| Why I flaunt my boobs
–Nollywood star, Cynthia Agholor
By AZUH AMATUS
Tuesday, May 10,
2005
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Cynthia
Photos: Sun News Publishing
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For 10 years now, pretty and busty actress, Cynthia Agholor,
has been mesmerizing and tantalizing Nollywood with her acting
skills and zany lifestyle. "I don’t pretend and
I hate pretenders", she fires.
Since her quiet arrival on the set of Chico Ejiro’s
"Heart Beat", the sultry star who came in through
veteran actor, Emmanuel France, has been soaring like an eagle,
to greater heights. "It was not easy when I came in then.
Many producers and directors harassed me sexually. We thank
God. Nollywood has really improved…" divulged the
Delta State-born lady who was also a former campus beauty
queen.
Continuing, this only child of her parents, who likes flaunting
her busty boobs in public, says she has no apologies for her
action. "If you have it, flaunt it. I’ve got it
and that is why I like flaunting it for all to see and admire."
On her preference for white guys in place of Nigerian men,
the star of numerous hit flicks like Villager Toasters, Never
Too late, Year 2000, First Love, Wise men, The Incarnate and
many others says: "I regret dating a white guy. Nigerian
men are better than white guys. I broke up with my white guy
because of some irreconcilable differences…"
Daring and still searching Cynthia, who lost her dad last
year via a protracted illness, also bared her mind on a wide
range of issues within and outside Nollywood.
Early this year, the story was everywhere that you wanted
to get married to your white lover? Has the marriage taken
place?
Hmmh! Na wah o! I did not plan to marry any white lover. In
fact, I never intended or contemplated marrying any white
guy. Till date, I don’t know where the story came from.
But you dated a white guy?
Yes and that was in the past. Sincerely speaking, I can’t
marry a white guy. And I even regretted dating a white guy.
How many years did the affair last?
Years back. It’s past now. So, let us move forward.
So, why did the romance with your white lover crash?
Hmmh! Irreconcilable differences. But the two of us are still
best of pals. He is no longer here permanently. He comes in
once in a while.
What did you enjoy most about the affair while it lasted?
(Laughs) Everything about him was okay. He was so caring and
nice but that does not mean we don’t have wicked and
selfish white guys.
But if he was that nice, why then did the whole thing crash?
It was not as if it crashed. We parted in peace and agreed
to move on with our lives separately.
From your own experience, between white and black guys, who
makes better lover?
Sincerely speaking. For me, it is black guys. They are better
compared to white guys.
Presently, what are you doing?
I’m busy working from one set to another. I just finished
a movie entitled Yours Sincerely. A very good movie produced
by Chinwe Onwuegbuzie with Taiwo Oduala as director. I’m
also doing my buying and selling business alongside my acting.
I also import video tapes.
Tell us more about this your latest movie?
Like I said, the title is Yours Sincerely. I played the lead
role and by the time it comes out,many people will be asking
if it was actually shot in Nollywood. The story line was tact
and tight. It is also contemporary and full of moral lessons
and intrigues.
Aside Yours Sincerely, like how many more movies have you
done this year?
I think I’ve done about 10 movies since the beginning
of this year. But among them, I think only one or two are
out.
Many people see you as a very daring and zany actress. Are
you?
People are entitled to their opinions. The fact is that I
like being myself. I don’t pretend, I do my things my
own way and have no apologies for anybody. I wear what suits
me… I’m only being myself. I’m not crazy,
but daring.
Why do you like wearing clothes that usually flaunt your breasts?
(Laughs). It’s natural. If you have got it, flaunt it.
I have it that is why I’m flaunting it. And besides,
I’m an international model, so why won’t I flaunt
what God has endowed me with? In flaunting my heavy bust,
I also flaunt and advertise my beauty. No apologies for that
and I don’t care what people say about me.
Between acting and modelling, which did you start first?
I started modelling at the tender age of seven. But I went
professional in ’97 with national billboards for a hair
company. I have done many calendar and billboards works as
a model.
How and when did you come into Nollywood?
I came into Nollywood in 1995. Emmanuel France brought me
in. I got my first role in "Heart Beat" from the
stable of Chico Ejiro. But before this, I was a kid star on
television with many telemovies on NTA then. The rest like
they now say is history.
And your parents did not kick against you going into acting
then?
No! They supported and gave me their blessings. They saw the
acting thing in me from a very tender age.
And as a youngster then, didn’t some producers and directors
sexually harass you?
I remember vividly that I was harassed seriously in 1996 and
it was all over soft sell magazines then because I spoke out.
But after that time, it did not happen to me again.
From ’95 till date, how has it been for you in Nollywood.
The challenges?
God has been merciful. It has not been easy. The challenges
are still there and we are facing them. Financially, it is
also okay now, compared to those early stages. But despite
all these hurdles, my passion for acting and showbiz in general
has kept me going. Funny enough, I studied marketing in school.
Aside the sexual harassments, what other problems did you
also encounter then?
Many problems. The biggest then was people looking down on
you, saying or thinking you cannot act. I cried and nearly
left Nollywood when NEK videos turned me down for a job in
my first ever audition. Their reason was that I was too young
and small then. The clique thing also affected me. As a new
actress, many people would want to intimidate and push you
around. But I was able to surmount all these difficulties
because of my faith in God and the belief that I will make
it in Nollywood. Even at a point, I told myself, I have had
enough and would quit. But my mum and some actors then told
me to hang on. It was really tough then for me. They are peculiar
problems. But in-between that period, I left and went to school.
I came back fully in 2003, after completing my course in Marketing
at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State.
If you are not acting today, what else would you have been
doing?
I love business much! I would have been an international businesswoman.
Which among your numerous movies will you say actually brought
you to limelight?
That was my first leading role in Nollywood. It was entitled
THE YEAR 2000. Lancelot Imasuen directed it in 1997. The movie
announced my arrival in Nollywood.
Since you came in, like how many movies have you starred in?
I’ve lost count, but I know it is up to a hundred.
Has any among your numerous works really challenged you?
"First Love" did. I defeated many stars to clinch
the leading role in the movie. It was also a very tasking
role and many people thought I could not carry the role well.
But I did to the consternation of many.
Are you into a relationship presently?
(Chuckles). My last affair just crashed. Right now, I’m
not into any romance or relationship. Many guys are chasing
me, but I’m still taking my time and searching for the
ideal guy. I’m scared of men, maybe, that is why I’m
still single and searching.
So, who is your ideal man?
I want my guy to be God fearing. If he is God fearing, he
will have all the other qualities a woman needs in a relationship
with the opposite sex.
So, in essence, you are saying that your past lovers were
not God-fearing?
I did not say that… Men are like chameleons they change
overnight.
And right now, if a God fearing white man comes your way,
you would marry him?
No! I don’t want to marry a white guy.
But you can marry an actor?
No! I don’t want us to know the same thing. I don’t
want my husband to know what I know so much about.
Are you in support of the ban on some of your colleagues?
Sincerely speaking, I’m not in support of the ban…
If you were among those banned, what would you have done?
I would have told them thank you and face my buying and selling
business squarely. That is why I’m kicking against those
who are into acting alone. They should diversify. I’m
also a model, comedian/music promoter and a fast growing businesswoman.
I learnt that in the higher institution, you were Miss Oko
Poly, after leaving school, why didn’t you contest at
the national level?
I decided not to go further after contesting at the Miss Lagos
State Beauty Pageant. I did not like the things that I saw
at that pageant. In fact, (hisses), I don’t want to
go back to that episode. It was a very bitter experience.
I respect myself and dignity as a woman. The truth is that
I’m not interested in pageants any more. They killed
my spirit… The only time I enjoyed pageant was during
my reign in Oko. It was a wonderful and memorable moment.
The experience lingers on. I’m still an ambassador of
my school. They invite me once in a while to deliver speeches
and give advice to female students.
Lest I forget, is it true that your white lover bought you
your current car?
(Mood changes) Nobody bought me any car. I bought my car with
my money and sweat.
In the next couple of years, where do you want to be as an
actress?
Hmmh! I want to take my acting career to the whole world and
also open more doors of opportunities to the up and coming
ones.
Tell us about yourself and family background
I’m Cynthia Agholor, a nice and loving girl, fun to
be with. I’m the only child of my mother. Dad is late,
while mom is still alive. We are from Delta State.
Your dad died last year. What do you miss most about him?
I miss him much. I miss dearly, his advice, support and words
of encouragement, especially when I’m down. We were
very close when he was alive.
Where did you grow up and how was growing up?
I grew up here in Lagos. And growing up for me was fun. As
an only child, my parents pampered me, but did not also fail
to spank me whenever I derailed.
What trips you most in a guy?
Aside being God fearing, he must also be handsome and very
intelligent.
In life today, do you have any regret?
My only regret was that my loving dad died when I needed him
most. He did not live to reap all that I planned for him.
But thank God my sweet mom is still alive.
Is marriage on your mind?
Yeah! But I’m not desperate about it. Whenever God says
Cynthia, this is your ideal man, I will move.
In Nollywood today, who are the actresses that you respect
and admire so much?
Liz Benson and Joke Silva.
As a professional model, can you pose nude?
No! No matter the amount.
What would you say are the major things that have changed
in the Nollywood of today, compared to when you people started?
Many things. Then things were extremely tough, but it was
fun. Reason, there was not too many crowd then. Now everybody
wants to act. Now it has stabilized and also better financially
and otherwise. We are happy about the new developments. Then
and now can’t be compared. There is glamour now. Then,
it used to be a family thing for some producers and…
We learnt you would soon embark on a foreign trip. How soon
and what is taking you there?
I’m embarking on the trip, basically to model and shoot
a movie. We are leaving very soon. A company based in America
is sponsoring the package. I will spend just six weeks there.
And the money involved is okay. I was and still very happy
when the deal came my way. I’ve always dreamt of shooting
a foreign movie and now it is going to happen live.
As a young, single and pretty actress, how do you cope with
men?
E hard o! But I’m always diplomatic with them. Most
times, I wonder how they always get my GSM lines. Diplomacy
is the best way to deal with men. Most of them are damn too
stubborn.
If you were to meet God today, what one major wish would you
ask from Him?
What I want from God is simple. I will askHim to bless and
make me very rich so that I can help the poor. And also build
homes for the homeless. Nigerians are suffering. I want to
help humanity.
You have been around since ’95, what has kept you going?
God first, then my zeal and determination never to give up.
God is the secret of my success. I’ve also come to realize
that hard work pays.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to leave behind a simple and very challenging legacy.
I want to be that actress that will be the first to bring
happiness and smiles into the lives of the poor through the
orphanages and homes that I will build. And when I’m
no longer there, I will instruct that the royalties from my
movies should be directed to these homes and orphanages for
the poor. Helping humanity is my dream. I want to really and
truly care for them. And my dream also is for Nollywood to
be bigger than Hollywood soon.
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