GHANAIAN actress Lydia Forson has sent out a warning to people who beg her for money through her DM’s.
Forson said she is not Father Christmas, who could be giving out money every time someone is in need of financial assistance.
“You’re in my DM’s begging for money to treat your sickness. I decide to go through your tweets to see what kind of person you are; all I find are tweets of you trolling people, including me. In your mind I’m Jesus Christ eh”.
GHANAIAN actress Lydia Forson has taken to Instagram to say that she is not searching; she said she is not advertising that she wants to mingle in the singles club.
“Let us respect ourselves in this business of sliding into DM’s,” she wrote on Thursday.
“Shoot your shot, but by all means gage your target because if you’re not careful you will slip, fall,hit your head, bust it open and have blood oozing out. Which one is, the ‘I’m looking for a good Christian woman to settle down and have children with?’ In your village, did they tell you that I’m advertising for ChristianMingle.com?”
In June, the actress was reported to be making a big return to the big screens by taking up a role in an upcoming series titled, ‘Puzzled.’
She described her role in the series as her toughest one yet in her career of over a decade. The series is one of Lydia’s major upcoming projects in 2018 after her award-winning role in the hit film, ‘Side Chic Gang’.
She is playing the role of Korkor Coffie, a principled lawyer, bringing to play yet another aspect of her acting talent.
“Meet Korkor Coffie, one of the toughest lawyers you never want to come across,” Lydia said on Instagram when she announced her character on social media.
It is her second time of playing the role of a lawyer in a film. It is also her fourth major series in her career after starring in series such as ‘Scandal’, ‘Hotel St. James’ and ‘In The Street’.
Curvy Ghanaian actress, Lydia Forson, recently turned 32, declaring that, against societal perception, her new age is nothing to be ashamed of.
In most cases, it is believed that before 30, a lady should be settled to a married life and career. However, the actress declared that she is happy for the grace to witness the new age.
“I’m 32 years old today; yes, let me spell it out for you; thirty-two. I’m not going to let anyone shame me into thinking I shouldn’t say this out loud, or believe that it’s a sign that I’m running out of time, for what I do not know.
“Many instead of looking at age as a thing of pride we’ve shrouded it in negativity. I lost a friend this morning to cancer and it just dawned on me that she didn’t get to have this opportunity.
“So I’m going to scream my age out loud and wear it with a badge if I have to. Why? Because 32 years is how many mornings I’ve woken up and nights I’ve gone to bed.
“32 is how many years I’ve inhaled and exhaled without skipping a beat, it’s the number years I’ve made it past Christmas, New Years and other holidays, and more than anything it’s the number of years I’ve been able to say I’m alive, when others couldn’t,” the actress declared.
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) has come and gone but, snippets of the glamorous event will occupy social discourse for a while. JOE AGBRO JR. captured some of the remarkable moments.
After a victorious outing at this year’s AMVCA, actor and producer Kunle Afolayan was full of gratitude to all those who supported him through the years.
Upon receiving the Best Director award, Afolayan expressed his gratitude to the cast and crew of October 1, saying without them, there wouldn’t have been any movie.
And after October 1 won Movie of the Year, Afolayan beckoned on members of the October 1 cast and crew to join him on the stage. He then enthusiastically asked to be given time to thank people as he launched into singing Olamide’s song, Eleda mi, which is sort of a ‘prayer song.’
“Thank you Africa,” Afolayan began, basking in the euphoria of winning. “We have so many winners. All my colleagues are winners. Everybody in that category Steve Gukas, I respect him a lot. Thank you very much. Mildred Okwo, you’ve been a friend for long. In fact, you inspire me a lot. I say thank you to you. Ayo, AY, we talk every day and we need to sanitise the industry. All the people who have supported this cause somehow Guinness Nigeria, Sovereign Trust Insurance, Maami, thank you for your prayers, my mother, my children, my wife, everybody.”
Afolayan who also revealed that he was working on another project called ‘The CEO’ also thanked the federal government and Africa Magic for believing in his work.
“I want to say a big thank you to the federal government for trying so hard to help develop the Nigerian film industry and for the grant that was given to me to promote and push October 1 globally… And Africa Magic, when I make content, I will consider you guys first before sending to other people.”
He also thanked Chioma Ude, Founder of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and urged other African movie producers to keep up the tempo. “We are all one,” he said. “Let’s just keep telling the African story.”
To this, Ghanaian actress, Lydia Forson, gave Afolayan a pat on the back when she caught up with him later in the crowd, saying, “You gave the best acceptance speech of the night… it captured everything and everybody… well done.”
GHANAIAN actress, Lydia Forson, is so proud of her beauty and the compliments that come with it. Speaking about her male admirers, the curvy actress said although she used to see the compliments as mere sweet-talks; she is now convinced of her true beauty.
“I get a lot of admirers, my curves drive men crazy. But growing up, I wasn’t so proud of it. I pass through that stage as a teenager when I thought I wasn’t a beautiful girl. But I got to realise that I was the most beautiful girl in the world. Confidence is to be built. It comes with a process of self-realisation. It is either you let people’s perception define you or to tell them to leap off. It is a choice I make and I thank God I’m being complimented a lot,” she said.
Forson, whose voyage into the movie world, started as a contestant in the Next Movie Star (NMS) reality show in Nigeria, has starred in award-winning movies, including Kunle Afolayan’s Phone Swap and Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s Perfect Picture, which fetched her Best Actress diadem at the 2010 edition of AMAA, tieing with fellow actress, Jackie Appiah.
Recalling her spat with Appiah over the joint award, Forson said: “Fans want to see Jackie Appiah and I walk hand-in-hand, but it will not happen.”
According to the actress, things got awry between them when Appiah chose to claim sole ownership of the award. “What happened was that we were both joint winners at the AMAAs, but back in Ghana, reports went round that Jackie alone won the award and that I only escorted her to the stage to collect the plaque.
I didn’t know who told them that, but I was not ready to say anything, but thank God they later knew the truth. I never fought with Jackie Appiah. We never had any confrontation. Jackie and I never had any relationship and I don’t know where that story emanated from. She’s a good actress, and she’s a nice person, but we are not friends,” she explained.
Lydia Forson, a notable Ghanaian actress, is one of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) brand ambassadors for its forthcoming 10th anniversary. In an interview with MERCY MICHAEL at Emperor Palace, Jonanesburg, South Africa, venue of the AMAA nominees’ party, she talks about her growing up and other interesting issues.
YOU are one of the brand ambassadors for the 10th anniversary of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA); so, how challenging has it been?
Actually, I won’t use the word challenging; rather, I will say it has been overwhelming. In fact, it has been a great blessing because people I look up to are now suddenly looking up to me. It takes time to get used to that. I am really honoured to be in this position. For me, the Africa Movie Academy Awards embodies everything I believe in as an actor. There is need to project Africa to the world. It’s about time we started telling our stories. We always sit down and complain when other people tell our stories. We know that they don’t tell it the way we want, but can we blame them? So, the only way Africa can be heard is if we present a united front. Therefore, this, for me, is a calling, which I have already embarked on.
When you say it’s a calling you have already embarked on, does it mean you are going to continue in this capacity after the celebration?
Yes. I believe that as actors, we amass so much power, but we don’t tap into the power that we have. Yes, I love to make movies and make people laugh. But my calling as an actor is beyond making people laugh. It’s also about educating people. I don’t want to be called Lydia Forson, the Ghanaian actress. I want to be called Lydia Forson, the African actor. That is my journey and AMAA has just helped me a step further.
What would you say has been the highpoint since your appointment as an AMAA ambassador?
It might seem trivial to people, but I take pleasure in some little things. Most recently, I was invited to be part of the AMAA sponsors’ night and I just thought I came there to grace the event. But I was called to make a speech in front of the Governor of Bayelsa State. I’m used to be the one sitting down and people of such status talking to me. But I felt so honoured being asked to address the Managing Director of Skye Bank Plc and so many personalities at the event. I just hope that I made an impression. But whether I did or not, I am going to make the most of it.
What door of opportunity has the appointment opened for you?
As I said, it’s been overwhelming. I like to be called an actor. I don’t think I’m a celebrity in anyway. I love to make movies; and, of course, it has opened doors for more scripts. I have a few ones I’m working on. A lot of people have been taking more notice of me, though not even in movies; they’ve been more interested in the speeches that I give and things that I say about African films. So, it has created a new followership, not just for my movies, but for my personality.
Talking about your speech-making, did you receive any grooming to be able to pull that off each time you are called to make a speech?
I don’t even know if I make good speeches. I just like to speak from my heart. That was the first thing that I learnt while I was growing up. If you are honest with yourself, you can be honest with others. But if you are not honest with yourself, then, probably you will need to make up things to say. But I’ve always maintained that, regardless of what people think of me, I’m going to speak my mind and hopefully my speech will inspire people or change the way they think. I didn’t undergo any kind of training. I listen to people and I’ve learnt from a lot of people. I’ve been trained by the world.
What has helped shape the person you are?
I will attribute it largely to good family values. I come from a very creative family. My father is a Reverend, while my mother was a house wife. In their little way, I saw beauty in everything they did. I had strong values. But I think right from the day I was born, my father said if you tell Lydia to sit down, she will ask you why and not where will I sit. My parents allowed me to have an opinion. But in having that opinion, they checked it. So, I respect people’s opinions. I may not agree with your opinion, but respect is the most fundamental thing. And so, when you respect people, I think it’s in everything that you do.
By virtue of your relationship with AMAA, will it affect the kind jobs you do?
If I was hitherto selective, I have to even be more selective now. This is because I don’t just represent Lydia Forson, but I represent Ghana, Nigeria and Africa as a whole. It has opened doors for more movie roles. But I’ve had to ask myself, would I be selfish and do what I want or do I sacrifice myself for the calling?
Why do you like to wear your natural hair?
I find it funny when people say I’m an African woman because everybody is an Africa woman. My looks has never been inspired by the thinking that I want to be more African. It all boils down to being honest with myself. I can’t stand hair weaving. I’m not good at it and I had to make up my mind on what to do. Do I live up to the expectation people want me to live or I remain myself and do whatever makes me comfortable?
I must have had this hair since 2008. It was not something I created. I think it was just God. I had a salon problem. Everybody who knows me knows that I don’t wear weaves. Even when I had perm hair, it was just always my hair. I had a salon problem on my birthday and I went home, took scissors, cut my hair and that was it. I wish I could say I planned it, but it just happened.
Most plus-size actresses have challenges getting certain kinds of roles that are seen to be only for slim people. Could you share your experience with me?
I always try to be as realistic as possible when I’m answering this question because it’s so easy for me to say it’s not a problem. I want someone reading to know that she is not the only person going through these challenges. The truth is, I accepted my body years ago. But I have my days: there are days I look at myself and I’m not too happy and there are days I look at myself and feel like I’m so sexy. But the reality is, everybody, whether you are slim, short, tall, light or dark, you will have your days. But you have to accept yourself the way you are at that particular moment. If you can’t change it, rock it! Yes, the pressure sometimes makes you wanna lose weight. But I think my focus now is just being healthy. You don’t wanna be 30 and look 40. So, I’m not a strong advocate of lose weight and be a certain size. The truth is, everybody wishes that he or she was somebody else. No human being looks at himself or herself in the mirror and says, ‘I am perfect’. And that’s the message I like to put out there. People will look at me and say, ‘Oh! Lydia, you are so perfect. We love your body.’ No, I have my days. And there are days I’m like, you know what, I’m the best thing that ever happened to this world.
Is your size hereditary?
Yes, I’m a Fanti. I don’t think I’m a big girl. I think I’m just a buddilious girl. I just have a big butt and big boobs. Fanti women are just like that; they are very curvy. It is something that when I was six years old, I wanted it; but when I was in class six, I wanted it to go away. But you grow up and realize the truth that a man wants something he can hold on to. They may look at the skinny models. But they always know what they want in bed. It’s not x-rated, but I’m just saying they know what they want.
Which of your movie roles will you describe as most challenging in recent time?
Honestly, I’ve not got that movie yet. I love all the movies that I’ve been in, but I’m still looking for that thing. I love a movie that forces me to work hard. I love a huge challenge. So, I’m putting it out there. I’m looking for someone to challenge me by saying that, I’m going to give you this role, but I don’t think you can do it; and then, he or she goes ahead to give me the opportunity to prove to the people that I can.
What then is your dream role?
I like psychological movies and thrillers. I love movies that force the actor to become somebody else. When people watch the movie, I don’t want them to see Lydia Forson; I want them to see a character. That’s the kind of movie I want to do.
What role will you not play in a movie?
I never say never! So, I don’t know. Sometimes, you go and say something, but 10 years after, you are caught doing it. There are some situations I pray I’m never put into. But if it is for me to tell a story, why not?
Is acting what you have always wanted to do?
I’ve always been a story teller. My life is one big movie, but I never knew where to put it. Thank God someone created acting so that people like us can find somewhere to put ourselves.
What was your passion at age 15? I remember vividly that at 15, I wrote somewhere that I wanted to be rich and famous. That’s all. I didn’t know what I wanted to, but I knew I wanted to be rich.
Lydia Forson, a notable Ghanaian actress, is one of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) brand ambassadors for its forthcoming 10th anniversary. In an interview with MERCY MICHAEL at Emperor Palace, Jonanesburg, South Africa, venue of the AMAA nominees’ party, she talks about her growing up and other interesting issues.
YOU are one of the brand ambassadors for the 10th anniversary of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA); so, how challenging has it been?
Actually, I won’t use the word challenging; rather, I will say it has been overwhelming. In fact, it has been a great blessing because people I look up to are now suddenly looking up to me. It takes time to get used to that. I am really honoured to be in this position. For me, the Africa Movie Academy Awards embodies everything I believe in as an actor. There is need to project Africa to the world. It’s about time we started telling our stories. We always sit down and complain when other people tell our stories. We know that they don’t tell it the way we want, but can we blame them? So, the only way Africa can be heard is if we present a united front. Therefore, this, for me, is a calling, which I have already embarked on.
When you say it’s a calling you have already embarked on, does it mean you are going to continue in this capacity after the celebration?
Yes. I believe that as actors, we amass so much power, but we don’t tap into the power that we have. Yes, I love to make movies and make people laugh. But my calling as an actor is beyond making people laugh. It’s also about educating people. I don’t want to be called Lydia Forson, the Ghanaian actress. I want to be called Lydia Forson, the African actor. That is my journey and AMAA has just helped me a step further.
What would you say has been the highpoint since your appointment as an AMAA ambassador?
It might seem trivial to people, but I take pleasure in some little things. Most recently, I was invited to be part of the AMAA sponsors’ night and I just thought I came there to grace the event. But I was called to make a speech in front of the Governor of Bayelsa State. I’m used to be the one sitting down and people of such status talking to me. But I felt so honoured being asked to address the Managing Director of Skye Bank Plc and so many personalities at the event. I just hope that I made an impression. But whether I did or not, I am going to make the most of it.
What door of opportunity has the appointment opened for you?
As I said, it’s been overwhelming. I like to be called an actor. I don’t think I’m a celebrity in anyway. I love to make movies; and, of course, it has opened doors for more scripts. I have a few ones I’m working on. A lot of people have been taking more notice of me, though not even in movies; they’ve been more interested in the speeches that I give and things that I say about African films. So, it has created a new followership, not just for my movies, but for my personality.
Talking about your speech-making, did you receive any grooming to be able to pull that off each time you are called to make a speech?
I don’t even know if I make good speeches. I just like to speak from my heart. That was the first thing that I learnt while I was growing up. If you are honest with yourself, you can be honest with others. But if you are not honest with yourself, then, probably you will need to make up things to say. But I’ve always maintained that, regardless of what people think of me, I’m going to speak my mind and hopefully my speech will inspire people or change the way they think. I didn’t undergo any kind of training. I listen to people and I’ve learnt from a lot of people. I’ve been trained by the world.
What has helped shape the person you are?
I will attribute it largely to good family values. I come from a very creative family. My father is a Reverend, while my mother was a house wife. In their little way, I saw beauty in everything they did. I had strong values. But I think right from the day I was born, my father said if you tell Lydia to sit down, she will ask you why and not where will I sit. My parents allowed me to have an opinion. But in having that opinion, they checked it. So, I respect people’s opinions. I may not agree with your opinion, but respect is the most fundamental thing. And so, when you respect people, I think it’s in everything that you do.
By virtue of your relationship with AMAA, will it affect the kind jobs you do?
If I was hitherto selective, I have to even be more selective now. This is because I don’t just represent Lydia Forson, but I represent Ghana, Nigeria and Africa as a whole. It has opened doors for more movie roles. But I’ve had to ask myself, would I be selfish and do what I want or do I sacrifice myself for the calling?
Why do you like to wear your natural hair?
I find it funny when people say I’m an African woman because everybody is an Africa woman. My looks has never been inspired by the thinking that I want to be more African. It all boils down to being honest with myself. I can’t stand hair weaving. I’m not good at it and I had to make up my mind on what to do. Do I live up to the expectation people want me to live or I remain myself and do whatever makes me comfortable?
I must have had this hair since 2008. It was not something I created. I think it was just God. I had a salon problem. Everybody who knows me knows that I don’t wear weaves. Even when I had perm hair, it was just always my hair. I had a salon problem on my birthday and I went home, took scissors, cut my hair and that was it. I wish I could say I planned it, but it just happened.
Most plus-size actresses have challenges getting certain kinds of roles that are seen to be only for slim people. Could you share your experience with me?
I always try to be as realistic as possible when I’m answering this question because it’s so easy for me to say it’s not a problem. I want someone reading to know that she is not the only person going through these challenges. The truth is, I accepted my body years ago. But I have my days: there are days I look at myself and I’m not too happy and there are days I look at myself and feel like I’m so sexy. But the reality is, everybody, whether you are slim, short, tall, light or dark, you will have your days. But you have to accept yourself the way you are at that particular moment. If you can’t change it, rock it! Yes, the pressure sometimes makes you wanna lose weight. But I think my focus now is just being healthy. You don’t wanna be 30 and look 40. So, I’m not a strong advocate of lose weight and be a certain size. The truth is, everybody wishes that he or she was somebody else. No human being looks at himself or herself in the mirror and says, ‘I am perfect’. And that’s the message I like to put out there. People will look at me and say, ‘Oh! Lydia, you are so perfect. We love your body.’ No, I have my days. And there are days I’m like, you know what, I’m the best thing that ever happened to this world.
Is your size hereditary?
Yes, I’m a Fanti. I don’t think I’m a big girl. I think I’m just a buddilious girl. I just have a big butt and big boobs. Fanti women are just like that; they are very curvy. It is something that when I was six years old, I wanted it; but when I was in class six, I wanted it to go away. But you grow up and realize the truth that a man wants something he can hold on to. They may look at the skinny models. But they always know what they want in bed. It’s not x-rated, but I’m just saying they know what they want.
Which of your movie roles will you describe as most challenging in recent time?
Honestly, I’ve not got that movie yet. I love all the movies that I’ve been in, but I’m still looking for that thing. I love a movie that forces me to work hard. I love a huge challenge. So, I’m putting it out there. I’m looking for someone to challenge me by saying that, I’m going to give you this role, but I don’t think you can do it; and then, he or she goes ahead to give me the opportunity to prove to the people that I can.
What then is your dream role?
I like psychological movies and thrillers. I love movies that force the actor to become somebody else. When people watch the movie, I don’t want them to see Lydia Forson; I want them to see a character. That’s the kind of movie I want to do.
What role will you not play in a movie?
I never say never! So, I don’t know. Sometimes, you go and say something, but 10 years after, you are caught doing it. There are some situations I pray I’m never put into. But if it is for me to tell a story, why not?
Is acting what you have always wanted to do?
I’ve always been a story teller. My life is one big movie, but I never knew where to put it. Thank God someone created acting so that people like us can find somewhere to put ourselves.
What was your passion at age 15? I remember vividly that at 15, I wrote somewhere that I wanted to be rich and famous. That’s all. I didn’t know what I wanted to, but I knew I wanted to be rich.
TOP Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Okoro, has made good her promise to produce two reality shows, Dinning with Yvonne and First Ladies, as she is presently on set.
She is said to have stormed the location with star actors, including Julius Agwu, Lydia Forson, Majid Michel, Uti Nwachukwu and others.
In March last year, the actress was in Nigeria to premiere her movie titled Contract at the Silverbird Cinemas, Ikeja, Lagos.
The movie, which was directed by Shirley Frimpong Manso, stars Yvonne Okoro, Joseph Benjamin and South African actor, Hlomla Dandla.
Contract tells the story of a successful bachelor who prefers non-committal casual dates, despite his mother’s plea that he gets a wife. He finally decides to have a child on a contract basis, which results in a complex situation.
IN what turned out to be a road rage saga, Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson has confessed to nearly stabbing an abusive stranger. She says the stranger crossed her recklessly with a motor bike, a situation that almost resulted in a crash.
The stranger, who suddenly became a frenetic abusive stalker, according to Lydia, threatened to assault her in the open amidst a deluge of insults.
“And when he sees I’m ignoring him he rushes up to me and threatens to beat me.” The Fanti woman said that “I was tempted to reach into my bag for my knife and stab him. But then I refused to allow this man drag me down into his obviously unhappy life,” Lydia wrote on her Facebook wall.
The actress narrates how on getting to her destination, he jumps off the bike to confront her, calling her a prostitute. “It takes all the energy in me to stay calm. And I ask, what do these insults have to do with what just happened? And if anything I should be upset he nearly caused an accident. For five minutes he continued to insult me with the same ‘prostitute, you will never marry’.
“I was tempted to do a lot of crazy things within the 20 mins this went on but something just kept telling me that this guy just wanted to provoke me. I allowed him do this and after a while, drove off,” she recounts.