Warsteiner beer, 16,000 bottles of Smirnoff vodka, 10,000 bottles of Jack Daniels, 10,000 bottles of Bacardi, 5,000 bottles of Southern Comfort, 3,500 limes; and 120 bar staff to serve it all!

Dancers were provided by EMA veteran Aicha McKenzie and choreographed by Nathan Clarke, who recently worked as the Associate Director for the closing ceremony of both the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Assisting Nathan and Aicha was acclaimed dancer turned choreographer and the winner of ‘So You Think You Can Dance Germany 2011’ Dennis Jauch, who not only choreographed the dance troop, but was also part of the EMA performance on show night.

MTV booked over 7,500 hotel room nights in Frankfurt to cater for the thousands of people associated with the show. Moving all the crew and guests around took 100 limos, 2,000 airport transfers and 200 coach transfers.

Hmmmmmmm…. The list is endless. Let’s open a talk on our shows, music and movie awards, as well as film festivals in subsequent editions of STANDBY.

Still in holiday mood, next call is Johannesburg tonight as the 9th Annual Channel O Music Video Awards goes down with Nigerian superstar Ice Prince and South Africa’s ‘it girl’ Bonang already named as hosts… God willing, a post-familiarisation trip to Cape Town will follow.