Big Brother Africa star,
Richard, becomes actor in Nigeria
By FEMI MACAULAY
Friday, April 25, 2008
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•Richard
Pix: Sun News Publishing |
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Richard Dyle Bezvidenhout, the 25-year-old Tanzanian, who
won the star prize of $100,000 in the spectacular reality
TV show, Big Brother Africa, in November 2007, is on his way
to fulfilling his dream of becoming a movie star.
The starting point of Richard’s possible film career
is unfolding in Nigeria. He is the lead actor and star attraction
in a new Nollywood movie that was shot at various locations
on Lagos Island, including Victoria Garden City (VGC), the
elite residential estate at Lekki, for over 20 days last month.
This is the first time Richard would star in a movie. Not
just that; it is also his first acting role in any movie.
“There is a first time for everyone,” he said,
adding, “I came here for two movies. We’re on
our first project. I didn’t expect the invitation, but
after Big Brother you’re prepared for so much, and everything
that comes your way is just like another thing. It’s
such a big experience that I went through in my life. It has
opened many doors. I’m expecting many more. People have
met me who want to do things with me and all that. Of course,
I’m happy I’m in this particular place, acting
in this particular movie and earning some money.”
It’s a secret how much he earned for this particular
job, but according to him, “it’s in dollars, definitely.”
Still on his fees, he said, “It’s cool. It’s
OK. It’s fine. Hey men, if you’re to pay Richard
as Big Brother, it’s quite expensive. So, at the end
of the day, you just have to look at other things than money-
you look at the profession, you look at the name, you look
at the people you meet, and some money to save. It’s
OK.”
Describing the new movie called Player No. 1, its director,
Moses Ewang, said: “The storyline is about this guy.
He’s a nice guy- he’s cool. He’s supposed
to get married to this beautiful lady, but because of his
sexual appetite he finds himself in sexual relationships with
the four sisters of this particular lady he wants to marry.
And there’s trouble.
This kind of thing naturally would lead to trouble; a lot
of intrigue; a lot of twists.” According to him, “The
people playing the roles are very peculiar, talking about
Richard of Big Brother Africa; Meryl of Big Brother Africa;
Jackie Appiah from Ghana- other Nigerian stars like Ini Edo,
Uche Jombo. We’ve come out to make a great movie.”
The movie with a budget of N10 million is produced by Ifeanyi
Anagor of Eastside Entertainment, a production and marketing
company.
It is Richard that plays the star role of Slow in the movie.
He describes the character as “this irresistible guy”.
Why him? “Maybe my personality or appearance; I don’t
know what it is but the director and producer believe in me
– ‘If we put Richard on the screen, he will fit
the role of the irresistible guy.’ On his experience
on set, he said, “You have to shoot a film from different
angles and when you slip on the lines you must do it again.
Sometimes power cuts, sometimes it’s hot and mostly
I’m in suits. The role is challenging but it’s
all acting at the end of the day. I’m hoping that people
will watch it and say Richard has talent.”
Whose idea? Ewang said, “The entire concept for this
production was brought up by me. I got it from watching Big
Brother Africa. I saw those I could tap something from in
the Big Brother House. I could tap some of their talents,
some of their creativity. Richard is one of them; Meryl too.
So, I decided to bring them on.” Meryl, 22, is from
Namibia. She was the third housemate to be evicted from the
Big Brother House. An M-Net production, the second edition
of the continent’s biggest reality show was recorded
in South Africa.
Apart from the whopping prize money he won in Big Brother
Africa, Richard is unforgettable for his sizzling on-screen
love affair with Tatiana, one of the female housemates from
Angola. It rocked his marriage. There were reports that his
white Canadian wife, Ricki, 29, was so upset by his infidelity
and gave up on their union. Richard said: “She didn’t
seek a divorce – No, that’s nonsense! The media
was saying that she filed divorce papers just to sell their
news and all that. But I know my wife very well. I know what
she is capable of. I said I’m not going to react to
that until I hear from her.”
So, what’s happening now? Frankly, he replied, “What’s
happening now is that we’ve talked things over, Tatiana
and I. I explained to her – ‘I want my relationship
with my wife, my marriage, to go on. I’m sorry it turned
out like this. My wife is sad. Try to understand.’”
He went on, saying: “Even in the House, I always made
it clear that I’m going to try to get a second chance
from my wife. Of course, she was disappointed, she was not
happy. It wasn’t a very easy road for us. It depends
on how you play your card, how you handle the situation. I
said to myself-‘I’m going to give it my best.’
I told her, ‘I’m sorry. I’m wrong. I messed
up. Please, give me a second chance.’”
Love won as the two were eventually able to kiss and make
up. Hear Richard: “There was a wall between us. So,
we had to break that wall. We’ve broken it big time.
She’s here in Nigeria with me. She accompanied me. She’s
very supportive. She’s supporting me in everything just
like a good wife would.”
No wonder he feels so cool in Nigeria. “I’m having
fun; I’m having a good time,” he gushed. It was
evident as he bubbled on set. A film student in his country,
Richard said, “I’m hoping to make movies myself,
to produce my own movies at the end of the day.”
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