Less than a year in the movie industry, socialite-turned-Nollywood actress Lisa Henry Omorodion has already taken her chance as a producer. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the big, bold and beautiful actress and First Cut producer speaks up on her foray into the world of make believe and what it was like, working with Chico Ejiro, the director of the movie and opens up on her wealthy family background, relationship and passion for acting
You recently celebrated your weight loss on the internet but seeing you seated here, nothing seems to have changed about your looks. What happened?
Well, I travelled and I ate. Food is very sweet but I’m working on it again.
Does your weight affect your acting career in anyway?
It doesn’t limit me as an actress. Yes, there is a role that I might be required to play and that I will need to lose weight. But for now, I have been working like this and it’s not been a problem. Right now, I’m wearing something very big, so I look big, right?
But personally, do you feel proud being a plus size?
It’s not a problem but I will want to lose weight. I’ve always wanted to lose weight. Being a plus size is not a problem because I can carry myself. I’m beautiful, so it’s not a problem for me but health wise, I would need to cut down on my weight.
Despite your short foray into acting your name already rings a bell. Why did it take you this long to realise you wanted to act?
I’ve always wanted to act. First, my parents wanted me to do something professional. So I read Economics at the University of Lagos. It was after my degree that I was given the freedom to go ahead and do whatever I wanted to do. So now, I’m going to do my masters at the New York Film Academy. I’m going for production, filmmaking to enable me have more experience in movie making.
You come from an affluent family. Will your background stop you from taking certain roles?
No way. I want to start from the grassroots, meaning that I can play a market woman, village girl. Whatever the role may be, I will deliver. Give it to me and I will kill it. I don’t want people to see me as that girl from a wealthy home. I want to be like everyone else. I want people to see me for my talent, what I can bring to the table acting-wise.
What is your take on romantic roles that will involve you exposing your body?
Expose my body, no. I’m from a responsible family. And my family would not want to see my legs on screen. I can kiss but that’s how far I can go. I can’t do the bum-diggiddy on set. I have to keep that restriction because of my family name and the respect I have for my parents.
You have also debuted as producer in no time. Don’t you think it’s rather too early? And who are your mentors?
I wanted to come up big and I wanted to do a movie that can showcase my talent, a movie that shows different sides of me. So, seeing me in that light, you will know this one has talent but when you are doing little ones here and there, although I appreciate them, but people won’t really see you. They won’t appreciate what you can bring to the table.
So I wanted to do something that I was going to be the main character so you can really see for a long time and see what I can do. Talking about my mentor production- wise, I have Chico Ejiro as a mentor, Obi Emelonye, Elvis Chucks. These people have taught me what I know today. I’ve been with these people, related with them and they’ve encouraged me. They’ve given me the backing that I need. I think with those people I have no problem. They see that I’m determined and I’m on the right track, that’s why they encourage me so much. I have the guts to do whatever I am doing today because I have these people behind me.
There is a saying that if you don’t start something, you will never start. When you can go up there why do you have to start from the bottom? When you can easily just go up there and then work your way through bit and pieces, why not? That’s the way I see life. If you can do one production and then learn your mistakes from there why don’t you just do it? And I’ve learnt a lot from the job. There couldn’t be a better way to learn than being there and doing it myself. And now that I have that experience, I’m going to do my masters at New York Film Academy.
Despite the backing of these producers you’ve mentioned. What were the fears you had to deal with?
Of course, I had the fear of,’will people like my movie? Will people appreciate me? Will people respect my views? Will people see me as I am and not that rich girl?’ So I had fears. I had doubts. I had insecurities but today I can stand and tell you all those insecurities have gone. The kind of confidence I have now has been built over time. What I have heard, what I’ve been through, what I’ve learnt, has contributed to the person I am today. And I can stand and tell you that I am confident. I know where I am going and I’m going to get there.
Your movie is going to be hitting the cinema in a few days, do you have butterflies?
There are two sides to it, some people will like it. Some people will hate it. It’s life. Not everyone will like me. Not everyone will like my film. They will criticize, but as time goes on I will get better. Your first production will not be the best. The next one will be better and the next after it will be better and it keeps going. This is my best shot as at last year. I watched the movie and I have seen the things I could have done differently but I’m proud of what I did. I’m proud of bringing it out and want people to watch it. I want people to watch me. I know they will love it.
Acting is just something you started not too long. Does your position as a director in an oil firm sometimes intimidate producers and directors to the point that it affects the way they relate with you or the kind of role that you get?
I try as much as possible to hide my identity. When I go out, I use Lisa Henry so you don’t have to google Lisa Henry Omorodion and see it there. But I’m a small girl in this industry; I am telling all the veterans out there I’m here to work with you, not to take over. I’m here to learn from you and to work under you.
Even if I do my own production, I don’t expect anyone to be intimidated by me because I’m young. I know that it can be intimidating to some people considering where I am coming from but I don’t expect that because I’m telling them right now, I dey hail o. I’m humble and I’m looking up to you all – the directors, producers – that have been the there before me. I give them the respect that is due to them.
Talking about fees, how much can they offer you? Why are you really doing this when you have everything going for you as a director in an Oil firm?
I am doing this because I love acting. I have the passion for it. I’m doing this because I love what I do. I come alive when I’m on set. So whatever you can afford, whatever you can pay me, pay me. Of course, if I get bigger they will pay me more. But for now, I want them to see that best in me. Use me because I have the talent and whatever they can afford to pay me I will accept.
Acting has its own gains and pains. Are prepared for the scandals that come with the job?
Well, I have no skeleton in my cupboard. I have nothing to hide. What people will criticize is what they see. People will talk based on what they see, what they hear, so I expect nothing less than what is out there. The normal,’who is she with? Who is she dating?’ It’s normal. When stories start to come out, I will tackle it as they come. I can’t tell you this is what I will do until stories actually start coming out.
Your first movie, First Cut, what informed your choice of cast?
For First Cut, I couldn’t have picked a better cast. MonalisaChinda, Joseph Benjamin, Bobby Obodo, Ekedi Temple – they were perfect. They interpreted their roles dutifully. They gave it their best. And I’m thankful for their support. Till today, they give me support, they give me the backing and they will be there at the premiere. I’m grateful basically for their input on this project. Without them there won’t have been a First Cut.
What plans do you have for the movie?
It will be out on Africa Magic. It will be on Iroko TV. It will out on DVD very soon, so everyone can watch it.
Do you see yourself breaking-even with this movie?
Well, you can never make money from your first production because you will learn a lot from it. Dem say who no go there no know.
What are the lessons you have learnt from this production?
I have learnt a lot of lessons from this production. I have made mistakes that I can never make again. Now, I know what it takes to do a movie, how much it takes to do a movie and how to go about it. So, I think my next production is going to be so bad. One of the lessons that I learnt is that time is money. On set, the one minute wasted is your one naira being wasted.
Some people have said you are hungry for fame and that’s why you came into Nollywood…
I’m sorry if they mistake my determination with being hungry for fame. I’m determined. People can read it differently. I know what I want. I know where I am going. Is that supposed to be a problem? No! Because I spell it out and I say this is who I am. This is where I am going to, people see it differently, everybody has their views but for me, it is called determination. I’m not hungry for fame because even before First Cut, I was famous. Before I started acting, I was famous. I was a socialite. But now, I’m trying to take it to the next level by not just being a socialite but also being productive and because I have the talent, that’s why I am here.
Chico Ejiro directed your debut movie. As a first-time producer what was it like working with him?
Chico Ejiro is a family friend. So, any problem I had, I just tell him, ‘uncle this is not what I want o. please lets change it.’ The good thing about it is I could communicate with him. That is the best part. If you can communicate with the person, whatever thing you don’t like, you can always tell him.
Who are those you look forward to working with in the industry?
All the best in the industry. I can’t really say I look forward to working with this particular person because I really want to work with everyone.
What are your plans for 2015? And what is your New Year resolution?
I don’t have a New Year resolution. I just want to be a better person.
What are those things you’d like to change about you?
As funny as it may sound, I have a bad habit of not picking my calls. So, this New Year I decided I will be available. I will be accessible to people, email, phone calls, whichever way. I juggle two things and I have expectations at work, so that’s why I most times don’t pick up my calls but that’s going to change.
What is the difference between Lisa the director and Lisa the actress?
Lisa the director in the office – I have elder siblings that are above me that control me sort of, that I look up to and work under. They dictate what I do. Lisa the actress – full wings, I’m free as a bird.
Do you have your low moments because you seem like a happy-go-lucky person?
If I’m tired, if I’m exhausted I’m just the other person. That’s the only thing that puts me down. Apart from that, nothing can put me down. Not even what people say can put me down. Your views about me cannot put me down. What people say about me cannot put me down because I know who I am. And I know what I stand for. The only thing that can put me down is if I’m supposed to do something for my family and I don’t do it and they call me and scold me. Yes, that can put me down. My family are my biggest critic. They correct me when I’m wrong and I listen to them. And they are the ones that shaped me into what I am today.
What can make you freak out in a relationship?
Lies. I hate lies. I hate people who can build a storey building with their mouth. I like honest people who do honest work, who live an honest life. Nobody is perfect. I’m not looking for a perfect man. But he has to be honest.
Do you get ‘toasted’ with all your ‘big girl’ status?
People do call me, people do email me, and people add me on BBM. I don’t feel I should intimidate any man. If I intimidate you as a man then you are not man enough. I shouldn’t intimidate you.
How do you handle the guys that come to date you for your money?
As a sensible girl you should know them. You should know the ones that are lying because they want your money. You should know the ones that are true to you. Like I said, I try to hide my identity. And my parents are very traditional; they live by the books and they are very coded. So I try to live that coded lifestyle.
In the past, I have had such experience. You know its starts from friendship but once talk about money starts, I take off. I ain’tgoing to foot your bills for what? We’ve gat to take care of me because I’m a girl. I won’t spend on a man. No, I won’t. You talk about money and I would take off.
Can you date a man from a humble family background?
Yes, of course, when I see the potential in the guy. Not everybody that’s rich today came from a rich home. So, you can’t judge based on someone’s background. When you see a guy, you will know someone that is hard working. You will know someone that’s struggling to be somebody. So I key into that. He doesn’t have to be rich. He just has to have potential. He has to have that drive.
What do you like in a man?
I like my man to be loving, honest and understanding. He must be someone that’s focus. I’m a very focused person. I can’t be with a man that’s not focused.
