Rising through the ranks, Cross River State born Belinda Effah came into the movie scene after her enchanting performances in several television series. In this chat with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUKANMI, the graduate of Genetics and Bio-Technology from the University of Calabar talks about her journey into the make-believe world, work experience with A-list actors and other issues.
AS a graduate of Genetics and Bio-Technology, how did you end up in the arts?
What I studied has nothing to do with acting though for me it is passion. I have always had the passion for acting from time immemorial. In Calabar, there aren’t enough platforms for actors because Lagos is more the place. They only do bits of shootings in some parts of Asaba, Onitsha and the other towns. Calabar was not part of it. I had the passion, but then how to showcase it was the issue. When the opportunity came forth, I decided to use it. Before the opportunity came, I had to do something with my life; I had to get an education to please my parents because they wanted me educated. I am happy that I went to school and got out with good grades. But what I studied has nothing to do with acting
How did the opportunity come?
While still in school, I decide to come visit my sister in Lagos. I went to the salon to make my hair on that particular day and met an agent who came to the same salon to make hair for some ladies who were suppose to model for a particular product. He saw me and introduced himself and his job to me and asked me if I want to be a part of it. That was how the opportunity came. I didn’t even think about it. They fixed my hair immediately and took me for a photo session. I was at Ikeja and the studio was somewhere in Surulere. We worked deep into the night and my sister got worried. Eventually we finished and the man took me home to explain to my sister. She refused because I was supposed to go back the next day for another photo session. I had to plead and talk to her, before she allowed me and said I had to come back at a certain time. For me that was an opening.
How did you handle that with school?
Each time we are on break I come to Lagos, to do that and try to indulge in one or two things. While in Lagos I saw this advert on air for a TV series and they wanted a fresh cast, so I got the form, went for the audition and got picked. That was how the opportunities kept coming. Though it was not easy, I did not just fold my hands for the opportunity to fall on my laps. While on break, I would come to Lagos, walking the streets to look for opportunities. At school a friend of mine, told me about The Next Movie Star reality show. I was in my final year then. I called and I was told that I had to come to pick up the form. I did and I was told the audition was taking place in Port-Harcourt. I went for it and scaled through. This is the little girl from Calabar, but I made it into the house and made it to the end, that was in 2006.
Did that open doors for you?
I thought the doors were just going to open just like that. I had just finished the Next Movie Star, but the industry told me “shut up”. It is not easy like that; you have to come pay your dues. I had to continue my struggle and search; the doors were just not opening. I was just doing more of soaps and for me I wanted to be an accomplished actor. I needed money, I had bills to pay and the money wasn’t coming, so I decided to take up a job, and was just passive in the industry for two years. I left in 2008-2009 and came back 2011. Along the line, one producer sent me a message on Facebook, because I post pictures of the works that I have done, to say that they were casting for a particular Soap asking if I would like to be a part of it. He left a number so I thought to myself that he cannot kill me through my phone. So I called him and he asked if I could come to Egbeda for audition. I then called up a friend and ask him to accompany me so that he can save me if they wanted to kill me. We found out it was legitimate. I did the audition and eventually got the role. That was how I ended up playing the lead of that soap Tales of Eve, which has given me a lot of rave reviews and exposure too.
Is it that you didn’t find your job fulfilling?
I was good at what I was doing. When I put in my resignation letter, my boss refused to sign it but I was just tired of going to work in the morning and coming back in the evening. It was the same routine over and over again. My boss said I could work part-time but I had to make him understand that acting is either you are fully into it or you are not.
What are the names of the moves you have featured in?
In 2011, I featured in Avina and Encore. I have also featured in Ude me mi and Kokoma, both Royal Art Academy productions. Kokoma has been nominated for several awards. I went to Houston to receive an award for Best New Actress. There are others movies which I have featured in but do not know what they are titled. I also played the lead role in Brother’s Keeper, Casket and Mama Africa. Presently I just finished Wide Awak. It is also a Royal Art Academy Production. I have done about 20 productions out of which I played the lead role in 15. I really had the vision and I stayed tuned to my vision and made sure that I pursued it.
Was there a time you felt tempted to give up the struggle?
I hate to be in an industry where I have nothing to offer and just be struggling, knowing that I cannot cope and nothing is forthcoming. Eventually, people would know that you are no good. I notice I was good at acting and I was ready to do everything to position myself as one of the best actresses. I kept pursuing my dream, even when the opportunity was not given to me. When the door started opening, people could see that this girl had something to offer. I didn’t have to go for the open audition for most of the jobs I did. I just got calls to go for the closed auditions because they had seen what I had done. So for people who go begging, their time would come when people would be begging them with scripts. My story cannot be complete if I don’t mention the Royal Art Academy; they have given me a huge platform. If I am recognised today, it is because of them. The very first movie I did with them was Ude me mi, an Emem Isong movie, and she just gave me a lead. And people were like are you serious? She didn’t know me from nowhere. Someone just refer me to her and she said I should just come and she gave me her lead role. And subsequently she has been given me substantial roles and I had to register with her school. There I got some training. And they give preference to their students. So for me I would like to give credit to aunty Emem Isong and aunty Uduak Isong Ogunanam Those two women have given a good platform, that thank you is not enough.
Do you work for Royal Art Academy alone?
I have only done three movies with them. I work with other production outfits. I work with just about anybody. If you have a job for me and I like the script, I will come work with you. What I am saying is the Royal Art Academy encourages their own. They give preference to their own. In the movie we just finished, Wide Awake, they used me with a couple of students.
What was it like working with A-List actors?
It gives me goose pimples. I have work with Majid Michel in Java’s House. He played the male lead while I played the female lead. It was a huge experience for me because he is one of the intense actors I know. I had to bring my ace game; I had to bring in all my training that I had gotten in this life to make sure that I was not subdued. And Majid is an actor that gives, so he was able to help me. Working with him was a revelation.
What steps are you taking to ensure that your career stays scandal free?
To me, scandal is relative. What you see as scandal might not be to me. I am a very free thinker and believe in live-and-let-live. I live my life to please myself. I put other people into consideration too, because I love helping people. I am in this world to serve people. I want to please myself as well as try to please others in the little way I can. If I do something to upset you, I expect you to come to me and tell me. People are always looking for something to talk about so if they want to talk, they can go ahead.
Do you still model?
I do modeling when I have the time. I did one recently, with a new hair braid Lolia. I am representing them.
Do you still live with your sister?
(Laughs) That is private. I will be giving out too much. I live in Lagos that is all.
What is your favourite wear?
I love short skirts, because I have got good legs.
Are there plans on the way to settle down?
It is every ladies dream to get married someday. So if you are the right guy and you are out there, make yourself known (laughs).
