Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah and other international stars were in Lagos, last Wednesday to intimate the media ahead of the commencement of the shooting of the 3D movie, “Mystery Beads” in Nollywood.
In a couple of days, you will hit the location to commence the shooting of the 3D movie, “Mystery Beads” being produced by Egor Efiok and directed by Frank Adekunle Macaulay?
I can’t wait to get on set. It’s exciting to be part of the cast of this film. When I went through the script, I immediately fell in love with the storyline.
Would you say acting has been fair to you in the past 16 years you hit the limelight?
Acting has given me more insight into the mysteries of life. It has also given me the opportunity to meet and interact with a lot of people across the world. Apart from making me more mature, it pays my bills and has impacted on my life positively.
Was acting what you really set out to do in life?
I wanted to become a lawyer because I came from a family of lawyers. I have the blood of lawyers running in my veins. I still would love to study law in future. While growing up, I loved acting but I never thought I would come up this big in the industry. Then, I used to act in the church and in school.
So, how did you develop your talent?
A friend came to me and informed me about a talent hunt show that usually hold in different parts of the world. She advised me to be part of the show, and when I did, I emerged the first runner-up. Unknown to me, there was someone who watched my performance all through. He told me he would like to feature me in his forthcoming TV series. That was the beginning of my acting career.
Did you start acting before dabbling into marriage?
I was already acting before I got married. I started acting at the age of 18, so that means I hit stardom as a young adult. I featured in the TV series titled ‘’Feasting For Love’’ but I had my break into the industry in 2004 when I featured alongside Van Vicker and Mama G in my first movie titled ‘Divine Love’.
Sometimes, your Ghanaian kinsmen refer to you as their answer to Nigeria’s Genevieve Nnaji, Omotola and so on. How do you feel?
I am indeed very happy that my work is being appreciated by my fans. I know that I’m not working in vain. I have been trying as much as possible to be the best that I could be. I give everything into each role I am supposed to interpret in a movie. I guess that made me to stand out in the industry. Maybe, God sent me here to fulfill a mission; inform and entertain people through my talent.
And you would be proud to say that acting has changed your perception about life and living?
Yes of course. Acting has changed my very being and my way of living. It is not an easy task at all. The things I used to do while I was still a nobody are impossible to do now because all eyes are on me. These days, I am mindful of what I do or say because there are a lot of young people looking up to me for direction. I cannot afford to disappoint them because I am their role model and I need to do the right thing in order to impact on them positively.
You find it difficult to look at people straight in the eyes. Are you a shy person?
Yes, I am a very shy person but interestingly, when I find myself in front of the camera, I’m suddenly transformed. Once I hear ‘’Action’’, my shyness disappears and I become a different person.
We hear there is a war of supremacy going on between you and other leading Ghanaian actresses-Yvonne Nelson and Nadia Buari. How true is this?
I don’t know why journalists prefer to write about things that are not real. I don’t have any problem with anybody. They are all my colleagues in the industry. We all come from different backgrounds and after work we return to our homes. Once in a while, we meet and chat with one another, that doesn’t mean we are not friends and colleagues in the showbiz industry. We are one big family and once we are on set, we tend to be committed to our works. I’m not at loggerhead with any of them.
Some actresses have had their own fair shares of the negative reports in the media. What were the prices you have paid so far?
I will say I have become blessed. I give God all the glory. I didn’t know I would go this far in my acting career. I have had that favour from God.
You are married and as one of the biggest actresses in Ghana, how do you cope with all the romantic roles you play in movies?
We have ways of doing it; most of the touching and kissing are not real. Basically the romantic scenes are make-believe; it is in the power of the motion picture editor. When I watch my intimate movies, it is sometimes overwhelming to me how real some of them can be when I did not even do it.
How would you compare working in Nigeria and Ghana?
Nigeria is my second home and I love working here. When I am here, I’m not always in a hurry to return to Ghana.
Every actress has a unique selling point, tell us about yours?
Wow, I don’t know. There are so many traits I have that people love. Some people like my eyes, my smile. So I guess it is the people that determine my selling point.
You are a married woman; you can’t run away from temptations, how much have you been able to withstand those that come your way?
I am a God-fearing person and I thank God for His direction and helping me to avoid so much struggles in the industry.
