Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim, who has been able to make a name for herself both home and abroad, has so many things going for her as an entertainer and I find it extremely selfish for a man to meet a woman in a certain career path and ask her to quit, just to please him
TELL us, what brought about the concept behind the eye lashes?
Wearing eyelash extensions is one of the biggest beauty trends these days if you agree. It gives you that ‘wow’ factor because it accentuates your eyes, makes it appear sexier and brings out its beauty and when your eyes look beautiful, you look and feel gorgeous; basically boosting your self-confidence.
I get complimented on my look anytime I wear false eye lashes and people ask how they can get my look so that’s what led to the birth of Shades by Juliet Ibrahim. My lashes is quite different from the rest out there because they look almost 100% natural and curly that when worn it will hardly be noticeable that one is wearing falsies. I have 20 unique styles to suit every woman and they are affordable.
How long has it been in plan, and did you know it was going to sell this fast?
I executed it as soon as the thought came about and I knew it would sell because they are made with love and with the idea that I had to create various types to suit every lady out there who wants to wear lashes and still feel and appear like she isn’t putting on any at all.
Being a celebrity, how easy is it for you to have time for personal projects?
In the course of our business, one learns time management. You know how to allot time for whatsoever and you make it work.
How is your Foundation faring?
With the help of my awesome team, we are getting by but there’s always room for improvement and we strive to get to our desired aim soon.
With such huge project that requires funds, how have you been managing the team that work with you?
Yes, you can say that again, we need funding to make the Foundation work the way it should but we aren’t there yet. Thankfully, the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation team understands this and we work together for a common purpose and we are able to do that successfully without looking out for or expecting monetary gain for ourselves.
With a good cause for humanitarian work, how did you feel when people lashed out at you, during the case of late OJB fund raising?
May God rest his soul in perfect peace. I’ll appreciate it if you please let it be. Thanks
Has that discouraged you from helping out on similar cases?
My NGO has been fully functional for seven years now and we still help out patients by raising funds the little way we can; we still create awareness, sensitise the general public about kidney diseases and other diseases in the world today. I was recently appointed World kidney cancer day Global Ambassador by the International kidney cancer coalition which is recognised worldwide. I am grateful to be the voice of the voiceless and hopeless suffering from deadly diseases and I’m devoted to creating as much awareness as I can; as our motto remains: “Early detection saves lives”
As an actor who comes to Nigeria often, do you pay duties for selling your goods here?
I have registered companies In Nigeria as well as business partners.
You have formed a very strong alliance with Nigerian actors; do you feel at home when you are here?
Absolutely! Nigeria is my second home and my colleagues here make me feel like one of their own, no discrimination whatsoever.
You featured in Tuface’s song, Diaspora Woman. Tell us about the experience?
It was an awesome experience, Tuface is an artiste I respect so much, so it was a privilege being featured in his video. I also love the song very much.
Being a singer yourself, how would you describe your success, in term of music?
If I was singing full time; I believe your question would have been posed differently “how did you become successful overnight?” I am an entrepreneur; a business woman, an all-round entertainer. I am a jack of all trade.
You have also managed to keep your figure in shape, even after childbirth. Tell us the secret?
I take good care of my body. I eat well, exercise often; I try to stay fit by controlling my diet. I don’t take in sugar, I don’t eat late at night, I drink lots of water and I try to get adequate sleep.
What can you say are the challenges of being a mum?
There really aren’t any challenges so to say. It’s an interesting experience every woman would be lucky to experience. It has its up and downs but the downs aren’t that significant enough to call them challenges.
Tell us the challenges of being a producer?
Funding is the number one challenge especially if you double as the executive producer.
What is your take on people saying celebrities find it hard to stay in marriage?
It’s really not about celebrities; the reason why the focus is on celebrities is because they are in the limelight. A lot of regular folks have troubled marriages but people tend not to see that because they aren’t in the open. The question really should be ”why do people find it hard to stay in marriages these days?” But then again; you will never know why a marriage would end until you are put in the persons’ shoes. Till then; people should stop judging celebrities.
Tell us the brain behind Juliet Ibrahim celebrity football match?
If you mean the purpose of that initiative, then the ultimate goal is to support charitable beneficiaries as recognised by the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation. All proceeds made from such charity matches goes to the Juliet Ibrahim Foundation.
Being a physical activity; how were you able to convince others, especially your counterparts in Nigeria?
I honestly did not have to convince anyone. My Nigerian and Ghanaian counterparts were magnanimous enough to give up their time and put on their boots for a good cause which was to raise funds for critical needs of patients suffering from kidney-related ailments.
You are often seen in wears that show off your curves. How do you feel when people say you are showing off too much flesh?
I wear what I feel comfortable wearing, not what people feel comfortable with.
Aside your lashes presently being promoted, do you have other new projects on board?
I also have a lipstick line; under the name; Moda Cosmetics West Africa which is also selling in Ghana and Nigeria presently. I am also working on my reality TV show called “The Perfect Assistant “. I directed my first TV series which will be showing on terrestrial TV this year and it’s called “Every Woman Has a Story”. I am dropping a new song called “Keep your head up” featuring Iceberg Slim from Nigeria. And there’s a whole lot more work to be done as I’ll be hosting several big events around the world as well.
You have featured in both Yoruba and Hausa movie. How was the experience for a Ghanaian?
Out of the norm and very interesting. I would do it again and again. I can’t wait to act in an Igbo film as well.
What is happening to your reality TV show the Perfect Assistant?
It’s going to be out very soon, we are just working on a few modalities here and there.
Most Ghanaian movies are said to promote porn, what is you take on this?
Like I said in one interview, those kinds of movies are not movies from well-known producers. They are done by some new and money conscious producers.
Would you be willing to quit acting for the sake of your marriage?
I find it extremely selfish for a man to meet a woman in a certain career path and ask her to quit, just to please him.
A career woman will always stay a career woman. I don’t think you will ask Gabrielle Union this question if you had the opportunity to interview her, would you? Why should an African woman living in Africa stop her career, lose her focus and stop following her dream in entertainment because of marriage and its okay for a westernised woman to continue while married?
What are the things you want to be remembered for as a public figure?
Leaving a mark with everything I do for others and will achieve in my career. Just being an inspiration to so many is good enough for me.
