Ebun Babalola
4 October 2008
interview
The history of Nollywood will definitely not be complete when the stories of the likes of Empress Njamah is not told.
Not only as an actress with style, but one who takes her job with all seriousness. Born 28 years ago, of a Nigerian father and Cameroonian mother, with her brothers - John and Aquila Njamah - also slugging it out in the movie industry.
Her foray into the Nigerian home video industry was first met with stiff opposition from her father who had some reservations about all his children taking on same line of career. "He keeps telling me the side effects of the profession, but when he saw that I was really not discouraged, he had no choice than to let me be."
The dark skinned delectable actress has also completed her degree programme at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, where she studied English Language. She also had done a six months drama course in London. Sprawling on the couch in her Festac home where Home Video People took her on , the ever lively actress opens up on her personality.
You are hard to pin down for an interview, why?
Because I feel granting an interview over and over again is just saying the same thing that has been said before in another paper. It is a media and lots of people would read it but when we talk about the same story all the time, it sounds like a crap to me.
When I want to talk to the media, I would let them know because right now, I don't think I really have stories to talk about than what everybody already knows.
May be, they feel there is something new going on about you that they want to know?
One thing with the media is that if one comes with an information, other media would come with the same question, so, it is as good as picking up that paper and rewriting what has been said already, since that is the same thing I'm going to say. I feel a lot of people like putting their nose on some things that don't really concern them.
Are you saying people live your life for you as a celebrity?
Yes, because we appear more on the billboard than the normal person on the street.
Can you explain why almost all the members in the Njamah family are into acting?
It is just like you asking your friend, "why is it that three of you are doctors?' It is a personal decision.
The first person who took acting as a profession was my elder sister (Blessing Njamah), followed by John, then my humble self. What will I do now? I know, I'm good and I'm trying to do it well.
Well, may be the movie industry is an avenue to get quick money?
I would have been thrown out of the industry ever since. It is a talent I have, so I don't need to go and build it. I have it and I was born with it, so why would I not use it and then put food on my table? It is very interesting doing what you know how to do best, and you are getting paid for it. Just like getting paid for playing.
It is something I enjoy doing and I do it with a smile and money comes with it. It is not all about doing it because of money as many people do now. If you are not good, you are not good. If you want to do it, you need to have the talent, understand the job, and know what you want to get from it before you venture into it.
You just mentioned what others have said concerning different people coming into Nollywood and making a mess of it, does it mean that there are no laid down rules to address such issue?
The truth of the matter is that Nollywood is not stable, we are not there yet because there are lots of square pegs in round holes.
We are looking forward to when we will have professionals who would want to do something and do it right. At times, when the international artistes are called in to perform in a film, it is like bringing out the chaff from the beans.
There are lots of people who want to do it and do it right, but right now, the emergence of quack artistes are telling on Nollywood.
Everybody says the same thing...
Yeah, because the right people are not talking about it. The right people who are meant to discuss about Nollywood are probably doing something else rather than tackling that problem. There are some people who should be listened to, but they are not saying anything. So, when they are ready to do it, then we will move forward.
Sexual harassment in Nollywood
It is a general phenomenon but if you are truly good, you don't have to sleep your way to the top. If you are not good, no one will tell you how far you can run.
Let's talk about your dressing, your unique hairdo and the rest of it
A lot of people say, it's my trade mark. For those who appreciate the way I dress, I appreciate them so much for really observing... but I wouldn't go out of my way to look unique. I wear things that suit me and they must be very colourful.
I'm a dark skinned person, so, I should wear things that are colourful. I like bright colours, I like to be artistic and I like to wear things that I'm comfortable in, I don't wear things that are in vogue.
And talking about my nails, I've always had flair for colours, anything we are going to talk about has to do with colours. A lot of people call me for their hair or nail, I'm a consultant to them. I'm used to making my hair very full and I got that from Diana Ross, colourful hair from Madonna.
I've always liked to stand out from the crowd, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do something I don't love to do. If people say, my dressing is bad, well, it's good for them and for those who appreciate me, well, fine, but I don't dress to impress. I just live comfortably.
If you are set to go for an occasion, what is the total cost of your outfit?
It depends. I wouldn't say I wear expensive things, it would be like flaunting myself, but as a growing child, I've always had the feeling that if something is not expensive, then it's not good. I grew up being able to afford some things.
So, it means you go for expensive things?
I just explained it the best way I can.
Your growing up
I can't start talking about my growing up because it was wonderful. My growing up has been fun. My mum has been the best mother I have, my late father also was wonderful. I have the best family ever. And from my childhood, I've always loved to become an artiste so I grew up watching "Tales by
Moonlight", acting is just in my family.
How much was your first pay as an artiste?
The first money I got was thirty thousand and that was 10 years ago.
...And comparing it now, is it worth what you can get as a pay for your role?
We are talking about 10 years obviously, the money has appreciated. Of course, not, I wouldn't collect such money, not even for a common role.
What is your worth now as a star?
You know, I wouldn't tell you that but I'm not being paid my worth now as a star.
Why?
Because Nollywood has not gotten there yet. We are not being paid our worth, but most of us do the work for the love of it.
There is something that attracts men to you, are you aware of that?
Well, if you singularly call men, I think, there is a problem. My mum once told me, I have a good heart, my pastor told me I have Chinese heart, my friends around tell me, look, "you are a good person," so, when you see a good person, you always want to meet that person, get to know that person and be the person's friend.
So, you think there is nothing very special?
What else could be more special than the heart? I see beauty from the heart and not from the outside. I see your heart as being beautiful and it's beautiful. A lot of people might say, this girl is ugly, but the most important thing is my heart.
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