SHE made her debut in the movie industry in 2001, when she acted alongside the late Sam Loco Efe. Since then, she’s starred in more than twenty other movies.
A Theatre Arts graduate of the University of Port-Harcourt, Ejinne has risen above the waka-pass role she played in 2001 to become one of the most sought-after actress in Nollywood today.
Currently on location in Awka, Anambra Sate where she is part of the cast on new movie production Ejinne took time out to speak on her career.
Hobbies
As an African lady, our men love food so much. So I love to cook. In fact, cooking is my hobby. I love traveling too.
*Ejinne
My journey into acting
My passion for acting has been from my childhood days. Then, I noticed that I loved posing for the camera. The first movie I featured in was Oil Village, produced by Sam Onwuka in 2001.
After my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I also featured in some other movies such as Dirty Secret, Guilty As Sin, Friends In Love, Ofe Owerri Special, Sorrow To Joy, Thanks For Coming, Gallant Babes, Deep Water, Enemies I see, Tomorrow and others.
My journey into acting started as far back as 2001, when I travelled to Oguta for a holiday. There, I was told about a shooting taking place across the lake at the Oguta motel. And because of my passion for the movie industry, I stormed there. I was so lucky that I got a role to act alongside great actors like Sam Loco Efe. My role in the movie was that of a journalist who interviewed Sam Loco after his court case.
After that movie, I developed interest in acting. So, during one of my holidays, I went to Lagos. Together with my cousin, we went to the National Theatre and registered as members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). And most of the roles I secured have been through Divine Touch Productions.
For now, I don’t depend on acting only as a means of survival. So alongside acting, I also sell clothes.
Support
Those who have stood b me in the industry are just few people. I appreciate the effort of one Grace Agwu in helping me through my career. She’s been a sister to me and her effort is well appreciated.
Challenges
Nothing good comes easily so the struggle hasn’t been easy. There was a time I felt like giving up but I had to encourage myself to continue.
Peak of the profession
Since acting is what I love so much, a lot of friends have been looking up to me to get to the top. So I don’t see any reason to give up the fight. I just have to get to the peak of my profession.
Parents
When I was in secondary school, I remember that I disobeyed my father. I went against his wish by changing from the science class to the art because I wanted to act.
Even after I graduated from secondary school, I remember using the money meant for my Christmas shoe to buy a form to study Theater Art at the University of Port-Harcourt.
My parents never wanted me to act. But I thank God that toady, I have their full support and blessing.
For me, I see the struggle in the movie industry as the survival of the fittest. So I’m not about to give up my dreams because it didn’t just start in a day. Acting is my life and it’s a long time dream.
Role model
My role model is Genevieve Nanji. I just love her and the way she acts.
My expectation for 2012
I believe I’m at the peak of my career. In fact, right now, I’m in Awka doing my shooting, my second movie in the year. The first movie I did for the year was in Owerri. I believe that 2012 is my year to be the best. In fact, I had to slow down the rate at which I travel for my clothing business so that I can have more time for acting.
My beauty and career
Yes I know I’m a very beautiful and attractive lady and guys can’t seem to get their eyes off me. But in every situation, there’s always a way out of it. I believe nothing is by force so I make sure to stand my ground whenever I find myself in a tight corner.
I am determined not to mess around and I know I’m responsible for whatever I do. I hate to do things I’ll later regret. So I’ve been taking things easy. I’m careful not to act desperate in the pursuit of my career. I’ve committed my pursuit into the hands of God. God knows my heart and has seen my struggle. So I have faith that very soon, he’ll crown my effort with success.
Me and men
Men can’t keep their eyes off me. In fact, I get a lot of compliments from them all the time, so it’s not a new thing. Sometimes some stare so much at me that I can’t help but thank God for blessing me. Sexual harassment
I believe that there is sexual harassment everywhere even in offices but it’s up to the person in question to either accept or turn them down. For me, I am not desperate.
Acting nude
Yes I can act nude if it’s in a foreign movie with a very good story line. But I can’t act in a porn movie, especially in any Nollywood movie because it’s against our culture as Africans.
Marriage
For now, all I think about is my career. And because I am ambitious, I hardly think about marriage. But if it comes, fine. But I can only marry a man who is supportive of my career because that’s what makes me happy. I don’t want a man who may want to take away my dream.
Ideal man
My ideal man is someone that is God fearing, well polished and has a good dress sense.
