Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you do for a living?
My name is Uche Nwaefuna...I'm from Delta state... I'm a
young enterprising lady. I am very passionate about arts and the entertainment
industry of Nigeria and I'm very much involved as an Actor. I try my best to
indulge in things that will expand my knowledge in the field that I'm in and in
other fields ...
I'm a sucker for learning. I can be a foodie ... I love
intercontinental dishes... I love to dance. My sense of fashion is classy and trendy.
I'm a fun-loving person very spontaneous. And above all, I am very driven and
focused
ON HER PERSONALITY
Tell us briefly about your childhood days, what you loved doing, your hopes and dreams.
My childhood was very interesting with the help of my mum
and siblings... I loved family vacation, boat cruise, visiting resorts/zoos ...
Sunday tradition of getting the most amazing meal from my mum ...I always
dreamt of being a star to the point where my nickname was Agbani Darego ... my
mum instilled in my siblings and me great moral values that have helped me in
becoming the lady I am ... one of the fun memories I had as a child was when
I'd dress up in my mom's clothing and makeup just to act in front of the
mirror.
Did you ever imagine you’d one day be in the spotlight? What was the initial feeling like?
I'm sure a lot of artistically inclined people today had
childhood desires ... seeing their names on billboards and flashy lights but
nothing really prepares you for that moment when you're in the spotlight
...nothing prepares you for the feedback ... It only makes me want to do more,
wants to be more and make sure that I'm a voice to reckon with... Because In
this field you can only grow as you go.
Tell us how you manage challenges associated with being a celebrity. Is there a personal recipe?
Is there ever a personal recipe for dealing with these
challenges? I would say my recipe is my family. They are my strong support
system. They keep me grounded ... sometimes when I feel overwhelmed with work
and the whole lack of sleep ... my mum is there to speak wisdom and prayers to
me ... I have my older sister (Vanessa that I speak with and she always just
finds a way to put me back on track) They help me cope with the challenges of
being a celebrity.
Describe your personality, your beliefs and what you stand for?
My personality is fun and nosy (to be enlightened wink) I
like the outdoor... I'm a very free-spirited person ... I can be a workaholic
but I also love to have fun... I stand for always believe in yourself because
only you can raise your self-esteem to 100% ... do what pleases You and Allow
no one bring you down.
If you could change any aspect of your life, what would that be?
I wouldn't want to change any aspect of my life because
everything I've experienced has moulded me into the woman that I am today. I
can't take it for granted... the only change and impact I'll focus my energy on
is what is to come.
If you had the power to change the film industry (Nollywood), what would you do?
If I had the power, it won't be to change but add
value to the already soaring growth of the movie industry There's so much
growth that is very vivid, there have been top quality productions to impact
and add to its already positive growth because now the movie industry has come
up to the level of international standards, a level where it can compete with
international quality ...it will only be for more growth and elevation which is
where I come in by adding value.
What episode of your life would you term as the most challenging?
The most challenging would be the initial stages of my
career where I went through some daunting experiences I'd rather keep private.
If you had the opportunity to inspire someone with an event from your life, what would the story be?
Like I’d always say, you are the key to your own happiness.
At the starting point of my career as an actor, I had to deprive myself of
certain desires/needs because all I could see was the bigger picture. I believe
When you have a dream, you should pursue it. sometimes even if it meant
sleepless nights, I'd research and watch monologues days before my audition,
because you can't just bank on talent, you have to prune your talent, you have
to nurture it ... Never give up ...keep pushing don't say "I don't have
enough resources" hence you can't do it. manner won't fall from above ...
keyword: MOVE
ON HER CAREER
What roles have you played in a movie and which was the most challenging for you?
My journey so far in the movie industry has been quite
interesting although I'm still looking forward to that challenging role that
will stretch me beyond my comfort zone plus I have some projects in the
pipeline and I'm quite excited for my fans to see what I've been up to ... I
won't let the cat out of the bag my journey just began and I'm here for the
long haul ...but it will interest to know some roles I’ve played so far on my
past projects; played lead character on my first job as an actor on the hit
Mnet tv series 'HUSH' after which I featured in this Movie Blockbuster
"Banana Island Ghost" and a lot other including the award-winning
movie "three wise men".
Would you call acting a satisfying and lucrative profession?
It's a satisfying and lucrative profession for me ...
nothing is better than doing what you love
Would you say it’s harder being a female actress in Nollywood or does this come with its share of challenges?
I won't say it's hard being a female actor but yes it has
its challenges ... being a worker in any field has its challenges it's
inevitable not to be faced with challenges in your field of expertise
In view of your successes/ experience, what ‘bitter truth’ would you give to aspiring actors/ actresses?
Nothing comes easy... you have to work really hard and be
willing to face the bad and good life has to offer but still stand firm and
driven ... I'm still thriving to get to the top with 'dignity and integrity'.
