Why Nollywood producers can't do without me, Angela Okorie

Angela

Pretty Angela Okorie is unarguably one of the most beautiful actresses in Nollywood. The Ebonyi State-born ex-Delta soap model has remained on the rise and gradually carving a niche for herself in the industry.
In this encounter, Okorie who is currently the toast of many producers, speaks on her growing up, career, marriage, secret pains and why filmmakers find her irresistible.  

Share with us what you are currently working on?

I’m currently on a location shooting a movie with some notable faces in the industry including Frederick Leonard. It’s a beautiful story that is definitely going to stand out because it’s loaded with lots of moral lessons. The movie also re-emphasizes the fact that there is nothing God cannot do. It teaches Nigerians to hold on to God no matter how terrible their situations seem to be.

You’ve gradually warmed your way into the hearts of many movie buffs; how did acting start for you?

I did my first movie in December 2009; it was entitled Sincerity. And since then I have been very busy with movie jobs.

You are currently on the posters of most recent movies; what is the secret?

The only secret is that the producers fancy me a lot. There is one thing about marketers and producers, if your face is not selling their movies, nothing will make them put you on their posters or movie jackets. Basically, my face is there because I merit it.

Talking about the face, is it the beauty of the face or there is something else?

 Our fans make us. If for instance movie lovers keep asking about my movie, that means they love and appreciate my acting. It’s not just because of the beauty of my face. So, in that regard, I think my face sells movies.

Like how many movies have you done over the years?

I’ve done over 50 movies. I think I’m close to 80 now.

Which of these movies brought you to limelight?

That was Holy Serpent. I played the role of a village girl who was married to Kenneth Okonkwo. KOK and other popular faces were also there. That was the movie that did the magic for me…It was in 2011.

What quality of yours earned you your first movie role?

I think the producer was looking for a beautiful girl. Coincidentally, I went to that location set with a friend who was part of the production. Along the line, the producer saw me and felt I fit into the character they had been looking for. Before then, I was basically into modeling. I didn’t even want to accept the offer, not until after I was persuaded and I decided to try it.

What basically was the producer looking for?

He was looking for a very beautiful girl, who is tall and curvy; and they found that in me. In fact, it was in that location that I was auditioned. I wasn’t tensed in anyway. I was already a star then in my own world.

What has been your unique selling point over the years?

I think it has been the grace of God. On the other hand, I think I have what producers want, which is my talent and that is why I keep receiving calls for movie jobs. It wouldn’t have been so if I don’t have that talent, the charisma, the voice, etc.

In other words, your beauty has been your selling point?

You can say so!

Do you still model?

Yes. I’m still into modeling. But I’m done with Delta Soap. I stayed with them for about seven years. They were renewing it. I have decided to concentrate more on acting because it is working out for me.

That means you earn more now as an actress than a model?

Yes.

You’ve been in limelight for long, what has been delaying brand endorsements for you?

I don’t think anything is delaying it. Maybe the companies have not been able to reach me, or they are still looking for my contacts. Most of the companies that I have tried to work with don’t come with good money, so I rejected it. A telecommunication company has approached me but the money was not good enough.

What has changed about you ever since you got married?

Nothing really changed. I’m still who I used to be. I got married three years back.

What attracted you to him?

I dated him for two years and I discovered he is a good man…He is a God fearing man and also equal to the task. Lots of men are scared of getting married to an actress, especially the pretty ones. But my husband has that courage. He knows everything about me.

How does he cope knowing you are always in the midst of men?

He knows the job. He knows what the entertainment industry is all about. I even don’t have many friends in the industry because there are lots of back biting. That is why I choose my friends, my friends don’t choose me.

What has life taught you over the years?

Life has taught me how to be calm. I’ve also learnt that humility is very important in life. Again, life has taught me that one must always tolerate others.

Who is the real you?

I’m different from what I act. The real me is a good person with a good heart. I also don’t like people taking advantage of me. I’m a very temperamental person; I hate intimidations. I like to see people happy. My mission on earth is to make people happy.

Are you a saint?

I’m not a saint; nobody is saint.

Share some of your vices with us?

I don’t think there is anything I’m doing that is not good. Nobody is putting a gun on me to do them. I do what I think is good.

What do you do when you are not working?

I like traveling. Most times when I’m not working I travel out to chill for a week or thereabouts.

What do you relax with, cigarette or alcohol?

I’m not a smoker; I don’t smoke. I only do that in the movies, when there is need for such. I live my normal life when I’m not acting.

What is the craziest thing a fan has done to you?

On the streets of New York, when I was coming out from a Shopping Mall, a fan kissed me. And he said ‘what would you do; I’m so crazy about you.’ And in that situation, I couldn’t do anything because my fans made me and I just have to show them love.

Most female celebrities have prize; prize to have flings with a man. Do you also?  

I don’t. I’m married and I respect that fact. My marriage comes first in everything I do. So no amount of money can lure me to bed with another man.

Do your fellow women also woo you?

Sorry; I’m not into that. I’m not into lesbianism.  

You’ve never done it before?

No. I don’t even know what it looks like. What does it look like? Have you done ‘man to man’ before? (laughs).

Do you see anything wrong with it?

Our culture forbids it; it’s a sin. It’s uncalled for. Why would a woman be romantically involved with another woman?

Does that mean no woman has approached you before?

Of course, lots of them have approached me, but I get irritated by that.

How do you handle it?

I just smile and walk away.

How do you keep your man away from other ladies?

He is a man; he can do what pleases him. I am not the type of woman that tries to monitor a man. No matter how you monitor a man, if he wants to cheat he can still cheat.

Lots of women have abandoned their homes on the grounds of infidelity; can you do that?

(Laughs) In the first place, it will take a lot before my husband can go for another woman. That can only happen when I don’t satisfy him in everything.  

Everything like what?

Everything! It’s only when a woman does not satisfy his man in everything that he goes out in search of other women.

But men are said to be polygamous in nature?

I’ve never caught my husband with another woman; so I don’t believe that.  

Maybe he has been carefully cheating?

I don’t think so. I got married to a good man.

Does that stop him from developing feelings for another woman?

You are not him, so you don’t know him. I have never thought of him doing that. If it is happening, I don’t know. All I know is that he is a good man.

Are there things that make you cry?

Yes. It’s the lost of my first child. It was actually a miscarriage. I was six to seven months pregnant when it happened. I felt really bad. That has been my secret pain.  

How many more kids are you expecting?

I have only one now. I don’t know how many more I will have.

 

Tell us more about your background

I’m an Ebonyi State girl, but I was born and brought up in Cotonou. I’m the third in a family of five. I was singing in the church before I came to Nigeria and began my modeling career. I studied Public Administration at the Lagos State University. At the moment, I’m studying Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos. I’m doing this because I need to learn more.

Tell us about your tattoos

A newspaper misquoted me in the past, saying I wanted to go for more tattoos. The tattoos I have are over eight years; I would rather take them out than go for more. There are some epic movie roles that I would spend lots of money trying to cover up the tattoos because some of the makeup artistes might not provide what you can use to cover them. 

 

By JAMES EMMANUEL
jemedia7@gmail.com