| My heart has been
broken, but it’s one of those things –Top Actress,
Benita Nzeribe
By AZUH AMATUS
Tuesday, May 17,
2005
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Rita
Photos: Sun News Publishing
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Vivacious Benita Nnenna Adaeze Nzeribe, is among the few
top actresses in Nollywood who hard work and mother luck has
helped get to the top of their careers. From a humble beginning
in ’96 on the set of "Beyond Our Dreams",
a TV soap, Ihiala, Anambra State-born Benita, is now a top
player in Nollywood movies. "I’ve paid my dues.
It was not easy when I started then. I used to travel all
the way from the East to Lagos for auditions," divulged
the English graduate of Abia State University.
Continuing, the star actress with verve and panache who registered
her bold presence in Nollywood on the sets of Notorious Virgin
and Gold Diggers’ in ’99, has this to say on relationships:
"At present, there is no man in life. I’m not searching.
I’m only pausing pending the time my ideal man will
come my way. I’ve chosen to be single since my last
affair collapsed.."
Shy and easy going, Benny, as she is fondly called by her
colleagues and pals, also shared some of her most kept secrets,
in this heart to heart chat with Daily Sun, Nigeria’s
King of the Tabloids.
Recently, you were involved in a car accident. How did it
happen?
Nothing much, sometimes in life some things just happen to
test your faith in God. I thank God for everything. I’m
very strong now. The accident happened here in Lagos while
I was driving with a relative of mine. She was on the wheels
when it happened. Except for my Chrysler Jeep that was heavily
damaged, none of us sustained any injuries. They are still
fixing the car.
You are looking prettier these days. Is any man responsible
for it?
(laughs heartily) I guess I just rediscovered myself.
Were you lost before?
No! when a woman tells you she rediscovers herself, it means
much. Well, as a man you won’t understand. God has also
been good to me….
Talking about movies, like how many have you done this year?
Well, I’ve not done much this year. I have shot about
three movies this year. But Peace of Mind, is one of my most
recent movies. It came out early this year. I acted alongside
Olu Jacobs, Ejike Asiegbu, Ken Okonkwo, Fred Amata, Juliet
Ibe, among others. In the movie I played the role of a troubled
and battered housewife who went through much in her marriage
at a very tender age. A well-scripted and family-oriented
movie. Every home deserves a copy of Peace of Mind; especially
young couples…It was fun on set.
Financially, were you okay with the movie?
Yeah! They tried much with my artiste fee, but I can’t
tell you the amount.
In the movie, your husband kept beating and battering you.
In real life, can you tolerate such a husband?
In real life, I always pray to God not to give me the husband
that will turn me into a punching bag. He will surely give
me the man that will love and pamper me, despite my short
comings.
Is there a man in your life at present?
No!
Why?
Sometimes in life you pause. So, there is a possibility I’m
pausing for now. That does not mean I’m not functioning.
I’m only pausing in terms of relationships and please
that does not mean I’m searching. I’m only single
but not searching.
I’m not going to look for a relationship, even biblically,
a woman does not look for a man, it is the other way round.
So, a man should look for me and not me going to look for
a man.
So, in essence, you are still single because the men have
refused to come look for you?
No! that is not the reason. They keep coming, but I have chosen
to be alone right now. Remember I’m still pausing. I
just want to be alone.
Was a heartbreak your reason for choosing to be single?
I don’t want to delve into that right now. The unexpected
happens once in a while and after making amendments in your
lifes, you just want to be. I’m not saying that I want
to be celibate. No! I just want to pause and think about my
life for the time being. I’m also using this time to
reflect on my past life. And whatever you think made me choose
to remain this way, it is very personal. I’m not denying
the fact that something cause my new status as regards relationships.
So, for how many months or years are you going to pause?
(Laughs). Okay! I might get out of my pause this month or
next month. It depends. But it will surely happen when God
decides to bring that person that will help get me out of
my pause. And that remains a secret between I and my God.
Talking about men and marriages. What qualities do you want
your ideal man to possess?
The truth is that I want a man that is complete. A man that
will understand, respect and love me. I don’t need a
saint, because there is none. I also want a man that is straight
with me. He mustn’t be Mr. World or a Bill Gates in
terms of money. I want a man that knows himself inside out.
A man that loves a woman, knows his limit, no matter what
he does. And I think that is every woman’s dream.
So, you are still searching and have not seen a man with all
these qualities?
I keep saying it to whosoever that cares to listen, I’m
not searching. No woman searches. The men have to search for
us and that’s the way it is.
Does that also mean that you will be altar-bound as soon as
a man with these qualities come your way?
(Chuckles) Till then, let’s see what happens.
Back to Nollywood. How come you have starred in only three
movies since the beginning of this year. Did they ban you
secretly?
No! Nobody banned me, I’ve not been around for sometimes
now. I travelled and stayed long. But, I will be going on
set very soon. Besides, Nollywood is going through much restructuring
and re-organization.
Aside acting, what other things are you into?
I’m also a model. I do interior decorations also.
Your entry into Nollywood, how did you do it?
I started first on television around ’96, with Beyond
Our Dream. I was also an English undergraduate then at Abia
State University. I came in basically because of my love for
acting. In fact, I started coming to auditions from the East
then to Lagos while still in a convent school then. I went
to several auditions then here in Lagos. My first movie was
around "99/2000. I did two movies at a stretch then,
Notorious Virgin and Gold Diggers.
From then till now, like how many movies have you starred
in?
Jeez. I’ve lost count of the number of movies I have
featured in. They are many. Close to 100.
Did your parents approve of your going into acting then, considering
the many negative publicities associated with artistes?
They did not wholly come out to kick against my choice, but
there were little skepticisms here and there. But thank God
I’ve been able to prove them wrong. They did not say
it boldly. They allowed me be after seeing the success I’ve
made out of my acting career.
As a young and rising actress then, how were you able to cope
with sexual harassments from producers and directors?
Sincerely speaking, I was lucky, nobody harassed me sexually.
Maybe, because of my innocence then.
You are from the popular and controversial Nzeribe family
in Anambra State. In fact, Chuma Nzeribe, is your uncle. Does
it affect your career in Nollywood?
Sincerely speaking, it does not affect me or weigh me down.
I’m so proud of my family. We might not be the best.
Every family has its ups and downs. I’m from a humble
home.
But how do you feel whenever your uncle, Chuma’s name,
comes up as one of those fighting Gov. Ngige and the same
time holding Anambra State to ransom?
(Laughs). I really don’t want to discuss that here,
it is a family matter. It’s also politics, and sorry
I’m not very good at discussing politics. I can’t
precisely tell you this person is right or wrong. But I know
my uncle is one person that has good reasons for whatever
he does.
If given the opportunity, will you advise him to leave the
governor alone?
(Chuckles) Sorry, no comment.
Tell us more about yourself and family background
Well, I’m Benita Nnenna Adaeze Nzeribe. I’m an
adult from Uzoakwa in Ihiala LGA in Anambra State. I was born
in Aba and grew up in so many places. I did my primary and
secondary schools in Aba and Umuahia. I also attended a Convent
school with the hope of becoming a reverend sister. But I
left when I felt I was not called towards that. My growing
up was also normal and nice. Nothing too fantastic. Little
pains here and there. The fondest memorable about my growing
up years, was when my dad bought me my first car at the age
of 14. Growing up was fun for me. We are four in my family:
two boys, two girls. I’m the third child. Dad is an
international businessman and mom is a retired chief nurse.
That’s it about my family. Nothing spectacular.
Was English what you had always thought of reading in the
university or it happened by chance?
No! I had always wanted to read theatre arts, but as at the
time I got into ABSU, they were not offering theatre arts,
so, I opted for English…
Some of your colleagues are at present under ban, courtesy
of movie-makers. What is y our view on the raging issue?
Well, in situations like this, it is only God that can really
see our hearts. But for me, I have chosen to remain silent
till the storm is over. What will be, will be. Despite all
these, I’m optimistic we will get to our destination…
I’m also silent not because I’m scared of anybody,
no! I’m silent because I don’t have facts of what
happened.
You must have achieved much as an actress. What would you
say is your biggest achievement in Nollywood today?
I might not have made it so big. But I believe that God has
been so good to me. Especially, when I look back from where
I was coming form. I’m also not the kind of person that
forgets where I’m coming from…Whenever I look
back, I know God has been really good to me as an actress.
I keep praying that we all join hands together to build Nollywood
and make it a better place for us. Out of nothing, Benita
rose to become something in Nollywood, that is a big achievement.
What would you say has been your most difficult experience
in Nollywood?
None that I can remember now. But it was rough and tough getting
to the top in Nollywood. At a point, it was like a mirage.
But I told myself that if people get there, I will also be
there. And God has been so, so good to me.
Did you ever think of quitting then that the going was rough
and tough?
I never thought of quitting because I knew I would surely
get there. It’s either you make it or you fail.
Did it also occur to you that you would get to the top of
your career this soon?
I told myself I will get there, but I don’t know how.
I had this thing inside of me, which keeps telling me I would
get there.
As a star actress, how would you rate Nollywood?
I won’t say we are excellent right now, because we don’t
have what it takes to be excellent. We do good movies and
I’m very proud of Nollywood. In fact, in Nollywood we
are performing miracles.
In your own view, what do you see as the biggest problem facing
actresses today?
Our personal lives are no longer personal to us again. Most
times, people misunderstand us. We are decent human beings
with consciences contrary to opinions about us, especially
in the media. We are not the way they look at us. I have my
limits in whatever movie role that comes my way. It is so
because I’m an African. I can’t go beyond kissing
in a movie and it must not be deep kissing.
As a popular and pretty actress, how do you cope with your
male admirers?
Well, I get by and tell myself the truth always. I’m
usually very nice and polite whenever they come my way. But
if I discover they want something deep, I will turn you down
politely. I usually tell them loud and clear that I can’t
offer anything more than friendship.
Is marriage on your mind?
Marriage is on every young girl’s mind. What is on my
mind is a peaceful marriage and it does not come easily. You
pray for it to come.
Are there pressures on you from your parents to settle down?
(Giggles) This job makes people to place you above what you
are in all ramifications. Normally, every mum wants her grown
up daughter to be married. If the right man comes why not…But
there are no pressures on me right now to get married.
The fact that you are still single, does it weigh you down
sometimes?
How can it weigh me down? I’m not running out of time.
I’m just there.
Can you marry an actor?
Well, if the actor loves me and has all the qualities I want
in my dream man, yes. Your job does not really matter to me.
What matters to me is happiness.
Who are you role models in Nollywood today, in terms of acting?
I have Liz Benson anyday. On the foreign scene, I have Cameroon
Diaz and Angelina Jolie. I also admire Brad Pitt, RMD and
Ben Affleck.
I know you believe so much in love. But has the game of love
been fair to you?
Yes and no. It bites and hurts sometimes and makes you happy
sometimes too. I’ve had a heartbreak once in my life.
It is one of those things.
Do you have any regret in life today?
Regrets? None that I can remember, honestly.
If you are not acting today, what else would you have been
doing?
Maybe, singing. I used to sing much before.
What are your phobias?
My biggest phobia is height. I also have a phobia for failure.
If you are to meet God today, what one major favour would
you ask from him?
I would ask Him to grant me my heart desires. And these heart
desires of mine are secrets between Him and me.
What is your philosophy of life?
Very simple! What will be, will be. Destiny can be delayed
but it can never be changed.
What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind when you are
no longer there?
Good name, fighting spirit and will power to emulate.
Many of your colleagues say you are cocky, pompous, arrogant
and conceited. Are you?
No! Benita Nnenna Adaeze is a very shy person who is being
misconstrued by so many people. I’m humble. You get
to know me better when you are close to me. I like being on
my own, a very shy lady. I don’t like cocky or snobbish
people. As far as I’m concerned, we are all equal in
the eyes of God.
In the next couple of years, where do you hope to be?
By God’s grace, I want to attain a big height in Nollywood
and also have a happy home. God will do it for me.
So, how is life in Nollywood?
Life in Nollywood is good. It’s really been nice. Ups
and down, it is so in every business.
And how are you coping with stardom?
It’s okay! I get by somehow (laughs)
What are the things you like and hate about stardom?
What I don’t like about stardom is that you don’t
have your life. You can’t live the way you want to live.
You are extra careful in doing most things. I love the fact
that most times, you jump the queues…Doors are also
opened for you.
Are you romantic?
For lack of a better word, I’m extra romantic (Laughs
longer).
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