Ten years after she hit Nollywood, the
actress known as Nurse Titi (Nkechi
Emmanuel) has definitely made her mark,
not only by starring in blockbuster movies
like Black Bird, When You Are Mine, Most
Wanted Nurses, Ghetto Republic, and Adaora
among others but also by delivering her
roles with professional dexterity of an
accomplished Thespian.
She recently added a feat to her cap after
emerging the Most Promising Actress of the
Year 2016 at the Classic Africa Merit
Awards (CAMA). In a chat with Showtime
Celebrity, the Anambra State-born thespian
speaks on the extent she can go for love, her
experience in Hollywood, and her career
generally.
You studied History and International
Relations, so why acting?
I have been acting even before I gained
admission into the university, let’s say in
the year 2008 or 2009.The whole thing
started when I finished secondary school
and the Joint Admission Matriculation
Board (JAMB) was making things difficult.
So I enrolled in a computer school where I
eventually graduated with a Diploma in
Desktop Publishing. On this particular day, I
was at home watching TV when I saw an
advert inviting aspiring models for an
audition around Ikeja, Lagos. So, I started
as a model. That day was a memorable day,
because at a point, a friend and I ran out of
cash, and had to trek from Opebi to
Maryland. My friend was selected for the
modelling job and I wasn’t picked.
What went wrong?
I think it had to do with my height. But I
didn’t give up and wanted to be part of the
entertainment industry at all cost. The
opportunity came again when some
Nollywood actors came to my church and I
was already part of the drama group in
church. After church service, I told my mum
I wanted to be like the actors that attended
our church today. She told me to inform my
dad. My dad kicked against it because he
wanted me to study Law. I cried all day until
my mum could stand it no longer.
Eventually, she gave me some money and I
went to the National Arts Theatre.
Fortunately, they were having an audition
on that particular day. That was the first
day I saw Aunty Ngozi Nzeonu, this gave me
a kind of hope. I was told to pay some
certain amount to the bank, I left for my
home to inform my mum. She gave me the
money which I paid into the given account
and the rest is history.
Your first major film?
That was the movie titled “When You Are
Mine” in 2009 where I was cast as a nurse.
And that was where the producer of ‘’Clinic
Matters’’ saw me. I was invited for the
auditioning, there I met about 400 ladies
and the producer only needed three. I was
lucky to be one of the three. That is the
character that actually brought me to the
limelight. Everywhere I go, people tend to
call me nurse Titi. In fact, it has really taken
over my real name – I’m not regretting that
though.
Difference between making soap opera and
films?
Soap operas are time consuming and more
challenging than film making.
Any film of your own?
Not yet. I want to undergo a formal training
in that before venturing into it. Acting is a
talent but for producing, a three month
course should do.
We have many actors turning producers,
why?
I think that may be because they want to
bring to fore things they think are yet to be
projected in Nollywood.
Do you think that is one of the reasons the
film market is flooded with less quality
films?
I don’t think so. Some producers would not
know the project won’t come out well. It
could be that the script wasn’t well
delivered, the editor might not do a good
job. So many things could lead to having a
bad production. I just don’t want to believe
any producer will invest in a film he or she
thinks will not do well in the market.
How do you see the introduction of short
films into Nollywood?
It’s a welcome development but my fear is
that our people may abuse it. That should
not be an excuse for producing bad films.
Short films are mainly for online viewing
and that means it has to come out good.
You are young, beautiful, rich and already
building your career. Where is marriage in all
these?
Marriage is around the corner.
How soon?
Very soon. You don’t expect me to give you
the date, common.
There is this belief that celebrities find it
difficult to find love, your thought?
That is not true. I have found love before, I
am still in love and will still get men falling
in love with me. We should learn to give
love a try.
Why do we have celebrities within the
marriageable age still single?
We all have our real persons off the screen.
How you treat yourself, partner, your
commitment to the relationship will
determine what will become of the
relationship. This has nothing to do with
who you are on the screen.
An actress once said it is better to have sex
outside a relationship than in a relationship
to avoid being heartbroken?
Our culture frowns at pre-marital sex.
However, it is not advisable to have sex
outside a relationship. One should work
towards having the good sides of the
relationship.
To what length can you go for love?
I can kill for love. Love is a good thing and
when I find it, I am a very jealous lover. If
anyone blocks my path, I can kill that
person.
Your Nigerian celebrity crush?
That is Patoranking. He knows what he
wants and I like his dress sense.
You have the tendency to grow fat, do you
think this befits your career?
There is no shape one can’t rock. In fact, we
have pageants for big, bold and beautiful.
What matters most is your confidence and
charisma.
Do you think Nigerian actors are well paid?
We are not well catered for. I have been
opportune to do one or two short movies in
Hollywood. M and one other guy were the
only Nigerians in the film. Over there, we
were pampered; I must confess. If you
complain of headache, you will be allowed to
the green room. But here in Nigeria, even if
you are dying, you must go on because you
have been given a certain amount of money.
Having spent all your life in Lagos, do you
speak Yoruba?
Yes, I speak Yoruba fluently.
Should we expect to see you in a Yoruba
film soon?
Sure, I have spoken to some Yoruba
producers. My fans should look out for that.
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